"Seaward"… Behind the silhouette of coastal cypress trees, the D. L. James House (also known as Seaward) seems to emerge from the cliffs along the northern California coast.

Designed by Charles Sumner Greene in the early 1920s, this stone masterpiece—with its iconic arch overlooking the Pacific—has captivated me ever since my husband and I first visited years ago for his research.

One of my visits took place on a stormy day. The ocean's power—the roar of the waves, the swaying cypress branches—was overwhelming, and after a quick sketch, I happily retreated indoors to enjoy warm pasta, feeling secure in the fortress-like house.

But the next day brought sunshine, casting dappled light everywhere. The hand-cut stones created undulating patterns of shadows as sunlight filtered through the cypress leaves. The light was fizzy and enchanting, and at moments like that, you could feel the presence of the architect who envisioned a building that celebrated both the local materials and the luminous coastal light.