Atomic Ranch Summer 2018

WHAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF MIDCENTURY FURNITURE YOU PURCHASED? For me, it was my turquoise vinyl-upholstered footstool with tapered legs. While wandering a thrift shop looking for a vintage end table I spotted its bright upholstery—it was just barely peeking out from beneath a pile of boxes. The little tear where the piping had pulled away didn’t bother me because I was so entranced by the looping design imprinted on its top. Despite not being what I had set out for, at just $12 I knew it needed to come home with me. Since that day, it’s bounced all over my house. For a while it sat in front of my arm chair and made for an idyllic reading corner—but I can’t seem to let it stay in one…

Inside Scoop! Higgins Glass Studio Make way for your new favorite collectible! These colorful glass creations have a vibrant history—and future. Gretta Grossman Groundbreaking interior designer, industrial designer and architect Greta Grossman was born and raised in Sweden, eventually bringing her delicate yet functional Swedish Modern style to Los Angeles. Celebrating the Makers Meet the creatives who are handcrafting their way into our hearts—like the sunny creations of Michelle Valigura and Amanda Visell of Switcheroo. Case Study 101 Our series continues, as contributing writer Lindsay Jarvis digs into the history of Midcentury Modern’s greatest experiment. Cool Stuff Midcentury Modern duvet, $185 for king. Visit etsy.com/hangtightstudio88. Braxton chair in Key Largo Grass, $1249.Visit joybird.com. “The Royal We” unframed 41”x 17” serigraph print, $549. Visit shag.com. Simple small table lamp, $73.50. Visit…

MODERNIST HOUSES FROM THE 1950S AND '60S ARE IN NEARLY EVERY CITY WITH A POPULATION OVER 200,000. We hear the most about larger Modernist communities like Los Angeles and Palm Springs, but there are many more scattered across the United States. In your own town, there’s possibly a dozen modernist houses, and if you are a true fan, you’ve likely heard or inquired about the architects. “Surely,” you think, “the local preservation society has researched these houses and their creators.” You call—and typically you find the society prefers cottages, mill and Victorian houses, and old churches, among other structures that wouldn't host butterfly chairs. “Modernist houses still look ahead of their time,” the society says, “so how could they be considered historical or worth preserving?” Maybe it’s time to talk…

AT ITS HEIGHT, MIDCENTURY STYLE CAPTIVATED AMERICANS AS THE PREVAILING CHOICE FOR DESIGN-FORWARD HOMES. The mid mod look is once again sought after and appreciated by a new generation of enthusiasts who pay careful attention to period details and authentic elements. Some, such as the owners of this 1961 Joseph Eichler-built home, feel drawn to an honest representation of the style not just for aesthetic reasons, but also because of a personal connection. The mother of one of the homeowners grew up in an Eichler house, and they wanted to bring that nostalgia into their own home. Located in Sunnyvale, California, the home was artfully refreshed to be authentically Midcentury Modern throughout–with special care paid to the kitchen, thanks to John Klopf and Geoff Campen of Kloft Architecture. OPEN &…

Tucked safely in a cardboard box and wrapped in newspaper pages from the 1950s, a piece of Franciscan Ware donning the now iconic “Sputnik” pattern kicked off a deep-seeded love of all things Midcentury Modern. Rob Baker opened that box from his grandparents’ house and made his fateful discovery in elementary school. Now the owner of a midcentury home and the creator behind Modern Mailbox, his passion for the design movement has yet to wane. SEARCHING FOR MODERN Fast-forward to 2013, and the midcentury style Rob and his wife, Carrie Quinney, love so much just wasn’t shining through in their traditional 1950’s brick home in Boise, Idaho—despite their best efforts. With a baby on the way, the couple also wanted more space for their growing family. “We really tried to…

Tackling renovations room by room allows for planning and budgeting, note Tiffany and Nate Mueller, who say the house will continue to evolve over time. Finding the perfect midcentury home is always a challenge. Finding one while long-distance house hunting for Minneapolis from Seattle takes both dogged determination and a measure of luck. Homeowners Tiffany and Nate Mueller know this from experience and have documented the process in their blog, Hello Refuge. “We wanted something that had some remnant of character that we could build off, then this one popped up,” says Tiffany, referring to her family’s sixties-era rambler in the southwest suburb of Edina. An interior stylist and co-owner of Hello Goodbye Studio with her husband, Tiffany ventured to the Twin Cities alone to tour the house after the…