Now added to my list of top-10 time capsule houses of all time: This mind-blowingly exquisite 1955 midcentury modern home in Minneapolis — the William and Irma Dale/Victor House –designed by acclaimed architect Carl Graffunder for his sister and family, who were owners of a local tile shop. And their tile shop must have been something indeed, because for this home, they created some of the most beautiful tile installations I have ever seen. Tile is featured in every room — beautifully — complemented by glowing woodwork, including loads of pecky cypress. This house is going on the market today — co-listed by Scott Acker and Bruce Erickson of Coldwell Banker Burnet. It’s not even on the MLS quite yet! AND: Thanks to our wonderful friends at Spacecrafting, we have 69 photos to show you. Get ready — this one is amaaaazing!
- PHOTO VIEWING TIP: You can click on any photos in this story and they should double in size on screen. Keep clicking on the photo you have enlarged and all the photos should play like a slide show.
From the listing for this midcentury modern marvel:
The William and Irma Dale/Victor House
Significant mid-century modern jewel by acclaimed architect Carl Graffunder, designed for his sister and family – owners of a local tile shop. This case study home is a one-of-a-kind property that’s available for sale to the public for the first time in history. Exquisite period details, extraordinary tile work – including vintage mosaics and integrated shuffle board court, walls of glass, post & beam wood ceiling, cantilevered tile wrapped fireplace, hand crafted built-in’s and sweeping views of Diamond Lake. Listed in the AIA Guide to the Twin Cities, this centrally located, meticulous architectural home seamlessly blends the indoors with the outdoors and offers a Zen-like lifestyle.
BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS 3 GARAGE STALLS 2 ACREAGE .29 BUILT 1955 FSF 3,242 DIAMOND LAKE VIEWS
The house is on the market for $719,000.
Above: I hereby predict that these kitchen photos will inspire hundreds of kitchen designs across American in months to come!
And remember: This was 1955! Such a forward thinking home!
Above: We can’t even imagine how expensive it would be to replicate a fireplace like this today.
And those ceilings! Not only beautiful, but all that tile could be quite loud — the wood everywhere else soaks up the sound. Tile: also cold. Wood: warm.
Yikes! This is a two story wall of tile flanking the staircase! Can you imagine the patience that would have been required to install this wall of tile!
Above: Here’s the staircase where that two-story wall of mosaics sits!
Above; Again, note the two-story mosaic tile wall (on the left, heading downstairs.) And YES: That is a mosaic tile shuffleboard!
Wow: We love how the accent wall of small mosaics — it reads like a headboard in this bedroom.
Yes, we’d love to see the floor plan. It looks like much of the storage is built in — lovely!
This bathroom: It sure inspires me. Lookie that colorful mosaic in the loo!
Above: Okay, now we are downstairs. I’ll shut up now.
Link love:
- View the listing, co-listed by Scott Acker and Bruce Erickson of Coldwell Banker Burnet here.
- Thank you so much (!) Spacecrafting — photos by Nathan Treanor — for the amazing photos and permission to show them. Mike and Anthony and Nathan, you rock our world!
Hey, remember this Minneapolis midcentury marvel time capsule house from a few years ago? Photos also by Spacecrafting. So far, it has been our most popular time capsule house ever! Big question: Will this tile house masterpiece beat it??
We have 69 photos in all! View the slide show:
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… click anywhere to move forward and look for previous and next buttons within photo to move back or forth… you can start or stop at any image:
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Amy Anderson says
This house is in my old neighborhood! We walked by that house every time we went to Pearl Park! The pictures don’t do justice to how beautifully the home is situated on the lot. And it’s even more gorgeous in the summer.
Kathy Merchant says
Pam, there was just recently an article in our local Mpls Star Tribune Home section I think, about a new kind of “certification” if you want to call it that. Realtors in our area can take classes and learn all the terms and value of Mid Century home building and then become realtors that sort of specialize in our loved older homes. Then they can take propective buyers thru homes pointing out terrazzo flooring, original woodwork, advantages of floor plans etc. A wonderful new way to help buyers of older homes appreciate the quality of older Mid Century homes rather than telling them this old kitchen would look great with granite countertops or they could rip out stuff and remodel to join the greige nation. Finally, the rest of them are learning to appreciate what we Retro Renovation lovers have known for a long time! Hurray!
pam kueber says
This sounds terrific! Thank you for sharing this, Kathy!
