Julia Baum captures the “vibrant display of personality” in cookie-cutter tract houses — 50 years later

by pam kueber on November 5, 2009

julia-baum-houses

Take a neighborhood full of cookie-cutter tract houses …  let their owners fuss with them … and 50 years later photographer Julia Baum finds that they have been “transformed from modest white cubes into a vibrant display of personality and present a rebellion against conformity….human individuality cannot be contained. Inevitably it shines through even the most average facade.” I love her study, which demonstrates again that their is so much to love about our jewel box mid-century homes. No matter how small, the opportunity is there to make them our own.  Read more about Julia’s project and see her slide show of 13 same-yet-different homes here.

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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Carol November 5, 2009 at 6:22 am

If I am not mistaken, many of these homes have been on various HGTV programs; Design to Sell, etc…………

Ann November 5, 2009 at 9:34 am

reminds me of the homes on EDWARD SCISSORHANDS… love it!

Gretchen S November 5, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Viva la différence! And boo to most CC&R’s. I can’t imagine someone else dictating what color my front door could be.

Retro Junkie November 5, 2009 at 2:25 pm

A few have very nice landscaping that makes them look quite upscale. But a couple look a though the bushes, and ivy have taken on a life of their own. But that is what makes them stand out to be unique! Who wants a home that looks just like 25 of your closest neighbors?

JAVA November 5, 2009 at 10:34 pm

i LOVED that gallery! Wow, Julia’s project kind of reminds me of the way I document these 50s/60s homes. she is awesome!

Richard @ The Bewildered Brit November 5, 2009 at 11:18 pm

I’ve long said that no home is complete without a statue of a Roman centurion in the garden.

pam kueber November 6, 2009 at 7:38 am

Richard, you are SO right. I didn’t realize I was missing that and am now definitely on the hunt!

Frank November 6, 2009 at 1:25 pm

Gotta love the Trojan on the astroturf. Fight on!

sumac sue November 6, 2009 at 11:21 pm

What a really great slide show. Thanks, Julia.

Tikimama November 7, 2009 at 11:30 am

I agree with JAVA – we do the same thing, don’t we?! It’s so much fun to hunt down the time capsules (which I prefer), and fascinating to see what people have done (or let happen) to their homes over the years.

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