Here is something you’ve never seen my site: A house built in 1890. But… think again…because this Victorian mansion, built on a stately hill in the shadow of Mount Greylock in Adams, Mass, is the very same mid-century time capsule of estate sale fame two weeks ago. The time capsule here and here and here. The house was extensively renovated in 1952…then, there was more work done in the late 60s or early 70s. In the market? Here is the listing for this gem.
Take a neighborhood full of cookie-cutter tract houses … let their owners fuss with them … and 50 years later photographer Julia Baum finds that they have been “transformed from modest white cubes into a vibrant display of personality and present a rebellion against conformity….human individuality cannot be contained. Inevitably it shines through even the most average facade.” I love her study, which demonstrates again that their is so much to love about our jewel box mid-century homes. No matter how small, the opportunity is there to make them our own. Read more about Julia’s project and see her slide show of 13 same-yet-different homes here.
Guest post today from Dave Stuhlsatz, architect with Royal Barry Wills Associates, and my main contact there for all things RBW. I am very pleased that Dave will contribute an occasional article on mid-century architecture, design and related issues. – Pam
The Royal Barry Wills Cape Home
By Dave Stuhlsatz, Royal Barry Wills Associates
The time seems appropriate to revisit Cape Cod House design as it was promoted by a pioneer of their twentieth century revival, Boston architect Royal Barry Wills. When Wills started out in his architecture career he established himself designing English Tudor inspired homes in suburban towns around Boston like Newton and Brookline. But, it was his rigorous examination and subsequent success with the Cape and Colonial Revival homes that cemented his reputation as one of the most influential residential architects in America. Heck yeah there is more →
Today is RetroRenovation.com’s second birthday. And on this occasion I would like to introduce something I’ve been noodling for the better part of the year — an all-new term that I have invented: “Mid-century Modest.” I first used the term at my home show talks in Eugene in March…and then again when I met with the wonderful Portland MCM League group for dinner right after. I believe that author Cara Greenberg is credited with coining “mid-century modern,” in 1985, with her book of the same name. A mere 24 years later, let me introduce “Mid-century Modest” and along with it, the Mid-Century Modest Manifesto. Heck yeah there is more →
Maintaining windows – wood, steel or aluminum? Concerned about abrasive cleaners? Ceramic tile? Moisture problems? The National Park Service has preservation briefs to help on all these topics — 44 in all — available at your fingertips online. While these briefs appear to be intended for historic preservation pro’s — and while I’m not sure the NPS would yet classify our little pieces of the American dream as “historic” — the reports certainly appear to be informative reading for renovation geeks who want to know as much as they can about what they may be dealing with. Remember, I always advise to consult with pro’s when it comes to environmental and safety issues — renovate safe. Here is the link to all the NPS Technical Service Briefs. You can read them online — or order them in print, for free.
