I know I often say this, but this 1976 time capsule house for sale in Salem, Oregon, listed by Ty Hildebrand, may be my favorite 1970s time capsule house ever! Thanks to reader Wendy for this time capsule tip! The lines and angles of the house are amazing. The setting and views, too. The house appears to be in amazing, move-in condition — I wouldn’t need to change a thing! And, given that I am the world’s #1 lover of wallpaper, I am in heaven. I spoke to Ty on the phone on Friday, and he told me that the original homeowners used a decorator in Portland, Oregon, who was known for her genius with wallpaper. He also says the wallpaper is so strongly adhered that prospective buyers still looking at the house are considering stucco-ing over it (gasp! horrors!) rather than removing it.
I will bury that thought deep away in my psyche and instead say: Hooray: 40 terrific photos — captured by Cal Curths of HD Open House — sharing this slice of high-style 1976 design, still here for us to admire.
From the listing:
- Year built: 1976
- 4,207 s.f.
- On 3.31 acres
- Two bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Three fireplaces
- $550,000
And so I diverge: On Commenting:
So here’s the deal, dear readers: It’s beginning to seem like America is running out of time capsule houses from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s — and that time capsule houses from the 1970s are now popping up all over. This transition is going to mean a lot of wallpaper (often with matchy-matchy pinch pleats) … crazy-wonderful tile … bittersweet kitchen countertops… and burnt orange, rust, and lime green shag carpet. The 1970s are my favorite era, because designers pushed things to the limit. They pushed things beyond the limit. However, I know a lot of folks cannot get their eyes around 70s style (yet. Buwahahaha, my evil-righteous plan is to change that). But, I do ask this: Given my commenting rules, which center on civility aka The Golden Rule, I ask that if you don’t like (e.g. if you h***) the wallpaper, or whatever, that you simply skip that in any comments. I do not approve, or delete, comments that are critical, when such criticism is not invited. I ask permission to feature all these time capsules. We are, therefore, invited in. So let’s all be super courteous — comment as if we are standing in the home with the original owners — grateful and gob-smacked for the opportunity to see these wonders! Thank you for your understanding!
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite spaces:
Above: That family room (?) with all the gleaming woodwork, colorful yet soothing (yes: soothing!) wallpaper, matching pinch pleats, and cozy carpet — complete with marlin — perfection!
Above: Yes, a kitchen like this, with high-quality wallpaper adhered to the walls — and the ceiling — so it doesn’t fall down, is my dream. I love this flooring, too.
Above: The sunken living room is lovely. And I love all the main rooms of the house seem to have views in multiple direction. Love me the rusty-orange carpet… the Flintstones rock wall… and note the lacquered ceiling int he dining room. Hmmm…. Are all the walls in this space lacquered?
Above: I think this is a bedroom. Rust carpeting! And that wallpaper! And that fireplace!
Above: I think this is the bathroom that does with that bedroom. But, it could also be off the kitchen — note the floor. I spy wallpaper on the sixth wall (e.g. the ceiling) in this room, too.
Above: The other bedroom, with coordinating bathroom.
Above: A wet bar tucked somewhere. In bittersweet. Be still my 70s heart.
The slide show has more photos — takes on all the exterior angles… the dramatic foyer… and the sweeping views. All that said, once inside, I’d crank up P Funk and never leave the house.
So what do you LOVE about this house, dear readers?
On a scale of 1-100, where are you on digging ’70s design so far?
Link love:
- Ty Hildebrand and his team.
- Photos by Cal Curths of HD Open House.
- See all our Time Capsule stories here.
Stacy says
The green bedroom and bathroom are FABULOUS! And the bittersweet in the wet bar! I have a bittersweet laminate wet bar too and it is one of my most favorite things in the house. The thing I love about 70’s design ( well, retro design in general really) is the fun! No fear of color.
I would have loved to have found period wallpaper in our almost time capsule (1968) ranch. Unfortunately, it was covered in late 80’s wallpaper that did not suit my taste. I would take the wallpaper in the green bedroom in a heartbeat!
Daghain says
I didn’t know you could wallpaper a ceiling, and I grew up in the 70’s. I LOVE the lines of the house, though. I probably wouldn’t change a thing.
mimi says
I.LOVE.THIS.HOUSE.
Jo says
The architecture is phenomenal! Love the angles and all the natural light!! I wouldn’t change a thing! I’d move in in a heartbeat!
Madeline says
Is there a better view of that toilet peeking out of the bathroom shot?
The seat looks similar to a Kohler Rochelle.
Richard says
Modern 1976 heaven. Sophisticated. Chic. Stylish. Sexy. Swanky. Love each space and the house design is truly “OUTTASITE!” Where can I find rust carpet like that? I want!
Marie Gamalski says
Hahahaha…. it’s what I have, and it wears like iron!! For the first few years however, it filled the bag w/fuzz every time I vacuumed…. much better now, it didn’t ever look “fuzzy” but boy, would it fill a vacuum bag! Hahahaha
Madeline says
Woah…
I’m speechless. I can’t comment on any one feature, other than that I LOVE 1970’s contemporary architecture lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, those angles… *swoons*
As a matter of interest, how much of what we see in the pictures is original? I will have to have a closer look after lunch!
(You may have already caught on from previous comments that I belong in the 70’s!)
It’s such a shame that some people dislike this style so much that you have to remind them of The Golden Rule…!
Richard says
IMO people dislike the style of the era because most of the more daring sides of it were all about opulence. Each era has an “over the top” side to design.
My favorite has always been 70s modern with a little bit of kitsch for fun.
Retroski says
It’s a very assertive decade…with all that bold orange and green! I’m a Millennial who’s not quite converted to it…but I do like some of the patterns and natural lines that came out of it–if not orange and green and brown and beige.
I remember growing up in the 80s and seeing some stylish 70s decor in houses similar to this…Flintstone rock wall!
Yet I wonder if younger Millennials who don’t have memories of 70s style will embrace it after growing up with mauve, country blue, and beige!
Rebecca says
I live in Salem!!!! Would love to see this in person!
Amy in Sacramento says
LOVE IT!!! Especially the lime green! 😀
Barbara says
I’d only change one thing. Neutral carpet throughout (with a possible exception of the orange stairs and hall. Otherwise, I’ll move right in.