Here’s a house flip story that, for once, we love: “I don’t typically rehab anymore,” said Ginger Fawcett, a St. Louis-area realtor and on of the original board members for ModernSTL, “but my father purchased the larger land parcel to subdivide. He didn’t have any interest in the house itself and was going to sell it to a rehabber who wanted to rip out the kitchens and baths. I just couldn’t let that happen.”
Chock-full of pristine original features, the house needed just the right bit of TLC. So, Ginger snapped it up and embarked on a flip, Retro-Renovation-style. She found old school repair guys to repair the stove, installed New Old Stock light fixtures in a few key places, replaced some of the home’s flooring, and gave the fantastic original bathrooms a spit shine. Now, Ginger’s freshly polished midcentury jewel is on the market, in move-in condition awaiting a new owner who appreciates the midcentury flair of the home. We will say it again: All the best stuff is in St. Louis!
Ginger writes:
Wasn’t sure if this would be of interest to you or not. It’s a mid-century ranch in Crestwood (St. Louis) MO that we just rehabbed but kept and enhanced the original mid-century features including repairing the appliances (they all work now). We replaced a few fixtures with NOS fixtures as the original owners had added ceiling fans over the years. I’m a real estate broker in St. Louis and I oversaw this project myself, as I couldn’t stand the though of original Lumiline lighting and pristine original boomerang counters going in the dump.
I asked Ginger for more details about the home and the repairs that she made, and she replied:
The home was built in 1960, and the land has been owned by the same family (until it was bought this year by the new owner) since the 30’s. The previous farmhouse was torn down in 1959 to make room for a new “state of the art” modern home. At one time they owned all the land around it and operated it as a farm up until the 1980s, when they sold off most of it for a new development behind the property. They still worked the land and sold their produce at the Soulard Market in downtown St. Louis. Rumor has it that they had German POW’s work the land from time to time during WWII in the 40s!
The “outdoor” bath and office off the back of the house was where workers cleaned up and took breaks. There were two huge old barns on the property for equipment. and they used the kitchen in the basement for canning their produce at the end of the season.
They must have been the neatest people on earth as the home was so clean you could eat off the floors even though nobody has lived there full-time in several years! In addition the original boomerang White Skylark counters, bath/kitchen fixtures, lighting and tile are in nearly perfect condition.
We kept everything that was original or had it repaired by a “old school” repair guys. The stove was the only item not working at all but it was a simple fix (love old appliance guys), so it’s running great now. Both the oven and stove are Suburban brand by the Samuel Stamping and Enamel Company from Chattanooga (bought by Roper in the late 60s).
The floors through much of the home were hardwoods covered in carpet, but under the living room, laundry and under 1980s vinyl in the kitchen was old linoleum that unfortunately could not be saved as it had gotten too brittle and was full of carpet holes.
We refinished the bedroom floors and replaced the hall, laundry and living with matching hardwoods. However, we couldn’t do that in the kitchen, as it would require pulling out the cabinets, and we were afraid that could damage the cabinets and counters. So instead, we used this really cool rubber tile product that is waterproof, requires no wax or maintenance and can be replaced easily one tile at a time if one gets damaged. We thought it added a very cool retro look, is soft to walk on, and didn’t add much height to the flooring, which was a requirement in the kitchen. (We looked into linoleum but were afraid the waxing and polishing might damage trim or cabinets during install).
UPDATE: We had lots of questions about the floor tile so asked Ginger for more info. She wrote:
They sell them at Lowes and Menards special order (at least they do here). The actual manufacturer is Perfection Floor Tile (not sure if they sell retail). They were easy peasy to install (cutting was the worst part as they are pretty thick and my hand was suffering for several days). However, they don’t require glue or anything as they snap together beneath the tile. We used the “leather look” shown on this page: http://www.perfectionfloortile.com/pg_Tile_Style.html
We re-installed all the quarter round to keep the edges sealed. I think most people will need some sort of edging to hide any cuts.
- [This kitchen reminds us of Nathan’s 1962 NEVER USED kitchen — you know, the one that went super-viral a few years ago.]
I was one of the original Board Members for Modern STL so I do a lot of mid-century home sales and have a special spot in my heart for the ones that are in good original condition. As a result I somehow ended up taking on this project, and I’m so glad that I did.
It’s not quite as unique in terms of the architectural style, but I have never seen one with such pristine original features!
Here are some of the highlights I am using as I prepare the marketing materials for our Twilight Open House this Friday:
- Price: $299,900
- Year Built: 1960
- Square footage: 2,100
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 3 full/ 1 half
- Immaculately preserved in its (almost) original condition including brilliantly designed original MCM light fixtures such as rare and collectible Lumiline under cabinet lighting (with extra light bulbs), a retractable atomic pendant, and dozens of original square recessed lights.
- Hallmack rotating toothbrush holder and double sliding door medicine cabinet
- Original Emerson Pryne Exhaust fan/heater (50+ years and still functioning as designed)
- Lumiline Under Cabinet Lighting
- Vintage chrome leg wall-mount porcelain sink with towel bars
- Hudee ring metal rim vintage sink in hall bath and kitchen
- Recessed square housing lights in family room and throughout basement.
- Second kitchen with drainboard sink and working stove
- Hidden pocket doors throughout.
- Original hand carved front door with Schlage starburst hardware.
- Huge walk-up attic
- Oversized garage with original solid wood door and unique mid-century style overhang.
- Flying saucer pinhole light in family room
- NOS starburst glass shades in hallways.
- Double door walk-through closets in each room (with lights).
- Pristine tile in shower and baths and floors. Original
- Built-in cutting board in kitchen
- Real solid wood paneling in family room, trim, moldings and built-in plant stand cabinetry.
