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Home / The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture / time capsule homes

Great 1955 time capsule house in Tulsa, Oklahoma

pam kueber - Updated: November 5, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

Many thanks to reader Dana Kay for spotting this 1955 time capsule house in Tulsa, Oklahoma. What is that material on the wall of the living room adjacent to the kitchen — the material also on the kitchen cabinet???

Also, as you are going through the slide shows — take note of the way this “shelf lighting” — is that what it’s called? — is installed.

Squinch: The integrated window valence — that looks like the same wood as is on the walls — with pinch pleats tucked behind — also is genius. See the rounded stone (brick) fireplace…. all the original vintage wallpaper… gorgeous original window treatments… awesome time capsule bathrooms.  Overall: Great time capsule kitchen… great bathrooms, living room, Do you want to own a gorgeous time capsule house in Tulsa, Oklahoma? Here it is!

Link: This house is listed by Larry Harral of McGraw Realty. Thank you, Larry, for permission to feature a few photos. See more photos — and video — on his site.

CATEGORIES:
time capsule homes

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63 comments

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  1. Jenny says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I’m in love with that fireplace! I love how it curves and ends with the indoor stone planter. Such gorgeous details in this house. I hope the new owners cherish it and don’t gut everything in order to “update” it, i.e. granite and stainless steel everywhere. (Not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with granite and stainless steel, but y’all know what I’m saying. In every one of those real estate shows I watch on Hulu, the potential homeowners walk in, wrinkle their noses and say “I was really hoping for granite countertops and stainless steel appliances”.)

  2. Anne-Marie says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Looks like that might be formica on the kitchen island and wall. I think maybe the island was added in the 1960s, and maybe they had to open that wall to do it, especially if the island has an electrical outlet.

  3. Cynthia Cougoule says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:21 am

    How swanky! Huge potential. I love the kitchen.

  4. Lee in Florida says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:18 am

    We’ve always called it “trough lighting”, Pam. My grandparent’s lake house had it. It’s a really nice effect at night… very soothing.

    • pam kueber says

      January 21, 2012 at 10:24 am

      Thanks, Lee. “Trough lighting” it is.

    • Lee in Florida says

      January 21, 2012 at 10:29 am

      Also, you guys have to go on google maps and look at it from the air… amazing!

    • Also in Florida says

      January 21, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      It was called “cove lighting” in the real estate business and lighting trade. it used to be considered a wonderful feature of a room. no one would ever name a desirable feature “trough lighting”.

      • Carrie says

        January 23, 2012 at 12:10 pm

        The architectural term is “cove lighting” – still used extensively in upscale homes and casinos!!

  5. Ann-Marie Meyers says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:01 am

    That patio is sooo Oklahoma/Texas! It reminds me of the one from the party scene at the home of the character played by Thelma Ritter in the movie “Lucy Gallant.” (I don’t remember who played her husband. He was a wildcatter who struck it rich.)
    The movie is loosely based on the rise of Texas oil towns and how they begat stores like Nieman Marcus.

  6. Sherree says

    January 21, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Is that kitchen period to 1955? The gold theme and the cabinet door style seem much more late 60’s early 70’s to me.
    Love the large rooms, fireplace and patio area. What a steal for that price!

    • pam kueber says

      January 21, 2012 at 10:13 am

      You could be right, it could be later. The wallpaper throughout the house, too…

      • gsciencechick says

        January 21, 2012 at 10:36 am

        I also think the kitchen looks a little out of place/date. It’s probably the least favorite part of the home for me. However, I love, love, love everything else! Think of all the great entertaining we could do on that patio! Could also make good use of the 3-car garage.

  7. Jeanne says

    January 21, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Gorgeous home! That kitchen is just perfect! Is that lighting up behind the lattice soffit? So much detail and all to perfection!

  8. Robin says

    January 21, 2012 at 7:35 am

    What do they mean “One owner home with great potential”?? You can tell this homeowner took great pride in their custom built home. It looks as fabulous in 2012 as I am sure it did in 1955…. 57 years ago!! I wouldn’t do ANYTHING to change it…!
    I hope who ever buys it appreciates this special house and fills it with all sorts of vintage furniture!

  9. Hal Leitch says

    January 21, 2012 at 6:42 am

    Hi Pam! In our mid century home in Glencoe Ontario, we have two rooms with the mystery walls.The walls are made of textured wood panelling. One wall was natural, the other was a metallic wash of some type. You really cant sand the finish or you will lose the texture. After three coats of primer, my painted both rooms, and the textured panelling has been preserved. Love your site hope this was a help.

  10. Jamie Farone says

    January 21, 2012 at 6:21 am

    Wow! what an amazing house!! I really hope that whomever buys this place appreciates it and wants to keep it as is. It should be a crime to want to renovate this place to non existance. The wood design reminds me of my grandmas modern bedroom furniture. it was like a laminate kind of marble/wood textured look. And I know they made laminate sheet rock and wall boards. My bathroom walls have the same type of laminate on them that is like a cream color with a gold fleck and atomic starburst pattern. But I was truely in awe with this place! I love how the curtains sit behind a window type soffit and the fireplace is truely amazing. And the plaid wallpaper reminds me of betty drapers kitchen on mad men. LOL. Thank you for giving me something truely interesting to see and read on a very sleepless and restless night/morning! Great way to jump start saturday with more youngstown cabinet installation.

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