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:
maude says
I would love to take a walk through that house, particularly the basement. The whole thing is really mind blowing.
Sarah V @ CraftyWaffles says
Loving the houndstooth carpet in the B&W bedroom. Would be fabulous in a modern space too, which goes to show that the classics never die!
gsciencechick says
Love the kitchen, den, office, black bathroom, basement, and the yard. Not sure about the dining room but I love the floor. The rest is a bit much for me. However, I admire anyone who had the guts to do this!
julia-lifeonchurchill says
I saw this on the Mid Century Modern FB group, crazy! Especially the pink living room! The funny thing is Mendota Heights seems like a pretty conservative neighborhood.
Susie says
Love those front doors!
When I saw the first bathroom, I thought, Uh no–I wouldn’t want to see my naked self mirrored to infinity 🙂
rebecca@midcenturymodernremodel says
Did somebody say Time Capsule? BRAAAKINGGGG. And, wow. Is that really a time capsule? What awesome condition. My favorite room is absolutely the dining room. Love those crazy tall ceilings, the chandelier and (I’ll give you this one), the wallpaper! Love it. Thanks so much Pam and your reader friend who passed on the tip. Good one!
rebecca@midcenturymodernremodel says
Correction, dining room with mirrored ceilings, not tall ceilings. WOW!
Karen says
wow. technicolor!!!
Diane in CO says
The purple-and-mirrored bathroom is killer!
Edward T. says
Very interesting. The doors and mill work are all original; and a few pieces of high end furniture from ’63 remain. The dining room and bar/club room and kitchen all had major revisions in the early 70s; with the master suite totally redone in the early 80s. The family room is almost all early 60s furniture with 70s re-upholstering and rug. The living room is the most intriguing, as it has an even spread of layers: early 60s and 80s upholstery, a late 60s color scheme, and 70s art, tables, and objects.
It’s an interior for a person who had firm opinions about what she liked, bought quality, and updated without abandoning things she loved. Items have been refinished (60s dressers repainted black), reupholstered (everywhere), and moved to other rooms (60s dining chairs into 70s bar).
Its not exactly my taste (the Miro’ and Playskool bathrooms, ugh!) but really very sophisticated. And she never skimped: furnishings by Dunbar, Jens Risom, Harvey Probber (probably), and Thayer Coggin are spread throughout.
pam kueber says
Thank you for sharing your expertise! I am not an expert on these furniture styles etc — it’s great to read you analysis!
Laura E. says
The black bathroom wallpaper looks like someone was trying to copy Joan Miro.
Kathy C says
That’s the first thing I thought when I saw the bathroom too!