For the design afficionado, a visit to the Eames house is much like a visit to the Bodh Gaya for any good Buddhist. That is to say, while it is a lovely way to spend the morning, it is every bit the shrine to the great design duo who lived there.

And though the policies are rather fussy—and you aren’t allowed inside (unless you contribute $500 and then only the ground floor and only once)—wandering around the grounds and peering in the windows of the house is a true inspiration.

The house, itself, is small and predictably Eamesy—picture those red, yellow and blue shelves from DWR turned into a place to live. Peering through the plate glass windows, one can see all carefully left as Charles and Ray placed it, a comfortable jumble of beautiful objects in space. As with all things Eames, so simple and well-considered, you’ll find yourself wondering how you can incorporate a little of the Eames spirit into your own life—perhaps you already have.

And though walking around somebody’s lawn, and looking in their windows might not seem like a long term affair, you’ll be surprised at how long you can spend there, with so much space to ponder.