The Spider House

The Spider House

Revisiting a historically noted Mid-century modern home 

TEXT and PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE ATTINGER

In 1964’s spring issue of Architectural Digest, John P. Moyer and his wife, Miriam Moyer, opened the door to their unique Southern California home.  John P. Moyer designed his home with simple and raw elements, such as exposed redwood beams, floor to ceiling windows, and a perfectly square floor plan.  Miriam Moyer put her touch on the interiors by selecting Mexican terra cotta tile and brick for the floors.  Along with her furnishings, walls, and décor which combined warm and shocking hues of pinks, rose reds and burnt siennas.

Time and several homeowners have faded the interiors with fresh paint and minor alterations.  Two doors are now walled-in; Douglas fir wall paneling is painted over; and the kitchen has been updated accommodating a dishwasher and garbage disposal.  However, the essence of John P. Moyer’s design remains pure with its architectural integrity. The unmistakable buttressed redwood patio structure evokes the present namesake, the spider house.  And though the bench seat has been removed and a railroad tie banding was brought together with the brick, the patio is still the most recognized and celebrated architectural feature of the home. 

The Spider House sits on a one acre property within the community of Pinyon Crest.  A thoroughbred collection of Pinyon pine trees, junipers, yucca, and oak shrubs surround the home in part of a thriving native habitat for several songbirds, reptiles, and insects.  With Southern California’s infamous fire season, the removal of the understory brush and grasses is the only landscape maintenance required.

And at an elevation of 4500 feet, the mid-century home boasts an amazing view to Palm Springs, Palm Desert and the entire Coachella valley. With approximately 1000 square feet of living space, fireplace and air conditioning, two bedrooms and two baths, a two car-carport with circular drive, this modern home on the mountain makes for an ideal year-round retreat. 

LEFT - FROM ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST (PHOTO BY GEORGE R. SZANIK) 1964 , RIGHT - 2012