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The word “Wood” is not technically autological, yet I’ve always found its self-description more satisfying than the oft-cited “pentasyllabic.” Wood (as a word) is unfussy; it falls naturally from the lips and closes decidedly; it is the simplest of comforts. The ubiquity of wood (as both word and material) belies its beauty, but its everyman elegance is on full display at the Hernly House in Pasadena.
Designed by modernist maestro Lawrence Test for US Plywood Corp. exec CH Hernly, the home was fittingly constructed with plywood in all its versatile glory. A marine-grade mahogany exterior coupled with dual ventilators offer both insulation and significant cross-breeze for the luxe interior. Alternating usage of mahogany, birch, and elm cast a golden hue about the Hernly House, but the true delight is in artisanal touches like ribbon grain walls, sizable pocket doors, and combed mahogany ceilings.
The Hernly House is at once cozy and open, both luxurious and familiar, a testament to the wonder of the utilitarian…much like the word “Wood.”
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