I came up with the term “mid century modest” a couple of years ago and about the same time, I met Alyssa Starelli, the mid mod maven of Portland, Oregon, who had floated her own terminology: She coined the term “granny ranch.” It’s been on my list (for too long!) to ask her for a definition, so that I could assess if there is a difference. There is. –>
What is a granny ranch?
I emailed AlyStar and asked her, “What exactly is a granny ranch?”
Hi Pam!
Well, I have to thank Atomic Ranch for attributing the coining of the term to me… <blush>.
A granny ranch to me is one that has stood the test of time and received little to no remodeling. It is as if you’re stepping back into a bygone era, a home that was treated with such pride of ownership, little, if anything – right down to the decor – needs to be changed out because of the care it’s received. It’s a true time capsule, usually with some of granny’s funny little knick knacks, sitting right where they always did. Everything is in its place and there’s a place for everything, because Grampy built a cubby just for that item’s purpose. That is a Granny Ranch, to me.
A lot of people misconstrue the term “Granny Ranch” with those houses more recently remodeled by people of the earlier generations, generally … with newer “home-depot special” baths or kitchens, maybe some carpet in the kitchen, a walk-in tub, and hand rails everywhere… And while a grandmother may have very well made those changes, that’s not what I’m referring to with heartfelt sentiment when I squeal with joy over the time warp “Granny Ranch” I just walked into. No, those are just “Remuddles”, a term I did not make up. : )
All granny ranches are mid century modest houses, but not all mid century modest houses are granny ranches
Thank you, AlyStar! Okay. So now that I know AlyStar’s definition, I can split hairs:
- A mid century modest house is a (usually relatively) small house built in postwar America. An unpretentious house built — likely by a local “merchant builder” — aimed at the mainstream, middle class. These houses do not necessarily have architect-obvious “mid century modern” cues — they are more likely to have a “minimal traditional” colonial-ranch mix exterior. However, a mid-century modest house likely was originally built to include some of the “latest” technology and features of the time — such as zazzy ovens and range tops and sinks… patterned laminate countertops… pastel colored bathrooms… lovely light fixtures. A mid century modest house may — or may not — have been remodeled over the years. The term generally refers to the original architecture, middle class roots, and design vibe of the house.
- A granny ranch, more narrowly, is a time capsule mid century modest house — lovingly cared for by the original or early-generation owners. Grandpa likely had mad skills at woodworking and home maintenance — and he stayed on top of each and every issue that may have occurred in that house. Inside, Grandma cleaned, then cleaned again. These houses were treasured — and when you enter them 60 years later, the love radiates from all the original surfaces so carefully maintained..
Ipso facto: All granny ranches are mid century modest houses. But not all mid century modest houses are granny ranches.
Rebecca@MidcenturyModernRemodel says
I have long suspected a granny ranch behind us in our housing tract. It is the exact same model as our house, with the original owner. Nobody has tinkered with it over the years. Our house has had A LOT of tinkering, I have only contributed to part of the changes. I have been tempted so many times to knock on the door and beg to be let in for a tour. But never, in 15 years have i seen someone outside this house to even strike up a chit cat. I have seen cars come and go but no humans. I am told a widow lives there. That in her day when she was young, she yelled at the neighborhood kids.
tammyCA says
I think every neighborhood has a person that yells at the kids. lol. Once I got yelled at by my sister’s neighbor when I accidently got water from the garden hose on her yard! Yipes.
Lauren G says
I know a woman, Ginny, in her 80s that I’ve known my whole life who lives in a second generation ‘granny ranch’ her parents built the house which I do believe is a ranch and the barn which was later converted into a house. So many things are original or were replaced mid century. Her husband Ray was always fixing things around the property. They have a time capsule bomb shelter from the Cold War on the property also which is pretty crazy. They were alway involved in the historical society as well.
But I guess my question would be, what would a second, or actualy a third generation “Granny Ranch” be called?
pam kueber says
I think that as long as it’s been impeccably maintained — with most all the original features — it qualifies as a granny ranch.
Mary Elizabeth says
Pam, how about we call it a great-granny ranch? 🙂
pam kueber says
P.S. I want a bomb shelter!!!!!
Kate says
Me too! That would be awesome….
Robin says
My midcentury modest house probably qualifies as a granny ranch. It was built in 1962 and I bought it from the original owners in 2009 who obviously adored the house and lovingly cared for it for years and years. The only real update that I can see is the cheap Home Depot flooring in the bathrooms, which I’m anxious to rip out. My kitchen has adorable formica counters with what I call a “falling leaf” motif and the bathrooms are Regency Blue and Ming Green. We call them the “blue room” and the “green room.” I also have the original light fixtures in most rooms – classy globe lights in the living room, “starburst” kitchen light, and the bathroom vanity light with the classic gold swirl cover. I didn’t know I was a fan of midcentury homes when I bought the house, I just knew I loved all the original fixtures and the character of the house – the warmth it exudes with its knotty pine in the living room and unpainted wood cabinets and doors.
kda says
There’s a lovely granny ranch down the road from us that’s for sale. Peach bathroom, yellow bathroom, original kitchen. It’s lovely and obviously had been cared for well.
