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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

Comments

  1. carole says

    December 10, 2013 at 3:12 am

    I know that many people today find this size of home ‘tiny’, but the largest home I’ve ever lived in has been 1600 sq ft. My current home is 1500, and I’ve never felt cramped for space.

    • pam kueber says

      December 10, 2013 at 9:11 am

      We say “just 1,300 s.f.” recognizing that the average size of an American home today is about double that… Yes, back in the day, 1,300 s.f. was ‘large’.

    • Amy says

      August 29, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      I love a smaller home – it’s all in how you utilize the space and how you furnish it. The MCM/danish modern low-profile sofas etc are great. I would never want to spend every weekend cleaning my McMansion.

  2. Anastasia says

    December 10, 2013 at 1:49 am

    Oh & Pam, that fireplace, the realtor pictures, like omg, it’s almost a 3 sided fireplace o something? It’s GIGANTIC! (ok the 80’s are calling & want their valley girl back, i know, but I couldn’t help it) Just more about that please.

  3. Anastasia says

    December 10, 2013 at 1:47 am

    I know I’m gonna get flamed for blasphemy, but where would you put a 2nd bathroom? This house deserves SO MUCH MORE then what it’s currently being valued at & I believe that’s all that’s holding it back. This is a gorgeous gem & it definitely deserves to be loved as such! Bonus (well for me) the transit stop is at the near end of the street & it connects to the mall, lol!

  4. jen says

    December 10, 2013 at 12:00 am

    pam – you need a PDF that agents can leave for the new owners with your information on it so they know you’re here to help them love their new home! maybe a 8.5×11 that they can frame and set on the counter… retro renovation certified or something with messaging about embracing the era.

    • Gavin in the UK says

      December 10, 2013 at 5:47 am

      That is an excellent idea! How about it Pam???

      • pam kueber says

        December 10, 2013 at 9:10 am

        We’ll put it on the list…

        • Joe Felice says

          December 16, 2013 at 12:51 am

          . . . oh, there’s a list???

  5. David says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:32 pm

    The curb appeal is amazing! Wish I could tour it in person. I just wonder where to park my atomic spaceship!

  6. kelsi says

    December 9, 2013 at 8:29 pm

    Compared to house prices here that is astonishingly cheap! Perhaps my husband and son would like to move….

  7. Devon says

    December 9, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Pretty sure those are St Charles cabinets. Look identical to mine, even same color.

  8. John says

    December 9, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    Hi Pam,

    Very cool home. Love the glass block walls and the fireplace. The brick in the dining room painted white is a perfect example of why painting brick is a BAD idea!! I hope someone appreciates the rest of the home and doesn’t make too many changes.

    AtomicHipster

  9. Kelly M says

    December 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    I lived in this area as a small child — would happily move back for this place! Just a fabulous example of Northwest mid-mod. We need all the light we can get in the dreary winters!

  10. Scott says

    December 9, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    So much to see but as having just having had some new ones installed myself, that patio post out back is wild. I’m thinking they have taken one design insert and modified it to repeat the design yet in three unique ways including flipping it horizontally and cropping/cutting it different ways. Alot of thought and craftsmanship went into that!

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