1974 time capsule groove pad in Norfolk, Virginia

If you love a mix of rustic elements and bold pops of color — like this red tiled bathroom — then you’ll flip over this fantastic 1970s time capsule house in Norfolk, Virginia — a tip sent to us from reader Elizabeth. It’s listed for sale by Tony London/Prudential Towne Realty, with photos by Rosalind Boyle/Virtual Tidewater Photography and Virtual Tours. This swingin’ 70s pad is full to the brim with special details — exposed wooden beams everywhere, multiple spiral staircases, lava red tile in the kitchen and bathroom, shag carpet, intricately carved wooden doors and mile-high draperies.

From the listing:

Price: $295,000
Year built: 1974
Square feet: 2,657
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Rustic Larchmont contemporary corner home, 10,000 square foot lot, large living room, dining room & eat-in-kitchen. Master bedroomwith attached bath. Large deck & private courtyard. New Roof. Spiral stair case in each bedroom to loft for study, office, bonus area. Close to Naval base, ODU & downtown financial district.

If you are “into” 1970s style (and we are — we love well-executed architecture and interior design from any era) — we think this is a great example. Folks in the 1970s were experimenting with rustic natural materials and doing things like converting old barns into houses. The tall ceilings and open beams here remind us of a converted barn, for sure. But this has much more finesse. Interestingly, running rustic wood planks horizontally is trendy again today. So, hey, 2013 kiddos, don’t think you invented this idea. In fact, Edith Wharton featured horizontal clapboards in the foyer of her 1903 house — The Mount in Lenox, Mass. Ain’t hardly anything that’s truly *all-new* in design — unless there is a breakthrough in technology that makes it possible.

Above: There are those mile-high 1970s draperies– they match the green shag carpet and frame the tall, skinny windows beautifully.

I love this shot looking down from the staircase. It allows you to take in all these original details at once — the staircase, windows, wood paneling, beams, chandelier, carpet, drapes. They all work together to create a striking and harmonious design.

• For more information on this property, contact Tony London by email tony@TonyLondon.com or by phone (757) 489-0101.

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