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. .
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.
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.
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.
Lydecker House says
Hi Pam,
Do you know how to do that amazing piping around the edge of the linoleum?
Is it just painted on? I have a very similar streamline moderne house to the one pictured. My house has lots of curves and a built in booth. I need a new floor so I’m going back to the original linoleum floor. I’d like to do piping, but I can’t figure out how to do it when it’s not a square room.
There’s a picture of my kitchen on the website.
Thanks
Michelle Basart says
The daughter or grandaughter of one of the two Walter Wurdeman and Welton Becket or possibly Charles F Plummer.
Michelle Basart says
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.
Joe Felice says
Do you think it would EVER be possible to buy one of those NuTone clock/doorbells?
pam kueber says
they come up on ebay… but this looks to be a pretty rare model…
Jennifer says
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!
Gayla says
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
Gayla says
Opps, Kitchen sink
John Bullwinkel says
I would bet the original counter tops in the kitchen were linoleun with metal edges like (I think) I saw in the bathroom.
Adrian says
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!
Bob says
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).
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
Absolutely incredible. I’m so, so glad not everyone tears up their beauties.