Midcentury modern farmhouse perfection can be found in this 1958 time capsule house designed by notable architect Henry Klein in Mount Vernon, Wash., and listed for sale by realtor Erik Pedersen. Yes, we’re calling this beauty a farmhouse — because wait until you see the aerial view! This house is modern and modest at the same time: Just over 1,200 s.f. As a rare added treat, we’ve also obtained permission to feature the floor plan of the home thanks to the folks at HKP Architects. Prepare for the full time capsule touring experience –>
On the outside, the home has been thoughtfully updated with fresh landscaping. Inside you’ll find most, if not all of its delightful original features intact — including a double-sided brick fireplace, light fixtures galore, original galley kitchen and a unique custom bathroom vanity.
And WOW! Look at this aerial view. It’s midcentury modern way out in the country — the best of both worlds. Thanks to reader Cheryl, who pointed us in the direction of this outstanding time capsule house. And thanks for the wonderful photos from Top View by Mike.
From the listing:
- Price: $225,000
- Year built: 1958
- Square footage: 1,218
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1.75
Mid Century Modern Home in Southwest Mount Vernon. 1958 classic designed by acclaimed architect Henry Klein. This well cared for example is in its original condition, with some small concessions to current standards. New F/A heat and updated energy efficient windows along with an entire new roof system complement the home. Clever and functional design features and built-ins throughout. This is a 1,200 SF, 2BD, 1.75BA layout w pleasing lines from all sides. Settled on a generous 1/2 Ac lot.
The galley style kitchen packs a big punch into a modest space. (Galley kitchens are SO efficient to work in!) A special niche for the refrigerator maximizes the available floor space, while the sliding doors on the wall cabinets keep the lines of the room clean.
Both the original stove/cooktop and wall oven are still present, and they sure look retrolicious.
This common room just off the kitchen is a multi-tasking space perfect for a family. Cooking, laundry and watching the kids play could all be accomplished at once in this functional space. See that skinny door on the back wall? That could be the fold out ironing board that Mike the photographer mentioned to me during our chat.
The back corner of the room also has a built-in storage area and desk — a good place to do homework, set up the computer or even work on a sewing project. That door goes to the back of the house.
Above… we’re still in the common room… You’ve gotta love that rounded fireplace opening — and the original chandelier looks wonderful hanging from those gorgeous wood ceilings.
Above: On the other side of the fireplace is a more formal living space — complete with a built-in sofa. The front door of the house enters into this space.
On to the bathroom, which looks to have a few updates while still retaining its vintage charm.
Saving the best for last — this L shaped vanity is any girl’s dream. Plenty of counter space, a place to sit while getting ready, a built-in cosmetics box and a mirror that makes the space feel oodles larger. We think those windows are pretty special too. It looks like the top is a fixed pane of glass and the small bottom area cranks out just enough to let in a refreshing breeze of air.
The folks at HKP Architects — a firm founded in 1952 by well known architect Henry Klein, designer of this home — were kind enough to allow us to share this floor plan here on the blog. Getting a digital file of the plan was no easy task since the original hard copy wouldn’t fit in HKP Architect’s office scanner. Brian Poppe, partner at the firm went above and beyond for our story, going out of his way to send the plan down to the blueprint company for specialty scanning. Oh what a treat to be able to see how the rooms in this wonderfully designed home fit together. Thanks so much Brian, we really appreciate your help. Note: Click on the image twice and it will enlarge a lot.
Mega thanks are also in order to realtor Erik Pedersen for letting us feature this listing and to photographer Mike from Top View by Mike for providing us with these wonderful photos of the property.
What a lovely, lovely home!
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Col. (Retd) Anwar Khan says
A Gorgeous Little House, Beautifully Designed.
I would love to construct one like this, at My Orange Farm, in Pakistan.
Tania says
–correction–JUST the cutest!
Tania says
Lovely little house. I do like the built in desk, but it is not configured to be a good place to do needle hobbies. Sewing would require desk space to the left of the knee hole for the project to flow over the work surface from the sewing machine. I like the idea of the built in ironing board. And the kitchen is thus the cutest!
Karen says
Adorable! I could tell it was in the Northwest the minute I saw the bathroom cabinetry… Nearly every midcentury house up here has that exact style with those same wide dish knobs, including mine!
Kay J says
I just adore that built in sofa in the formal living space. Oh heck – I adore everything about this house!
Lisa9000 says
Lovely home. I like the front door with transom to let in light. And I’ve never seen a sidelight window that could be opened! Awesome.
lynda says
Wouldn’t you just love to know the family that built this house? This just seems like such an unusual country house for 1958. I think it must have been quite contemporary looking compared to other houses being built at the time. It is a very practical and lovely home. I would have liked to have seen the furniture that was originally used in the home too. Everything is so tidy both inside and out! Great find.
Mary Elizabeth says
I was thinking the same thing, Lynda. Were they making a fortune from growing tulips to be able to afford this architect designed house? What did their neighbors think of the house? I think although the style is MCM the architect was also echoing the older bungalow style, which in its day was the compact middle-class house. So maybe they didn’t find it too odd.
But having not too long ago been on a house-hunting expedition, my husband and I always wondered about the people who had originally built and decorated the houses.
Lisa Compo says
I just love the warmth that comes from those wood covered ceilings. Did anyone notice that the closets in the master are cedar lined? That’s another nice feature. I saw on the plans that the little closet next to the kitchen and laundry is labeled for the drop down ironing board. I would imagine it’s in there. We had one of those in our laundry room when I was growing up and they are so convenient. Built in anything is usually convenient, though. 😉 Sweet little home with lovely views.
Rudy Hassen says
I have been following (lurking?) this site for a while and on this house, I MUST comment! Just wonderful! The intelligence, design sense and practicality of that era is perfectly stand in that picture! What a wonderful example of why so many people love the Mid Century era in general. Thank you!
pam kueber says
So glad this little beauty brought you out of lurking, Rudy!