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.
Diane in CO says
Kate, you note the partial wall with the 3 cut-out squares at the front entry — I think that is a very nicely done detail too!
robin allen says
WOW this is a TRUE treasure… I would buy it in a heartbeat…but I live in Kansas and am not planning to move….It is perfect is so many ways and a rare gem that has been so well loved and maintained and not ‘remodeled’ to upgrade it….It will not last long….
Janice says
Robin, where in Kansas are you? I’m happy to see another person from the Sunflower state following this blog! I’m in Wichita.
Lauren G says
Here’s a message to the new owners, whoever they might be:
If you don’t want that kitchen table, get it up on eBay… I’d love to take it off your hands!!
Lauren G says
Jaw Dropping. I would almost kill for that if it were in NY for that price!
Robin, NV says
I’d almost move to Houston for this beauty. Love the architectural details and the decor is warm and beautiful. As I plan my remodel, my mantra is “it may not be everyone’s style but quality materials and workmanship appeal to everyone.” Let’s hope the new owners appreciate everything this home has to offer.
My house is about the same size with the same number of rooms and I paid pretty close to that price in 2009. But I live in a small town in Nevada.
Maryanna says
Do y’all think the window shutters are original/vintage? That screams “contemporary” to me, but maybe I’m wrong.
Janice says
I have a 1950’s Better Homes and Gardens decorating book and I remember seeing shutters in some of the rooms they featured so I would guess they are original.
RangerSmith says
My parents bought a house in 1963 that had shutters just like those so I bet those shown are original.
Robin, NV says
Original or not, I think they look great.
tammyCA says
Shutters have been around for a very long time…thankfully, they seem to never go out of style. ‘Tho some people don’t like them & complain about dust…duh, dust is everywhere anyway (now, vinyl blinds is another thing…had them for years ‘cuz ha, I loved that ’40s film noir look, but ugh, the weird grime they attracted!)
pyrexmaniac says
I love the shutters in the bedrooms, but they seem out of place in the non-private rooms. The stained wood shutters in the bathroom stand out as being awkward.
Leslie says
I do think they are original to the home. My mother had the little shutters in 3 bedrooms, our house was built in 1963 and she was a decorating trend setter!
Jay says
Nice simple home that exudes a timeless charm. The MCM furnishings of sturdy wood with clean lines give a quiet shout out of quality. I would hope the excellent condition of this home would be a deterrent to any buyer intent on gutting the place upon moving in.
Maryanna says
I’d just assumed that was wonderful staging, but yea, it probably is the owner’s furniture. I absolutely LOVE the aqua and wood combo.
Jody says
Does it come with the furniture?!
Kate says
I hope so — the furniture fits so nicely into this house. LOVE the kitchen table and chairs!
Janice says
The house is a true beauty and what I find amazing is the owners not only left it alone all these years and didn’t “upgrade” it as some point in its life, but I also assume, kept the same furniture throughout the years. No one does that anymore. I fell in love with that dining set and then it just got better as I looked at more pictures. Sure wish I lived in Houston….and what a fabulous price!