Ted and Marzie just closed on their “new” 1948 ranch house. But… do we really call it a ranch house, when the facade also has some delicious Streamline Moderne married to it? And… how should they decorate? Ted wants our ideas — and has sent photos to inspire our input. The invitation is out: time for all of us to put out thinking caps on and play decorator-designer!
Ted writes:
Hi, I have a problem I’m hoping you and your readers can help me with. I just purchased a house because it spoke to me, only I can’t quite figure out what it is saying yet. It’s giving me mixed messages. The house is a 1948 ranch with the typical long, low horizontal lines of a wide, single story house with a hip roof and big overhangs, combined with the strong vertical lines of a curved glass block and brick Art Deco “Waterfall”, or “Streamline Moderne” entry. So is it a mid-century modern ranch, or is it Art Deco or just plain eclectic?
Some details have been lost over the years, but some remain like the original pink and blue bathroom, and there was a swinging kitchen door found up in the attic with a round port in it reminiscent of a ship (think Streamline). The bathroom addition to the right with its high, small windows is totally wrong, and the rest of the interior is just plain vanilla post war ranch with its plain, narrow trim and 8′ ceilings.
I have some ideas, many actually, but I’m struggling to come up with a cohesive direction to go with for this house as far as design inside and out. Do I use the remaining original bathroom with its worn tile as my inspiration, and match the new kitchen to it, or do I go with a more modern (1950’s/1960’s) feel throughout? Personally, I’m seeing red countertops and light birch cabinets for the kitchen on the inside, and sunny yellow with bright blue doors and grey trim for the exterior. I admit, I’m typically drawn to Arts & Crafts/Revival houses of the 1930’s with their warm, custom crafted details, so I’m a little out of my element.
I’d love to hear what ideas you and your readers have, including directing me to vendors that might fit the bill.
Ted, whatever you call it, I love it — thank you for sharing; congratulations; and hooray that this house has made its way into thoughtful hands. And I love your sense of humor. Yes, readers say they listen to their houses, too, and sometimes it even gets… spooky! Okay, readers, here’s your chance:
- What to call the style of this house?
- How to remodel in a way that suits the original architecture — kitchen, bathrooms, colors for the exterior, and general ideas welcome!
Jennifer says
I wouldn’t worry about “labelling” your home. I have a Cape Cod, also built in 1948, and it has definite Art Deco motifs, rather than Mid Century. What I would do:
1) Do NOTHING until you’ve lived in it for a while. Cosmetic and changeable stuff like fresh paint, or refinishing floors, but nothing else.
2) Once the house has talked to you, and you have a better idea of what it likes, I would go with Streamline/Art Deco influences for permanent, built in stuff. Like the kitchen, bathrooms, anything that will be with the house “forever.” Don’t get into the really fancy aspects of the style, tone it down a bit, look at late period influences.
3) Furnish it with a bit more Mid Century feel. So furniture, rugs, artwork, curtains – all the sort of stuff that can easily be switched out – pick what you like. I would be judicious with anything from the 60s on, because that’s when you might start to get a disconnect between the house and the decor. But anything from about the 20s till the 60s should fit in fine.
And love that house! It’s awesome and lovely, and I’m so glad you want to take care of it.
Lynne says
Ted, take a look at these and see what you think. Maybe a little inspiration there.
https://www.google.com/search?q=art+deco+houses&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig5NCbscXVAhVL64MKHYNbB_EQsAQIJQ&biw=1525&bih=747
Ted Crocker says
So many cool houses. Good to see some painted with color. Not many with hip roofs except in Australia. This house (see link below) has the 1940’s window style that was popular in our area at the time and similar to the original steel windows this house once had, and the wood casement windows remaining in the pink bathroom. I will be returning to a similar look.
https://holidayhouses.tmcdn.co.nz/hh/full/64/2635264.jpg
Christine kadnwr says
Wow! What a beauty!!! If it were mine, I’d stay with the late 40’s -early 50’s for interior. Personally, I’ve always loved red for that era in kitchens and if I’m correct, the tropical patterns were still in vogue for fabrics for other areas of the home…yes? Clearly he wants to work with the age of the home and whatever he chooses will likely be appropriate for its age and as amazing as the home is! What a treasure!!!
BJ says
I agree with most of what has already been suggested. Please do not paint the brick. It never looks right. Definitely agree with changing the color of the front door and getting a more style/period-appropriate garage door. Those two changes would make a huge difference in making the eclectic style of the house feel put-together. Pull out those tall bushes in front of the large windows- tall bushes never look good when they block a window. They would be more appropriate under the higher window near the garage. That pink and blue bathroom is TO DIE FOR. IMHO I feel like flower/window boxes under the two smaller windows works with the eclectic style and would balance those against the glass block.
