Table of contents for Fall 2016 in Atomic Ranch

This story goes back about 13 years to when my exposure to midcentury design had just started to develop. At the time there was a local monthly antiques show that I would regularly attend. Every few years I would feel the need to set up a space—despite the fact that setting up a booth is always difficult, because shopping is so much more fun than selling. On one such occasion, I had been out shopping most of the day and had returned to set up my space but felt the need to get back out there. You know, to make another quick trip around to see who and what has arrived, as that “one piece” could have shown up. I have a good friend, Marc, with whom I shared warehouse…

A BURNING HOUSE ISN’T THE KIND OF THING ONE LIKES TO SEE GLOWING IN THE LAS VEGAS SKYLINE. Unfortunately, a few years ago a 1960 Midcentury Modern home in an aging-yet-prestigious neighborhood fell victim to disgruntled tenants eager to make a point. Ian Anderson, President of Henriksen Butler in Reno, Nevada, and his wife, Shanna, had enjoyed touring this neighborhood to look at homes and decided to track down the owner of the scorched, but salvageable property. The house was not listed for sale, which made the hunt difficult. Once Ian identified who the owner was, a tough negotiation and loan process ensued. Eventually he won the bid—as well as the opportunity to return the residence to its former glory. Ian knew he needed help doing this, so he called…

ARCHITECTS BOB ANSHEN AND STEVE ALLEN LIKELY RING A BELL AS talented members of Joseph Eichler’s team, but this stunning home was a separate project that the duo tackled for developer Elmer Gavello. The house was built in 1957, with its 3,650 square feet divided up among five bedrooms and six baths. Despite its large size, it is the unique architecture that truly makes the home stand out. Known for its roofline, the home’s uniquely star-shaped roof seems to float. Architects Anshen and Allen described the striking roof as being “a broad, floating cross-gable roof on steel points at four concrete bastions.” The roofline made the home’s interior bright and open, with 16-foot ceilings throughout. As a result, the walls only reached to the halfway point. That “gives an airy…

Boise, Idaho "[My husband Mark and I] stumbled upon the Cruzen Mountain View development set on the West Bench of Boise in the late ‘90s,” Sarai Anne Pataljek says. “Attracted by the large lots and custom midcentury homes, we started driving the neighborhood weekly.” Their efforts paid off when they found a ranch with great bones and features—including a breezeblock outer wall, pink bathroom and built-in kitchen booth—that just needed TLC. “Staying true to the original design, we are slowly breathing new life into our ranch,” Sarai says. “Inspired by your magazine, with the help of vintage furniture dealers, our house has become a well-preserved example of midcentury design we are proud to call home.” Way to go, Idaho! San Luis Obispo, Calif. “This view of our master bedroom is…

Over the course of the last three years,Scott and Summer Gieser have scouted for the perfect furnishings and tackled projects both big and small so as to preserve and personalize the home. WHEN A FELLOW REALTOR SHOWED SCOTT AND SUMMER GIESER A MIDCENTURY HOME IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, they knew they’d finally found the perfect modern dwelling for themselves and their young son. The home was built in 1959 by Al O’Rourke, and the first owner was its designer, Edward Donaldson. As noted by the stamp in the cement in front of the property, the home is a Medallion Home, famous for their tagline of “Live Better Electrically.” While this is the Giesers' second midcentury home, this courtyard house with two bedrooms, two baths and plenty of charm is their first…

“The addition of a Jim Sherrill original restored mahogany sculpture to the front yard has been a natural fit,and has added an allure to the property.” BEFORE SETTLING INTO THEIR 1963 HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA HOME, Chad Baker and Tina Clement spent several years on the hunt for their dream home. As they scoured for the perfect midcentury dwelling to call their own, the couple found themselves so wrapped up in their search that they now lightheartedly refer to it as “stalking potential homes.” FINDING HOME Not just any midcentury home would do for this determined couple. Several houses they viewed left them feeling disappointed, as the interiors of the homes had long lost their original features and true midcentury appeal. Despite these discouraging results, the couple continued on with…

In the three Desert Eichler homes that have been completed to date,every material has been carefully chosen to dovetail practicality with historical context. "WHY DIDN'T EICHLER EVER BUILD IN PALM SPRINGS?" was the question that started it all for Troy Kudlac of KUD Properties and his wife, Amy. In 2013, the couple found themselves in the middle of a good crop of midcentury property renovations. While they enjoyed the work, they had begun to see a change in the structure of the market, and didn’t see aggressive growth in the repositioning of properties. Soon, they started researching building “something significant and modern … something to pay homage.” In the course of their research, they asked themselves why Joseph Eichler never built in Palm Springs. After all, his aesthetic would suit…