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F single cover #41:ToC 1/9/14 2:21 PM Page 1 10 th ANNIVERSARY super eichler 2626 SPRING 2014 super eichler blastsblasts fromfrom thethe pastpast 4242 modmod budgetbudget makeovermakeover 1212 $6.95 us/can On sale until May 31, 2014 TOC 41:ToC 1/9/14 4:03 PM Page 2 contents features 12 working class heroes: modern makeover on a budget Wherein a Seattle rambler receives some TLC 22 my favorite space: chicago, ill. A traditional brick ranch meant for mod living 26 smells like team spirit If you own the iconic Kaufmann House, how cool can your Eichler be? 42 blasts from the past Early AR ranches get a second look 58 kicking up the curb appeal A split-level ranch gets a new facade—and then some 12 68 nick of time: inspiring community Palm Springs’ El Rancho Vista Estates is on a roll 26 42 TOC 41:ToC 1/9/14 4:03 PM Page 3 spring 2014 departments 4 meanwhile, back at the ranch 6 modern wisdom 20 home page Oklahoma, New Jersey & Michigan on the fridge 64 books & backs & more 22 70 ranch dressing Game-set-match, glass IDs and an Austin Powers–worthy sofa 74 events 75 resources 77 coming up in atomic ranch 80 atomic advertisers 58 cover We see a typical postwar architectural theme— private front facade vs. a wide-open rear window wall with seamless access to the outdoors—in this meticulously renovated Eichler in Orange, Calif. A new pool, modernist cabana, hardscaping and plantings give an inkling of the refreshed and restored finishes and features you find inside. Would you expect anything less from the owner of the iconic Kaufmann House? Story page 26. PubLetter 41:PUBLET 1/9/14 3:54 PM Page 4 meanwhile... back at the ranch ith just a bit of exhaustion, it’s deeply satisfying to welcome you to our 10th Anniversary issue. When we started publishing back in 2004 and received an enthusiastic response from readers all around the country, I knew that there was easily enough material to craft many years of Wmagazines. But seeing the reality of 41 issues stacked on my desk is still a joy. Certainly this achievement happened because of the many people who have kindly shared their homes and stories with all of us; often we were just the presenter. As for the longevity of the subject, it seems that every month we receive notice of a midcentury neighborhood achieving recognition status, or weekly hear from new converts saving a time capsule home from the ’50s and ’60s. There are still plenty of good stories out there. We joke in the office that every one of our stories hews to this basic outline: “I found this dump, I fixed it up and now I love it.” An unstated corollary is: “I’ll never leave this wonderful house.” But in reality, relationships, tastes and jobs change, and many people move on from their professed dream homes. In anticipation of this issue, a year ago I sent emails to our earliest featurees and, surprise, surprise, some actual- ly responded and a few of that group were still living in their atomic ranches. That’s the basis of our look-back story, “Blasts From the Past,” on page 42. We salute these homeowners for their constancy; they are in a committed, long-term relationship with their home. photo by Javier Szwarcberg For Michelle and me, our first year was full of excitement mixed with the mundane. On the morning of our first issue’s cover photo session, I discovered a flat tire on my Honda photo van. I had to pull out all the packed equipment to get to the space-saver spare, and then we drove at reduced speed on the freeway to the Glendale home, dreading that this was not a harbinger of our new endeavor. Mornings seemed to present challenges: Arriving at another shoot, we found the proud owner still asleep. We cooled our heels for a while as he roused himself, and then Michelle had to make the bed pre- sentable for photos. It could only improve from this point, we hoped, and in fact most homes have been spotless and ready for their close-up. Ten years on now, memories and connections still pop up. While driving to this issue’s spectacular Eichler cover house, I was amazed to realize that three previous cover homes (Nos. 8, 11 and 13) were all within easy walking distance—a truly remarkable coincidence, and a demonstration of the high quality of reno- vated homes in that neighborhood. Of course it’s our talented staff that helps make it all possible: Cheyenne Tackitt, who keeps the office running smoothly. Nancy Anderson, our art director from the very beginning, is particularly adept at turn- ing