Agoura's Hidden Treasures: Enchanted Playhouse

When Rachel Senko was just a year-and-a-half years old, her grandparents built her a playhouse, and not the kind that's pre-fab and can be purchased at the local Toys-R-Us. The Swiss chalet-style cottage, situated in the backyard of a local Agoura Hills home, was built from scratch, according to Kapaka Senko, Rachel's mother.

Stan Semokaitis, a retired industrial arts high school teacher, and his artist wife, Julia, also a retired teacher, designed and built the three-story house back in 1985 as a gift to their only granddaughter.

"He always wanted to build a house but never had the opportunity," said Senko. "So instead, he's built many playhouses. But I think this one is the gem."

Each floor is 80 square feet. The first level is used for storage; the second is the "kitchen and living area," and the third is a loft with a window for "reading on rainy days and sleepovers," said Senko.

Surrounding the house is a three-foot deck that overlooks the main house's pool and backyard.

"It's been through many [interior] configurations, styles and colors," Senko said.

The house has been re-decorated for themed birthday parties like Alice and Wonderland and the Old West.

Though Rachel is now grown and moved on, Senko says little children who visit still love to play in the house.

Do you have a hidden treasure you'd like to share with Agoura Hills Patch. Send your photos and story ideas to susan.pascal@patch.com.