Jacki says
Having lived in our 1963 mid century ranch for all of three months now, I guess I would have to classify it as a cross between a mid century ranch and a granny ranch. When we bought the house last Christmas it had been sitting empty for 2 years because of the housing slump in AZ. The house had had one owner since new and she had passed away (she was in her nineties) leaving it in the hands of her children to dispose of. The only two things that she had changed were the flooring and the countertops (but not the speckled ceramic back splashes) over to a heavy early ’80’s chunky tile. These we quickly changed over to cork, VCT, and the Pionite formica recommended on this site. All of the bathrooms are original as are the kitchen cabinets and the original popcorn ceilings. I don’t think I would put this house in the mid century Modest category since it looks very Western. As a close friend of ours aptly put it ” It looks like the High Chaparral”.
Janet in CT says
We found a “Grampy” ranch in Maine that we tried to purchase eight years ago, but our offer fell through. Coincidently, it had a RED kitchen. This ranch was custom built in 1961 by a fellow who put in everything his wife and four young daughters wanted. Unfortunately, his wife died within two years from breast cancer. He never remarried and raised the four girls by himself, and I think he never wanted to change a thing in the dream house his wife created. It still had the original kitchen with white cabinets and red counter tops, space for 39″ stove, and the original GE red clock and red pin-up lamp still hung over the kitchen sink between the double windows. It had battleship gray flooring which also ran down the hall. The house was full of built-in cabinets, including the dining area for dishes and the bathroom which had original mint green and black tile. I could tell it had fresh paint on the walls of the living room but the original teal green was still showing in the closets. I don’t think a single thing in that house was updated until they painted that living room before putting it up for sale. I SO wanted that house!
Eartha Kitsch says
I think? that mine would be considered a Granny Ranch. Another couple lived here in between me and the Granny but nothing was changed so…….I’m going to say yes. And I’m a true Granny so surely that counts for something! : ) Most of the estate sale houses that I go through around here are one owner granny ranches with interesting little details and the same bucket of nails in a coffee can in the basement that has been there since the 50’s. Love them.
Gerry says
I want to recommend Aly’s website. She features listings of wonderful old “granny” ranches for sale in Portland, Oregon. I searched thru the archives one day and found a completely unmuddled twin to my parents first house in NE Portland. Our house was brand new in a Hallberg development built in 1955. I was five (oh where did the time go?). Tiny ranch about 1100 square feet with real paneling,cone wall scones, and cedar siding. Our house had a double car garage with vertical sliding doors. Anyway her site is great for looking back on housing styles and trends. Thanks for the memories too.
alyssa starelli says
Aw thanks Gerry, for both the recommendation and kind words. I hope you enjoy the website and if you want up-to-the-minute posts and are on Facebook, I’m even more active there:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alyssa-Starelli-Mid-Century-Real-Estate/181446801883308
You guys really keep me going, thanks for the kudos!
Aly
JKM says
I think my grandparents’ 1949 middle-class home would have fallen into this category. Constructed by them when they were in their mid and late 40’s, it was comfortable without being large or fancy. In the 35 years they lived there, it was maintained with minimal updating but you could have eaten off the floor because it was so clean. Both being from extremely modest backgrounds, they were proud of their home and didn’t spend money foolishly. The only modifications they made were adding wall-to-wall carpeting sometime in the 50’s to cover hardwood floors, enclosing the breezeway in the 60’s to create a TV room and adding a dishwasher to the kitchen in the early 70’s. Other than that, everything was original – and still is! It was for-sale a couple years ago and I was amazed and pleased to see how wonderful the original tile kitchen and baths looked in the photos – all restored to their original luster looking better than new! And the gorgeous hardwood floors in all the rooms were lovely – I’d never seen them before since they’d been covered with carpet since before I was born. I wish we still had that house…
hannah says
Granny Ranch is a new term to me!
We definitely have a mid-century modest home. The only remodeling I can see that was done in our home is adding tile half way up the bathroom wall all around because the match is so off from the shower stall tiles. It’s yellow, but not the quality of the original tiles and has little gray flecks in it. And, painting – someone painted over what was once the wonderful original wood doors to the bedrooms (the bathroom door escaped that fate, but is in terrible shape) AND all the window frames/sills. When I see pictures here of homes with their original wood windowsill and frames, I sigh. I wish my house were that intact.
Our house still had the original asbestos kitchen tile floor which had to be removed, it was in superbly poor condition.
“The Little Ranch” as I call it, is only 825sf, and I often look around at it and wonder at the original owners and how they ever raised kids in this house. It’s 2BR, 1BA and only a small area in the kitchen for a table. It’s perfect for DH and myself, but I can’t imagine 4 around a table in there!
The house had been empty for 2 years and we waited 8 long months due to it’s status as a foreclosure (not the original owners, but the second ones) living among a mountain of boxes in the apartment during that time. I had run across a poem titled “The House With Nobody In It” and would read that and cry and cry and cry. It didn’t help that the house was my drive to and from work every day and I’d see it sitting here empty. Funny, but before we even considered buying, I must’ve driven past it 100s of times, and never really noticed it.
Sorry, I blathered on. Yes, I’d say we have a mid-century modest home. And I couldn’t love it more. 🙂