That soon changed as Margolin, little by little, converted the exterior of the building, fences and patios into radiant collages, sparkling with mirrors, marbles, beads and images of rock heroes.
Positioned among the purple-painted siding are sculptures of Margolin's creation, which also celebrate the rockers he holds dear.
All of it is for sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday.
"Hopefully the art is beautiful and hopefully the spirits and memories of all these rock 'n' roll greats are living here," he said.
Margolin must vacate the house by April 25. His home and the nearby collection of cottages that house the 101 Artists' Colony are slated for demolition in June to make way for condominiums and offices.
"I've seen people come by here and just be blown away by this place," said Parker Donaldson, a neighbor and graphic artist. "I'm really sad to see it go."
Margolin said groups from senior citizen, drug rehabilitation and hospice care homes have visited the house.
"It uplifts the suffering and makes them happier," he said.
Many of the treasures Margolin turns into art came from the dump. A painted wheelbarrow contains plants and is decorated with faces from the Allman Brothers Band.
A purple-painted basketball hoop with a broken, gold-painted guitar at its base memorializes Jimi Hendrix.
An image of Hendrix also appears on The Kickwheel, a windmill with images of rock artists "who have kicked" -- or died -- attached to its blades. John Lee Hooker, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Marvin Gaye are among them.
Stepping Stones bears the faces of members of The Rolling Stones.
Little Richard peers from the seat of a gold-painted chair that is shaped like a human hand.
Margolin copied the images from CD covers. He enlarged and laminated them before attaching them to his creations.
Even though the house will be demolished soon, Luis Quiroz of Encinitas dabbed pink paint onto marbles glued to a purple fence.
"Richard is the designer," Quiroz said. "He does the design and I help him."
Margolin said the only help he has received with the ever-evolving project has come from homeless people.
He said he has spent thousands of dollars to create and maintain the artwork and has invested untold hours that he could have spent running his tree service.
"I can't believe that the city is letting this go," said Joan Sebastian, an Encinitas artist who visited the house Friday. "It's part of what's great about Encinitas."
man who created it.
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