Gretchen spotted this glorious 1948 time capsule home, which was recently for sale (now sold) in Portland, Oregon. The house was listed by agent Kathryn Madison, these amazing photos — which Kathryn took – were originally featured on her blog Go Beyond the Ordinary. This house is particularly interesting in how it seems to bridge the Streamline Moderne and mid-century ranch eras. On the outside, it’s pretty ranch-looking, although you can see some hints of international streamline style. Inside, it’s a Streamline Moderne wonderland — starting with this incredible kitchen. .
Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison. The Frelinghuysen-Morris house, which Matt and I visited this past summer, is classic, pre-war international moderne style. Whoever designed this Portland house — especially the interior — was following that style. What is “Streamline Moderne”? Think: Luxury vintage railcar, with sleek, smooth, rounded edges. Hey — vintage Airstream trailers were Streamline Modern. “Mid-century Modern” as we know it today, on the other hand, has a different look. See the Wikipedia page on Streamline Moderne. Note, it says that Streamline Modern houses were less common that Streamline Moderne commercial buildings…. The real estate listing says the house got some updating 1980, so I’m wondering if the clapboard siding was added then, and covered something more atypically Streamline Moderne – stucco exterior? In any case, the interior is PHENOMENAL!
Living room fireplace: Moderne. Like the prewar Heywood-Wakefield lines. Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
Note the wrap-around windows… Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
Here’s the fireplace in one of the bedrooms. This decorative use of birch plywood paneling, finished with a simple gloss, was something that was promoted in the pre-war period. It was “modern” in the sense that it downplayed ornamentation (in contrast, say, to Victorian frou-frou.) Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
Simple birch sheet (I presume it’s birch, I could well be wrong) was used throughout the entire room, as you can see in this bedroom. Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
The banquette, or built-in dinette, in the kitchen. The table base and glass top are new, I believe the listing said. Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
Pick your jaw up off the ground. Like I said: This is like the inside of a private rail car. Notice the masonite (or glass?) panels on the ceiling. The floor has been redone — but impeccably. Notice also, the tile countertops, with contrast bullnose tile edging. I’m thinking all that tile work has been redone… Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
The craftsmanship to accomplish this, back in the day, was amazing. Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
The pantry doors… Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
I’m suspecting that those are 12″ square Carrera glass or Pittsburg Glass tiles on the wall. That was haute design for prewar bathrooms. Doesn’t this house just glow! Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
And in this bedroom, notice that little window. Again… almost like whoever designed this, designed luxury steamships before. It’s akin to a porthole window, another signal of Streamline Moderne… Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
Where else on the internet do they get so excited about steel casement windows with fluted glass? Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
Or the inside of old front doors? Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
A welcoming front door in a red-orange….Hey, I’ll call it orange — the Retro Renovation Color of the Year 2011. Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison. Vintage Nutone door bell with…
… integral clock. Sigh. Such simple, perfect beauty. I read an interview with Marilyn vos Savant — you know, the smartest person in the world, or at least thought to be at one point — a few years ago. In Parade Magazine. Something she said really stuck with me. It was in answer to a question along the line, “What is it that you think about?” She said: “Wisdom, and beauty.” I think that is right, I really do: Wisdom, and beauty. Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
The listing said the house has had only two owners, and that they were each very cognizant of how special it is. Indeed. Photo above courtesy Kathryn Madison.
I only found out about this house late last night, and rushed to get these photos up. In the next few days, as I have more time, I will add more information about the house, for posterity. SPECIAL THANKS to listing agent Kathryn Madison for giving me permission to feature these gorgeous photos — which she took, she’s a pro! — and this gorgeous house on the blog… and to keep it here for posterity. It is so very special. Kathryn’s blog: Go Beyond the Ordinary
Meanwhile, here is a link to the real estate listing, where you can see the photos even larger, and read a bit more information about the feature: Tour of Portland Streamline Moderne home / Windermere Real Estate Company.
Gorgeous home. Those “virtually staged” photos are interesting – how they remove existing items and replace with what they think buyers would want.
Oopsy. Problem publishing this morning and I had to republish. Here are all the comments so far, which I will re-insert later, after I drink more coffee. Argh.
nfsvintage.blogspot.com/
What an incredible home! The fireplace is amazing as is the kitchen (especially when you look at the pictures sans stainless appliances). The curving lines are just plain beautiful. Thanks for posting this.
What an incredible home! The fireplace is amazing as is the kitchen (especially when you look at the pictures sans stainless appliances). The curving lines are just plain beautiful. Thanks for posting this. nfsvintageApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
Annie B.
Just breathtaking. It almost looks too beautiful to be real.
Just breathtaking. It almost looks too beautiful to be real. ApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
dcgrl
If you look at the realtor’s web site, it shows what some of the rooms COULD look like with a few modifications–in the kitchen they remove that fantastic fridge and range and replace them with stainless! Aaargh!
