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.
Shelly Morden says
O M G…….died and gone to heaven in that house!! Amazing. I believe whole-heartedly in the Retro is Green. The idea so many people share my passion warms my heart. It is thrilling to see these well-loved and preserved treasures. I love in a 1935 Cape Cod style home, my 12 year old Daughter has friends living in new construct homes 500k and up. I try so hard to make her understand that homes like ours will never come again, and that this house and its good old bones is the one she will always adore coming back to, timeless.
Jenny says
This is so sad. That it will now be torn down almost makes me want to cry, especially as there were buyers willing to keep it nearly in its pristine condition and to raise their family in it, and whose only failing was in not having 1.2M in CASH. I really think cities need to think carefully before allowing gems like this to be torn down for faceless “modern” houses. It’s one thing if the existing house is falling down or poorly designed; it’s quite another to have a near-museum-quality home like this torn down just for profit. Bleah. I’m sick to my stomach over this.
Allison says
Yup, it is official now. They will tear down the house, and sub-divide the lot to bulid 2 McMansions. I am just sick over this! What makes this even worse is that a potential buyer offered $180,000 over the asking price to buy the house, and would have kept it in its original glory. However, the seller decided to sell it to Van Note because he was paying in cash (and under the asking price). Today is a very sad day 🙁
Josephine says
Really a shame. Why do people not appreciate these older homes? I can see them putting in the granite an stainless now. 🙁
Allison says
I found found this article that says the house may be torn down! So sad 🙁
http://www.baristanet.com/2012/07/montclair-mid-century-gem-may-become-just-another-teardown/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+baristanetfeed+%28Baristanet%29&utm_content=FaceBook
Lauryn says
Wrong, wrong, wrong. On so many levels, just wrong.
Allison says
Ignore my double *found*. I was so distraught over reading this that I didn’t proof read.
FM says
There was an estate sale this past week at this home where most of the original contents were sold off!
Joe Felice says
Wall paper, panelling and traverse rods. Ah, yes, the memories. . .
Lin says
Oh my goodness. This home is absolutely stunning! If I had an extra 1.4 million dollars lying around, I would totally move in tomorrow. I cannot believe how pristine that house is! It looks to be completely untouched! I might have to swing by Montclair to take a look for myself…
Nancy says
The house is in such great shape! Looks as if it was just built- why didn’t my 1964 home look like this???? Much of the decor is very stylish by today’s standards so I don’t think ( at least I hope) that new buyers would gut the home. Hopefully they’ll be mid-century lovers.
Thanks so much for sharing:)
Guy H. says
There are more photos (and larger photos) here:
(link now expired)
LaurieP says
Hi Guy,
Thanks for posting that link. Wow, what a house! Do you think that the owners actually lived there? It is so pristine!
Laurie