PROJECT NOTEBOOK

Year Built: 1954

Location: Orange, California Original Architect: A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2

Year of Renovations: 2019 Length of Renovations: 4 months and 1 month

SAVE

While Lin’s main focus was not budget but making the space as authentic as possible, he did fi nd budget- friendly options for some of the furniture and other vintage elements. He recommends that fi rst you educate yourself fully on the period and learn about the different materials involved. “Read books and get to know Mid Century Modern homeowners ( who are the true experts) so you can gain an intimate knowledge of resources,” he says. Once you’ve done the research, he says to look for places where you can fi nd original, vintage items being sold by other Mid Century Modern enthusiasts. “Go to a swap meet, shop online on eBay or Craigslist, or have something to exchange with other homeowners,” he says. “It takes time, but when you are ready, you will have more confi dence and have what you need at reasonable costs.”

SPLURGE

Finding ways to make your money count is important to any home project, but it can be challenging to decide where to really splurge in your budget. Lin advises investing in bringing an old home’s “infrastructure” up to date. “For example, there was no air conditioning system in these original homes, so a new AC system needs to be installed,” he says. He also recommends updating features such as old, rotted fl oor heating systems, adding recessed lights and being aware of other aspects of modern- day living that are desirable for any living situation. “Without the infrastructure in place fi rst before putting in ‘ pretty stuff,’ it would be hard to go back and make it up later,” he says.

WHEN LIN FIRST PURCHASED THE HOUSE, HE KNEW IT WOULD TAKE A LABOR OF LOVE TO RESTORE IT TO ITS FORMER GLORY. “THE HOME WAS ALL ORIGINAL, BUT IT WAS DILAPIDATED INSIDE,” LIN SAYS. WHILE HE MADE SOME MINOR MODIFICATIONS, HE PRESERVED MUCH OF EICHLER’S DESIGN, INCLUDING KEEPING THE ORIGINAL WINDOWS AND DOORS. “IF YOU CHANGED THOSE, IT WOULD NOT BE THE SAME,” HE SAYS.