“Luckily we didn’t have the money
to do all the renovations we wanted right away,
because we ended up falling in love with many of the
original aspects that we had considered changing.”
Gabriel and Amanda own a stunning house, designed by architect John Erwin Ramsay, in North Carolina. “Own” may not be the right word, though: To me, Gabe and Amanda clearly have taken on the role as “caretakers” of this house with so many original features. Above: Holey Jetsons, one of my newest favoritest kitchens ever. Continue on for the story and 27 more photos of this beautiful home.
Gabe writes:
We spent about year looking for the perfect house, and in 2007 while working out of town Amanda did an internet search for a nearby county. As soon as she saw it she called Gabe and told me she’d found our house!
We weren’t looking for midcentury, but it was looking for us. During our first visit we were surprised to find the door was unlocked.
We stayed for hours planning out exactly what we would do once we owned it. We had to have it!
Luckily we didn’t have the money to do all the renovations we wanted right away, because we ended up falling in love with many of the original aspects that we had considered changing.
During the five years we have lived in our very original, mid- mod we have fallen in love with this house over and over.
We can’t imagine living anywhere else.
With the help of George Smart of (trianglemodernisthouses.com) we located our architect and discovered our house plans were stored in the N.C. State University School of Design Archives.
Since this discovery we have worked to locate and document other works by the same architect, John Erwin Ramsay AIA, of Salisbury, N.C.
We started immediately collecting pieces from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s. This passion for authentic pieces has continued to grow. We eventually sold all our furniture and accessories to be replaced with vintage pieces.
Yes, everything has to be vintage… even the can opener, umbrellas, and pot holders. We love going out as close to period as we can on everything! and even have a closet full of vintage clothes, purses, jewelry, hats, ties, etc.. p.s. even a pink ’62 Caddy and ’60 Ford truck.
(The 1962 Caddy is Amanda’s, and it is a mostly original survivor car.
And it is the original factory color, “Laurel”. Elvis would just call it pink!
The 1960 truck is ruff but it has such character! I have enjoyed it so much more than anything new!…Rust Rules!
(BTW the dogs are “Ellie” (white) and “Lucy” (black).)
We were always drawn to old, simpler times as well as simple clever design… I’m an artist and a musician so I’ve always been enamored with interesting lines, colors and the practical / impractical Design for the sake of Art and usability.
Some specifics about the house.. it was built in 1954, it is 4 bedrooms, 2 ½ bath, 3000 sq feet and sits on 5 acres. We purchased it from the original owner and had the privilege of his sons visiting us a few years ago.
We learned so much about the house from this visit, including that the terrazzo flooring was laid by 2 men they flew in from from Italy …..
How do you even begin to do that without the internet?????
Check out my house sign I made and custom mail box stand my dad helped me make out of steel tubing!
The mailbox is period, I just took it apart, restored it and painted it to match the house.
The stickers on the bathroom tile are original and feature teams from the 50’s and their old logo’s some aren’t even around anymore like the Washington senators!
The boys who stuck these on as kids ended up visiting us and checking out what we’ve been doing. (They posed for photo during their visit, above, from left: Barry and Mark Levin.) They remember sticking them there.
Some other great features: Check out the Thermador double ovens and warmers.. Original CRAZY wallpaper overhead in the background!!!!
… the Herman Miller desk and drawers set..
Big umbrellas by the pool.. (pool unrestored but a whopping 25′ x 40′.
We love living with and using our mid century pieces every day. It has become so normal to us living this way that it is sometimes funny when someone starts commenting on one of our period staples like the double Thermador ovens or the vintage toaster. It makes you stop and think about the fact that some of that stuff and this house is approaching 60 years old! Boy they don’t make ‘em like this anymore.
Portaits of Gabe and Amanda: By © Kyle L. Pearce 2011 Kyle Pierce Photography
Wow. Gabe and Amanda, it is clear that you are Livin’ the Dream. Thank you so much for sharing! xoxo
William Sims says
You said you made “The Nelson’s” house sign? Well what are the details on that? You can’t just casually say you made something so cool, so original, and not give the rest of us the step by step instructions! A truly amazing house – Congratulations!
Mark says
So envious of these great folks.
Pamela says
STUNNING!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you (!) for sharing the BEAUTIFUL photos! It made my day – how wonderful to know a house like this is still with us and it deserves to be preserved exactly as these wise owners have done.
Christa says
Oh, what a gorgeous place. I wish it were mine, but it seems like you love the house the most, so you deserve it.
Lawrence Bill says
This really brightened up my day over here in Afghanistan. Preservation of these kinds of houses is reason enough to fight, in my opinion. This house is a beautiful example of mid-century modern architecture and design and we’re blessed (as a culture) that people like Gabriel and Amanda recognize its specialness and are willing to preserve it. Thank you!
gabriel nicholson says
Wow Bill! Thank you so much for your Service to This Country! This way of Life is worth fighting for! Your comments are greatly appreciated and Keep Up The Good Work and Make It Safe Home!
pam kueber says
Bill! How the heck are you!!!!
Lawrence Bill says
20 days and a wake-up Pam. Thanks for asking.
Maryann Roy says
STUNNING ! Absolutely fabulous!
Ronnie Nicholson says
Iam so PROUD of you two not only for the home but how God has blessed you both with so many talents that are shared with others, the love for people, country and most of all JESUS our savior and provider…..I can truly say that the world is a better place because of you two….love ,,YOUR DAD..
gabriel nicholson says
Thanks so much Dad for your kind words! I feel the same about YOU!!! I Thank God for You and You should know, I learned it all from You!!!
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
What a nice comment from a dad! I’d be proud, too!
Margie says
Wow, a friend posted this on Facebook – lucky lucky me! What a wonderfully intact building, but more amazing yet, the interior… The insides of these mid century buildings are almost ALWAYS modified, and usually badly… The Nicholsons are so so fortunate to have bought a house that was so obviously loved and cared for… And now they are doing the same thing. It’s more than just a renovation – a truly wonderful example of a thoughtful restoration!
Jordanna says
Gorgeous, gorgeous home. So sensitively re-done, the original character just glows. The cars are awesome too.
Can I be the first to ask about the landscaping? I’m guessing the Japanese maple in it’s special little bed was there? What about the river rocks, and the yucca? Original, or modern interpretation of Mid-C?
I LOVE that arbor and that Japanese maple so very much.
Your home is wonderful. Hahaha but I wouldn’t have even made it inside, I love the garden and the exterior shots just as much.
gabriel nicholson says
Thanks so much! The maple and the yuccas were here when we got here…we added the river rocks upon finding a layer of white gravel under the dirt and leaves in the flower bed.
Ken says
Total perfection. And I can’t decide which to call the icing on the cake – the diamond pattern (which I worship) or the Sundrella no. 701 metal patio umbrella out back. Congrats on your amazing home.