If you look at the realtor’s web site, it shows what some of the rooms COULD look like with a few modifications–in the kitchen they remove that fantastic fridge and range and replace them with stainless! Aaargh! rebecca.ApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
dcgrl
I could stare at that fireplace all day. if there were justice in the world, that house would be mine! oh well–love the house you’re in, right?
I could stare at that fireplace all day. if there were justice in the world, that house would be mine! oh well–love the house you’re in, right? ApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
Jenny
Wow, oh wow, oh wow!!!!
marybeth
Wow, oh wow, oh wow!!!! jennyApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
MbS
| In reply to MbS.
Wendy…..sorry, I blame the snow morning and need for more coffee…off to the day.
Wendy…..sorry, I blame the snow morning and need for more coffee…off to the day. ApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
MbS
marybeth.Hi Windy, your comment was not there when I posted….weird. Marmoleum is re-invented lino…. nice re-install…..
Hi Windy, your comment was not there when I posted….weird. Marmoleum is re-invented lino…. nice re-install….. marybeth.ApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
MbS
marybeth.Thanks, P. Great way to start the snowy day. Do you think the floor in the kitchen/dining room are re-installed linoleum sheets? Or some nicely done sheet vinyl with the thin border? And, up-coved finish?
Thanks, P. Great way to start the snowy day. Do you think the floor in the kitchen/dining room are re-installed linoleum sheets? Or some nicely done sheet vinyl with the thin border? And, up-coved finish? marybeth.ApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
John
Hi Pam,
This is just wonderful. Especially since it’s pre 1950. So sleek it certainly does remind me of being on an Oceanliner back in the day. What impresses me the most is the huge walls of glass and the use of smooth plywood panels. THe fireplaces are wonderful as well. Thanks for a great post on this SNOWY Florence,MA morning!!!
In Retro Heaven,John
Hi Pam,
This is just wonderful. Especially since it’s pre 1950. So sleek it certainly does remind me of being on an Oceanliner back in the day. What impresses me the most is the huge walls of glass and the use of smooth plywood panels. THe fireplaces are wonderful as well. Thanks for a great post on this SNOWY Florence,MA morning!!!
In Retro Heaven,John ApproveUnapprove | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | History | Spam | Trash
wendy
Absolutely stunning! It’s so wonderful that everything has been taken care of – I hope the new owners continue the caretaking.
If you go to the real estate link, the commentary above each picture expands. You have to click on the word above the thumbnail, ie: “Kitchen”, to show the comments. You might have to click it 2 – 3 times to expand the comment box. Sometimes you can just click on the large photo several times and see the comments.
They say the kitchen floor is the original marmoleum, and the ceiling is masonite.
Sigh, sigh, sigh. Just spectacular.
i think i just died a little bit.
Exactly.
TDF beautiful!!!! Love it…and gives me some ideas. I love the paneling in the bedroom….that it is continuous and not the usual “tongue and groove” look…
Ohhhhh my gosh!!!! This house just screams fab and everything is ohh sooo perfect. Where might I get the floor plans for this house? lol. I am going to show this to hubby as soon as he gets home from work. I want him to see all of this and keep it in his head for the next ten years. That way when we go to do our house this is what he will think of. (ya right, a girl can only hope)
Charming!
~ForTheBettys~
I can never really want to stand on those streaky lino floors.
How do you ever really feel a floor like that is CLEAN?
We have streaky marmoleum floors and as long as you maintain the topcoat they definitely look and feel clean. Cleaner than vinyl or tile, in fact, which is no doubt why real linoleum is used in hospitals, grocery stores, etc. Nothing feels as warm and cozy as real linoleum, either. Well, maybe cork, but I’ve never had it.
We have both cork and Marmoleum: They’re each comfortable and warm to stand on. I wouldn’t say the cork is warmer, but we do have a few coats of water-base urethane on it for protection.
I agree! I find our new marmoleum extremely easy to clean. I’m so glad we chose it.
:SWOON: Oh, good gawd, that is GORGEOUS!!
This is one of those homes I wish I could wiggle my nose and move to Ohio! What a beautiful home, a real piece of history. Let’s hope the new owner doesn’t take the realtor’s advice on changes and leaves every wonderful little detail of the home intact!
OK, Pam, you have now featured my DREAM home. Of all time. This is just glorious. Wow. Streamline has always been my favorite style–partly because it bridges the gap between art deco and mid century, my other favorites. I would have to work from home if I lived in this house because I couldn’t stand to leave.Except I would never get anything done because I would just wander around gazing adoringly at everything.
Please don’t tell me if anyone finds out the new owners are gutting the place. I don’t think I could stand the pain.
Hmmm, how can I move to Portland quickly and offer the new owners more to let me have this house instead? Ha ha!