Joe Felice says
I think you’re right. There’s a Realtor team here in Denver that has a designation and they specialize in MCM homes. Of course, nothing I would be able to afford. Those homes fly off the shelf here, as I suppose they do everywhere, which is a testament to the popularity of the style. Google “Arapahoe Acres Denver” for one of the first mid-century neighborhoods that is actually covenant-controlled, inside & out, and the covenants are still enforced, so a drive through the community is like stepping back in time, as every change or addition has to be certified as authentic for the period, including the landscaping.
Cherpdx says
I rarely post. This house blew my mind! Gorgeous, especially all the built-ins and the idea of using tile to create art on the floor.
Gremlygirl says
Absolutely love it! I’m delighted that this tile-filled house was built for a family that owned a tile shop…you know they had to love their jobs! I picture them coming back from a busy day at the tile shop, mixing up some highballs and leaning back to admire…more tile.
Onawa says
Glorious house, love it!
Neil says
Yes, all that wonderful tile they went-to-town with is pretty spectacular, though, in truth, from an overall design standpoint it doesn’t really add up to a coherent whole. But…never mind! It’s too delightfully madcap for words.
But my very favorite tile vision in the house is that incredible tile in the watercloset. That one is timeless.
Neil
Zoe says
Agreed! And my favorite is the mosaic in the WC, as well.
Joe Felice says
Mother of Pearl! It is beautiful, but not sure it’s the best ever. I don’t generally use superlatives, because just when you think you’ve found the best, something comes along to top it. No matter how beautiful you are, there’s always someone more beautiful. Yet and still, I love it when a fine period home is kept in as-new condition over the decades. Same with cars. We all remember Nora’s home and how it has been lovingly maintained for 60 years. Few are able to do that, and that is something to be admired, for sure. There is a boat-load of different tile in the house. The builder must have personally subsidized World of Tile for years! And the wood. . . I hope whoever gets this house is deserving.
Lee says
I am closing on a 1955 mid mod ranch in a few weeks, and the kitchen dining and hallway have that same tile that is on the floor all through this house. I am struggling with keeping it vs changing it out. On one hand it is very functional, and in perfect condition. On the other, it is super boring beige tile! The house I am getting is a single owner who died recently so I can’t pick her brain about anything in the house. They are clearly original tile to the house, and I am trying to keep as much as possible original, but they aren’t anything that I would think of as quintessential mid century. Like a terrazzo floor in good shape would be worth keeping.
Zoe says
I think “original” is occasionally over-rated. If it’s original but boring, and you’d rather have something else that’s equally appropriate to the style of the house, but that will make you happy, GO FOR IT!
I personally love slate in a kitchen and hallway, but it can be cold; hardwood or cork would probably be best unless you can spring for radiant floor heating.
Barbara Buckles says
Sigh…my personal favorite! Does anyone know the name of the tile company and if they are still around? I LOVE the bathroom tiles and haven’t been able to find anything similar.
pam kueber says
We don’t know where these tiles came from — my personal favorite too!
To see all our research on where to get tiles see Bathroom Help / Bathroom Tile Help & Ideas subcategory up in the navigation. https://retrorenovation.com/category/bathroom-categories/tile/
Dawn says
Oh my God Pam! Thank you so much for sharing this because I did not see it when it was originally posted. As a designer, I am drooling… The creative use of space is wonderful, and two of the items in the kitchen I am going to steal from my own personal kitchen remodel that will start soon. Using a dresser under one end of the peninsula or even two for a large island are fantastic ideas. A way to add utility while doing something creative. Also a way to reuse materials, save money, and be more environmentally conscious. I also love the upper wall of cabinets with sliding glass fronts. Maybe it will be the new “open shelving” ! Let’s bring it back!