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
Jim says
Few people know that an early influence/term for mid-century modern was “Chinese Modern.” That’s what Lucy calls it in one of the I Love Lucy episodes; the one where she has a bet with Ricky that she can be completely honest for a week and has to tell all her friends what she really thinks. Anyway, the living room in this house is a great example of the early influence that the Asian “less is more” aesthetic had on evolving American taste.
flaca says
um i want to move into this house NOW! beautiful, classic, well preserved and on trend!
who was the former owner of this home?! I want to be her friend! i could see us mixing cocktails, being really catty and gossipy and whilst planning our next vacation!
Scott says
I think the kitchen gave me pink vertigo, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. 🙂
Funny how something so simple can be so clever, the identical barstools in bold alternating colors in front of the glass block bar, wow.
I am also in deep, deep lust for that living room partition.
Atomic Livin Home says
Oh, my goodness! It’s a perfectly preserved time-capsule from end to end!! Retro loveliness and worthy of a family who won’t change a thing!
I hope and pray the “right” buyer who will appreciate all that retro goodness will come along…before someone else who would desecrate all of it’s wonders!
troysf says
Love Love Love!
pam kueber says
TroySF: hi!!
Rebecca@MidCenturyModernRemodel says
Fabulous time capsule. Love it. I think it is a mix a bit… Little 50’s and little 60’s. Not that there is anything wrong with that!
Katie says
There is a split level down the street from me that was built in 1957-a very similar design that sadly got the McMansion treatment inside. The kitchen looks original to me, I think that this is a house that was very cutting edge at the time it was built.
I personally don’t see anything wrong with noting-kindly, and with empathy for the former residents-that a house is going to need repairs. Most mid-century houses do need some work, and people who love them need to be realistic about that.
veg-o-matic says
Want that metal divider by the front door. Want, want, want!
The wallpaper in the kitchen and bathroom? Not so much!
Robin, NV says
Check out the Redi Screens by Crestview Door. http://www.crestviewdoor.com They make a wood version of the divider. I’ve been considering one for my living room.
JKM says
Wow, what a lovely living room! The interiors look to have been lovingly maintained over the years but, like many after a certain age, the house needs a nip and tuck here and there, lol. I hope someone appreciates it as much as we do but, sadly (if that area’s anything like mine), it could end up being scraped for something new and bigger. I’m shocked at the list price but guess that’s the market up there – $799K? Gasp!
Robin, NV says
Gosh I just love that living room. The artwork on the fireplace is so graceful – yet another way to think about decorating our fireplaces! Although not everything in the house is to my taste, I love it. It’s like a peek into someone else’s heart and soul.