Come on in, plan on staying a while. This 1962 time capsule house recently listed for sale in Mendota Heights, Minn. (metro St. Paul), is one eye-popping wonder. 57 photos available: Yes, just when you think, “Oh my gosh, this is the best room EVER”, you flip to the next slide and it’s immediately clear, golly no, “THIS is the best room ever!” Dear readers, you are just THE BEST community ever for continuing to send these time capsule tips. For this one, thanks go to reader Norma Desmond, who surely was joking when she submitted it with the caveat, “Not sure if this is up your alley or not….” Was she talking to moi? The blogger among all bloggers on a mission to convince the world that wallpaper is not The Devil… and that Big Bold Colors are not his evil handmaidens? “Up my alley?” I am all over every delicious bite. . 22 photos follow — along with a secret link to 57 big photos — all shown with permission listing agents, Tom and Henry Edelstein and with a big hug of a credit to phographer Ben Colvin of Spacecrafting. They know they have one absolutely fabulous home on their hands — and would love to sell it to an adoring fan.
The listing description is short and sweet, considering that the photos tell a thousand+ words:
ONE OF A KIND MASTERPIECE IN MAGICAL MENDOTA HEIGHTS, EXQUISITE CUSTOM TOUCHES THROUGHOUT. VAULTED MAIN FLOOR FAMILY ROOM, HIDDEN WET BAR. FORMAL DINING ROOM, SPARKLING SUNROOM, SUNNY KITCHEN. LUXURIOUS OWNER’S SUITE+2 BATHS. 1/2ACRE WITH POND, WATERFALL
Digging in, I see:
- Four bedrooms
- Two full and four partial baths
- 4,473 square feet (including 750 of finished basement)
- Listed for $600,000
Speaking with agent Henry Edelstein, I learned that this home has been with a single owner since it was built in 1962.
He also told me that originally, the interiors were done by Ted Hanson, a prominent interior designer in the St. Paul area. A number of architectural features in the house came out of prominent St. Paul area buildings, including the old Ryan Hotel and the Brown and Bigelow Estate, Henry said. And, he acknowledges that some of the rooms have been redecorated since 1962. I am not an expert — but I am feeling a lot of Postmodern / Memphis design influence in the redecorating. And, that kitchen: late ’70s or early ’80s? In either case, nicely done.
On with the show.
Living room:
Note that Henry says that in real life, the room is red — not lipstick coral pink.
Dining room:
The dining room is my favorite room in the house. But, you know I’m on a wallpaper binge right now.
Kitchen:
Den:
Bedrooms and bathrooms:
Bet those bedrooms and bathrooms made your eyes pop out of your heads!
Basement with bar:
Exterior:
What do you think, dear readers:
Would you? Could you?
Link love:
- Homepage with all listings for Team Edelstein. Phone: (651) 695-4300. THANK YOU, Team Edelstein!
- Fabulous photos by Ben Colvin of Spacecrafting.
And a slide show:
Robin, NV says
I love that the exterior is so unassuming – and then you walk in the door and get clobbered with pattern and color. Zebra carpet on the stairs?! Did they hire Elvis’s interior designer? Reminds me a lot of Graceland.
Michele D. says
I was thinking the same thing, Robin! It is so much like Graceland! I can’t get over all the color, pattern, and mirrors! It will take a person who still lives in the 70’s or someone with vision to purchase this home. Love the front door and the black wallpaper in the black bath!
LauraRG says
Wow! Love the yard especially!
I couldn’t help but think that Austin Powers would be very happy in that house!
Robin, NV says
Hah! You’re right. I was thinking a rock star could live here but Austin Powers would feel right at home. Dig that houndstooth carpeting in the guest bedroom.
Natalie says
I absolutely love it and all it’s craziness. My kids would love it too!!
Cynthia says
This house has personality plus plus plus! Much of the décor looks late 1970s to 1980s rather than 1960s. Especially the wallpaper. It looks impeccably maintained.
Marcie Grant says
Wow! What a gem! This was obviously someone’s dream home and there was a lot of thought, time and money put into it. I can just imagine all the great times that have taken place in that home. I feel like I stepped back in time a bit…and in a great way. I love it!
blair kooistra says
Just wait til the new owners strip out all the wallpaper and paint every room white!
pam kueber says
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
BeckyKay says
Took me a minute to realize the dining room has a mirrored ceiling! It’s exquisitely done, but where would I go to escape when I have a migraine??
pam kueber says
you escape outside to sit by the little pond!
Janet in CT says
Wow, what a house! I would say either the owner was or had a very good decorator! It appears to me that the bathrooms were even done to co-ordinate with the bedrooms! I particularly love the big huge white kitchen with lots of work space and done in basic white, you could do anything there for colors! I like the den, the TV room, the bar and the kids room with stuffed dog on the bed. I figure the Crayola color bathroom goes with that bedroom! BUT way too many mirrors for me and on the ceiling yet! I don’t need or care to be looking at myself everywhere I go! It is a fantastic house and someone will fall in love with it! Just too much for me to absorb for the most part! I like things too simple; I guess it’s the Amish in me!
Kristin says
This house is amazing. I really can’t believe that it is “real”. Feels like something that would be on a Hollywood set.
ChicagoMel says
I love the repeated motif of the circles seen on the doors and the chevron or diamond pattern on the floors.
BungalowBILL says
WOW. Thank goodness they have that stair lift. All those patterns an mirrors make me woozy..in a good way of course!