This latest time capsule house — from friend-of-the-blog real estate agent Robert Searcy — is a mid century modest jewel box of a house at just under 1,400 sq. ft. Listed at a mere $110,000 — this Houston, Texas time capsule home is a sight for sore eyes. Impeccably kept by its original owner — this house is chock full of glowing wood paneling, stunning tile work, original window treatments and retro cool appliances — like the fold-down electric burners, above. Let’s step inside…
What a lovely exterior — note the three cut-outs in the brick masonry sheltering the front door… and how about the long low planter built under the bedroom windows to the left. This is a small, “simple” house — but the detailing is wonderful.
From the listing:
Meticulously maintained mid-century modern ranch designed by Herbert Caldwell & custom built by current owner. Open flowing layout with staggered living areas and open dining with oversize sliders to expansive deck & lavishly landscaped backyard. Loaded with cool period details such as bullet lamps, unusual vintage flip down cook tops, pristine original tile baths & hardwoods under carpet in BRs. An architect designed quality home with character in an up & coming close in historic district for less than rent!
- Price: $110,000
- Bedrooms: 3
- Baths: 2 full
- Garage: 2 car attached
- Year built: 1956
- Square footage: 1,375
- In Glenbrook Golf Course Community
- Other amenities: dishwasher, disposal, microwave, electric range and oven, electric washer/dryer, gas heating, A/C, fenced back yard, deck, brick veneer exterior.
Our tour begins in the kitchen — which is light, airy and welcoming. This galley kitchen makes practical use of every bit of space — and comes complete with warm wood cabinets and a fabulous vintage laminate pattern that doesn’t stop at the counter top, but stretches up the wall as a back splash, as well.
On to the dining area of the kitchen, where one can eat their meals bathed in natural light from the generous patio door and enveloped by the warm wood paneling. Such a cozy place for a cup of coffee, don’t you think? Start paying attention to all the darling shutters used throughout this house.
Just past the eating area, is the family room. The floor plan of this house is wonderfully open and spacious looking for its modest size.
The formal living room — painted a cheery soft aqua — continues the house’s theme of open space with large windows allowing natural light to pour in.
Notice also, there is not an excess of color in the interior design of this house. The lovely woods are the starts, accented by soft whites and blues, for the most part. It’s “less is more” — but still very cozy.
On taller windows, the charming louvered shutters are stacked.
The double bullet sconce lighting is consistent room-to-room, although the sconces are black in the living areas (against the wood walls) and brushed brass in the bedrooms.
Day beds put together at 90-degree angles — mid century interior design and decorating versatility at is best. And yum: Ethan Allen Custom Room Plan furniture.
The bathroom is filled with lovely tile work, original features and even a vintage shower curtain and towel set. A beautiful space.
We don’t get to see much of the second bath, but it also looks to have impressive built-ins and decorative tile work.
The exterior and plantings also look like they were lovingly maintained. The tree — with the deck designed around it — is terrific.
We sure hope that this mid century modest gem of a house will be discovered by someone who will cherish all of these wonderful original details — and continue to take care of them — preserving them for another 50-60 years.
To buy this house…
- Here’s the listing for this lovely 1956 ranch house.
- Here’s the listing agent Robert Searcy.
Thanks again to Robert and to TK Images Real Estate Photography for permission to feature these photos here on Retro Renovation.
Our other stories from Robert Searcy and his time capsule listing — YUM:
- 1957 “Swankienda” house — 24 photos.
- 1957 “Sputnik” house — 15 photos.
- How to sell a mid century house full of original feature — we hear from three experts.
Teri Mills says
Beautiful home! I really hope its new owners will appreciate it as is.
Annie B. says
What a jewel, Kate. I can only hope there is a Glenbrook Community Historic Preservation Committee who can help save these time capsules. Wish I could magically transport this house from Houston to my neighborhood. It’s my dream-style house.
The furniture in this house is lovely – the sofas and the livingroom credenza, especially. Love the warm woods and the interior colors, too. It’s heartening to see how liveable, functional, and beautiful 1400 square feet can be.
Robert S says
http://www.docomomo-us.org/july_2011_enews_brief#GLENBROOK
Jay says
Thanks for the links, it was fun lunchtime reading.
tammyCA says
Thanks, I’m going to come back and read this later. When I see these Houston time capsules I always think of the astronauts and wonder where they lived back then & wouldn’t it be cool to see those homes (the movie, ” Apollo 13″ is one of my all time favorites). I spent a couple of summers in the outer Houston area with my best friend in the ’70s..I imagine it is so different now.