Absolutely love it. Great ideas for future projects!
OMG-
What I could do with this house! It’s like living on an Ocean Liner in 1935!
Oh well, in another life!
(please someone: take that clock off the door!)
Holy….!
This home is heavenly! I hope that the new owners don’t change it. What a find!
Wowwwww…..I’ve never seen anything like that. Amazing.
I wonder where in town this is. I would love to take a look at it. We have a bevy of gorgeous post-war homes in Portland. I love seeing all the little nuances. I might do my fireplace like the first one!
go to the link, it shows the address, chez
This house should definitely be registered with the local historical society.
OH. MY. GOSH. I think this is my most FAVORITE home you have ever featured. It makes me want to cry.
Do you think the new owners would adopt me? Hell, I’d be their live-in maid for free just to spend one night in that home. Breathtaking!
♥ Rebecca Jean
Midnight Maniac
Wow, those two fireplaces. That all wood bedroom. Then . . .that kitchen!! WOW.
Oh, I love that front door, inside and out. And the doorbell, and the living room fireplace, and the kitchen. But the clock on the pantry door has to be some sort of feng shui disruption. Does anyone else look at that pair of white doors and think, “men” and “ladies?”
This house is just amazing and wonderful. I live in Portland, and I think there’s a serious danger I may turn into a (house) stalker…
I know where there’s a NuTone doorbell with a clock on the front at a local antique shop. It’s finished in an anodized brass color. It’s square and the clock is made of dots. It’s in the original box with instructions, and all, but just isn’t as pleasing as the one pictured here.
The fact that houses like this still exist makes me smile inside.
Wow! this is my favourite house ever! I almost started crying when I saw the ‘improved’ stainless steel photos on the listing page. The thought of someone gutting my new dream house is just horrible.
I’d make a good Ward Cleaver-
I can’t get over the light coming in from all of those windows! That front door looks wider than most single doors, and I love the horizontal details. The floor treatment in the kitchen is amazing (new or original – I love the attention to detail!). Seems like such a spacious house. Please, more info!
Wow…..just WOW!
I really hope whom ever buys that knows what they’ve got!
I also can’t get over the price! It’s Affordable!
That occurred to me, too, Mark. You couldn’t find a house like that for that price here in Denver…it would be twice that much, easy.
Gorgeous house! Hubby and I have been oohing and ahhing over the pics…
I live near Seattle and that would go for twice that amount here!
Wow! I love, love, love it.
Dang…that’s pretty amazing…
INCREDIBLE !!!
morning Pam,
I just looked at the pictures on the real estate office website. The virtual livingroom looks good but the kitchen with stainless steel appliances looks terrible. When you look at the original kitchen your eye just flows across the room. With the stainless steel appliances your eye keeps hitting these disturbances. I hope the new owners turn their noses at that suggestion.
I have always loved smooth wood wall panels. Eichler homes were known for this detail also although it was usually more exotic wood.
John
Wow. Where was that kitchen when I was doing my kitchen reno planning?! What amazing craftmanship!
Oh my Grawsh. I don’t experience piercing house lust much, but today I have it in spades!
that house makes me want to pack my bags and go to portland…and beg the new owners to consider a tenant….
Wow – just wow. I’m in love!
That house is so beautiful. Every detail is beyond impressive, but the pièce de résistance is the kitchen. Those lines and curves really make it something special. I’ve always loved that 30s/40s detail of outlining the room in the linoleum.
From the decription on the real estate website, it sounds lto me like the kitchen floor is original.
For once in my life I’m speechless.
I think I’ll go eat worms now.
Wow, its incredible. Two things I love all in one–art deco and MCM. I’m in serious love with the fireplaces, bathroom and kitchen. So elegant! I can almost imagine Fred and Ginger dancing through the house!
WOW! I’ve just found my dream home! I LOVE this house! Too bad it’s in Portland.
Absolutely killer! What I wouldn’t give……
SQUEE! Love it! It’s giving me some ideas…
An interior design friend just posted this morning about a new Poggenpohl kitchen concept that included ceiling and wall integration into the design–just like here, in 1948! I love seeing ideas cycle like this, and how the materials and uses change.
There are not enough positive adjectives in the English language to describe that house. Quintessential mid century is as close as I can get to describe how much I adore this home, especially the kitchen. Oh my lord, that kitchen… wow. Stainless appliances do not belong in that kitchen (as a side, I don’t think they belong anywhere except for a restaurant kitchen… but especially not THAT kitchen). And that living room fireplace… and the door chime… the door… the paneling… the fluted windows… it’s too much greatness to take in.
What a SPECTACULAR home! I think if we bought that I’d spend the first few days just wandering around in joyful wonder!
