The Montecito
6650 Franklin
Hollywood, Calif.

October 23, 1933

Dear Ann,

I still don't know whether I have any land or not but here are
the house dimensions as requested. If you could find time to
make me another drawing maybe I could bear the Hollywood winter.

The principal change I have made from the other plan is very slight -
I don't see any point in making a complete portal on the east side
where the bedroom is finally to be. It will be better, I think,
to build the wall only and finish that end of the portal when the
bedroom is added.

The wall between the kitchen and the closet is to be, of course,
adobe. The closet is to be built of lumber right in the house -
with drawers, etc. - and needn't concern your attention.

Please don't think the kitchen is too small if you can help it.
I don't want it projecting in front of the house more than five
feet and the thickness of two adobe walls.

I've changed my mind several times about the depth of the portal.
How I see you're right about it, it ought to be six feet deep.

I've added an extra small window in the bath over the tub. This
is to take care of a western light in the bath in case I ever
add the adjoining bedroom and use that stopped-up door to get into.

If I've got the lot by this time please let me know who I owe the
initial payment to; also, would you tell me what the dimensions of
the lot are. I've forgotten.

I wish I'd staked out where exactly I'd like the house. Do you
remember the tentative decision about it? It wasn't too close to
the peach trees; it wasn't too close to Camino Boniente to prevent
my being able to add the bedroom; it wasn't sitting north or south
but turned so that - even when the eastern bedroom is built the
sun can get in the eastern windows over my desk.

I ought to run over - if I get the land - and set the stakes. How
late this month or next would be time enough so that adobes could
still be made this winter?

Now - after all this and all your friendly concern - I suppose
I don't own the property and might as well quit thinking about it.

October 25, 1933

Dear Ray:

Ann Webster tells me you might be interested in selling a corner of your vast estate. I think you're a damn fool to do it but I'd like to know exactly what you had in mind. I'd like also, if you have time to do it right away, for you to step out with your trusty camera and take a few snapshots of the lot in question in relation to your house, so that I can see how much privacy we'd both get if we make a deal. Also, could you tell me how flat that tract is, and whether or not it's been in cultivation at all. Are there any water rights?

I'd like nothing better than to be in your estimable neighborhood if we can reach some kind of arrangement.

I'd probably do better in the way of isolation on the Dorman lot, which Ann has probably told you about. But I'm damned if I'm going to pay silly prices for land in Santa Fe.

Sorry I had to rush away without saying goodbye. I'll be saying hello one day - much to your astonishment.

Regards to you both.

As ever,

The Montecito,
6650 Franklin,
Hollywood, Calif.

ANN WEBSTER

CANON ROAD
SANTA FE

25 October 33

Dear Lynn,

You did not authorize me to pay more than seven hundred for the Dorman lot. This he refused. If you want me to open negotiations again it must be on a higher basis, as he has not peeped since I went out of his office. Let me know what you want. If he is still open to 750.00, and he is not bound by that offer as we refused it, and if he accepts 750.00 now, we pay him 75.00 or ten percent, on the contract pending delivery of the deed.

Let me know what you want me to do.

If we offer and get it for 750.00, and if we are ready to build, I will measure the exact distance from front line to peach trees and spot them on the map I send you so that you may designate the exact location of the house before we dig for adobes. The weather has held up wonderfully and we may still be able to make a few thousand this autumn if you want and if you get, the lot.

I like your new arrangement. The proportions are good. I'll make a few sketches. Irene Emory the dancer is here and has taken my last studio and I am rushed to get it ready by November 1, but as soon as that is over I will make the sketches.

The lumber man came to see me just after I had your letter. I showed him the plans and said that I would want enough lumber to finish it at the October 33 prices and he accepted the order. He said that he could hold it at his mill for spring delivery.

Ray Otis sent you a map and put a price on his corner lot in his desire to land you as a neighbor. I think he would shade it if you are interested.

Yrs

A

Dear Ann:

I'm sorry I couldn't close matters up there
before I left.

I've decided, however, that if Mr. Dorman is
still interested in selling that corner lot
on the Asequis Madre I'll give $750 in cash
for it. Here's a $75 check to close the deal.
If it can't be closed immediately, hold the
check and we'll use it on one of the other deals.

If Mr. Dorman would rather not sell the lot,
please let me know at once and I'll decide which
of the other deals to go through with. Some of
them are very appealing.

Many thanks for giving me a helping hand.

With kindest regards,

Dear Ann:

I really want that Dorman lot and, as I said before, I'll
pay $750 for it.

I'd like to feel that I have the lot now if I'm going to
have it at all, so unless Dorman has backed out by this time,
would you mind very much if we relented and paid the extra
$50?

Anyway, here is an enclosed note which, if it makes it any
simpler, you can show Dorman if you will.

If he's come across a sum of money in the last few days
he'll probably decide now not to sell, or to hold out for
a higher price - but anyway here is a $75 check to close
the deal.

Please don't be annoyed with me for giving in so easily.
I've got to have a home to go to next spring and it seems
to me I'd be happier on that lot than on any of the others
available, and please let me know at once what happens.

Personally, I think Ray's lot is probably a very good investment but the section seems a little crowded - and there's always the fact that the Otis house couldn't help looking down into the patio of the place in front of it.

A great many thanks for your innumerable efforts.

My best,

October 31, 1933

Dear Ann:

I've gone round singing your phrase, "You own the Dorman lot" to the tune of "The Farmer's in the Dell" for days. My friends have turned away from me. The maid refuses to come near my apartment. The cops non the corner stare at me in disdain as I go by.

Many thanks for your trouble and successful persistence.

As soon as the sketch of the lot you promised me arrives, with the designated distances from peach trees to streets, etc., I'll send you, as accurately as I can figure where I think the house should go.

Whatever formalities I have to go through about ordering the adobes and the timber are herewith gone through: order in my name whatever is necessary in this line.

Since I imagine your workmen have to be paid every day or so, please let me know how much money you'd like me to send you now, or from time to time, to take care of having the adobes made.

You tell me that I pay the rest to Dorman when the deed is delivered. Please let me know if I'm to do anything about it yet.

I've written Ray thanking him for his kindness about his lot, and please, if you see Margaret, thank her for trying to help me out. Her lot is a very interesting one, and if I had money to invest, I'd buy it anyway, I think.

Best regards as ever,