MCM house updated

[mattl]

I know there is a lot of interest in Mid Century Modern homes here, and many hate any changes made to them.  I'm more inclined to make things work for today in a home and found this update to be in keeping with the heritage yet fully liveable for today.  The designer explains his thoughts in the video and there is a tour that shows a few before images. 

 

Take a look see what you think.

Fine Homebuilding

Expert home construction tips, tool reviews, remodeling design and layout ideas, house project plans, and advice for homeowners

www.finehomebuilding.com

 

[frigilux]

I'm fond of white, gray, and glass, so a big thumbs-up from me for this remodel.

Two things:

1) When the to-die-for rug under the dining room table disappears, please don't rat me out.

2) I would not want to traverse that slanted and enchanted driveway after a night of imbibing, LOL.

 

[mattl]

I wonder what that house sells for...

 

[roto204]

Nice

Good fusion of old and new, and preserving the intent of the design.

 

Eugene, rug's yours; I dibs the light fixtures.

 

[frigilux]

Sounds good, Nate. And since we'll be there anyway...I wouldn't mind the living room couch and matching chairs.

Note to self: Rent larger truck.

 

[retro-man]

I suppose you could have a window washing company come in a couple of times a year to clean all that glass inside and out. I have had a house before with a lot of glass and there was a lot of cleaning to keep them clean and streak free. Looks nice but a major maintenance item to me.

Jon

 

[tolivac]

And all of those windows make you a zoo animal for all to see!!PRIVACY!!If I had to live in that place-would have curtains and blinds over most of those windows.They are nice-like to see OUT but don't want OTHERS to see IN!Hope those windows are double pane-to prevent heat or cooling losses.

 

[foraloysius]

Beautiful! Stunning! I like the house and the renovation of it. The only thing I might have done different is use a white varnish for the ceilings so the wood grain would be still a bit visible.

 

[gansky1]

Very cool house. I love the clean lines and uncluttered living. Less is more!

 

Photo shoots like this make me wonder what day-to-day life is like in houses like these when the coffee pot comes back out to live on the counter, the device cords are dangling from every outlet and the dog/cat/parakeet/ferret are let back in...

The link is to Flor - where the rugs are (on sale!).  

http://www.flor.com/parallel-reality-grey.html

 

[philr]

I really like it. Just wish they had kept a few 1964 appliances there but these are usually the first to go!

I could see myself living there but I'd need a large basement for storage of things that can't be displayed! If I lived there, I guess the windows would be neglected a bit too! One good point, it seems that those windows, other than the ones in the lobby are mainly located at the rear, so at least from the street, it doesn't display too much for those who like some privacy or to keep things a bit neglected like I do!

 

[countryford]

Too me it is too plain/sterile. It needs some color.

 

[firedome]

definitely...

needs some color or a bit of natural wood. Scandinavian teak would look great here with some nice orientals or SW native America floor coverings.

 

[chachp]

My best friend lives like this.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">My best friend lives in Wisconsin.   He owns a home that he has completely transformed from a normal tiny little house to something amazing.  It was even photographed for Houzz.  His is not quite as white and sterile looking as the MCM house in CA but it's close.  The way you see the house in the pictures is exactly how they live.  Yeah there are some things put away but they stay put away except when they are in use. </span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">When you get up in the morning he'll have a thermos on the counter with some coffee in it and a few cups.  It all disappears when we're finished eating.  Mealtime is the same way.  He is a graphic designer and his partner is a trained chef.  Meals in this house are as beautiful as they are tasty.  Again it all disappears after dinner.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">So, while I personally couldn't live like he does there are people who do.  When you look at the pictures you may think the place seems cold an unwelcoming but actually it's very different.  His home feels just as inviting as I think mine does with lots of earthy colors and comfy furniture.  I've known him for many, many years and he has always lived like this.  It's just his style.</span>

[this post was last edited: 6/9/2015-10:55]

Midvale Courtyard House - Contemporary - Exterior - Milwaukee - by Bruns Architecture | Houzz

Tricia Shay Photography

www.houzz.com

 

[roto204]

Note to self: Rent larger truck.

Words to live by.

"I love the clean lines and uncluttered living. Less is more!"

I try to convince myself of that everyday, but the two dishwashers, four vacuums, and five washing machines keep getting in the way. ;-)

 

[retropia]

I'm not tidy enough to live in a house like this, but I admire those that have the discipline to be extra tidy. I love the look.

It is difficult to make older MCM homes like this energy efficient in cold parts of the country. The ceilings usually have little insulation, and it can be tricky increasing wall insulation unless you build the interior walls "in" to add more.

Flat roofs look sleek. In these parts they require expensive rubber liners to keep out the moisture, plus structurally they don't hold as much snow as pitched roofs.

Big expanses of windows look great, and bring the outdoors in, but they also tend to be energy inefficient, even the multi-paned ones. Insulated blinds or curtains help, losing the view, however, when in use.

 

[norgeway]

Beautiful OUTSIDE

But to me it looks like a office, that kitchen needs steel St Charles cabinets and the baths need pink or turquoise ceramic tile.....But then I DESPISE anything newer than the 60s!..LOL

 

[rp2813]

I wonder what that house sells for...

In Burlingame, I'd say around $2M at least.

 

This strikes me as more of an update than a remodel.  The layout remains true to the original Eichler design.  It's possible that originally a lot more of the wood was unpainted. 

 

My issue with Eichlers is that the rooms are very small.  You can get a feel for that in the video where they show the two tiny bedrooms at the end of a tight hallway.  As open as the public areas of the house may feel, you're still very much on top of each other in the bedroom area.

 

Contrary to concerns expressed further up, Eichlers offer far more privacy than the average home.   Most of those large expanses of glass are surrounding the courtyard/atrium.  If privacy was my top priority in purchasing a home, an Eichler neighborhood is where I'd be shopping for one.

[this post was last edited: 6/9/2015-14:26]

 

[roto204]

you're still very much on top of each other in the bedro

Down-side?  

 

[tolivac]

I really do like the place-but would do something about the "fishbowel" with the windows.Yes--the home needs COLORS!!!Colorful curtains over the windows would help here.I just don't like the idea of untreated windows!Makes me feel like I am in a glass windowed zoo cage.And what about when I run lights in my light collection-the untreated windows would probably get me complaints from neighbors.