Mark says
OK, do not paint the brick! DO paint that front door and fix the peep door.
Is that sliding door by the garage original? If not I think I would remove it and either frame that in or put in a standard man door.
It seems really out of place to me eye.
Other than that the house will tel you what it wants.
Nice find!
BJ says
Yes, the patio door seems out of place.
Ted Crocker says
The sliding door has to go. Originally there was a covered breezeway between the house and the garage and this gap was open at the front leading to the brick steps under the roof..
Linda says
Yeah, live in it first. I think the 1930-49 period is understudied, due to the intrusion of the war and less available materials. I think I would on the front yard first and get rid of the ball bushes. Maybe an appropriate privacy fence for the patio that extends the line of the house. study the garage door. It looks like it’s a replacement, and a more appropriate one would follow the design of the front door. The right landscaping will make the interior more special. Yes, red in the kitchen.
BJ says
The fence would also draw the eye to the front door instead of the patio door. This would look great!
The Honourable Husband says
Mid century modern? Many such houses take the Scandinavian simplicity of high-concept MCM and use it as a blank canvas to decorate with colonial/craftsman/regency ornament. It could be said that the original designers of this house have done the same, but with Art Deco 1930’s touches. If this is the message your house says when it “speaks” to you, consider following this whimsy to the hilt, and make it truly “Streamline” 30s/40s/50s. Follow it backward, rather than pushing it forward into the brutal simplicity of Danish furniture and orbital coffee tables. Really, your house is Streamline, but with a hip roof. When/if you can justify it, you may wish to replace the plate-glass windows with smaller-paned numbers, and the sliding doors with hinged. But in the meantime, I’d go totally 50s Diner on the furniture and colours.
Leigh says
It’s eclectic for sure, but I’d say the primary influence is International Style.
Chad says
The art deco/mid mod transitional vibe going on with this house isn’t really my native language either. I’d be inclined to go with high contrast colors, but on the plainer side of art deco. Red countertops with steel or painted wood slab door cabinets in the kitchen would fit the period. But natural birch and red counters would work, too, if that’s what you want. My grandfather had red linen counters with knotty pine cabinets in a 1954 split level. It would warm up the space a bit, which might be good if you’re drawn to the arts and crafts style. Also, the kitchen you have looks usable so you may want to hold off and see how things come together.
I’d have thought pastel and black, pastel and maroon, or some similarly high contrast color scheme was period correct for this house and aqua and pink would have been a bit later,
Here’s a house that might give you some inspiration. It’s 12 years older and more deco than yours, but on some level I think they have a vaguely similar vibe. Plus, the restoration project sounds relatable and done on a normal person’s budget. (Article starts on Page 66)
https://books.google.com/books?id=TzUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=April+2007+Old-House+Interiors&source=bl&ots=gNIml50lwW&sig=-0asQFOePIUGOSggAYfCN93EYwA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_m5mfsNrUAhUD4IMKHR4xCD4Q6AEITDAK#v=onepage&q&f=false
Also, this house is now for sale and horrifyingly run-down. Looks like major water damage happened. Somebody save it!
Pam Kueber says
fyi, I checked it out – story starts p 66
Ted Crocker says
Good article. Makes me wish I knew who the architect of my house was.
Robert Oakes says
Whatever you do, please don’t replace the original windows with vinyl replacements. Investigate how to repair the originals to make them as efficient as possible. Don’t paint the brick. Do paint the door a contrasting color. Red next to the brick: ick. Pull off the hardware, have it polished and powder coated with clear. Go slow. Research the style and period. Be thoughtful and balance respect for the original architecture with your wants and needs for modern living. Red Formica counters with aluminum trim would look cool in the kitchen. Add in a period appropriate glue down tile floor in several colors and an appropriate pattern. Beautiful home. Preserve the irreplaceable and have fun.
Robert Oakes says
I forgot to add: replace that garage door. Look at some period appropriate styles. Landscaping will do wonders to unify the different elevations and emphasize the length (which suggests elegance).
Erik in Minneapolis says
The manufacture and sales of residential overhead garage doors made of four separate hinged panels that rode on two tracks dates back to the early 1920s. The wooden overhead door shown in the photos was certainly available in 1948 and is probably original to the house.
Ted Crocker says
I’m in total agreement with you on all items Robert. Thinking I will go with Linoleum flooring in some kind of pattern – probably a simple 1″ inlay just in from the border fitting of the Streamline simplicity.