John Hudson Thomas’ work was quirky, very substantially built and beautiful. Some had most unusual entries and egresses. This one, one of the three built together near Indian Rock Park in Berkeley, has a side entrance. The original, native stone (impossible to find now) staircase was in need of repair. Each stone was carefully removed, replaced, and augmented by similar rock, with a slightly altered curve in order to spill more gracefully at the landing above. We tried to assuage the spirits of JHT with the changes we made, hoping they’d appreciate them. Wanting separation and more privacy from the driveway and house next door, as well as creating a few more beacons to the entry, a stucco column and low planters were included, offering architectural support, while tying in to some of the many lovely details on the house.
Six years later, the Goodmans returned to address the back garden. New, ornamented stucco walls and trellises replaced old wood fencing, and the adjacent inactivated grassy space was replaced by a flagstone patio surrounded by new rock walls using the same old native stone used in the front. Concreteworks’ fire table and BBQ countertop adds much beauty to the new garden. Intimate in size where every inch counts in design, these new outdoor rooms tie in with what Lisa and Tim felt were within the umbrella of Thomas’ original vision and whimsy - to create an enticing, easy flow between the inside and the out.
