Bedazzled with turquoise trim, pink flamingos — and sporting a vintage Chrysler Imperial in the driveway — the curb appeal of this midcentury modern house on the recent Las Vegas Home & History Tour only began to hint at the vintage delights inside. An avocado kitchen! Two sputnik lights! Rooms full of mid mod furniture! And three — yes, count ’em — three bars! Come on in for a look — I took oodles of photos.
About this house, Nevada Preservation said:
This 1964 ranch home was built in Paradise Palms Unit 15, which was developed by Eastern Enterprises. The tract is dubbed the Fontainebleau Estates, showcasing two models known as the Parisienne and the Marquis, the latter of which is shown today. While the home is no longer original, the current homeowner has renovated the house back to what can be imagined was its original splendor, with period appropriate finishes, fixtures and appliances. Like other homes in the area, the floorplan of the two models are repeated throughout the development, but different elevations of the houses give the streets of Unit 15 a varied look that was common in midcentury tract developments.
The front entry:
Wow! Fantastic curb appeal, what with that roofline … the orange door to complement the turquoise trim … the stone trim … the house numbers, each set in their own triangles (great idea!), and even those lovely little palm trees. I also like how the homeowner used two different shades of gravel for the zeriscaping — and created a little garden for the flamboyance (yes, that’s the word for it!) of flamingos.
The kitchen:
Take your first left once you’re inside the front door, and … squeal with delight at the kitchen.
One of the reasons I loved this house so much was because it seemed clear that the owner was a longtime collector who first and foremost wanted to preserve what could be preserved and not remodel anything if it still had life in it. For example, the floors and backsplash do not appear to be original to the kitchen — I believe someone told me that they came with the house when the current owner bought it. Since they were in good shape, he/she (?) made them work. Avocado and bittersweet orange go quite nicely with terracotta, don’t you think?
Ooooh, I just noticed the arabesque cutout in the base cabinet to the right of the stove.
Suddenly, I neeeeed a little round television like this to hang in my kitchen!
It’s hard to see in the photos but I’m pretty sure this was the laminate on the countertops — Wilsonart’s Go Wavy in “Sprout.”
Clearly, there is some serious avocado appliance collecting going. No detail, too small.
Above: I was told that the homeowner — tired of waiting for a double oven in avocado to come up on craigslist — painted the existing oven themselves. Nicely played! Note: I’m not an expert but would think that if you do this you want to make sure the paint is heat-resistant, specified for such use; consult with a pro!
The dining room:
The kitchen opened up to the dining room. Oh my. TWO sputnik lights! Note the use of curtains to create separation between the dining room and the living room.
The living room:
Heidi Swank, Executive Director of Nevada Preservation, was promoting the National Trust for Preservation’s campaign, “This Place Matters”. The idea — take photos at historic places holding the This Place Matters sign, then post and hashtag them on social media sites.
Above: Kinda hard to see in this photo, but the homeowner also hung little starbursts from the ceiling throughout the room. Fun — and it broke up the expanse nicely.
Bedroom:
The bedroom was beautifully decorated, chock full of vintage.
Can anyone name the furniture line? Nice set!
The bathroom:
The Retro Decorating Gods did not bestow a pink bathroom unto this homeowner — so they painted the cabinets pink, and voila, they are in the club!
The RGDs DID bestow a glitter laminate countertop and hudee-rimmed sink!
Above: I’m thinking that is NOT wallpaper — it’s wrapping paper. Hey, go for it!
The bars:
Above: The first bar was a real cutie, situated in a corner of the step-down living room.
The owner used pieces of Armstrong 12″ flooring to create the bar top.
I need to do a whole uploader just about vintage shadow boxes.
Bar #2 was in an adjacent room — a bedroom, I think, that had been converted into a bar and fun room.
There was also a vintage cigarette machine in the room. I wonder what has happened to all of these. There must have been thousands across America.
Bar #3 was under the awning in the backyard patio. To the right, complete with vintage fridge and dinette…
… And to the left, whiskey barrel furniture and a vintage Pepsi machine. See! This house had it goin’ on!
New friends:
More new friends — more new-generation fans o’ the retro, hooray! If I’m remembering correctly, this is Nick and Sean. [Please correct me, fellows, if I am wrong!] Frankie’s Tiki Room (featured on Sean’s tee-shirt) is the go-to tiki bar in Vegas. Alas, I did not make it to Frankie’s, I was so whipped. What was I thinking! I can’t believe I didn’t drag my tired bones to Frankies! Argh!
Nick had brought his vintage Polaroid camera, and we took a pic. What a fun house — and great people!
Rick Grant says
Great job Ralph – Super inspiring !! – thanks for sharing this one Pam
Ann says
I believe bedroom furniture style was called Brasilia
pam kueber says
no…. I think that in comments the owner gave the name..
Cindy Tovrea says
I just love it! Thanks for sharing and keeping the Vintage look alive and well.
J D Log says
I love the first shot with the Imperial and that back verandah looks so relaxing
Sixteventies says
OH MY! I think I have just found my dream home!! The kitchen is TO DIE FOR. I loved the little starbursts hung up throughout the rooms! I know how I’m going to decorate my future sixties home for SURE!
Tim says
That bedroom furniture is Broyhill Brasilia.
pam kueber says
I don’t think so…
Wes Strawn says
Looks like possibly Kent Coffey, they made a few lines which were very similar to the Brasilia, the two designers were friends.
Carolyn says
Any chance you could “interview ” Ralph via email to explain the pictures you took? Include his neighbors that commented too?
And now that you’ve raised the question of the bdrm furniture, what’s the answer?
pam kueber says
I’m now heading to the Hukilau! Ack!
Ralph Brinkley says
I just looked inside one of the drawers.. Its says “style house fine furniture”.. I recall, but dont quote me… The back of the mirror was dated 1968 and there was a Wards stamp on the back
Terri Jones says
Montgomery Wards used to sell furniture. Is there even a ‘Monkey Wards” nowadays?
Ralph Brinkley says
Hi Pam!!!.. Im the anonymous owner of this house. Im so upset i missed you during the tour!!!.. I must of stepped out for lunch right at the wrong moment. Thank you so much for this wondeful article. You just made my day…. Im am soooo happy right now!!!!… Lol. Its makes all my efforts and hard work worth every moment.
pam kueber says
Oh it’s too bad I missed you, Ralph! Fantastic job with the house!!!!!
Ralph Brinkley says
Thank u so much!!!… Im so happy you got to see ny house
Mindy says
Can you tell me the colors of the armstrong tile on the bar top? I love the mix!!
Jim says
Wow! I drive by this house on my way to work every day. I had no idea it was so decked out inside. Nice job, folks!
tammyCA says
What a colorful & fun house. The living room brings back fond memories of friends color coordinated living rooms with the same painting over the couch (theirs being in blues/greens).
The cigarette machine! I’m not a smoker but I sure have vivid memories of all the cool lit up vending machines & juke boxes back then. I’m always saying if I could I’d have a fantasy old type beauty shop in my home..the kind with big pink glittery vinyl chairs with the little built in ash trays & the attached hair dryer helmet. I think because my mom always went to the beauty shops (one was in a neighbors breezeway) so we spent a lot of time there.
pam kueber says
I want that beauty shop in my house, too!