A noted cook’s house, with all the trimmings

EVER wonder where chefs come up with their culinary creations? It’s possible that the inspiration for Mrs. Cubbison’s famous stuffing percolated in the kitchen of the Spanish-style home atop Mt. Washington that she and her husband, Harry, occupied from 1937 to 1953.

Sophie Cubbison helped design the two-story house, dubbed “Casa de Mi Sueño,” or “My Dream House.” It is considered “much more convincing than most of the 19th-century adobes,” according to David Gebhard and Robert Winter’s “An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles.”

Cubbison appeared on TV shows as a cooking expert from the ‘50s into the ‘70s; she died in her early 90s in 1982. In addition to her cooking acumen, the chef had considerable knowledge in home design.

“The ironwork and tiles are exceptional; this house has so much character,” said current owner Glenn Williams, who with his wife, Kathryn Patitucci, refurbished the home and gardens. “Friends come over and say they want a two-week vacation here.”

About this house: When Williams and Patitucci bought the house four years ago, their goal was to recapture its original splendor. In a major rehabilitation, they refinished the exposed wood-beam ceilings and original stone floors.

The couple kept the original windows in the kitchen but restored the cabinets and installed Saltillo floor tiles and limestone countertops. They added hand-forged lighting with a ‘30s flair outdoors and custom ironwork that matches the original interior metalwork.

The entry to the property features oak doors that match the home’s original front doors. The garden, encompassing four levels, includes three mature avocado trees, a number of citrus trees and a yard spacious enough for a huge pool.

Features: An open floor plan and large windows create an indoor-outdoor motif designed to maximize impressive city views. A large courtyard with stonework, grass and a fountain is just off the master bedroom.

The home also has Spanish-tile stairways, a second fountain, a sauna, Viking kitchen appliances, upgraded electrical and plumbing, and central heating and air.

Asking price: $1,399,000

Size: The 2,194-square-foot house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms on a 17,423-square-foot lot.

Where: Mt. Washington area of Los Angeles

Listing agent: Terry Nunn, Coldwell Banker-Los Feliz. (323) 210-1424.

[email protected]

To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send high-resolution photos with caption information on a CD and a description of the house to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012. Questions may be sent to homeoftheweek @latimes.com.