Thanks to reader Beth, who spotted this wonderful 1956 split level time capsule house for sale in Newton, Mass. (listing now gone) and posted the tip over on our Retro Renovation Facebook page.
The listing agent Eric Glassoff confirms that indeed, this house has been with just one owner, for whom it was custom built. Looking at the interior design, I think that there was some redecoration in the late 1960s or early 1970s — all that lovely chinoiserie and meta
llic wallpaper. I could be wrong, though — this could just be a very fashion forward 1956 house. Thanks to agent Eric Glassoff for permission to showcase this listing and to photographer David Ward of the The Creative Ward for permission to feature his photos here.
A split level house is considered a variation on the ranch house. I tend to associate split level houses with the 1960s and 1970s. But, yes, they were around in 1956 — this one proves it.
This is a very handsome house — great curb appeal. I love all the stone retaining walls and the mature shrubbery.
Let’s head into the living room — simply stunning.
The sofa is amazing, and the fireplace wall is spectacular… I love how the chunky pendant lights accentuate the fireplace…
…and my goodness, what is the espaliered tree thingie? Woah. In a good way.
This lamp is terrific. Golly, so many adjectives that all basically say, “Wow!” Much of furniture design, I’d call chinoiserie — a style I associate with the 1960s. Furniture like this — with its original lacquer finish — is pretty collectible, I’d say. Chinoiserie is also a style I’d call “timeless,” because you see it used in so many eras.
The wallpaper mural also speaks to the Orient. *Adore*.
A very pretty chandelier. Toleware, I’d say… almost a “birdcage chandelier,” but not quite.
Hold on to your eyeballs, here’s the kitchen. The cabinets look to be laminate veneer. All the appliances — they must be original, though, don’t you think? This photo makes me think — original kitchen. Patrick, can you date the appliances??
Foil wallpaper to coordinate. Yum. Yum. Yum.
I zoomed in to try and capture the pink foil wallpaper loveliness.
More pink. This color scheme makes me think this room’s decor is original to 1956 — which was right at the height of pink-love.
The upholstered … headboard, I guess we need to call it… is amazing!
Above: Pink and black bathroom — with metallic wallpaper on the walls — and ceiling above. I also spy with my little eye, wallpaper on the base cabinet doors. Wicked crazy awesome!
In the way downstairs of the split level (behind the garage part), the party is ready to start.
The fireplace is very peppy. Those wall clocks made to look like wristwatches are wonderful.
Above: This is a cool idea, a glass block bar, note how it’s set on two courses of bricks.
The back of the bar is mirrored — look closely, and you will see the mirror is three pieces. The pieces are set between Knape & Vogt (or KV style) modular shelving standards. This makes it easy to add glass shelves for the booze. What a terrific idea.
What do you think readers:
Is the entire a house a time capsule?
Or was some of it (at least) redecorated in the 1960s?
Want to buy this 1956 time capsule house?
- The listing agent is Eric Glassoff — his cell phone is 617) 233-6210, and his email is eglassoff@comcast.net
- Eric’s website is: BostonRealEstateExperts.com
- The listing was here, but now gone.
Slide show of the house photos, even larger:
Tips to using the slide show: Click on any thumbnail to enlarge it… Use the arrows below each enlarged image to move forward or back… you can start the slide show from any thumbnail:
Keep those time capsule tips coming readers! xoxo
Jason says
Lord have Mercy – I agree hard to tell forward 50s or redone after a few years. We have split levels in my development – 1956, but I’m in a ranch between 2 of them.
It’s a shame that the one comment said it’s in need of repair, but sometimes as we age we can’t do what we wish we could. Also, it looks like some drapes are no longer hanging in the master – wonder what they were like!?
pam kueber says
I agree — we need to be thoughtful in how we talk about these houses. I intend to be a very old granny myself one day, still in my beloved house, and I am sure I will no longer be able to stay on top of everything. Also, many many elderly are on a fixed income and money is tight. May be easier just to use duct tape and continue on.