out silk purses. Christina Walker finds the most interesting advertisers and keeps them happy. Carol Flores skillfully creates and assembles the ads that contribute to such entertaining reading. And Josh Tackitt instantly fixes our technology problems and maintains our website. Our final thanks go to you, our readers; your enthusiastic support sustains us. Jim Brown, Publisher 4 atomic ranch SPRING 2014 masthead 41:Hatch 1/9/14 3:13 PM Page 5 ® Publisher Matte Nickel with Bamboo Blades Jim Brown >> Editor Michelle Gringeri-Brown Flow Art Director Nancy Anderson Advertising Design Carol Flores Logo Design John Skelton Editorial Assistant Cheyenne Tackitt Web Design Josh Tackitt Copy Editor Marcelle Heath Advertising Manager Cool by Design Christina Walker 503.297.5605 [email protected] Publishing Office 3125 SE Rex St. Portland, OR 97202-8573 503.771.4171 p 503.771.4172 f [email protected] atomic-ranch.com facebook.com/groups/friendsofarmag Subscriptions & Address Changes: Atomic Ranch, PO Box 9624, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310-9624 866.518.1369 954.653.3950 atomic-ranch.com USA: $19.95 1 yr / $36.95 2 yrs CAN: $27.95 1 yr / $49.95 2 yrs Outside USA/CAN: $55.95 1 yr Not responsible for undelivered issues due to late change of address. All rights reserved by Atomic Ranch, Inc. Printed by American Web Distributed by Comag Marketing Group LLC Atomic Ranch is printed on recycled paper. Celebrating the modern idiom modernfan.com Letters 41 no ad_3pgs:Letters/Modern Wis 1/9/14 3:11 PM Page 6 modernwisdom ven though our house was built in 1978, it out fear. The reality of the situation is that we still allow is a ranch very reminiscent of many mid- asbestos on automobile brake pads in many parts of century modern homes. We recently North America. The chance of being exposed to E remodeled our kitchen, which holds a asbestos fibers at a major intersection is likely higher pretty complete set of dishes purchased than being exposed to friable fibers in one’s home. from a man and his sister who were costumers on Ralph Lembcke Hollywood movie sets. The remainder of the house is decorated with many period-correct antique pieces Ralph is the author of ‘What TV Doesn’t Tell You About Working With a Contractor’ in Winter 2013, another good nuts-and-bolts feature. Both back issues are available at atomic-ranch.com. —ar editor ✱ I’m writing to you about a hidden jewel in Chattanooga, Tenn. Deck’s Glassware has thousands and thousands of old dishes, discontinued sets, glasses, Pyrex, vases, etc.; it is a treasure trove. Chester Deck, from the late ’40s thru the early ’60s—right up to our completely restored 1959 Olds Super 88 in the garage. who owns it, will not have enough money to Gordon & Cindy Richards advertise, but here are two stories about the place: http://goo.gl/7sjH4q and http://goo.gl/ZxRTiG. ✱ Just a quick note to thank you for the balanced We were there yesterday, and a couple had driven and well-written article in the recent issue under the down from Illinois to shop after seeing the article. ‘Keep It Up’ banner [Fall 2013]. All too often people Mr. Deck was ecstatic that we bought $50 worth of just panic when they hear the word ‘asbestos,’ and stuff, including Fostoria Early American chubbies. Terence Davis does a careful job to instill respect with- Betsy Alderman 6 atomic ranch SPRING 2014 Letters 41 no ad_3pgs:Letters/Modern Wis 1/9/14 3:11 PM Page 8 morewisdom ✱ I recently discovered your magazine with the A few things to consider: We live in Las Vegas, we try Summer 2013 issue and was very impressed. It will be a very hard to conserve water and we have four small go-to resource for me, and I plan to subscribe. children under the age of six. Attached are a few pic- In the letters section, a gentleman asked about Laurel tures; one is of seven circular wood disks that we have Lamps and the dearth of information. I, too, have been in our possession, and we also have access to quite a frustrated with the lack of info on the company, but as bit of flagstone. luck would have it, I recently acquired a 1974 Laurel Thank you so much for any time and consideration Lamp catalog. Here is a scan of the cover; it has a ton that can be given to our curb-appeal project. of photos and some info on the company. I am trying Erin Maffey to figure out if there is any interest in this and how best to distribute the info. Both Adam’s and Erin’s topics are a perfect fit for the Adam Chiavoli hive minds on our two Atomic Ranch Facebook groups.