Aloha! Today, a 1973 tiki time capsule house in Houston just begging for new owners who want to transform it into a Polynesian Paradise. The house has all the right bones — flagstone flooring, groovy patterned tile, bamboo cabinet pulls, a geometric room divider… but golly, the walls are kind of bare… calling out for… grasscloth, thatch — or maybe even metallic flocked wallpaper. We are are in lust at the thought of reviving this Polynesian Paradise.
Robert Searcy is rocking our retro realtor world with the time capsule house listings, complete with great photos, he sends to us these days. Way to market, Robert, way to market! We love to be part of your promotional world — because we get to archive these photos forever after. It’s a win-win-win — always great!
From the listing:
- Price: $325,000
- Year built: 1973
- Square footage: 2,991
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2 full/2 half
Mid-century modern with a Polynesian twist! Nearly 3,000 SF w/1 living area & 3 BRs, so all the room sizes are BIG! Grand living area w/magnificent flagstone floors, chinoiserie room divider & arched doorway to formal dining. MEGA master closet w/cedar lined section + luxo baths. BR wing terrazzo tiled, no carpet! Imposing street presence w/port-cochere & circle drive, +2 car garage. Corner lot in primo section. Loaded w/character & architectural details. Adjacent lot included 24k SF lot total.
The home’s main living area features gorgeous flagstone floors and a large geometric room divider. All the walls in the house are notably bare. Surely there was far out wallpaper there before? You know, we kind of like the blank canvas.
Round windows — like the one above — are always fun to see, but this one is especially groovy because of its decorative ironwork window grate.
The kitchen has a very open feeling and a long expanse of countertop, perfect for serving up tiki drinks. Decorative vintage tiles line the front of the bar and provide a fun backsplash for the rest of the kitchen area. We also spotted cabinet pulls that mimic bamboo.
Mega thanks to our retro Realtor friend Robert Searcy for sending this fantastic property our way!
Link love:
Cynthia says
Wow, so much to like about this house! Pure early 70s, for sure. That roof line was probably called Polynesian in brochures and ads. Earth tone flooring in darker shades, dark wood flat front cabinets, and lighter neutrals have a yellow base. And those bold, sunny mega-patterned tiles in the kitchen! Almost identical to the ones in my parents’ 1973 cabana bathroom, but theirs were beige background with sunburst in brown, rust, gray. And textured laminate kitchen counters – like slate tiles. Imagine harvest gold appliances instead of stainless steel, and you probably have the original look.
Randerson says
Agree, I’d say it may have been more Chinese-Asian inspired than Polynesian when it was built, but a Tiki theme sure would liven it up some… fun! Break out those Mai-Tais!
Carole Dent says
I’m hearing ‘Chinoiserie’ and ‘pagoda’ and thinking that’s the waybto go, rather than tiki. 1930s Shanghai. Not sedate but classic…
Jacki says
I concur with Carol Dent, take the special oriental features and run with it.
Blondie7 says
SCRUMPTIOUS
Blondie7
Robin, NV says
Oh my goodness!! I just love a Polynesian Ranch. That tile in the kitchen and bathrooms is to die for! What a fantastic design idea. Is the building in the backyard a shed or guest house? Love that it matches the main house architecturally. Drooling over this one. It would be so much fun to go Polynesian/Tiki crazy in this place.
Pam and Kate – I know it’s a lot of work for you guys but it would be cool to see some decorating ideas on this one – wallpaper, drapes, furniture, rugs, etc.
Robert Searcy says
Thanks for the feature! Yes, originally there was a light grass-cloth in the main living areas. It really pulled the dark wood and flagstone floors together and looked great. Unfortunately it had gotten in bad shape and the owner removed it to provide a blank slate. But it would really pop if it were put back in. Another cool feature that doesn’t show up well in the photos is the pagoda shaped lantern lighting in the carport and covered patio areas.
Jay says
Wow! I wonder if you had the good fortune to see the house while it was still furnished. Any background story to the house?
I can envision the interiors and no Kate it wasn’t Tiki, I was thinking something more sedate. The price amazes me. Where I live, the house size and large lot would command a price 3 times greater.
Kate says
but it could be tiki Jay! 🙂
Jay says
Of course, of course. Just teasing you however after Pam’s incident with the Tiki gods, I think I’ll take a pass, you never know.
Laurie says
Jay, That is the great thing about living in Texas. The cost of living is fairly low here and there isn’t a state income tax. 🙂
You should see what 3 times the price will buy you. 😉
Joe Felice says
The walls provide a “blank slate” for sure. Too-much almond! Some bright colors of the day would have been fun. And the stainless-steel appliances are a distraction. Even plain old white would have been better. But, at that price, the buyer should be able to customize.
Sydney says
What a house! But, a tiki house without a pool?? Record scratch! The first thing I’d do is get to digging a sweet kidney pool outside…. and inside, grass cloth and foil, definitely!
Glen H says
I think there might have been a pool that has been filled in- in that huge empty backyard there is a faint pattern suggesting the edge of a kidney shaped pool.
Allen says
WOW what a great house. I just love the feel of it. It even includes a vintage SMC Laguna ceiling fan in the room with that incredible round window!
Tom M says
Actually it’s an Evergo fan from the 70s. Cool house and cool fan.
Gwen says
I appreciate the one photo of the pantry (?) area that shows the cabinets in black with natural wood doors.
My kitchen had walnut stained cabinets with white doors. It was ugly. For a quick fix, I painted the cabinets aqua and freshened up the winter white on the doors but I have had the intention to eventually strip the cabinets and stain them ebony and if I can get the door color light enough, to leave them natural (if not to paint them Miro inspired).
Its nice to see that the black and wood goes well with a white countertop….altho I envision stainless in my kitchen.
Janet in ME says
What a magnificent house! I am weeping with envy at all that closet and storage space! This is a huge house and it didn’t look that big from the outside photos, and then to have such an expansive backyard – whatta joint! And those bathrooms – WOW! Could someone who is a native Texan or in the know please tell me what the big tree is in front of the house, and maybe the same in the backyard? Frankly, I am totally at a loss as to how to decorate and furnish this house – too much to think about for me! I would get lost in this house!!!
Roundhouse Sarah says
I live 2 hours east of Houston.. The tree looks like a white oak perhaps… It’s not as wide and full as a live oak. And it happens to have some Spanish moss growing in it ( the wispy beard like stuff).
Laurie says
The leaf size and shape tell me they are live oaks. They have that classic live oak branching as well.
Cynthia says
Yes I agree, those are Live Oaks…very old ones, too, they are slow growers. Beautiful.