The James House

Local architect, Cary James, designed this iconic Mill Valley, CA, house for his own family in 1969. They lived in it and loved the property for all these years but the family is now ready to sell the home. While the architecture speaks volumes, it does not speak with pretentiousness. Finishes are natural. The practicality of numerous built-in sitting and storage areas and abundant natural light make it a functional home without the need for much furniture. Heated concrete floors make a no-shoes indoors policy comfortable and eliminate the need for carpets. The varied volumes provide options for family gatherings and individual spaces that offer a sense of privacy and sanctuary. The architect wrote of unity in architecture as the integration of a building with the vital space it contains, in this case the space for his family to live and grow.

Not just a fan of Wright, James wrote a book about Wright’s Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. He also traveled to Wisconsin, Chicago, New York and Pennsylvania to study Wright-designed homes. James also authored a book about architect Julia Morgan, as well as multiple novels. After James passed away in 2018, his family continued to live in the Mill Valley home. Still in remarkable condition, the home has been rejuvenated for sale. Some of the decorative exterior elements such as the front and back pergolas were removed due to their weathered state. Design drawings exist, in the event a future owner wants to replace them.