Table of contents for Spring 2016 in Atomic Ranch

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

A New Movement in MIDCENTURY MODERN

Do you remember piling onto your parent's low-slung sofa with the tapered legs as a child to watch television? Or seeing one of those stately Eames lounge chairs with a matching ottoman for the first time? These nostalgic pieces defined a bygone era during the post-war 1950s and '60s, when Jerry Lee Lewis was on the radio, architectural lines from masters like Frank Lloyd Wright were perfectly minimal, and the times were in a word: happy. PAST PERFECT Whether you experienced this moment in American history firsthand or relived it through your favorite movie or TV drama, culturally our emotional pull to a time more than half a century ago is stronger than ever…

2 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

home page

While I come to terms with the fact that I do indeed have the privilege of working on the same Atomic Ranch I used to pick up at Barnes & Noble, I can’t help but find myself scrolling through the archives time and time again. All of the good stuff that’s come to light over the past decade of AR makes me even more excited for the future. With that said, here are a couple of my favorite Jim Brown shoots from long-ago issues: Issue #1 – “Orange Juice” Orange County was the first part of California I got to know when I moved eight years ago, and I sometimes find my Los Angelino self pining for Newport Beach or the big open freeways near Disneyland. This classic Eichler from…

2 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

California Color

“We were drawn to the original wood floors, paneling, the turquoise-tiled bathroom, the ‘Mamie Eisenhower pink’ bathroom and even the charming-yet-drafty double-hung windows.” THE PHRASE “History repeats itself” often has a negative connotation; but when Lisa and Steve Harding entered this modest-sized, quintessential atomic ranch home for the first time, they were eager to repeat history—1,864 square feet at a time. Nestled in a North Tustin, California neighborhood established in 1953, the home was weathered by the years—still, an obvious pride-of-ownership elevated the home into something special. From the intact and well-maintained, 62-year-old scallop-edged garage door, to the thickly painted floral medallion affixed to the original front door, to the stellar condition of the wood floors, nothing in this home could be considered run-down. The Hardings graciously took the reins…

7 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

CONTEMPORARY LANDSCAPES

HERE YOU ARE, THE PROUD HOMEOWNER OF A MIDCENTURY MASTERPIECE. Whether it’s in tip-top condition or needs renovation, you care about the contemporary style showcased within. But what about the exterior of the house— wondering where to start with your landscaping? Take it from Tim Borden, founder of Borden Landscape Design in Sarasota, Florida. Tim recommends drawing inspiration from the house itself—which is where he started. The foundation of this ranch led the way to the concrete design surrounding the house, particularly the back patio and the slim, rectangular limestone walkways. “The dimensions of the concrete, the proportion of the number of concrete pads—all relate back to what was already there,” Tim says. “I wanted a large pool deck because of the irregular shape of the pool itself. There needed…

2 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

ranch dressing

Q: I purchased this piece at a local thrift store about 15 years ago. I fell in love when I first laid eyes on it and paid $6. Most of my friends rolled their eyes and some failed to recognize this as boats approaching a dock. Fast-forward to just recently, I accidentally found something on eBay that looked like the same artist and style, but bigger. It referenced a signature and, lo and behold, that was the signature on my piece—I had just never noticed it before. I started to research, but came up mostly empty-handed. The “Wilrongo” name is also referenced alongside “Witco.” I found several more pieces on eBay but none that matched mine, and the Internet provided no background on whoever produced these. Could you provide me…

2 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

resources

Preservation & Personality, pp. 18-29 Dining room: Original buffet and mirror. Vintage sputnik chandelier, oak floors, vintage bar, dining room table DWR, mix of vintage walnut chairs including Cherner end chairs, Widdicomb bench in foyer above. • Living room: Original flagstone fireplace. Bitossi bowl, walnut console, Finn Juhl Japan chair (Gold fabric), Jonathan Adler lamp in foreground on vintage Robsjohn Gibbings table, Mitchell Gold sofa, Paul McCobb coffee table, Pottery Barn rug, pair of Paul McCobb stools. • Corner chair: vintage Peter Hvidt. Frank Gehry wiggle stool under window. Jonathan Adler horse and red cubes on fireplace. • Glass den: Jonathan Adler screen, red oak floors, vintage Pierre Jeanneret for Knoll scissor chair, vintage Zebra pillow, vintage Knoll Barcelona daybed, George Nelson clock, Crate & Barrel rug, Mitchell Gold sofa,…

