Atomic Ranch Summer 2022

IN THE SUMMER, OUR HOMES “BREAK OUT OF THEIR SHELLS” AS MUCH AS WE DO —and man, is it a fun and exciting process! Maybe I’m just a lover of ceremony and ritual, but the process of “summer-izing” my home feels like therapy. Just as our wardrobe changes to celebrate the warmer weather, so do our living rooms and backyards: The patio cushions get dusted off, and our lemonade pitchers get ready for their season of hard work. And, while I eagerly await my summer travel plans to approach on the calendar, prepping and planning for summer parties and outdoor dinners are equally as exciting! It’s a chance to show off the hard work of our home projects to our guests and use our homes to the fullest. Speaking of…

Take the QR code to see these articles in full at atomic-ranch.com. Roundabout: A Circular Home Breaks the Mold A circular home called the Horizon House—designed by architect George Bissell in 1964—is a round gem in a neighborhood of boxy houses. The Best Summer Cocktails Summer calls for cocktails, whether sipping them by the pool for a solo “happy hour” or for a party you’re hosting. Serve in retro or retro-inspired barware for a fresh take on the cocktail—a mid-century staple! Here’s a roundup of fresh summer cocktail recipes from around the Web. Our 10 Favorite Pools Getting ready for summer means getting ready for pool season. As we look forward to catching more rays, here are some backyard inspirations—from California to North Carolina and from hotels from Miami to…

1. Wilkes modular sofa. For pricing, visit (888) 798-0202 or hermanmiller.com. 2. ModernRail chandelier, $3,324; (877) 762-2323 or circalighting.com 3. Dixon modular storage unit, $7,581.70. For pricing, visit darestudio.com. 4. Infina modular three-piece sofa, $1,799; (855) 310-1450 or polyandbark.com 5. Eames storage unit, $3,995; (800) 851-4509 or store.moma.org 6. Swell string 3 mixed modular linear suspension light, $752.25; (866) 842-6209 or ylighting.com 7. KUR!O modular shelving system. For pricing, visit von-morgen.de. 8. Polvara modular bookshelf. For pricing, visit (800) 605-1859 or camodernhome.com. 9. Modul shelving. For pricing, visit (800) 944-2233 or dwr.com. 10. The shelving system. For pricing, visit floydhome.com. 11. Corvos corner modular sectional in carbon gray, $2,699; (888) 746-3455 or article.com…

Creating curb appeal is a lot like conducting an orchestra: You need many elements, all finely tuned and working in harmony, to make truly beautiful music. The same concept applies to architecture and design. “Everything really has to work together—the slope of the roof, the thickness of the trim,” explains Kevin Witt, project architect at First Lamp Architecture in Seattle, Washington. “Managing all these details is kind of like running a soundboard at a recording studio: You're turning each of those little knobs, and then you just have to step back and take a look at what you have.” STARTING OVER The elements of this renovated mid-century home in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood are definitely “in tune.” The windows were upgraded and adjusted to be more symmetrical. And when it…

HOLLY’S MOST POPULAR DESIGN IS A COCKTAIL BOOMERANG SIGN. “IT INNATELY CAPTURES THE CULTURE OF THE TIME PERIOD, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO OUR LIVES NOW, AFTER COVID. AFTER THE WAR, PEOPLE WERE ‘REGROUPING’ AND CENTERING THEIR PASTIME AROUND ENTERTAINING AND DRINKING AT HOME.” IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN NOW, WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING TAKEN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO CREATE THEIR OWN HOME OASIS AND COCKTAIL BAR. EACH LAYER AND COLOR IS CUT USING A LASER AND METHODICALLY ASSEMBLED AND BONDED BY HAND AFTER THAT. “IT’S A VERY TEDIOUS, YET REWARDING, PROCESS,” HOLLY EXPLAINS.…

If you see house numbers as that finishing touch for your exterior, check out Atomic Avocado Designs. This family-run company is based in Phoenix, Arizona. You can also find it—along with its array of curb appeal pieces and retro signs—online (atomicavocadodesigns.com and via etsy.com). The company was founded, and is owned, by Holly Whittington, who spent 20 years in the funeral industry and made the drastic transition from funeral director to sign designer in 2019. Curb appeal is all about creating an immediate, dynamic presence and reflecting the homeowner’s style from the outside in. “Our designs capture Mid Century Modern ideals. We do this by offering a variety of colors and customizable options,” Holly explains. “I initially had a vision of the type of curb appeal I wanted for my…