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!
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loumeigs says
Oh my gosh, is that a Nomad, a 4 door at that, in the driveway! I just turned completely green!!!
Tikimama says
Femme 1 – So. California, *just* over the border of L.A. county (so we’re in one of the thousands of L.A. suburbs).
St. Christopher – actually, the only ones that give me that Stepford Wives vibe are the too-perfect McMansions and the older homes that have been updated and lost their charm. Most of the time, you can see quite a bit of activity in these neighborhoods, but I was purposely going at a time in the morning when most people would either still be in bed (if they’re lucky!) or off to the morning commute.
loumeigs – a Nomad? I can go back and check for you!
frankieswife says
This neighborhood reminds me of “Bixby Knolls” in Long Beach, CA where I grew up. My favorite movie Corrina, Corrina was filmed there. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth checking out. The set designer and location scout did an awesome job at re-creating our favorite time in history. The house used for the story is actually across the street from my best friend’s grandmother. She had the most amazing 1950’s pool, tiki lanai and combination bathroom/dressing rooms in the backyard. It was a circular building with bamboo siding and a thatched roof that overhung the patio area. There was a “boys” side and a “girls” side and they were each exactly the same inside…tiled walls with little fishies, aqua sinks and toilets and the light above the tiled shower was a puffer fish, kinda scary when you are a kid…but I loved to go swimming at that Tiki Wonderland of my childhood.
alaina says
I live near Tikimama (just a few towns closer to L.A., west on the 10) and I just bought a house built in 1957 that I refer to as the “Swiss Chalet”…glad to know that there’s a real name for it. There’s several different styles in my neighborhood that are very similar to those in the photos. Thanks!!
pam kueber says
Hi Alaina, I think I also HAVE seen them referred to as Swiss Chalet in “the literature.” I’m telling you, these things can be sliced and diced a zillion ways! Welcome.
Tikimama says
frankieswife – How I would love to see photos of that Tiki Wonderland! Do you think that it still survives?
alaina – Hi, neighbor! Let us see some photos of your new beauty! Hmmm, Montclair, Pomona, La Verne…?
Flaca says
Tikimama what great fotos! I am late to this post – we actually just bought our first home, a ranch built in 1960, in Diamond Bar in Dec. 2009. We are your LA County border neighbors too! We’re looking for some inspiration on house color (ours is a dingy white… boring!) and wanted some true to its original look. You’re fotos look a lot like my neighborhood… older Diamond Bar. I am going to follow your blog for sure! Our home is nearly original in the way we purchased it (fully furnished from the original owners) but it does need an update (its just not functional in a modern family sense) so I hope to find some neighborly advice!