October-November 2009 Echo Park Improvement Association newsletterVolume 16 Issue 4 Mail for E PIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, C A 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835 Echo Park Improvement Association Echo Park Improvement Association Echo Park Improvement Association Echo Park Improvement Association Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/ Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/ Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/ Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/ New construction of a two story solar powered Italian- ate Eastlake influenced Victorian by long time local resi- dents Alison Julian and Darrell Dooley is an ongoing pro- ject at 1902 Lemoyne St. The two of them have lived in Echo Park for over 30 years and are building their dream home just steps from where they first met. Darrell says when he first saw the property, with its dilapidated Craftsman, he said to himself he would like to live in a Victorian in this location. He did not own the current property and choose not to share his dream with anyone at that time. Eventu- ally he and Alison became owners of the property. Then one day when they were pon- dering selling it he convinced Alison, which was no easy feat, to join him on the roof where he shared his dream. It seemed to instantly be- come both of their dreams. So rather than selling the property they started planning. After almost two years in city plan check they broke ground in August of 2007. Darrell and Alison worked on the floor plans for the 2400 square foot home and only acquired the help of an engineer to submit to the city for approval. The home has 2 bedrooms, 3 offices, 2 bathrooms, 9 foot ceilings and an elevator. When inside, the scaling of the rooms is ap- propriate to the era. They paid a contractor to build the structure to the point of completing the drywall. Darrell did all the electrical work as well. As they started working on both exterior and interior details their enthusiasm for the project only grew. From the exterior, that is mostly complete, you can see the Vic- torian details that Alison cut, painted and put in place. They had the 23 exterior Corbels made and shipped in from Newfoundland. She painted the exterior twice be- cause she did not like the shade of the color the first time. And although it was probably the easiest detail of all you can not miss the glow in th e dark stars on the roof eaves. The source of the various doors in the house says a lot about the project and the owners. They come from ebay, craigslist, and the Bone Yard at OK Manufac- turing, the Reuse people in Pacoima and DirectBuy. Some of them are new, a few are vintage, many with beveled glass panels, solid Douglas fir and a few with leaded glass. I may have missed a few details but I think you get the picture. As we walked through the house Alison shared her various finds on Craigslist and other sources with me. She spends 6 days a week at the property and seems to love almost every minute of it. This is construction after all. The daughter of the voice of the road runner cartoon, Alison is a retired animator. She writes and does illustra- tion for children’s books. She has published five. Darrell does computer repair and computer/cable wiring. So I asked what I thought was an important ques- tion...when do you expec t to be done? Alison’s re sponse was “Prior to cremation”. It is rare to see someone enjoy- ing their journey as much as these two do. They commu- nicate their joy about the process and the people they have worked with. The one person in particular that stands out for them is their contractor Jorge Lamborena. Alison is happy to pass on his information if you contact her. New Eastlake Victorian Life-Project on Lemoyne by Darren Hubert