Annie B. says
Thank you, Robert S.! FANTASTIC! So glad to see the good news.
mary Tatum says
Houston was THE place for the mid-century rancher! I was raised in one. Sadly, many are being scraped for McMansions. 🙁
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
I love small houses (1400 sq ft is big for me!), and this house is so very nice. I love the look of quality both inside and out, and that it still has the retro landscaping. I wonder what the basement’s like?
mary Tatum says
Houston homes don’t have basements. It’s only a few feet above sea level.
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
It’s Houston… It’s very rare that houses in the south have basements… I live 2 hours away and I’ve never ever even seen or been to or heard of a house that has a basement. If I dig 10-15 ft in my backyard I’ve hit the water table and that’s just a big soggy mess!
Andrea Avery says
Oh. My. Lord. That is a beauty.
Kelly Wittenauer says
Amazing condition! Those dining chairs And that credenza in the living room are wonderful. And Lynda is right about those wide overhangs – great protection & beauty as well. We have 2′ deep overhangs on our house & they often keep the ground next to the house dry during rains.
lynda says
Just a note– those large overhangs on the house have really protected the windows and doors of the home over the years. Most houses today just are not built with the large overhangs. Such a pride of ownership shows in this lovely home. Many, many years of good maintenance certainly pays off!
Robin, NV says
My house has really wide eaves, which I appreciate in the middle of summer when the temperatures get over 100. Sadly my front door has taken a beating over the past 51 years, despite the eaves. It’s just so darn dry here and the sun really beats down on us. But I look forward to the day when I can replace it with a Crestview.
Also – just as an aside. A lot of homes from the 1940s didn’t have eaves or had really close eaves. I think it may have been a way to economize on building costs.
Zoe says
Our ranch was built in the 1940s. No eaves. How I wish there were!
Sandra says
My eaves are at least two feet deep in my 1956 house. I love them, and can sometimes walk around the house in the rain without getting wet by hugging the walls. I don’t have air conditioning, and I’m sure they help in summer, whereas in winter the sun is lower and can hit the walls.
Land in Texas is cheaper. A contractor friend who lived there for a while, warns that their quality of construction can be iffy (compared to California and our over-regulated but earthquake helpful codes). I’m sure having a mid-century architect was a good move.
Dawn says
Same here Sandra! I have 2 feet overhangs all around. Mine is 1959. I can let my dogs out in the rain and not get wet. I LOVE it. I have no central air so in the summer, this REALLY helps keep my home cooler. I can also leave windows open with no chance of rain coming in.
Robin, NV says
Me too! I love that I can walk down my front walkway without getting wet. We don’t have central air either. We only miss AC in July and August when the daytime temperatures are 100+. Living in the high desert, we generally get 40-50 degree temperature drops at night but there’s always a couple of weeks toward the end of summer where the temperature only drops 20 degrees at night. Boy howdy, it gets warm in the house! I have ceiling fans in nearly every room – not very mid century but truly necessary.
Tracie@MiddleClassModern says
Does it come furnished? The owners have wonderful, wonderful taste.
Janet in CT says
WHAT? Two baths and three bedrooms for $110,000?! It would be twice that here in New England! What a beautiful home and kudos to them for keeping so much of it original!
Jay says
I am always amazed at the prices of some of these homes. It would be 3x where I live.
Diane in CO says
Yes, I was thinking the same. The price here would be 3x at least!
pyrexmaniac says
In Toronto this would be a two-million dollar home…….sadly, it would also be considered a tear-down.
Zoe says
Oh, man. That is sad. Property values have gone up to crazy in Toronto?
Michele says
Dear Pyrexmaniac: same situation here on Long Island, NY. this would be considered a tear down because nobody here seems to get this retro bug. Wish it would catch on here. about to list our house (taxes outrageous) and already hearing from the Realtors that the kitchen is outdated. It’s fab! so sad.
John says
Wow, gorgeous home and unbelievably looking brand new!!! I can’t believe it didn’t get bought up the day it went to market. It’s the same size as my three bedroom ranch and I have plenty of room!! It’s a perfect size for one or two people.
John
Patty says
It is beautiful and the price is great – even cheaper than my affordable area. It does say “up and coming neighborhood” on the listing – so I’m not sure what that means and may mean to the price. Awesome home.