Your Custom Text Here
Just sold in Berkeley and a true treasure, 10 Atlas Place is one of the most well kept custom mid-century modernist homes that I have seen. This sold within the first week with 2 offers substantially over the asking price. Designed by John Hans Ostwald and listed by PacUnion.
Check out the sfgate article about John Hans Ostwald, click here
This past January, I dropped my daughter, Nia off at her friend's home for a sleepover and was totally inspired by this reinvented mid-century modernist kitchen. The entire project was inspired by the 1956 Kelvinator side-x-side 'Foodarama' (literally it's name) Fridge. Later I came to find out that this is one of the kitchens that will be featured in the 2013 Rockridge Kitchen Tour. Owners Diana and Craig used Architect was Struther Dias in San leandro: www.strutherdias.com for the project.
Roger Lee who is known for bring high design to the middle class is an acclaimed architect who designed roughly 100 homes in the Bay Area, Nevada and Hawaii. If you are a sucker for modernist design, walls of glass and open space, you may want to check out 20 Reed in Kensington, listed by Mark Hardwicke. Listed at $729,000 and open again this Sunday.
Last December I had a rare opportunity to meet Bay Area icon, architect Donald L. Hardison. Mr. Hardison, a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) 1966, designed many commercial spaces in the East Bay as well as a handful of residential properties. Lucky for my clients, Susan and Greg, his work included a fabulous mid-century modern home in the El Cerrito hills that they were fortunate enough to score. After house hunting for 3 years, looking specifically for mid-century modern properties they stumbled upon this "it" house. Sure that it would be snatched up instantly with multiple offers; and uninterested in the emotional roller coaster of a bidding war they did not pounce on the property. After a few weeks on the market they called me, and the rest is history. To their surprise and due to the timing of the market, (It was late November) they were able to get this fine home without competition. The icing on the cake was discovering that the architect was still living and residing only a few blocks away. Our final walk through had a special guest appearance by none other than Donald and (his wife) Betty Hardison. They were gracious and warm and gave Susan and Greg all of the details about the neighborhood, the original family who hired him, and the construction of the house. Priceless!
Sometimes a house is just a house, you know, walls, floors, roof, etc... Other times a house moves people. 6492 Ascot Drive moves me! It was my favorite house on Broker's Tour this week. Classic mid-century modernist design for the purist who relish preserved original features. This house appears to have original green slate floors, original floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors and huge open spaces. The chrome vintage Frigidaire oven is a piece of art, the original built-in cabinetry in the entry makes organization easy and the rumpus room downstairs gives this house great separation of space. Frankly, I want to sell this house to a buyer, so I can come back and visit.
This house is so much more that the mere details that I mentioned above. It is also about the light, the privacy and the feeling that this house gives once you greet it. The cantilever design of the house that Realtors, Linda Elkin and Art White from Red Oak Realty call quietude reminds me of the celebrated Dave Brubeck's home.
Photos below are courtesy of Scott Hargis. 6492 Ascot Drive is listed for $675,000, has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, circa 1963.
Boy if I knew then what I know now... Being the shopaholic that I am, I have purchased furniture and home accessories with many different motives. The red sofas because I loved the lines and color, the oak mission desk furniture, because it was quality furniture and I was just starting out and didn't have an overall concept of what I wanted my house to be, the maple dining table with the veneer top, to the dozens of vases and art pieces that just called my name... Now I have a house full and wish I had an overall plan before I started.
As I looked at my home office space I realized that I need more storage and thought about asking my husband for an armoire for Christmas and then I thought, what would Laura do? Laura Martin Bovard is an Oakland based Designer who creates spaces that her clients love to live in. I have always steered away from Interior Designers as I thought I couldn't afford one, so I talked to Laura and asked her for some advise and realized that I had it all wrong.
Q: How do you advise your clients to start the decorating process?
A: One piece of advice I always offer my clients is to keep a folder with images from magazines or pictures of artwork you feel inspired by and collect them as you go. Whether you work with a decorator or just do it on your own it’s always good to have a place to refer back to when beginning the decorating or remodeling process. With so much exposure to what’s new and in fashion and it can be easy to get side tracked and end up feeling confused. Always good to have the general feeling tone established so that you can keep your focus on how you want your space to look. Having the design folder allows you to go back and see the direction you want to keep. That way you can say to yourself, “would this pillow that I love while I’m here in the store actually do what it needs to add to the feeling of warmth and comfort I want my room to have?” or “will this tile go with the counter material?”
Q: I have always thought I couldn't afford a decorator, what are your thoughts? A: Sometimes I hear that my clients don’t perceive that they can afford to work with a decorator but in fact in the end we can help them save money by coming up with a plan and by shopping smart. We have resources that most people don’t have access to and often get them at dealer pricing which allows us in many cases to re-sell them at below retail pricing. You can think of it this way…the money you save on making purchases through us goes to the design fees which is the time we spend coming up with and implementing a cohesive look that reflects who you are.
