La Verne home’s artistry left no stone unturned

This is a home that took 25 years to build, and it has the touches of such artists as master woodworker Sam Maloof.

Maloof hand-carved a three-story spiral oak staircase. Other artists created stained-glass windows, copper doors and designer lighting.

But the person who has been most involved in the house is Herb Hafif, the attorney, sculptor and art collector who personally split rocks for the stone walls and who has owned the property, through his philanthropic family foundation, since 1953.

Hafif started building the first 650 square feet of this home in 1960. Most of the 8,300-square-foot house was built by the mid-1980s.

About this house: This is the first time the home, which underwent a recent refurbishing, is on the market.

Asking price: $3.35 million

Size: There are two master bedrooms, each larger than 1,000 square feet. The house is on 1.35 acres, across the street from a 135-acre forest also owned by Hafif. The preserve is home to deer, foxes, hawks and an occasional bear.

Features: Some of the rock walls are tapered and are 12 to 36 inches thick. There are six fireplaces, 2 1/2 kitchens, seven bathrooms, a recreation room, a living room with adjoining music room and a wine cellar. There are also many patios.

Where: The home is in the foothills of La Verne.

Listing agent: Dan Ekizian, Century 21 Beachside Realtors, Upland, (909) 946-3167

To submit a Home of the Week candidate, send high-resolution color interior and exterior photos on a CD and a brief description, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. E-mail questions to [email protected].