Comments on: 1955 time capsule ranch bungalow in St. Louis – frozen in time

By: Carmen Johnson

Carmen Johnson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:55:02 +0000

Amazing!! I got all teary!! does anyone know what that sofa in the living room would be called? I’ve been looking for one like it for years! I’m trying to get more 50’s style furniture for our home.
My husband and I bought a 1952 minimal traditional last year, we are the third owners the original owners lived in it until the late 90’s, most everything is still as when it was built. so we are trying to “retro renovate”! This site has been a real life saver!

By: vulariter

vulariter — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:47:19 +0000

I just saw this image on your page:

http://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/themes/thesis/rotator/1950s-kitchen.jpg

And.. WOW!…I recently walked back in time, myself…

This was the home of the late mayor of Fairborn, OH (was mayor in late 1980’s)…

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1315-Maplegrove_Fairborn_OH_45324_1111050772?mp=1

Check this out:
http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l144a3942-m1x.jpg
http://img216.imageshack.us/i/0720092056b.jpg/
http://img169.imageshack.us/i/0720092056a.jpg/

If the ceilings weren’t so low, I would have already bought it, probably.. (I’m 6′4″..)

-vulariter

By: bombshell

bombshell — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:53:40 +0000

I have a completely new perspective on the owner of this house after finding the home I am in process of buying right now. Most 1950’s ranch houses become perfect for aging in place. The accesability to the kitchen from the basement is an easy travel, and often times should a home owner be unable to use the stairs, it is an easy move to put a bedroom into the basement, and set up a second kitchen and moving living into ‘one level’. In the home I am purchasing, a 1959 quad level, the ground floor with access to the carport was occupied by a handicapped women who only went up the stairs to the second kitchen and dining room on holidays and gatherings. her time spent in the living room down stairs was like moving into a smaller apartment, and due to the nature and floor plan of the house.

upstairs, the bedrooms haven’t been occupied since the 60’s, and floors still have the original finishes. the two bathrooms upstairs are pink tile and teal tile. central air was never installed upstairs because no one was using that part of the house!

i can’t wait to share photos with you, my kitchen has the original pink boomerang laminate and everything!!

By: Kira

Kira — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:52:16 +0000

I have the same pink/gray mosaic tile in my bathroom! I’ve not seen it elsewhere and I’m grateful that it’s relatively subtle. Much to my surprise since I purchased my house 20 years ago, I’ve come to embrace my pink and gray bathroom in my Nashville Tennessee 1949 cottage-style home. I only wish it were easier to find more linens and accessories in the pink/gray combination. Shower curtains, towels, etc. And I haven’t found anything but dreadful bathroom light sconces with a plug in the bottom. Referrals welcome!

By: Sara in WA

Sara in WA — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:10:50 +0000

My parents have the same headboard and dresser. Good memories; except that time I snooped inside those little drawers on the headboard. Geeeezz.

By: Miss Jess

Miss Jess — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:37:43 +0000

I pulled this comment about the same listing from another blog (www.lovelylisting.com), the earlier comment regarding immigrant families seems to be dead on!
: “Anonymous said…
For some immigrant communities this was typical (certainly typical of my, and my husband’s, families). People would buy a new gem of a house, decorate it with new and very good quality furniture and then build a second kitchen and bath in the basement and do all of their real living in there (or often in the garage in good weather). Bedrooms were used, but the carpets would be protected with plastic.

Kitchens, dining rooms, main baths and living rooms were preserved as a showplace and used only for special occasions or company. In some families, every non-used room got a huge cleaning and polishing once a week too. Keeping the nice things nice was a way to show that the family was prosperous. It’s just a cultural custom.
February 12, 2009 2:30 PM”

So a good and reasonable explanation. It’s not much different from my grandmother keeping her ’sitting room’ spotless and absolutely child-free when I was growing up – which I’d known then, but it was full of such BEAUTIFUL early 60’s furniture. I was too young to know.

By: Pam Kueber

Pam Kueber — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:35:14 +0000

Thanks, Anna – be sure to let me know, though, of any rsvps.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:42:21 +0000

Thanks for sharing! I will be sure to pass this along! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Anna

By: PugFreek

PugFreek — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:02:31 +0000

Oh my godness tht is amazing

By: Mitzi

Mitzi — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:22:53 +0000

My grandma’s ranch house had a large finished basement with a kitchen in it, she did her canning down there, I guess because it was cooler since there was no AC.

I’m still sick that my family sold the house when she died – my grandpa, dad, and uncle built the entire thing! I still hold out hope that someday it will come back on the market and I will be able to buy it.

She used her entire upstairs, but my other grandma had a “front room” that was only used for visitors and on holidays. The “living room” was right next to the kitchen, where a dining room would normally be.

I can’t believe what a steal this house was – $130K?!? Amazing! Someone is very lucky in St. Louis!!