We sold our first home, a Craftsman bungalow, in Northern California nearly 20 years ago, and I have always felt nostalgic about that comfy home. Mike’s Place, in a lovingly- and meticulous-restored 1910 Craftsman, is a welcome respite from the cookie-cutter hotels. It is an artist’s and gardener’s retreat. Lovingly appointed with fine art and period furniture and furnishing, it’s truly a home away from home. Thirty years ago, Mike began plantings of cacti, agave, and other splendid examples of desert flora, are clearly having an influence on the neighborhood. His now-mature garden with bougainvillea shrouding the front porch is a sanctuary, quiet yet perfectly situated only a ten-minute walk across the Vermont Street “poetry” pedestrian bridge to upscale restaurants, watering holes, and shopping (Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc.) in Hillcrest. On our walk to Sunday brunch at Great Maple, we were delighted to see in the distance the tents of a several block long world-class farmers’ market. Never made it to Great Maple. We loaded up on organic provisions and dined at the market instead. Next time.
Mike as a host is justifiably proud of his accomplishments ¬–stain-glass windows of his own design recreate what may have been in the home originally, along with his own paintings of pastel-hued desert scenes and mid-century SoCal homes – fit right in alongside the vintage appointments from 100 years ago. He lives in the studio behind the main bungalow, but you wouldn’t know it. After greeting us warmly and showing us around, we only saw and heard from him upon our departure. The bungalow was clean and has a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom and plenty of sunny enclaves inside and out to read or nap. It almost felt like I was on vacation, even though I was working at a conference down the hill a 7-minute Lyft away from the crappy Town & Country.