Dream Home: John Holmes' 70s Masterpiece

Home of art director John Holmes, and designed by William Kirsch, is made entirely fr. used parts: (L-R) Kathleen, Tavia and John relaxing on a second-hand wicker couch in the living room.

I honestly cannot think of a home I would be happier moving into than this one. It was designed in the early 70s by William Kirsch for John Holmes, an art director best known now for the cover of the original paperback of Jaws. Built in northern California, all of the materials for the house were reclaimed and it included 85 stained glass windows. These photos were taken in 1972, but I can't help wondering whether this house is still standing- I'm pretty sure I would move to California just to live in it. I love everything down to his wife's amazing skirt and the adorable dresses on his daughters.


Here Holmes' image is reflected in a living room mirror.


Here Kathleen cooks dinner in the kitchen.


Here Holmes' daughter Tavia enjoys lunch by her favorite window.


Here, the wooden double doors came from a fraternity house at Stanford.


Here the stairwell as shot from below.


Here daughter Michelle hangs onto railing made from chicken coops to peer outside.


Home of art director John Holmes, designed by William Kirsch, is made entirely from used parts incl. 85 stained glass windows.


Kathleen Holmes rocking daughter Michelle to sleep in a bedroom.


Here a wooden sun was carved as a personal signature by one of the five carpenters that worked on the house.


Here a glass bubble serves as a birdhouse (though the bird pictured is stuffed).


Here daughter Tavia is taking a bath.


Contractor Don Umphrees, building inspector Henry Anderson, Kirsch, Holmes, civil engineer Edward Beattie and mechanical engineer Robert Ritter standing in stained glass doorway.


Additional information, January 2012: Thanks to a blog reader, Prince of Cathay, I now know that this home "won the Sunset Magazine home of the year award, and was also featured in Life Magazine. People would come and knock on the door and ask to see their home. Too much attention... and somewhat impractical to raise the two little girls! They sold it, and two weeks after it was sold it burned to the ground. John and Kathleen have since built another masterpiece in the hills above Sonoma State University!"

So upsetting to hear it burnt down! Hopefully I can track down some images of their new home.