Jason says
Yes, I agree as people age they often stop certain things due to health limitations and some people may spend money on someone else to do that if they have funds, or even then if they have the money they aren’t comfortable with that expense or having outside help and would rather just deal with it as it is.
My home compared to my neighbors who had it built and just left last year when he passed are in much different states. His home never changed hands, had the utmost pride in ownership owner and he had funds to do things when he wasn’t able to anymore and he was happy seeing them done. My home did not have that and thus is always going to show it’s past – I’m trying to make up for years of work that needed to be done and some things will never be fixed completely without a gut job, which I’m not going to do.
That said, the new owner of my neighbors house which is arguably one of the best kept in the neighborhood is re-muddling – ugh… another story.
Beth says
Hi again – sorry if my comment seemed rude. I heard a little about the owner and how she got the house. Anyway, it doesn’t matter, maybe there were other things going on in her life. I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I’ve seen a LOT of homes and this one made me sad because of the condition.
That said, I’m sure the home has seen a lot of GREAT years and I hope, hope, hope the next family can see past the repairs needed and keep the fun 50s and 60s style!!
pam kueber says
Thanks, Beth!
Jason says
Beth,
Just commenting on the situation being sad nothing you said!
Jason 🙂
Robyn says
Pam, the split level design like this came to Springfield, VA in November 1953, via The Crestwood Construction Corp, and it was being used by other builders all over Northern Virginia during that same time period, so it is definitely a very 50’s design that carried over into the 60s and 70s. This house is beautiful and like most on here I hope that the new owner will love and cherish it as the time capsule it is rather than tear it down or strip all it’s character.
Eric R. says
Just wanted to chime in, on the Pink GE Appliances in the kitchen..
They are undoubtedly ca. 1956, as my parents had the identical style in their home built from the ground up, and my Mom specified a Pink kitchen…
Marvelous Marin, (Marinwood), North Bay, California.
They bought it for $17K, brand new, back in the spring of ’56.
Sadly, it’s been totally remodeled, but I still have a couple choice pink handled utensils to remind me of days gone by….
PATRICK COFFEY says
Eric is correct about the date of the kitchen appliances with the exception of the dishwasher…..General Electric did not bring out that style of dishwasher until 1962 but you could still get pink General Electric appliances as late as 1964 so that dishwasher is its original color
Natalie says
Love it! The kitchen is fab and that wall paper is to die for.
Maya @ House Nerd says
Ohhh! I love it!! One of my favourite houses Iever wrote about here in Perth was a grand 70s Bel Air-style mansion – sounds a bit crazy, but it was THE party house back in its day and hadn’t been touched since the 70s when I went to visit it three years ago. It was amazing in that way when something is so ugly it’s beautiful. This place is adorable.
Shelley says
I almost swooned when I saw the kitchen!! I would feel like Betty Crocker herself in that kitchen. LOVE!
Julie says
I love, love, love this house! I hope whoever buys it keeps it intact furniture and all. It is spectacular. WOW!
Heidi says
I went to the open house, and as you can imagine it is even more spectacular in person. Some of what you don’t see in the images: pink upper cabinet refrigerator/freezer (i’ve only ever seen one other of these in my life), MONOGRAMMED shower doors, cocktail table with nesting stools in basement, two more pink bathrooms…a creepy basement bedroom with fabulous furniture and pink linoleum tiles…there was so much goodness we hardly knew where to look!!!
Beth says
Heidi – I went to the open house too! Where were the monogrammed shower doors? All I saw were the duct tapped doors.
How about the stairs and the duct tape holding down the carpet?
The tile in the scary downstairs hidden room must have asbestos.
Dulcie says
Oh my gosh, this looks like something my Barbie doll would have lived in. I love love love it!
Siri says
Exquisite! Those frightful listing words: “needs u-p-d-a-t-i-n-g”….
Luckily those were the words that attracted us to our house. I too wish fervently that the house will be prized by a new owner who will do minimal, if any, changes.