Readers: This is how timeless midcentury modern design IS DONE! What a fantastic amazing mind-blowing find: After the New York Times story ran last week, I was contacted by a realtor who has listed for sale a 1962 house in Montclair, New Jersey — with original interiors, still in place, by the renowned and super important midcentury interior designer William Pahlmann.
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These interiors are a veritable primer — a treasure trove of inspiration and ideas — about how to create stunning — yet timeless — interiors for your midcentury home. Linda, the real estate agent, writes:
Hi Pam,
I loved reading the article in the NYTimes! I’m a Realtor in Montclair NJ and have a house listed that is the most amazing home that I have seen in 25 years of real estate. Built by the owners in 1962 and decorated by Wiliam Pahlmann, a Manhattan decorator w/a newspaper column in the ’60s. The house is exactly as decorated when new… It looks as if it was done yesterday! The jelly beans in the bowls in the living room are color-coordinated to the “summer” slip covers and they will change with the season!
-Linda
Now, I must admit: Until I received this email, I didn’t know anything about William Pahlmann. I am sure that students of interior design must study him. But his name does not seem to be mainstream widespread like many of the most famous architects from back in the day. By the way, I find this to be true time and time again — the names of many professionals who were incredibly influential in the world of interior design and consumer goods in the postwar era have faded — and it’s time that they are resurrected! Another of my goals!
I started to do some online research, and quickly found that Pahlmann was incredibly important in the history of interior design.
He is credited with launching the “eclectic style” that, for the most part, permeates our culture today.
That is: Mixing modern pieces with vintage and exotic pieces. I think these interiors are ALL incredibly livable. And, they look as current Today as ever!
I will write more about Pahlmann coming up. He is someone We Need To Know!
Sigh.
Michael says
“Modern” or “Post-Modern,” it is a beautiful home that has obviously been meticulously maintained by the same family for more than four decades. You can feel the love, care and pride just from the photos, and they made me smile.
Stacy says
I too am dying of curiosity about how this time capsule came to be. The stories are usually as interesting as the design.
Nina462 says
Delish! Not quite my style – but certainly tasteful. I would love to have the light fixture over the dining room table & I love the cheery kitchen. And a lap pool – oooh!
Yes – who was the family that this house belonged to?
Andrea says
Amazing how up-to-date many of the rooms look! I love the Asian pieces…turquoise ceramic elephant side tables in living room and bedroom, the tall red lacquer hutch/cabinet in the dining room, oriental screen over the bed in the master. Colors are great, too. What a find. I also am SO curious about how it came to remain untouched through almost half a century.
Heidi Swank says
I feel like it is the Armstrong 1950s interiors book come to life! I just love the green and white happy living room. Now where did I put that 1.4 million…
tammyCA says
I’m so curious about the original owners who lived there…did they just decide in ’62 to never re-decorate? I always wonder what the story is. I am salivating at the SPACE & those enormous windows and green trees view, more than the decor (although, I love that bright flowery wallpaper in the kitchen).
At a million $$ I can’t imagine that anyone would keep it preserved…they’d no doubt want to change it & “horrors” put in granite!
Irene says
I concur about being wary of what the new owner would do like adding granite. Ugh! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to hurl when I watch those sell-my-house, stage-my-house, let’s update-my 5(yes, five)-year old kitchen etc. type shows and the ignorant buyers and/or sellers insist on granite. I moved back into my parent’s home. Though it’s 100 years old, we have fabulous timeless Formica.
Irene says
I meantthe house is 100 years old. The Formica is @ 50 years.
Zoe says
Irene, I just moved back into my parents’ home too, and all our counters are Formica, too The kitchen Formica counters are at least 50 years old if not older, and the bathroom Formica counter is 45 years old. Both looked great when new but could use replacing; trying to figure out what to replace them with… I don’t think I want to do Formica again. It’s the black edge I can’t stand, and bullnosed Formica is just wrong aesthetically.
deb says
Sigh, is right!!
Jay says
Wow! That is one honkin’ big house, definitely not your father’s Chevy. I think my little ranch would fit in the kitchen. The space…. I like the tastefully paneled man cave. This house has so many custom touches, it’s amazing how the interior came through the years in such great shape and still looking tasteful, like viewing an old movie from the 60s (a la Doris Day). Wonder who built and owned it.
Jenny says
It’s so breathtaking, I can’t even think. I’ve got nothin’…
Birgitte says
Sorry to be OT: I just saw that the Facebook game The Sims Social has pink bathroom-items featured…. 😀 Pink bathrooms are hitting mainstream!
Nina462 says
i’ve noticed this in a recent magazine ad as well – for the Clorox. It’s a jade green & black tile bathroom with pink toilet (commode).
odetothecommode.com is on the ad.