2 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

Welcome Home

On behalf of the entire team here at Engaged Media, I would like to extend a cheerful “hello” to our readers both old and new! As the new team behind Atomic Ranch, we are excited to continue the magazine’s longstanding tradition of high-quality, inspirational content on our favorite topic—midcentury homes. I too have been a longtime reader of Atomic Ranch and am excited to step into the role of editor. As the new editor I look forward to honoring this magazine’s well-loved history while bringing readers more—more homes, more history and more information. So far we have introduced digital releases and redesigned www.atomic-ranch.com atomic-ranch.com to bring you more of the beautiful and informational stories that you love (as well as throwbacks to stories from early issues) on a weekly basis.…

1 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

PRESERVATION & PERSONALITY

“You can have a modern home that is curated yet practical and comfortable for everyone.” WHILE HELPING A FRIEND LOOK ONLINE FOR REAL ESTATE, George Marrone and Michael Nocera stumbled upon a listing for an artist-built 1959 house set on just over an acre of land with lush gardens and a creek. In a neighborhood filled with colonials, capes and Tudors, the Midcentury Modern home stood out, embodying artist-built architecture and captivating the couple. Seeing beyond its shag carpets and heavy window coverings to the beautiful bones underneath, George and Michael had found a well-preserved home where they could infuse their style with iconic midcentury elements. For George, the home told a story he’d loved since childhood: “As a kid growing up in the ’70s, I really loved the Brady…

5 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

Airy & Bright

Lisa and Scott have kept the space minimal and light—causing the eye to be drawn to the original beams overhead, which extend to the back patio just on the other side of the glass wall. FOR A FULL YEAR, Lisa and Scott Keogh hunted for their perfect home. With a specific area as their end goal, they discovered that it predominantly featured Colonial-style homes. Finally, they stumbled upon a midcentury house in their ideal neighborhood—located right outside Washington, D.C., on the Virginia side. “There was a remodel done in the ’90s, however, a lot of that work was not done correctly.” PRIORITIZING PROJECTS Lisa, an executive chef, and Scott, an automotive executive, along with their two young children, moved into the Northern Virginia house in 2010. Since then, they have…

4 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

TIM’S LANDSCAPING ESSENTIALS

Tim Borden, owner of Borden Landscape Design, has been creating beautiful outdoor spaces for over two decades and is no stranger to the Midcentury Modern style. “I was lucky enough to have owned a 1958 mid-century several years ago and fell in love,” Tim says. ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED Consider what you are trying to achieve with your outdoor design before you jump in headfirst. Do you want it to match your interior design? Do you want it to showcase a certain midcentury theme, such as geometric lines? Ask yourself these questions and keep them at the forefront of your design. WITH A LITTLE HELP Don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends, neighbors and family! Sometimes, a second opinion will give you a better angle on the atomic look that you…

1 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

Designer Profile: Ole Wanscher

Once in a while you come across a piece of furniture that truly epitomizes a mastery of design. This particular example is the rocking-chair version from Ole Wanscher’s Senator line, designed in 1951. Ole Wanscher’s father, a historian, and Kaare Klint, under whom Ole studied, gave him a deep knowledge of historical furniture forms. Ole had an appreciation for 18th-century English, Chinese, Egyptian and Greek forms—which is subtly apparent in almost all of his work. Under Kaare’s tutelage, Ole studied anthropometrics—also known as the study of human measurements. Ole also worked with cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen, who taught him the skills of master joinery. Designed in 1951 as Model 116 for France and Son, Ole’s Senator Chair showcases the result of these studies. Ole was not only a furniture designer, but…

1 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

atomic advertisers

ACCESSORIES & ARTWORK Atomic Mobiles 79 323.640.0003 AtomicMobiles.com Bruce Yager—jetsetretrodesign 79 505.341.2806 jetsetretrodesign.com Christian Musselman Illustration 72 773.209.8506 christianmusselman.com Dave Shafer Photography Nostalgia Art 72 daveshafer.com/prints Double E Company 44 doubleecompany.com designyourself.com/artists/Jim-Fiora DSPrints.com 43 571.235.8736 FOS Design 31 888.591.0751 radius-design-usa.com boxdesignusa.com Haiku Home 11 888.958.0115 haikuhome.com/atomic Hennessy Puzzles 79 310.391.0519 HennessyPuzzles.com I Adorn U 77 iadornu.net J Schatz 72 866.344.5267 jschatz.com Jeffrey Coleson Art & Design 78 442.234.2979 jeffreycoleson.com Moda Industria 31 812.330.5135 modaindustria.com modbox USA, Inc. 64 919.781.8403 modboxusa.com Modern Mailbox 65 877.253.9073 modern-mailbox.com Modern Fabrics Company 74 704.740.9676 modern-fabrics.com Pan Am Brands 78 panam.com ACCOMMODATIONS & MC LIFESTYLE Avanti Owners Association 73 763.420.7829 aoai.org Orbit In Hotel 44 760.323.3585 orbitin.com DESIGN RESOURCES & BOOKS Atomic Ranch books & back issues 33 atomic-ranch.com Kerf Design 7 206.954.8677 kerfdesign.com Lackey…