Q: What is it like to work with a decorator? A: When you work with a decorator it’s like having a coach tell you yes, that size will work or no, that finish won’t flow so you avoid making costly mistakes. Bringing a decorator in before making expensive decisions is very often where clients end of saving the most money. I can’t tell you how many kitchen and bath remodels I’ve seen go awry when people chose materials that simply don’t go together or don’t fit the style of the house. On the other hand a couple of hours with someone who has a good eye for design and experience can help you get through a remodel or a decorating without wasting time and money.
Q: Do you help clients with small projects, such as paint color consulting ? A: Yes, for less of a commitment but one that still nets good results we are able to come in for a few hours and help our clients freshen up their space without purchasing new items by styling with a designer’s eye by rearranging furniture, re-hanging art and basically “shopping” your own house to shift the energy.
Q: Can you tell me a few of your low cost tips? A: A few tricks of the trade that I’ve come to rely on for big impact are:
· Rearranging furniture and adding lamps or just new lamp shades and pillows or a throw over the back of the sofa
· I like to take the jackets off of hardback books and use them to style (the bindings provide great hits of color) books are a great way for people to learn more about you and I use them a lot for styling
· painting the backs of shelves a dark color to allow the objects and books on the shelves to pop off.
· I love to hang a textured or beautiful wall covering on just one wall which provides a focal point and another layer of beauty or just painting one anchor wall can make it feel like a whole new space. Good design is all about creating layers so when we see an opportunity to do so we jump on it.
The following pictures show a recently completed job in San Leandro, a fresh, soothing mid-century modern home. The construction remodel was done by Welte Construction, a local contractor in San Leandro. Laura said they are a super nice and professional firm.
My clients Jill and Cory just closed escrow on a 1953 mid-century ranch house in the Oakland Hills. When I first saw this house on the multiple listing service, I knew this house had potential. Homes built in the mid-century typically have steel reinforced foundations and gauging from the information provided, it looked to be a mainly cosmetic fixer. Additionally, many of the cool mid-century details were still intact. I could see past the orange paint and green carpets and I knew this middle-aged rancher was a diamond in the rough. Check out the Nutone doorbell chimes and the vintage mid-century fish tiles in the bathroom. Jill and Cory have agreed to let me share their renovation journey and I will bring you a progress report - photo journal soon.
Down the street from Pixar Studios is the David Baker designed lofts at 1500 Park Street. This is one of my favorite loft spaces in the East Bay. This building is in an ultra urban area of Emeryville and boasts the most lush, secluded garden as the entry. Once inside this building you will feel like you are in Eames territory. With a maple plywood mailbox area to the floor to ceiling windows, the modern space gives a nod to mid-century modernist.
Currently listed in this building is unit 223 offered at $249,300. (Listed with Jason of All Emeryville Properties) This is a below market rate unit for moderate household incomes making $75,000 per year as a single person or $85,700 combined for a couple. Click Here for more information regarding the City of Emeryville and below market rates. The first time home buyer coordinator for the City of Emeryville is Janet Peterson, 510-596-4316. It is important to note that if you purchase a home at a below market rate, you will have to sell your property at a below market rate, unless you own this unit for 25 years. (From my understanding, below market rates are set by the county of Alameda, and prices change with the economy. Please call Janet if you have more questions.)
Preserve the old! I love these vintage mid-century signs in Oakland and Berkeley, a quick reminder of yesteryear. Signs that have withstood the rain, earthquakes, wind, and decades of life in the Bay Area.
Scott Courtnay- Smith is an Oakland based artist who I have featured on The Oakland Berkeley Journal. Being that Pro Arts East Bay Open Studio 2009 starts June 6th, I asked Scott to give me his list of must see artists. For information on ProArt, click here. Thanks Scott!
1.Idan Levin Jingletown (JABC) 2889 Ford Street, #41 Oakland, CA 94601 (415)505-8154 vantage@idanlevin.comwww.idanlevin.com Address for Exhibit Only June 6-7, June 13-14 Photography
Levin's photographs capture a secret urban environment that is around us everyday but goes mostly unnoticed. This is in part because he works at night when most of us are inside, and also because of the vantage points from which he shoots he shoots . His dreamily mysterious images contain an aspect of the clandestine nature of graffiti art-- without the defacement issue. A former soldier trained in reconnaissance, Levin reminds me of a hunter turned nature photographer that I once met while camping-- "This is how I shoot my trophies now", he explained, holding aloft his telephoto rig.
2.James Lovekin Swarm Studios 560 2nd Street, Studio 2 Oakland, CA 94607 (510)847-0530 jameslovekin@gmail.comwww.jameslovekin.com June 6-7, June 13-14 Mixed Media
James expresses his unique world view with paintings and collage that are at the same time visually stunning, thought provoking, and sometimes humorous. He works in collage and paint-- often combining the two. His sense of color is very distinct . Recently he made the switch from acrylic to oil, and the results are exciting, to say the least.
3. Lorrie Fink 3298 Lakeshore Avenue Oakland, CA 94610 (510)326-1990 lorrie@lorriefink.comwww.lorriefink.com Saturday June 6, Sunday June 7 Painting
Gorgeous, visceral and semi- abstract, Lorrie's recent work is loosely based on her observations of tide pools. A beautiful sense of color and form permeates her rich paintings in oil, alkyd and wax.
