The Tobin Clark Estate: Interior Designer, Syrie Maugham’s Finest Work!

The Tobin Clark Estate was completed in 1931, designed by the re-nown architect, David Adler.  Upon completion, the Estate was filled with interior decor by Syrie Maugham (wife of Somerset Maugham), paintings by Van Dyke and Sir Joshua Reynolds, Queen Anne paneling, eighteenth century Chinese wall coverings, a rare Dubois writing table and over two hundred other items sent from England and the Continent were selected by Syrie Maugham.  Celia Tobin Clark learned about Syrie’s legendary interior decorating from a dear friend in Chicago.  Syrie is credited for designing the first all-white room.  At the Estate, The Music Room, is a perfect example of her work using ‘white’ as the primary color. [Read more]

East Bay Real Estate: 2012 Real Estate Predictions

My predictions for 2012 are now ready for your review.  And we will review how my predictions for 2011 turned out now that we are able to be ‘Monday morning quarterbacks’.   Last year’s predictions were;  #1 – Jobs = Unemployment;   #2 – Bank Foreclosure Delays;  #3 – Our Federal Government;  #4 – Interest Rates and Mortgage Loan Criteria.  So, how did I do on my 2011 predictions?

2011 Results: Unemployment has taken a turn for the better.   We are not out of the woods yet, however the unemployment rate is going in the correct direction – down;  Bank foreclosures were delayed last year, however not as much as predicted.  Short Sales increased in 2011 and Bank Owned REO sales decreased;  The Fed’s continued as a dysfunctional aspect of our economy in 2011, both from a legislative standpoint and from just not having many options to stimulate the economy;  We were completely wrong on the interest rate prediction of being in the 6% by the end of the year.  Mortgage interest rates ended the year even lower than when the year started – 4%! [Read more]

The Tobin Clark Estate: David Adler – Architect’s Crown Jewel of San Francisco Estates

The Tobin Clark Estate was considered one of architect David Adler’s finest works during the height of his stunning career.  He was designing homes during what is still called the era of “the great American house”, between 1911 to 1949.   In the 1920s, Mrs. Celia Tobin Clark, an heiress to the Hibernia Bank fortune, commissioned David Adler to create a Cotswold Tudor Mansion on a secluded hilltop of some four hundred acres just south of San Francisco.  Her husband was the owner of the Montana Mining Company. The Tudor – Costwold influence is present in the exterior, but the interior is an amazing array of styles.  And, it somehow all works.  I am sure he had a unforgettable time designing the home in the exclusive San Francisco Bay Area community of Hillsborough. At one time, the 35,000-square-foot home rested upon 400 acres.  It now is situated on the remaining secluded six acres of the original estate. [Read more]