Chris and Angela wrote to me a few months ago, excited because they were about to close on a beautiful 1964 mid-century modern home in Wisconsin. Well, the deal went through successfully, and now this cute-overload couple is happily playing house in their stunning, designer-built house — a time capsule with mint-condition original lighting, Nutone, basement bar and heavens to betsy: two flocked wallpapers.
Before I launch Chris, let me explain that when he originally wrote, the couple was concerned about the sunset tan bathroom — didn’t quite know what to do with it even though they are “designer types.” I pointed them to a photo of one of my bathrooms, in which I used Home Depot “rose beige” tiles, and suggested something akin to the mint green, aqua and brown combination I used for wallpaper, linens and accessories. You can see how they picked up and ran with the suggestion in their bathroom design experiment to date.
So here’s the story and all the awesome 1964 time capsule eye candy. Chris writes:
Hi Pam,
My wife and I were lucky enough to just purchase this beautiful 1964 home. Our house is an original one of a kind. The original owners we bought the house from designed the floor plan and many of the details were constructed by the owner himself. Beautiful features, fixtures, stonework.
We are not finished decorating any of this yet, but had to share now since it will be a while until it’s finished. These are all just items we already had that we’re using until we find better suited ones, along with nice drapes.
The chocolate & mint accessories in the bathroom will work once we find ones we like, thanks for the color tip!
As you can see, right now we’re experimenting with chocolate, green and cyan.
The bathroom is nearly as-new with hardly any wear (they used the similar but smaller blue bathroom which will be undergoing restoration shortly). About the only non-original item is the faucet.
Note long sliding medicine cabinet under the mirror with an electrical outlet inside. Slanted cabinets. Also we have the NuTone 3-in-1 heater, light and fan.
Needless to say, this room will stay as-is forever. We need to find a chair appropriate for the dressing area,
and I need to clean that floor grout. Pretty easy restoration, I’d say!
Next up is our main hall with what we call
our “UFO” light fixture 🙂
And our cozy fireplace room that we’ve accessorized temporarily with some Danish Modern influences.
We love our dotted light fixtures here, too. NuTone built-in doorbell here, too. This room’s flooring is an interesting laminate that is clear with laminate chips in it that looks like pebbles in water. Unfortunately there is a lot of damage, so will need to be replaced eventually.
Entry tile. Pink/green, though camera flash brings out the
color. It’s more subdued. [Pam adds: I like the look of that wallpaper, too.]
Last up is our basement 1960’s paneled family room. We are starting to furnish and accessorize this room now in all oranges and greens. Need to find some orange barstools!
Oh, and can’t forget a couple samples of our flocked bedroom wallpaper, one orange… [Pam adds: I couldn’t resist putting these images in super-size. Blow your mind, mon!]
…one blue.
Great site, it’s our favorite… keep up the good work!
Chris & Angela, near Milwaukee, WI
Thank you, Chris and Angela, for doing this great archiving of your home and for sharing it with us. Fantastic house — and you two sound like you are the perfect caretakers. I can’t wait to see what else you do with it, over time. xoxo
Bonus quiz:
pam kueber says
Kami — how about: Wallpaper that is very similar to Chris and Angela’s — a soft beige and white graphic print. Then, add art work that picks up both the beige and the maroon. Beige textured shower curtain – maybe you can find one with a simple line of maroon in it. Layer both beige and maroon towels.
I think that with maroon being such a strong color, you want to keep the room two-tone only…don’t “overdo” the maroon… but recognize it.
One other thought: Make sure you have awesome shiny light fixtures, cabinet pulls, faucets and soap dishes — “bathroom bling”
Diana of Mt. Lebanon says
Wow, what a fabulous house! I’d love to see photos of the kitchen. Please share more!
Kami says
I have that identical tile in my bath. My only problem is that mine is accented throughout with a deep maroon. I have no idea what color to paint above, other than white. I’m considering a gray. The floor is the same as yours, as well. My family, at one point, wholesaled ceramic tile and I can say with confidence that my tilework is a beautiful, quality job. These tiles are thick, well-laid, heavily glazed and virtually indestructible after 60 years of use.
Jeanne says
The bathroom is fantastic, as is the rest of the house! As BungalowBILL said, I’m glad this place was sold to mid mod caretakers. It looks like the original owners took very good care of the place.
Eric says
Wow, what a great home. I especially like the angles on the bathroom vanity, how the bottom is cut more narrow and the top looks like it is jutting up to meet you. Great design.
maddy says
Love your home! Thanks for sharing the pics!
Cindy says
Oh, what a beautiful home! The built-ins next to and across from the fireplace are superb! And that bathroom is dreamy…………..Show us the kitchen, too! and drapes, when you do them…..Love your house!!
Joyce Donahue says
Love the pottery! i recognize lots of Haeger pieces – and they are displayed well. Thanks for sharing this.
BungalowBILL says
I think all the built in display space alone would have sold me on this house. All the details are great. I’m glad this place went to people that appreciate and embrace its history and not want to ‘update’ it. Congratulations and many happy years in your new home!
Lesley says
I LOVE the wood divider in their fireplace room. Somebody really loved this house and took care of it!