Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles
“There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” - Michelle Obama
You don’t have to squint at the numbers on the houses as you drive up the street. There’s no mistaking the plumage of this colorful peacock displayed to full advantage against its drab neighbors.
The house is open to visitors on Saturdays between 12 to 3 by reservation only. As you approach you are greeted by Cheri seated at the entrance welcoming people, checking off your name on her list and collecting the entrance fee. She is the artist who makes all the tiles and creates the stained-glass insets. She also melts bottles and creates fused glass pieces to use as mosaic. Scroll on to see some of her creations.
Gonzalo is wandering around and available for a chat. He is proud to show off his animatrons in the gift shop particularly the one that shows a fisherman fishing for a beautiful mermaid using promises as bait. You’ll find some of these promises and sayings inset amongst the mosaics at various places telling visitors the Cheri and Gonzalo love story. He is the one who actually creates the forms, applies the tiles and does any welding that might be required.
The couple have been working on this house for 28 years having started this project while waiting for permits and plans for an art studio. What a wonderful love story and a testimonial to a life well lived.
The first glimpse of the house and gardens is almost overwhelming. Take a deep breath and take it all in. Collect the handout from the docent at the front gate which guides you to not to be missed specifics.
This bright yellow tiled path running along the right side of the house called to me. Might not be the yellow brick road but it comes close with its irresistible allure. It’s as you walk along and look at the combination of wise sayings, inspirational quotes, every day household items and colorful tiles that the full impact of what you’ve come to see starts to sink in.
The side yard is an explosion of color complete with whimsical benches, glass insets and a peek into both Cheri and Gonzalo’s studios which were closed to the public at least while I was there.
Story strips, beautiful metallic sculptures and colored glass inset tiles line the side porch which leads to the studio. The studios were not open to visitors, but you could peek in to see the workspace that sparks the artist in these two so very talented individuals.
Gonzalo’s studio
Cheri’s studio, I think.
Definitely a scene out of the mad hatter’s tea party.
These glass insets are very clever. Gonzalo was wandering around and showed us a trick on how to take a picture without needing to use selfie mode or hiding your face behind your phone.
The front porch, no rocking chairs but everything else that a couple might need to spend an evening enjoying the evening breeze.
The left side yard with its bottle insets. Keep in mind this is an ongoing project so you might return in six months to a year and find new things and more stories.
A path full of life’s lessons and promises that people read aloud to each other as they admire the work that has gone into this creation.
Every artistic angle has been maximized and dipped in the theme including some of these branches that create an arbor leading to the front.
A glimpse at the kitchen and breakfast nook from the gift shop. Gonzalo assures me that this is a working kitchen where Cheri cooks once in a while when they are home.
Miss Teen California showed up complete with crown and friend to wander and pose for some photographs amongst which she obliged wandering Veena as well.
Aside from artists, at least one of them also has a very green thumb as evidenced by the fruit and vegetables growing in the front yard, apparently enough to live off what they can grow.
The bench just inside the gate. It’s a good place to catch a breath and try to absorb all that you’ve just seen. I am not sure about living in such an explosion of color for myself, but it definitely seems to work for Cheri and Gonzalo.