Come on in, plan on staying a while. This 1962 time capsule house recently listed for sale in Mendota Heights, Minn. (metro St. Paul), is one eye-popping wonder. 57 photos available: Yes, just when you think, “Oh my gosh, this is the best room EVER”, you flip to the next slide and it’s immediately clear, golly no, “THIS is the best room ever!” Dear readers, you are just THE BEST community ever for continuing to send these time capsule tips. For this one, thanks go to reader Norma Desmond, who surely was joking when she submitted it with the caveat, “Not sure if this is up your alley or not….” Was she talking to moi? The blogger among all bloggers on a mission to convince the world that wallpaper is not The Devil… and that Big Bold Colors are not his evil handmaidens? “Up my alley?” I am all over every delicious bite. . 22 photos follow — along with a secret link to 57 big photos — all shown with permission listing agents, Tom and Henry Edelstein and with a big hug of a credit to phographer Ben Colvin of Spacecrafting. They know they have one absolutely fabulous home on their hands — and would love to sell it to an adoring fan.
The listing description is short and sweet, considering that the photos tell a thousand+ words:
ONE OF A KIND MASTERPIECE IN MAGICAL MENDOTA HEIGHTS, EXQUISITE CUSTOM TOUCHES THROUGHOUT. VAULTED MAIN FLOOR FAMILY ROOM, HIDDEN WET BAR. FORMAL DINING ROOM, SPARKLING SUNROOM, SUNNY KITCHEN. LUXURIOUS OWNER’S SUITE+2 BATHS. 1/2ACRE WITH POND, WATERFALL
Digging in, I see:
- Four bedrooms
- Two full and four partial baths
- 4,473 square feet (including 750 of finished basement)
- Listed for $600,000
Speaking with agent Henry Edelstein, I learned that this home has been with a single owner since it was built in 1962.
He also told me that originally, the interiors were done by Ted Hanson, a prominent interior designer in the St. Paul area. A number of architectural features in the house came out of prominent St. Paul area buildings, including the old Ryan Hotel and the Brown and Bigelow Estate, Henry said. And, he acknowledges that some of the rooms have been redecorated since 1962. I am not an expert — but I am feeling a lot of Postmodern / Memphis design influence in the redecorating. And, that kitchen: late ’70s or early ’80s? In either case, nicely done.
On with the show.
Living room:
Note that Henry says that in real life, the room is red — not lipstick coral pink.
Dining room:
The dining room is my favorite room in the house. But, you know I’m on a wallpaper binge right now.
Kitchen:
Den:
Bedrooms and bathrooms:
Bet those bedrooms and bathrooms made your eyes pop out of your heads!
Basement with bar:
Exterior:
What do you think, dear readers:
Would you? Could you?
Link love:
- Homepage with all listings for Team Edelstein. Phone: (651) 695-4300. THANK YOU, Team Edelstein!
- Fabulous photos by Ben Colvin of Spacecrafting.
And a slide show:
Chaucea says
Bwaahahahaha… one would have to have a seriously positive body image to survive using that mirrored bathroom. 😉
Kelley says
WOW! I love the use of color, but I’m also a less is more kind of person. That being said, this house has a great layout and ‘good bones’. If I were able to buy it, I would probably take out all the mirrored ceilings and switch out some wall paper and carpeting.
It’s obvious that the owner of this house has taken wonderful care of everything; this house is something else!
2Tony says
Hmm…looks more 80’s to me. Some need touches, but would need a lot of work before I would be a fan.
2Tony says
sorry – I meant, “some NEAT touches.”
Chaucea says
Ayup, its totally 80s decor. 🙂
pam kueber says
yes, may be!
Robin, NV says
What the heck is on the walls in the kitchen? The larger photo seems to indicate some kind of textured wallpaper with odd splotches of color. It reminded me of the wallpaper in a house in Coos Bay, Oregon. Not quite a time capsule but a cool home nevertheless. With some elbow grease it could be an awesome place: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1010-Hemlock-Ave-Coos-Bay-OR-97420/75140871_zpid/
Andi says
Oh! My! Gosh! I love this place. I call dibs on the purple bedroom, especially if that purple bathroom is adjacent!
It is sensory overload, it is wild and crazy, it could be called tacky I guess—-but it is so well-executed that it transcends all of that. For me, anyway.
I love the dramatic colors and bold designs, although I don’t live in anything even remotely like this! I think I could sit in every room for hours and just notice new things. Zebra stair runner? YES!
I wonder if they are selling it furnished? I think I would keep about 99% of the contents!
Thanks to Norma and to Pam for bringing us this visual feast!
oh Holland says
Especially taken with the front exterior and those massive double entry doors.
And is that actually an ombre-edged, orchid-toned vintage lav in the first bathroom photo? Whoa …
Marty says
It’s a nice place to visit, but…
Sara says
Whoa! I am in sensory overload!!! This place is amazing. I don’t really know what I think. It does look more like a TV or movie set than a real house. I sure love looking at the pictures, but I don’t think I could live there. Thank you for sharing it with all of us! It’s definitely a must see!!!
Silvercat says
A little much for me, but that front door! The basement! And the backyard!
I love it when people go wild with their homes.
Christa says
What really comes through is how much FUN it looks like someone had, decorating this place- like they really gave themselves over to every whim, and really went for it with colour and pattern! I love it. I would really love to hear the story of the owners, and how this decor was brought to life- obviously a lot of love and care taken with the home over the years. The exterior is stunning, as well. One more time capsule for me to envy… 🙂
nina462 says
I know where this house is….having lived in MN for several years.
Little known fact – Mendota Heights, is where the ‘girls of the evening’ lived when MN was new state (1800’s). – It’s across from the Fort Snelling base.
Meanwhile – nice house – too wild for my tastes however.
kcmerchant says
Wow! Nina, I’m on the Mpls side of town! This unassuming outside of the house doesn’t give much of a clue about the incredible inside! Who could have lived there?!!! Rock Star? Wealthy Investor? Flamboyant somebody!
nina462 says
I now live in MI, but spent 15 years in Mpls, MN (ok, Hopkins, St. Louis Park & Bloomington).
I had a 1975 townhouse that had been updated….waited to move back to MI before I found my dream home (and realized I love the midmod look).
I sure miss my friends in Mpls. good thing I can still catch Joe Soucheray on Garage Logic through a podcast everyday! hee hee.
Tomo says
Wellll how to put this – I could see this place fitting right in with the original denizens of the neighborhood.WAY over the top! Wow. Like someone else who commented, I’m left pretty speechless too.