Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Part II

Thanks to Pam Kueber of RetroRenovation.com for featuring our strange dual-dial lighting control system over at the wacky ranch today. And a big hello, fellow Retro Renovators!


I recently took some snaps of our highly idiosyncratic 1961 ranch house here in Sacramento, which is about two miles up the street from our Eichler. Thanks for stopping by -- have a look around here at our 1955 Eichler or go to my Flickr set specific to the wacky ranch.

"After" pictures: Finally, our restoration is complete

Here is a Flickr set of "after" pictures since we purchased this home from the original owners' estate in Fall of 2008. Before pix can be seen here.

We've been restoring and refreshing this home -- while trying our best not to take away any of its original mid-century character or essence.

What we've done so far:
1) built a new extensive drainage system around the entire house. This was by far our biggest and most expensive improvement. It is also most likely to be the least appreciated -- until it rains.
2) installed new carpet.
3) installed new linoleum.
4) put in a new washer/dryer and refrigerator.
5) completed electrical upgrades and restored ailing light fixtures (look here for one example).
6) completed plumbing upgrades and improvements.
7) painted with new paint where needed.
8) installed new shower fixtures, new toilet seats and bath/shower enclosures.
9) had a full inspection of both sets of heater and A/C units plus installation of a new filter in the hallway (so we didn't have to climb on the roof to change the filter!)
10) installed new window coverings throughout.
11) rehabilitated the grasscloth closet panels.
12) replaced dilapidated exterior fixtures with period-appropriate Remcraft double bullets.
13) extensively cleaned all surfaces and fireplace.
14) updated and installed an automatic sprinkler system.
15) rehabilitated existing landscaping.
16) proactively maintained and repaired flat rooftop.
17) installed new wall exhaust fans in both bathrooms.
18) installed a metal plate under countertop above stovetop as additional protection against fire hazard.
19) installed six smoke detectors.

Voilà! She is done. For now.

Give-away Contest at Home Sweet Split Level Blog

This is an MCM Public Service Announcement!

Occasionally I find out about MCM-related contests and promotions. I don't want to keep this intel to myself. Everybody likes a chance to win free stuff, right?

Our friends (and kindred tiki lovers) over at Home Sweet Split Level in Atlanta's NorthCrest neighborhood have hooked up with All Modern for a free give-away. Check out their awesome blog and their give-away contest, which ends on July 16th.

Sacramento Eichler Homes Gallery

According to my count, a total of approximately 54 remaining Eichler homes exist in Sacramento today. These homes were built between 1954 and 1956 on three streets in the South Land Park Hills area: South Land Park Drive, Fordham Way, and Oakridge Way.

Several neighbors have discussed an interest in enrolling the Eichlers on the National Register of Historic Places. This has been done in Palo Alto's Green Gables and Greenmeadow neighborhoods. If you are a South Land Park Hills neighbor who is interested or has an opinion about this, please leave a comment at the end of this post.

The South Land Park Hills neighborhood is also home to many wonderful MCM homes.


Ironically, there is an Eichler Street in the neighborhood but there are no Eichler homes on it.

The photos in this set were taken in early and late Spring of 2009.

This set is my attempt to document the homes as they are today, over 50 years after they were built. If anyone knows of a Sacramento Eichler home I've omitted, please contact me and I will include it in the group. I've removed or fragmented addresses and license plates for privacy.

UPDATE 7.9.09: Special thanks to pinetree from Flickr for his keen eye in recognizing another Eichler in the neighborhood that I did not (it now looks like a conventional home). More pictures of this particular Eichler here in pinetree's Flickr eichler homes | land park photo set.

The difference between a house and a home

We are blessed again with pictures of Dr. and Mrs. H's family and home, courtesy of their wonderful family and to whom I am very grateful.

What moves me about seeing these, and I believe what is inherently compelling about these images -- is that we see the house being loved and cared for by a family. Seeing it as a home.

This resonates with me particularly at a difficult time when people are losing their homes. Let us all be thankful for what we have, reflect on the good times, and look forward to better times ahead.

Been on vacation with the family

We've been away on family vacation and busy with other things; just dropping by to share some snaps taken at the Mai Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I'm serious about this tiki thing and can't get enough. Ever.