4. Janine Miller Janine Miller-Fritz "Nimby" 8410 Amelia Street Oakland, CA 94621 j.millerfritz@yahoo.comwww.appliedkineticarts.com Mechanical/Electrical
Industrial. Please see NimbySpace.org for details on event highlights on the evening of June 6th. Saturday June 6, Sunday June 7 Mixed Media Sculpture
I am including this pick because, if you haven't been to NIMBY, now is your chance to have your idea of art stretched out a little-- or a lot, depending on what you've already experienced. You won't be bored, I guarantee. And it's possible that you might have a religious experience.
In parting, I want to say that jpegs are no substitute for viewing live art, and so encourage everyone to get out and see as much as they can. - Scott Courtnay-Smith
Last Sunday I held 6251 Contra Costa Road open for my colleague Pat Leaper. This home has over 6000 square feet of living space and is truly a unique property. Designed by award winning architect Martin Borenstein as his personal residence, this dwelling gives a nod to mid-century modern. This flat roof house with floor to ceiling windows and radiant heated floors has stunning views and an observation deck that is a show stopper. The Borenstein home can easily shelter two large families as it is two houses rolled into one, two kitchens, two fireplaces, two entries, multiple decks and did I say views? This is a great piece of land and has endless possibilities! This home is now available for $1,995,000.
For those of you who read this blog you probably know that I have a soft spot for all things mid-century modern, the furniture, the architecture and yes the cartoons. Recently, MidCenturyModernist.com did a profile of the Incredibles and their mid-century lifestyle. I loved their selection of photos from the movie and it actually made me pull my copy of the DVD off the bookshelf and view it again. Mid century cartoons are lighthearted and carefree. The artwork has wonderful lines and angles and the colors are full of pastels, the colors of the times. Look at the artwork below, these would be fantastic framed and displayed in your mid-century pad.
Imagine a mid-century home from a classic American movie. You know the house with high style, walls of glass, views and Doris Day inside. Roger Lee was an architect who designed high style for the middle class. Creating over 100 exquisite homes, Roger Lee is one of the forgotten mid century modernist. Five Krohn (in Montclair) created from the dreams of Roger Lee just went pending. One lucky Oakland home buyer will scoop up a great place to call home and a piece of art. (5 Krohn is listed with Christie Seeley of Pacific Realty)
Let me create a comprehensive marketing plan for you! For those of you who know me, I am a very visual person. I just created this custom brochure for my clients and I can do the same for you. Spread the word!
1949 - Joe Louis retired from boxing, Miles Davis released the Birth Of The Cool album, The Lone Ranger premiered on television and 4138 Coolidge Avenue was built in the Lincoln Heights district of Oakland. The California Zephyr launched its inaugural run and Oaklanders ate dinner at the Grotto in Jack London Square. The World War II was over and America was optimistic! Join me to celebrate this cool mid century modern home. Buy a piece of classic Americana. More photos atwww.4138CoolidgeAve.com.
Real estate developer Joseph Eichler was instrumental in bringing Mid-Century Modern architecture to subdivisions in California. The Sequoyah Hills district of Oakland, is a quiet neighborhood in the East Oakland Hills that boasts 40-50 Eichler homes. 8050 Phaeton is a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom Eichler currently listed for $798,000 by Hiedi Slocomb of APR. This home includes an atrium with a succulent garden, Eichler's signature radiant heating and a remodeled kitchen . If you like Eichler's, San Mateo is having an Eichler tour this month, click here for more details.
Gladding, McBean & Co., began production of Franciscan dinnerware in 1934 at their plant in Glendale, California. Gladding, McBean & Co. formed in 1875 to produce sewer tile for the then expanding American West. Over the years they acquired several regional potteries and expanded their product lines several times to include roof tile, decorative art tiles, garden pottery, and art pottery. Franciscan introduced their Fine China line in 1942. The Eclipse "American Modern" shaped patterns of 1954 included Starburst. Starburst would prove a radical departure from prior tradition and used an irregular shape and abstract radiant stars resulting in a very modern earthenware pattern. Today it is collected as some of the best design work from the Modern 1950's. When googling Franciscan Starburst dinnerware which is out of production but is available through companies such as Replacements.com. Last week I was able to spy Franciscan Starburst tiles in the master bathroom of 716 Blair Avenue in Piedmont. (A small well manicured city that neighbors Oakland. 716 Blair is listed by Dee Knowland of Pacific Union Listed at $1,395,000.) 716 Blair Ave is a mid century ranch home complete with a courtyard patio, original 1950's bathrooms and front door with starburst door hardware.
39 Kimberley Court in the Piedmont Pines area of Montclair was my favorite house from last Thursday's Broker's Tour. I loved the living room with the stacked flagstone fireplace, walls of glass with the unobstructed views! This home is listed with Helen Nicholas of APR. Thanks Helen! List price is $949,000
Realtor, CA DRE #01451749 – Red Oak Realty
510 693 4253 / deidre@redoakrealty.com / 6450 Moraga Avenue, Oakland CA 94611
©2024
