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:
Ada says
Wow. Just wow. What’s funny is the first pic is just “Whoa!” and then the first pic of the outside makes you go, “THAT entry is in THAT cute little unassuming suburban house?!” And that thought gets louder with every subsequent pic of the inside. Then by the end when you see the BACK of the house and can see the actual lines and shape of the house that were hidden from the front, it all makes sense! Beautiful place and so well kept! I think they must have had the same decorator as Alex’s mom had in A Clockwork Orange. Oh, and I kept expecting to see Rod Stewart come down those stairs singing, ‘Tonight’s the Night’ for some reason! The only disappointment was that the living room isn’t really pink. Bummer. I’m going to ignore that little tidbit and continue to imagine that it IS in fact pink, pink, pink! Heaven! I love it. I hope whoever buys it respects it! It’s beautiful and sooooo unique!
Kristen says
OH…MY…GOODNESS! Okay, I was a wee one growing up in the industrial midwest in the 70s. This house would have been more along the lines of what it actually remember as a dream home…as opposed to the more pop-art/earthy 70s vibe that I get sentimental about (and would be happy to live with, and makes the “owl” decor trend really dangerous for me right now). Yes, I would I say definitely a memphis/pomo vibe.
ET says
LOVE IT ! Just a few minor changes and damn.. move me right in! WOW…. Minnesota is a bit too harsh for my California blood!
Jay says
WOW! the exterior gives no clue as to what awaits you when you step through the entry. What an entrance! The den and the basement my favorites. What happened to the kitchen? Pales in comparison to the rest of the house. Overall, the house sorta seems like a combo of traditional and disco.
Kimberj says
I am desperate to learn how they did the amazing texture/design on the door. I’ve seen this on other doors but no one seems to know what material they used to incise. Is it dry wall compound, thick gesso, ??? This house is AMAZING!!!! Love it 🙂
Robin, NV says
The front door reminds me of the doors we had at the MGM Grand in Reno (currently the Grand Sierra Resort). They had lion faces on them. The ones at the MGM were metal. Can’t speak for the front doors on this house but they definitely look custom.
JKM says
The front doors look like they could be ones made by Forms & Surfaces. Especially popular in the 1970’s, they’re still made today.
Ranger Smith says
They must have vats of Windex on hand!
Annette says
This may be the first time capsule house I’ve seen that I wouldn’t want to live in. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, and I like a few of the rooms (especially that living room– if ever I get the chance, I’m gonna have a pink/coral/red living room). But overall it’s a little cold and metallic for my personal tastes.
Jenny says
Same here — first one I didn’t seriously consider quitting my job and moving for. But I admire the commitment of the owner to over-the-topness!
Sandra says
I often imagine astronimers sitting around trying to come up with what to call The Big Bang. Not “humongous” or even “huge” – just “big.”
The listing description reminds me of that.
Dulcie says
Wow…speechless
62daisy80 says
What!!??? Wow!! It’s so…..Wow!! I can’t even begin……so much….. Thank you Norma! it’s so nice to be able to catch a glimpse of things I would never get to see. (I love the jazz music that plays during the slideshow)