WHY DID SOFAS GET SO BIG? I do not know. But you have to admit these supersized sofas are statement-makers. And that’s before we even get to — upholstery. This 1972 wonder belongs to Lynne’s Lens, a flickr friend. She bought it 10 years ago from a house with purple shag carpet and Peter Max wallpaper. It had two more pieces that made it *too big* for her house and she gave them to a friend. Mr. Retro Renovation loves this sofa. Read on — you’ll like the next one, too, I promise…

Of course we’ve seen some other supersized sofas before, as part of conversation pits. Remember Leslie’s kitschy dreamboat time capsule? Hi Leslie, how are you doing! Buy any Moss lamps lately? Hmmm. I guess this isn’t an entire sofa, but you’re on the homepage again anyway because this is so in the spirit.

And remember this time capsule from Des Moines. Another super popular post, with a supersized conversation pit and much, much more in this utterly swoonable house — one of our very best time capsules ever.

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We have a new reader, LA Leslie, who loves wacky ebay items – and her wonderful 60s groove pad. And what’s not to love? I want a conversation pit surrounded by wrought iron railings!

Click here for Leslie’s story — and her swimming pool, built-in bar, exterior and more!

Leslie writes:

Hello there,

By chance I stumbled upon your website and I am hooked! I am amazed at your kitchen and did not realize that there were more than one steel company that made those cabinets. I know about Youngstown because there is a dealer in Sacramento who is the “expert” on them and has several full kitchens! We live in the Knollwood section of Granada Hills actually right down the road from Greg. I must say if we did not have kids our house would totally look like his… ha ha! I LOVE driving down Woodley and spotting his house as it always brings a smile to my face. I always feel we are the only ones crazy enough to live in a time capsule, but I am learning more and more there are OTHERS!!!!! Before kids we used to go on 5 or 6 road trips a year scouring the US for all things cool, modern and 50′s/60′s. Now we are limited to 1 trip to Kansas City a year, local swap meets and Ebay/Craigslist (I never seems to search the correct terms and get the idea of “buried” stuff). OMG I am totally rambling, but just wanted to let you know I got such a kick out of checking out your site. We will soon be granted historical designation as the newest house in LA country for the most pristine example of a mid century ranch house. We have the plans, original photos and all the documentation on the house. It’s a long story how we got it, but the short version is we randomly came across it (it’s out of the way) 3 1/2 years ago and I knocked on the door and the rest is history….

Looking forward to “meeting/chatting” with you.

Leslie

Welcome, Leslie, and congrats on your historical designation. And SO COOL to have the original plans, photos and documentation. It’s funny, isn’t it…that when you learn about the history of your house, it sort of becomes clear…why you were meant to live there?

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Yowza.

Even though this blog is about middle-class mid-century homes – it’s hard not to salivate over the moneybags mansions.

Click through to see 22 photographs of this fantastic house, you will be glad you did!

This 5,300 s.f. vintage home in Des Moines features the ORIGINAL FURNITURE even — everything is from 1965.

Talk about a time capsule.

On the market for the first time for $1.3 million and worth every penny. You can buy it from Iowa Realty.

The listing agent is HollyCraiger@IowaRealty.com

Spotted by Shawna in Des Moines. It’s beyond words beautiful – and offers us lots of great ideas for colors, lighting, materials, furniture.

Shawna writes:

Hi Pam!

Love the blog. It’s been a great resource for us. We recently purchased a 1958 one-owner blond brick ranch, and love the ideas shared here.

I really enjoy when you share retro home listings. Here’s a local home built in 1963 that I thought you might appreciate.

I will send some pics and the story of our home…we’ve got a fridge that you might meet your approval. We aren’t mid-century purists. However, we do love our home and feel a responsibility to maintaining its history.

…Meanwhile, Shawna also sent along a link a story on the house in the Des Moines Register.

According to the newspaper, the house was built by W.T. Dahl, the son of a South Dakota grocer, and his wife Edna. Dahl opened his first store in 1931 on the east side of Des Moines. By 1948, he was building his first Dahl’s supermarket in the city at the corner of Beaver and Franklin avenues. He died at the age of 97 in June 2006. Edna died a year later. She was 98. Much of the style reflects Edna’s interests and tastes. She completed more than 500 paintings over the course of her life.

Thank you so much for spotting this, Shawna. We want to see your house, too — as we are liking Des Moines a lot.

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