Their first report on their new Retro Renovation journey
Mike and Lindsey — known here as the careful caretakers of two vintage pink bathrooms — have started a new Retro Renovation adventure: The couple recently closed on their new home, a 1964 mid-century modern adapted from a famous “House of Good Taste” design by architect Edward Durell Stone for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. The house needs some TLC, and Mike asked us if we’d like for him to document this new, labor-of-love project. Heck to the yeah, we said! Here’s his first report on this jewel of a house… some historical photos we dug up… and their epic restoration plans ahead.
We asked Mike and Lindsey to share the story of how they decided to become the new custodians of this special home.
Mike wrote:
Shortly after moving into our current 1950’s ranch four years ago, we became enamored with everything mid-century. While we love our current home, it’s definitely more mid-century “modest” than mid-century “modern”, and previous renovations done by various different owners removed most of its original character (except the two pink bathrooms of course). We decided that one day we wanted to renovate and restore a authentic mid-century modern home.
Looking for this “dream” home became a sort of hobby and obsession of ours. We didn’t have any real NEED to move, but thought if just the “right” house came along, we might take the plunge. Owning a special mid-century home soon became a “bucket list item” for us to hopefully fulfill one day. In the meantime, we continued to love our current house, always in the midst of one project or another, while keeping our eyes out for the “one.”
We would go to open houses and search the MLS, and every once in awhile, something would grab our attention only to be eliminated due to location, size, being “updated”, or one of the other million reasons. Again, we did not need to move so we were super picky about our dream mid century home. It seemed nothing met the requirements of our list.
When we saw the post on Okie Mod Squad about “The House of Good Taste possibly coming on the market, we were very interested, but had experienced enough “dead ends” to know not to get our hopes up. We decided to get the contact information and emailed the owner. The owner, who had been there for 25 years and truly knew the value of the home, wanted to make sure the next owners appreciated and would take proper care of it. In our minds, this probably wasn’t the one, the location was a little suburban for us, but what could it hurt to look right?
[Editor’s Note: The Okie Mod Squad article by Lynne Rostochil provides lots more great into about this history of this exact house — take a look! Thank you, too, Lynne, for giving us permission to feature some of your photos!]
Long story short, we were wrong. This was very much “the one.” It checked almost every item on our “dream home” list. While the location wasn’t a complete slam dunk, the fact that the house backs up to a private park quickly canceled out any location reservations we had.The house was not technically on the market yet, so we knew we had a chance to snatch it up before others caught wind.
We took a deep breath, took the plunge and recently closed on our new home. We are now the proud owners of a “The House of Good Taste”.
The house has been cared for and protected the last 25 years, but it’s in need of a little Retro Renovation love! So we are diving in with both feet and have a complete renovation planned over the next few months. We are excited to share the entire process with the Retro Renovation family…. who knows, there might be some original terrazzo floors hiding under all of that carpet?
Thanks, Mike and Lindsey, for offering to bring us along for your Retro Renovation journey. This is the kind of vicarious pleasure we adore!
Robin, NV says
I just read through the OKC Mod Squad article on The House of Good Taste. I had to laugh at the description of being a mid mod “helicopter mom.” I’m the same way! In my little rural town there are very few nice mid mods so when I spy one, I keep an eye on it to make sure it’s being treated well. There’s a nice mid mod for sale right now that has bittersweet laminate in the kitchen AND a pink bathroom AND a groovy curved fireplace – I’m biting my nails waiting to see what will happen to it. 😀
MikeD says
Thank you Pam and Kate for bringing our project to your readers
We are documenting everything very thoroughly and it is something we hope everyone really enjoys. Most of these updates will be a bit behind where we are actually at with the house, so I am having to force myself to keep my lips shut on some of the progress that has already taken place
Roundhouse Sarah says
A fellow roundhouse owner I know had ‘geodesica’ and the date of construction professionally etched into their driveway. I think this would be awesome if you did something similar because ‘The house of good taste’ is the best name ever for a home!
Congrats! Can’t wait to see the progress!
Erin in Ohio says
Great idea, Roundhouse Sarah!
Jay says
What a find – an MCM house with a pedigree. Mr. Stone had a long productive career spanning from 30s to the 70s with some notable commissions. I have to agree, as fun as a 6ft radius fountain sounds, it was probably more of an attraction suited for the World’s fair. However I think a small water and plant installation underthe skylight would be great to emphasize the central atrium feeling.
We RR fans will happily go along for the ride and travel down the road of renovation with you folks. Good Luck!
Lisa says
Still in the picky, dream house search phase. Well-described. Congrats. You definitely found a beauty. And, very much looking forward to updates.
Jacki says
What an awesome project. I can’t wait to see the progress as the house is redone. The house is so original it will be interesting to see if there really is Terrazzo under the carpets, but if there isn’t there is always Fritztile. It is just as beautiful as the poured Terrazzo.
Robin, NV says
Wow!! That house is going to be SO much fun work on. So many cool features that are just crying to be highlighted. Love the brickwork throughout.
Those cabinets in the kitchen reminded me of a set I saw recently. A house around the corner from me is being renovated and they pulled an entire set of those center pull cabinets out of the kitchen. They were dark brown wood and looked to be in good shape. I hope they found a good home an didn’t end up at the dump.
Sheila S says
Wow! I can’t wait to see how Mike and Lindsey approach this amazing home. I think I’d be paralyzed and afraid to harm such a treasure. I feel a little like that with my own home which is not nearly so noteworthy. I hope they will share their thought process, plans and the results!
ElectraChime says
What a fun project!
That skylight is the bomb! Natural light is always in good taste!
Rudy says
Talk about an inviting blank canvas! I love the vibe of that house and I’m only looking at pics! I bet it just “feels” like a time machine as much as anything can. Enjoy every second of making it yours!