2 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

modern wisdom

WHEN MY HUSBAND GAYLORD AND I first came to see our now home, the then-owners had put a chain lock across the door, apparently unaware of our showing appointment. Our realtor made no attempt to show us the house again and we ended up putting an offer on a short sale 1930s home. During the five months we waited to hear if our offer was accepted I discovered Atomic Ranch and after re-reading every article and ordering all the back issues, I decided to pull our offer in hopes of finding a midcentury home. My mind went back to the split-level house—and this time we were able to see the inside. Although it needed a lot of restoration and remodeling, we were able to see what it could be and…

2 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

Just Add Art

Located in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood of Palm Springs, Robert Shiell describes his home as a classic, quintessential Alexander home. The house was originally completed by Krisel and Palmer architects in 1959 and was built by the Alexander Company. After purchasing the home, Robert restored it back to its original footprint with the help of Architect Lance C. O’Donnell, AIA, Principal of o2 Architecture, and Craig M. Hammond, Assoc. AIA, Design Director of Hammond Habitat Design Studio. In his desire to honor the intended floor plan, he actually reduced the house from a 300-square-foot addition completed by a previous owner. This addition had extended the living room, but caused the breezeway to be lost. Robert reestablished the breezeway and converted the garage back to a carport. “The house originally…

6 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

GONE SHOPPING

Mid Mod Collective KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE Having recently celebrated its first year, owner Allyson Virden describes Mid Mod Collective as truly being a collective. With ten partners and several consigning vendors, shoppers can browse a wide variety of midcentury treasures. “I have a true passion for Midcentury Modern [style]—my entire house is decorated with some of the great pieces we have found,” Allyson says. “We all love the hunt for unique pieces and the thrill of seeing them once we have breathed new life into them.” Shop Secret: The store is located in an old automotive garage that was in business for 50 years. What you’ll find: Looking by maker? Pieces from Adrian Pearsall, Herman Miller and Folke Ohlsson are often available as well as companies such as Broyhill, Lane, American…

5 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

ENGAGING THE OUTDOORS

COMFORT ZONE Find out which zone you live in before buying and planting. Use plants native to your climate to make sure that your contemporary ranch landscape is easy to maintain, long-lasting and lush. BE NEIGHBORLY One of the best ways to see what plants thrive in your climate is to take a look around the neighborhood. Which of your neighbors’ plants are doing well? If you’re new to planting on your property, ask neighbors or talk to your local nursery about the soil type as well. PLANT PURPOSE Plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes—and even purposes. Are you planting for their beautiful blooms alone? Looking to provide shade? Do you have pets likely to munch on fresh greens? Knowing a plant’s purpose and the estimated size…

1 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

books & backs

Atomic Ranch: DESIGN IDEAS FOR STYLISH RANCH HOMES Plenty of ranches from our early issues to inspire you: modern kitchens and baths, DIY landscaping and tips on pulling together a retro interior. Resources, history, decorating on a dime—it’s got it all. Michelle Gringeri-Brown & Jim Brown, hardcover, color and b&w photos, 192 pp., $40 Atomic Ranch: MIDCENTURY INTERIORS Explore eight ranch interiors in depth—from warm moderns and split-levels to tract homes and retro traditionals—in this 2012 book. The homeowners share their experiences with economical finishes and furnishings to adding on a master suite and reworking a tight floor plan. Michelle Gringeri-Brown & Jim Brown, hardcover, 200 color photos, 192 pp., $40 ORDER BOOKS, BACK ISSUES AND DIGITAL EDITIONS AT ATOMIC-RANCH.COM AND ENGAGEDMEDIAMAGS.COM…

1 min

Atomic Ranch|Spring 2016

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

WHEN KELLY SALCHOW MACARTHUR NEEDED A CURBSIDE MAILBOX for the Midcentury Modern house she shares with her husband, Jay and their two children, she researched what was available locally, online and in magazines. Most followed the standard 1915 U.S. Postal Service specs of a rectangular interior and arched-tunnel roof, and the few new concepts that she came across didn’t excite her. As an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Michigan State University, Kelly’s client work is primarily two-dimensional, but she had been exploring the integration of two and three dimensions in her teaching and research for several years. She soon decided to create a mailbox specifically for her home. Their house in Ann Arbor, Mich. was designed by modernist architect Tivadar Balogh in an unusual trapezoid shape. After months of…

2 min