Java1888 is doing excellent retro recon these days, and has captured 33 photos in his “time capsules” set on flickr. This past weekend, he stumbled into an Asian-styled ranch full of delights. Alas, he admits, “The house is 90% likely to be gutted, it’s in a really exclusive area of town… [where] people … think wallpaper is the devil.” I know it’s wrong wrong wrong to stereotype, and “no one can be made to feel bad for their choices” and all… but alas, I fear Java is right. And the wallpaper in this house… well, let’s say, I’m on the devil’s side. Thank you, J, for all the lovely vintage eye candy. Keep up the good work. Here’s his flickr time capsule set.
California time capsule houses
Posted by: • January 13, 2010
Eye-popping 1974 time capsule house in Nashville
Posted by: • January 13, 2010
Meanwhile, in other time capsule news, reader Lisa spotted this one and writes:
Hi! …I don’t even know if time capsule covers it. This house must have actually been buried in the ground since the mid 70s and only recently unearthed….The light fixtures in the bathroom. The raised platform and the wallpaper in the yellow bedroom. The matching curtains and bedspread in the other bedroom. The matching WALLPAPER AND CURTAINS in the other, other bedroom. Are you kidding me? This house is mint-in-box. I’m always finding great ideas through your site, I thought I’d return the favor.
Cheers, Lisa
Incredible house, Lisa, I WANT IT. Consider the favor: Returned! Many thanks.
Picasaweb album – many additional views.
1960s time capsule house on DeluxeVille
Posted by: • September 14, 2009
MARY DELUXE of Welcome to DeluxeVille get the weekend super retro recon award for the photos of the wonderful time capsule open house. Dig this deep pink — salmon? coral? — bathroom with its original folding tub enclosure shower door and octagon-and-dot floor tile. And, oh my, yes, we LOVE the metallic wallpaper. Repeat after me: Yes, we do! Heck yeah there is more →
Hollywood Regency time capsule ranch house in Burbank, Calif.
Posted by: • July 31, 2009
Snaps to reader Shaun, who spotted this 1950 time capsule ranch home in Burbank. It looks like it got some Hollywood Regency style updating in the 60s — very groovy. I love the living room – a long, open-concept space properly anchored by a lovely L-shaped sofa. This layout — with the couch facing the window flanked by two chairs — is so typical, inviting, and livable. Lots of great stuff in this house. Like, I want that poker table with the tufted guy chairs in avocado naugahyde (left). One thing I would do differently in the living room if this were my house: Take the pinch pleats and valence all the way to the ceiling to maximize the impression of height. Heck yeah there is more →
Why do people stay in their time capsule houses?
Posted by: • June 26, 2009
STEVEN KURUTZ OF THE NEW YORK TIMES has written a terrific story about time capsule houses — not empty ones, but ones people still live in today, original furniture and all. The basic question of his story was: Why do people choose to live in homes that they never change for 20…30…40…50 years? He interviewed couples living in four such homes, and it is fascinating, interesting and funny, even, to read their stories. In his research, Steven came across this site and all our interest in time capsules, so he contacted me and ultimately interviewed me for the story.
What do you think? If they fit the bill, why did your grandparents, aunt and uncle, parents, or neighbors stay in their house and never change it? Heck yeah there is more →
13 scenes from an estate sale time capsule
Posted by: • June 22, 2009
THE ESTATE SALE on Saturday was wonderful. A very classic, brick Cape Cod home, single owner, great quality. Loved. The only things changed out were the kitchen appliances and floor. Above: Vintage “linen laminate” from the kitchen countertop. Grace Jeffers, the historian who restored the Wilson House, told me that linen patterns were the #1 most popular of the postwar era. Yes, even more so than the gold sparkle speckles we all love so much. At the left: That’s me with the first shot of a reader favorite, the Hall-Mack revolving disappearing toothbrush holder. Click on through for 11 more photos. Heck yeah there is more →
1964 time capsule gray bathroom
Posted by: • June 5, 2009
A 1953 midcentury modern time capsule in Los Angeles
Posted by: • May 27, 2009
SHAUN SPOTTED THIS WONDERFUL TIME CAPSULE, a 1953 home built by architect Eugene Kinn Choy in the Los Angeles foothills. The house, which is currently for sale, is large and expensive by most standards, but even so, I think that there are a lot of design touches on the interior that provide ideas for a retro renovation on any budget. In fact, the more that I look at this house, the more that I love its unpretentiousness. The new American dream, perhaps? Heck yeah there is more →
Become a fan
