Celebrating Your Style
What’s your mid century style? Do you adore simple streamlined design or crave a bit of kitsch? Are you a vintage purist, or do you like to mix in some new items? Whether you’re full- on retro or just enjoy weaving some distinctive pieces into your home, we’ve got something for you in this brand new special issue that celebrates the beauty and fun of Mid Century Modern style!
In my own 1964 condo, each room has special vintage finds, but we also have several unremarkable “for now” pieces holding a spot until we stumble across the perfect mid century treasure. Part of the fun in collecting vintage home décor is that you never quite know what will come your way during a trip to the fl ea market, antiques mall or your favorite curated second- hand shop. But we build off what crosses our paths, creating our own unique style along the way. My personal taste leans toward the exaggerated shapes and futuristic look of Googie, but I also have a soft spot for Streamline Moderne.
As you read through these pages, you’ll tour incredible homes that encompass a range of mid century styles and include some big names in Mid Century Modern architecture. There’s a 1959 Sarasota house built by the office of Ralph Twitch ell( page 66), a low-slung 1954 Wendell Lo vet tr an ch ( page 78), a 1962 Ulrich Franzen beauty in Maryland ( page 42), and a colorful Palm Springs Palmer & Krisel ( page 54). We also tour a well- preserved 1955 gem filled with amazing built-in features making its first magazine debut since appearing in a 1962 issue of Better Homes & Gardens ( page 20). Our cover story is a 1960 Philmer J. Ellerbroek Orange County home being restored to its original glory, complete with a bubbling fountain in the entry courtyard ( page 28). Oh, and Eichler? Yep, we explore an Eichler kitchen that had seen a dark remodel in the ’ 90s and received a period- appropriate update using original Eichler cabinetry as the guide ( page 112).
We also visit some of the best homes in Atomic Ranch history that still inspire us today ( page 104). Looking to the past, we share historical style inspiration from names like Richard Schultz, Paul McCobb and William Haines. Looking ahead, we chat with interior designers and architects who are shaping the future of Modernist design.
Curating the content for these pages has truly been a journey. During a time when we don’t quite know what awaits us around the next corner, style and design have been a calming outlet for me. I sincerely hope that you’ll find inspiration and comfort in these stories and that you have fun with your mid century style, whatever it may be!