Carlotta Monterey O'Neill, a native Californian, shaped Tao House as a home with a unique blend of Spanish-colonial and Chinese influences, a place Eugene O'Neill called “Carlotta's masterpiece.” Their marriage was marked by deep affection, reflected in his dedication of Long Day's Journey into Night to her on their 12th wedding anniversary. At Tao House, Carlotta enabled O'Neill to devote himself fully to writing by managing the house and servants, typing his manuscripts, and shielding him from unwanted guests. Among the few visitors were O'Neill's three children from former marriages—Eugene, Jr., Oona, and Shane. Calling herself his “wife, mistress, housekeeper, secretary, friend, and nurse,” she fulfilled all these roles during their years there, nurturing and caring for him as he descended into the darkest recesses of his soul to create his finest tragedies.