Some of the most sumptuous private-residence courtyards are at the Adamson House in Malibu, California (now open to the public). Built from 1929 to 1930 as a beach cottage in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the home is best known as a showcase for the extraordinary tile manufactured by the Malibu Potteries Company. The Adamson house is truly a feast for the eyes. The front courtyard can be glimpsed through the wide front gate that is an entry point for pedestrians as well as automobiles. The high walls around the entry of the courtyard help define the home’s footprint of living area. A slightly lower wall on the right and out of view is short enough to afford a view of Malibu Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean beyond.