Reader Tiki Lisa did major retro reconnaissance in her neighborhood — and photographed these 57 midcentury exteriors. She’s sharing via this slide show linked to her flickr photostream. Great exterior details here — wood trim, shutters, brick work, roof slopes, paint colors, window boxes, and more. And, I’m particularly in love with all the Cinderella ranch homes, also known as Storybook ranch homes. You live in a retro-wonderland, TL! Many thanks!
Carrie’s home sweet home Cinderella ranch in Los Banos, Calif.
Posted by: • November 24, 2008
My name is Carrie, I was not born (actually 1976) during the times you mainly discuss on your blog; however I have been very fond to all things vintage instead of new. I have been an addicted reader of your blog for more than three months now. It is nice to know there are so many others out there who are just it in awe of the 40s 50s and 60s especially mid century modern. I am very much inspired by all the things you have written about, and everyone else who contributes as well. Especially real estate time capsules. I have just purchased a house where I live and it is a time capsule. The house was build in 1964 and has only had one owner….
Carrie’s 1964 Storybook Ranch — aka “Cinderella Ranch” or rambler — is a real time capsule purchased from the original owner who never changed a thing – and Carrie pledges not to, either! Speckled laminate…knotty pine kitchen…original pinch pleats… Sears lights… just look at those awnings! This house is terrific! 14 photos.
Storybook ranch houses
Posted by: • July 3, 2008
On Sunday I took another walking tour of a little 50s neighborhood in Pittsfield, Mass. – which is right next door to my quieter village of Lenox. Pittsfield was going gangbusters in the 50s, mostly due to a big General Electric manufacturing facility that employed some 15,000. In addition, there was still lots of manufacturing all around, feeding the GE business but also paper mills. All are now mostly gone – but the 50s neighborhoods — mostly Capes, colonial and some very simply boxy ranches – remain.
So I’m walking all around snapping pictures of shutters and doors and awnings and lampposts of all designs and colors – when around a bend I spot this amazing storybook ranch. If you look closely, it’s really just a small boxy ranch, but the owners added the trim and voila – this one is ready for Hansel and Gretel. I love it!
I’ve created a special flickr group for Storybook Ranch Houses. There are just two photos — and one member — me — so far. So, if you spot any of these picturesque ranch homes in your hood – grab a pic – start a flickr account (it is way easy) and upload your photo to the Storybook Ranch Houses Group here. I feel a new obsession coming on – help me feed it!
1953 storybook ranch home – envy strikes, bigtime!
Posted by: • January 26, 2008
I love my home and everything in it. But when I saw this house. OMG. This is what they call a “storybook ranch.” I suppose, for all the bric-a-brac trim… the mimicking of a Hansel and Gretel cottage. You think we are trying to relive the past with our kitsch? We have nothing on these people!
Click all photos to enlarge.
Note all the details – the mix of horizontal and vertical siding, the bracketed eaves, the decorative roof supports and the jutting roof line, the coach light, the shutters, the roof shingles and window ledges and different mullions on each window…and is that brick under the bay window? This design is all in the details! The living room is a 50s classic, too.
This just might be the most awesome 50s house of all time.
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