Your comparison of it to a railcar was especially adept, Pam. Looking at the house, I was reminded of 1934′s screwball comedy “Twentieth Century”, which takes place aboard a gorgeous old train. Here…I actually found a nice little article about the train (named the Twentieth Century Limited, it was LUXE); y’all might enjoy it!
http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/225401
(The movie is very funny, too…)
As the realtor who listed this home, I hope to share a few details regarding which features are original as I have had many, many hours to explore the home and ask questions of the previous owner.
The kitchen and two upstairs baths have the original masonite on both the walls and ceilings with metal trim. The banquette stand, glass and upholstery are original. In fact the entire kitchen is completely original including the top loading dishwasher, tile countertops, and inlaid linoleum- except for the stove and refrigerator which while vintage may not be the first in the home.
The condition of the home is impeccable, not only because of the care of the two owners of the home, but probably aided by the lack of children in both households.
I was told by a finish carpenter that the wood wall paneling is a type of mahogany.
The home’s finishes were quite ahead of its time for 1948- the hidden screens that pull down over the waffled glass either side of the front door, the wrap around glass windows, privacy glass, the sleek, yet strong lines of the kitchen (yes, it is rather ship like) and fireplace, and the gorgeous use of materials right down to the wood of the Nutone doorbell…
Reading a few comments, I understand some found my virtual staging to be contrary to the integrity of the home. My attempt was to find a segueway between the hard to find purist-preservationist buyer, and the “Oh my god, I have to re-do the whole kitchen!” buyer.
As a mid-century home owner and enthusiast, a further goal was to convey my appreciation and excitement about the home by photographing both the large and small details, the kind of details that would draw the attention of a true aficianado. I believe I accomplished this goal with the homes purchasers.
This home made my heart beat faster the second I saw it- and geekily so- even now when I recall it.
By the way- I wish you could hear the doorbell chime.
Kathryn Madison
oh my gosh, kathryn, thank you much for your clarification. what an incredible house, we understand your “geeky thrill” for sure! please keep in touch and let me know if you have any other mid century gems that come your way! i also will check out your blog – many thanks! pam
Wow, this home is amazing! To the real estate agent, Kathryn, from what I gather MCM is very popular in the Pacific Northwest, correct? I can honestly hope this home retains its incredible character.
Yes, Gsciencechick, there is a very solid core of MCM followers in Portland. For the past 4-5 years we’ve had a home tour known as the Street of Eames featuring both modern and vintage homes which has sold out its 5,000 tickets every year in less than an hour. The publishers of Atomic Ranch also live in our (sometimes) fair city.
Sadly, there are still many who do not realize how special these homes are, and remove the very things that set them apart from a new home.
From what I understand, the new owners of this home completely “get it” and the home is in safe hands. A great ending.
Love the booth and the clock/doorbell. I think the upholstery on the benches should have been turquoise, to continue the theme from the kitchen. I’ve a plan to install a booth in my dining room when I get rich. . .
I sure would love to see this house. I treasure streamline moderne. I just love the kitchen dinette area and the bathroom. So wonderful. Let me know if they ever do a tour or show to the public.
Way to go, AlyStar!
Absolutely incredible. I’m so, so glad not everyone tears up their beauties.
OH. MY. GOD. I just fell in LOVE with that 1948 Streamline kitchen!! That was the most beautifulest kitchen I have ever seen!
I did check out the real estate listing of the house for bigger photos. I am VERY sad to say that they replaced the old original fridge and stove with brand new stainless steel ones. All I can say is that it totally threw everything off and looks god awful! I sincerely hope the new owners could replace it back to the originals!
Rest easy, Adrian. Nothing was changed after all. (Those pics you saw were photoshops). The kitchen remains vintage 1948, even the glass table and the built-in porcelain dishwasher (seen to the right of the sink).
I would bet the original counter tops in the kitchen were linoleun with metal edges like (I think) I saw in the bathroom.
This is so very interesting, My sister in law , an brother in law live right across the street from this house. The Owners came to her Birthday party . She is a singer very good at that , The House is delightful the kitchen sick is the dish washer , the bath is so different when the doors are closed it is complete white . Very awesome house
Opps, Kitchen sink
I love love love the kitchen! In the real estate listing the rendering of what the kitchen could look like was awful. Stainless steel appliances? Yuk!
Do you think it would EVER be possible to buy one of those NuTone clock/doorbells?
they come up on ebay… but this looks to be a pretty rare model…
Beautiful Home. Wish I could have seen a tour of it.
Its nice to know there is a streamline modern home in portland.
Wish there were more buildings. I saw a few old theatre streamline moderne facade buildings in seaside and the PDX airport car rental area has streamline modern decor. If I won the lottery I would have one built with the daughter of the man who built the pan pacific auditorium. I hear she is an interier designer.
The daughter or grandaughter of one of the two Walter Wurdeman and Welton Becket or possibly Charles F Plummer.