- Original doors and moldings (unpainted)
- Beautiful brick and stone exterior
- Deep soffits for cooling
- Built-in stone planter beds at front porch
- Coved/curved plaster moldings in living room
- Etched glass shower doors
- Natural light pass through upper window between baths to allow exterior light into interior bath.
- Original plans for house
- Ventahood with double fans and Lumiline light.
- Electric Suburban stove top with griddle
- Original Suburban oven with unique top/bottom broiler (Suburban was bought by Roper)
- Huge walk-out lower level with 1/2 bath and partially finished
- Beautiful mature peony’s and stately oaks
- Tons of exterior outdoor lighting
- Garden room and full bath from exterior porch
- Lovely patio and pathways
- Extra storage everywhere!
From the charming exterior brick and stonework to the gorgeous tile in the bathroom, we are smitten with this home! How fantastic that Ginger was willing to take on this project to help preserve this home for a lucky midcentury lovin’ buyer. Talk about going above and beyond for the love of retro — great job, Ginger!
Link Love:
- Mega thanks to realtor Ginger Fawcett of Live Local Real Estate Group for letting us feature this fabulous property.
- All photos © Reed R. Radcliffe / TripleRPhotography LLC
Sheri says
would love to know more about the tiles used in the kitchen! That sounds like a wonder product
Mollye says
This house in amazing. The pink master bath shower doors are cool with the swan print. I’m glad that the original features did not get torn out! I’d love to have that basement. It has a mini kitchen in it, which would be perfect for tuning it into a themed party space.
Barbara says
Also, I just noticed the hardware placement on the kitchen cabinets. I like how they differentiated the upper and lower cabinets.
Barbara says
I loved this remodel as my home is the same era. I have fewer original features to work with, though. I’m wondering if you could talk a little more about the staging process. You got it exactly right – fun and appropriate to the era without being too much.
Ginger Fawcett says
Unfortunately there aren’t any stagers around here specializing in MCM. A few years ago I started collecting some vintage pieces and was going to fill that hole but it cost too much for storage so I had a whopper MCM auction last summer (still have regrets). In any event I kept a few key pieces that I use periodically when someone has a retro house to sell. Basically I do the staging myself but I have to admit I’m a designer at heart so it’s fun for me albeit a lot of extra work (and I don’t charge them for it). Sort of a labor of love. Anyway, I focused on a few key colors like the turquoise in the kitchen to make things pop. The framed artwork is actually just retro fabric I’ve saved that I modge podged to cardboard and framed (quick and cheap). I searched on ebay and etsy for some of the replacement lights and spent a fortune on Lumiline light bulbs (bought a second set for the new buyer). The rest was just shopping at home goods for items that matched. I’m pretty good with accessories:)
Barbara says
It looks amazing! And I love the framed fabric as a way of bringing on color and pattern.
pam kueber says
Yes, I love this idea too!!!!
Mary Elizabeth says
You did a great job at it! I had the pleasure some years ago of working on the stage set for a community theater production of Neil Simon’s _Barefoot in the Park_ (1963) and had fun borrowing appropriate furnishings, etc. from the period. Wish I had found a few of the kitchen items you have.
Becky says
This makes me so happy! I came across this listing yesterday on my own, and I’m glad to see it featured here. My grandfather built three houses in nearby Grantwood Farms completed in 1955. One for his family, one for his sister, and one for his brother’s family. The shower doors are almost identical. The main house was sold several years ago to a family who liked the style, but I dont have the heart to drive by and see if anything has been changed. Seeing this restoration however, gives me hope that more houses like this will be rehabbed versus gutted. I grew up in Crestwood and it’s a great place to live!
Thank you Ginger!
Lisa Compo says
I looked at the listing photos and actually felt my pulse quicken and my breath go shallow. If I saw this in person I would probably cry. This home is my very favorite era of style. Clean lines, graceful elegance and yet a sense of cozy warmth from all the natural gleaming wood.
I look and look in my area and so many have been irretrievably ruined with “fully updated” features. Oh Ginger…you have done a wonderful thing with your knowledge and good old elbow grease. I think lack of elbow grease is what sometimes leads to tear out and buy new techniques.
I hope the buyer appreciates your efforts and keeps the home intact, a testament to good construction and beautiful materials. I wish somehow stories like this could go “big time news” like 60 Minutes and a “save the retro homes” movement would explode nationwide. 🙂 Where oh where would all the granite go? Congrats on a job so well done. I love it, I’m sure many others will as well.
Scott says
The world needs more people like Ginger!
Sadly this type of approach happens extremely rarely here in Central Ohio.
Tom says
Very well done! Someone is going to be very happy with this house.
ineffablespace says
I think this is in a condition that would convince many people to maintain it as a 1960s vintage house. Sometimes I think people like the idea of a time capsule until they realize that replacing or repairing some element in historically accurate fashion takes a lot more effort, and usually more money than just putting in whatever is new.
Also, I think it will depend somewhat on the relative price point and the neighborhood as well. I’ve seen pristine time capsules get gutted here when the typical buyer who wanted that neighborhood could afford to do so in addition to the cost of the house. Sometimes people want the location and could really care less about the original house. I don’t understand it, but that’s how it seems to work.
So I hope someone who is particularly interested in this sort of house will buy it, now that it’s gotten wider exposure through Retrorenovation. I am not completely sold on the kitchen floor, but I understand there are limited options particularly for a seller trying to do as little intervention as possible. The new owner can figure out if they want something more historically accurate palette wise
J D Log says
Great job Ginger it is hard for me to understand why someone would want to gut out the kitchen and those beautiful bathrooms. I know those sort of people are out there but it is like they are from a different planet