Remaking History
An effervescent, midcentury kitchen steals the show in this Eichler stunner.
AT ITS HEIGHT, MIDCENTURY STYLE CAPTIVATED AMERICANS AS THE PREVAILING CHOICE FOR DESIGN-FORWARD HOMES. The mid mod look is once again sought after and appreciated by a new generation of enthusiasts who pay careful attention to period details and authentic elements.
Some, such as the owners of this 1961 Joseph Eichler-built home, feel drawn to an honest representation of the style not just for aesthetic reasons, but also because of a personal connection. The mother of one of the homeowners grew up in an Eichler house, and they wanted to bring that nostalgia into their own home.
Located in Sunnyvale, California, the home was artfully refreshed to be authentically Midcentury Modern throughout–with special care paid to the kitchen, thanks to John Klopf and Geoff Campen of Kloft Architecture.
OPEN & INVITING
At over fifty years old, the house required some remodeling to suit the current homeowner’s lifestyle. John Klopf explains how they created the open kitchen.
“The clients were not fans of the separated living areas in the house. Before the addition, upon entering the house, one turned left down a hallway into a galley kitchen that was closed off from other spaces. There was a dining room that was separate from the kitchen and living room. We combined the multiple small spaces into one large great room with the open kitchen.”
DISTINCTLY MIDCENTURY
To preserve the midcentury look, John and Geoff highlighted the original post-and-beam construction. By opening up the great room, outdoor views can now be enjoyed through the “wall of glass,” a common feature of Eichler homes.
“We updated the glass itself, including replacing smaller sliding glass doors with 4-panel sliding glass doors that allow more direct connection between indoors and outdoors than in the original design,” John says.
Other midcentury touches were added through walnuttoned custom cabinetry by Kerf and a Caesarstone countertop, an upgrade that is still visually reminiscent of the original Formica. Eames Molded Plastic Stools add punchy hues to the space, also seen in the open shelving and accents, creating a fun and vibrant setting.
John shares, “The owners love living in this house.”
“What makes this kitchen different from other Midcentury Modern remodels is the playful cabinetry layout and colors against the warm walnut background.”