Built in 1956, the Mai Kai is a lot of tiki and a little bit of tacky -- just the way I like it! Based on a Polynesian theme, the owners purchased authentic artifacts from the islands and shipped them to Florida with the intent of recreating a Polynesian village.

If you are a big mid-century tiki fan you will love Mai Kai: one of the last of genuine tiki places left standing from the 50's. The sheer size and scope of this restaurant amazed me. I loved the way you can order your drink in one of four different strengths. I got the Zombie and it was strong, just like they promised.

The Mai Kai scored big on Humuhumu's Critiki -- for you tiki fans, that's a lot of tiki cred.

My kids had a blast hamming it up with the tikis and checking everything out. The bar was cool and had a rockabilly band playing. The pupu platter wasn't that great but my chicken with ginger peanut sauce was pretty good -- better than I expected! The show was very enjoyable: singing, dancing, fire sticks. Definitely as I remember similar shows in Hawaii from my childhood.

We had a great time at this true tiki joint from an era long past. If you are in town by all means go; before you know it places like this will be only a memory.

And now, with your Mai Tai in hand and as the sun is setting on this post, catch a glimpse of what the Mai Kai looked like years ago. Visit SwankPad's Mai Kai Postcards..... Aloha.

MCM architecture in Sacramento's South Land Park area

Vic's IGA - formerly Jumbo Market - designed by Sooky Lee

I recently wrote a very short article for the South Land Park Neighborhood Association's newsletter regarding mid-century modern architecture in South Land Park. I hadn't really given much thought about it before I was given this assignment, but after writing the article I realize that this is essentially what I love about our neighborhood -- how much of its original nature is still intact.

In our neighborhood, you just have to walk out your front door to find mid‐century modern (MCM) buildings and homes. MCM architecture (also referred to as "Post‐War Modern") is a style that rose from the post WWII suburban housing boom. Characteristics of MCM architecture include: clean and simple lines; walls of glass; open floor plans that incorporate outdoor space; emphasis on the horizontal plane, and; flat or wide‐angled roofs. Several MCM styles are prevalent in South Land Park.

MCM ranch homes are well‐represented in our neighborhood. Features of these homes often include: stunning grand double front doors with ornamental door knobs; large plate glass windows; extra wide eaves; and use of materials such as flagstone, brick, stucco and wood. Occasionally you will spot a large split‐level (think "Brady Bunch") MCM home. Custom homes designed by notable local architects such as Carter Sparks, Grant Caywood, and Dean Unger are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood.

Look no further than South Hills Plaza for examples of Googie architecture, characterized by bold geometric, parabolic and curvy lines. The roof at Vic's IGA (formerly Jumbo Market) with a zig‐zag outline and skylights that allow natural light to pour into the store and the US Post Office’s wavy arches are great examples.

Further south from the Plaza you will see a small group of Eichler Homes built in the mid‐1950s. Joseph Eichler developed neighborhoods in California with practical and affordable mass‐produced homes designed by respected architects. Eichler Homes were cutting edge in terms of their design and inclusion of unique features such as radiant heating and post‐and‐beam construction. The style of these homes was emulated across the U.S. Similar MCM homes built by Streng Bros., a Sacramento building firm, can also be found here.

The entire issue of the neighborhood association's newsletter is available in pdf format ("April.pdf") here.

Vintage Aerial Photo of the South Land Park Hills Tract!

Via Dane Henas, a wonderful aerial view of our neighborhood from 1955! See if you can spot your house :)

Larger version for download here (5.2 file "EichlerAerial300dpi.jpg")

Many thanks to Dane and Jim Saggs for sharing this.

New MCM links

Been a busy week but I've started a collection of MCM links here on the front page left margin -- if you happen to know of a great one feel free to submit here in the comments section!

P.S. the entire documentary, "The American Look" (1958) seen above can be viewed in its eye-popping, glorious splendor here.

Photos of our house from our friend and contractor, John

Lovely snaps at the house recently by our contractor (and now friend), John DiDomenico, who has a great eye and has been doing construction work on the Eichler and our MCM ranch (stay posted for pictures of the ranch remodel which should be completed in the next month or so). I can highly recommend John, who has a keen appreciation for MCM aesthetic. He specializes in custom remodeling, has excellent craftsmanship and pays great attention to detail. You may reach him at (916) 765-2002.