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Remodel & decorate in Mid Century Style

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Home / The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture / time capsule homes

1955 mid-century modern house time capsule — just 1,300 s.f., but packed with spectacular

Kate - Updated: August 22, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

mid-century-front-porchTour-a-Time-CapsuleLoads of character and original vintage charm can be found in this 1955 time capsule — an amazing mid century house in Fircrest, Washington — offered for sale by realtor Diane Lucas of Keller Williams Realty. Diane contacted us directly just before posting this listing — sounds like word is out that we are famous for our time capsule houses — we now have 80 in our archive! At just 1,300 sq. ft., this modest-sized mid-century house packs a big decor punch: Its features include curved glass block walls, slate flooring, angular brick exterior, a fantastic original steel kitchen complete with vintage Kenmore sink-dishwasher combo, a pink bathroom — and more. Click on through, we have 24 large photos in our gallery –>

mid-century-living-roomFrom the listing:

  • Price: $199,900
  • Year built: 1955
  • Square footage: 1,294
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 1

Luxury abounds, circa 1955! Fabulous architecture still intact after 58 years. Beautiful clinker brick exterior blends with stylish slate planter box and slanted wing wall. Original front door! Breathtaking living room with slate flooring still looks beautiful. A huge picture window lights up the living room while the curved glass block wall brings in softly diffused light to the dining area. It’s magic.

vintage-kenmore-washerKitchen is all original including a Kenmore combination sink/dishwasher unit. The top opens up and dishes go inside. It needs a rack and a little work but SO WORTH SAVING! We hope someone will spend a little time and bring it back to working condition.

retro-steel-kitchenRed formica is on the back kitchen wall and the counter is stainless steel. Metal kitchen cabinets with FOUR lazy susans and a flour/potato/bread drawer.

vintage-kitchen-retroThe crown jewel of the kitchen is the Westinghouse stove! Notice this is the back side of the fireplace and includes a storage niche.

vintage-pink-bathroom-tubBathroom has a glass block wall and beautiful dark green slate flooring and original tub, sink and toilet. Tile extends around all three walls and the fourth wall is all glass block. All three bedrooms have new carpet and all interior paint is new. Laundry room is located just off the kitchen and also has a door to access back yard and patio. Not only does this house have new carpet and paint, there is a new electrical panel and a new roof. And of course there is a new hot water tank. Don’t miss the pencil sharpener hanging under the cabinet. No 1955 house is complete without one. The artistic patio is complete with metal accents. Glass block wall is behind the bathtub. Door leads to laundry room. Entire back yard is enclosed. This is a beautiful neighborhood in desirable Fircrest. Don’t miss this Mid-Century Gem!

Mega thanks to Realtor Diane Lucas from the Rich Lucas Team, Keller Williams Realty for allowing us to feature her photos and information about this fantastic mid century home.

Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:

mid-century-house-exterior
mid-century-front-porch
mid-century-brick-house
retro-curved-glass-block
mid-century-slate-floor
retro-curved-glass-block-wall
mid-century-fireplace
mid-century-corner-fireplace
mid-century-living-room
vintage-kitchen-retro
vintage-stove
vintage-steel-cabinets
retro-steel-kitchen
vintage-kenmore-washer
vintage-kenmore-automaic-dishwasher
vintage-washer-sink
vintage-steel-kitchen-cabinets
vintage-steel-cabinet-bread-box
vintage-pink-bathroom-tub
vintage-pink-bathroom
mid-century-pink-bathroom
mid-century-bedroom
retro-bedroom
mid-century-ranch-exterior

CATEGORIES:
The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture time capsule homes

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88 comments

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  1. Diane Lucas says

    December 9, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    I just had permission from the owner to share her history. The owner of this amazing house is Diane Rhea. Diane is a Boeing Company icon, see info here: https://www.facebook.com/BoeingCrowningJewelDianaERhea.

    One of her distinctions is in 1968 she was named as Boeing’s first woman manufacturing supervisor. It was Diane and 1600 men! She really broke the glass ceiling for women in the Northwest. Diane is still on Boeing’s payroll, this year marks 71 years.

    • Janet in CT says

      December 9, 2013 at 1:44 pm

      WOW! So interesting – what a trooper!

    • JKaye says

      December 10, 2013 at 7:50 am

      Thanks for this link — what a fascinating person!

    • Lauryn says

      December 11, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      Such a cool story, Diane. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Anne-Marie says

    December 9, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    What a gem. I love the feel of this place.

  3. Jay says

    December 9, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Sharp looking and very spacious. Great use of the glass block for privacy and diffused light. The bathroom looks very 30/40s Moderne – the tub is very sexy looking with its’ curvasive front. I thought the living room and hall walls appeared to be constructed from architectural block (no, not cinder block); If so, it would have been apro MCM if stacked instead of staggered. Oh, the Christms tree would go in front of the windows next to the door.

  4. Julie Christine says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Sturdy brick construction, clean kitchen, and cuteness will make someone who doesn’t need a McMansion lay down a check. I’d love to see the sink/washer combo brought back to working. Pam, I am fascinated with the Thor washing mashine/ dishwasher. that was put in the Lustron homes. I have tried to find video or pics of on that is working. I can’t find any. I would like you to do a feature on the Thor and/or other vintage kitchen units, particularly those that are working. I went to see 3 Lustrons in Jackson, AL that very very nice, but no Thor.

  5. cathie says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:23 am

    Click on the realtor’s link in the first paragraph. There are more photos and a video, don’t miss the cute little pass-through to the outside.

  6. Robin, NV says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:17 am

    I absolutely love that dining room. I could so see some elegant affairs going on in there. The slate floor throughout is “rocking” my world!

    I’m so glad Pam is archiving these time capsules. As the generation that built and owned homes in the 50s and 60s slowly disappear, they’ll become harder and harder to find.

  7. Lauryn says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:00 am

    Wow, what a great house. I particularly love the living room … the glass block, the fireplace, and the floor are gorgeous! I think its size, too, makes it really enticing. I can’t imagine living in anything much bigger. And I’m just dying to get in that sweet little backyard and make that lovely patio come to life!

  8. Shann says

    December 9, 2013 at 9:58 am

    This small space really packs a punch! Love the fireplace – the details are fantastic. The comment Bout the pencil sharpener tickled me. Our mid-century came with two 🙂

  9. Melissa L. says

    December 9, 2013 at 9:30 am

    Love it! Such unusual features–the beautiful tan slate floors, the angled walls and hearth, the curved glass wall. This must have been top of the line when it was built!

  10. Ann B says

    December 9, 2013 at 9:24 am

    Very cool! Love looking at these for ideas. Isn’t glass block just the best thing ever?

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