Atomic Ranch Fall 2020

The image of sleek low-slung mid mod homes tends to be synonymous with summer: palm trees, tiki drinks and pool parties just go hand-in-hand with bold rooflines and sprawling floor plans. But to me, Mid Century Modern homes just glow in the fall. There’s a romance to the idea of floor-to-ceiling windows framing the amber light glimmering around the silhouettes of a home’s inhabitants as they settle in for a cool evening. Give me all the wooded landscapes enshrouding fab A-frame cabins in the mountains and towering pines hugging the post-and-beam glass houses in the Pacific Northwest. Nothing looks better on my Eames Hang-It-All than a chunky scarf and vintage cardigan. Can you tell that fall is my favorite season? In the fall, we at Atomic Ranch tend to focus…

Inside Scoop! Bedroom Decorating Ideas Get inspired by this gallery of beautiful Mid Century Modern bedrooms and glean some ideas for how to arrange and decorate yours. Wonderful Wood If you’re in the market for something other than an all-white kitchen, take a look at these gorgeous kitchens where wood is the star. Shop Black-Owned MCM Businesses We’ve rounded up some of our favorite sellers, makers and dealers in the Mid Century Modern market so you can help support and spotlight Black-owned businesses with us. Dinnertime Design Hoping to host this holiday season? We’ve rounded up everything you need to set a beautiful mid mod Thanksgiving table. Light My Fire Nothing beats enjoying a cool fall evening by an outdoor fire pit. So break out the s’mores and hot chocolate…

Some mid century homes have hardly changed at all since they were first constructed over six decades ago. Lovingly cared for throughout the years, new homeowners find themselves needing to make barely any renovations at all. Then there are those mid mod homes that can use a little more TLC. Located in Austin, Texas, just a few miles from the state capitol building, this 1955 home was not carefully maintained over time. As a result, the homeowners opted for a “complete gut,” which is how Christina Simon, senior designer at Mark Ashby Design, describes the original condition of the home. COOL & CURRENT KITCHEN The kitchen, one of the centerpieces of this reimagined home, is stunningly on trend and yet pays homage to mid century design in several ways, from…

TYPE OF HOME: 1955 ranch ARCHITECT: Unknown BACKGROUND: The entire home was gutted, since it had fallen into disrepair. The kitchen received a modern makeover with brand-new appliances, custom cabinetry, flooring, countertops and more. COLOR SCHEME: Natural oak finishes paired with airy whites, mossy greens and anchoring touches of black. INNOVATIVE IDEA: Using simple, integrated hardware in the kitchen. “The house is filled with this same oak, and we wanted it to be the star, not the ‘jewelry’,” Christina explains.…

How can you make a house a home when you’re renting the space? Improvisational performer and musician Reggie Watts moved to Los Angeles in 2014 for his job on The Late Late Show with James Corden. He knew what he was looking for—a one-level, three-bedroom flat with a game room, plus a two-car garage and driveway—and discovered it with the help of a realtor found through a mutual friend. “I immediately liked it because it was brown with a fluorescent green trim around the windows. It was exactly what I was looking for,” remembers Reggie. The home, built in 1950 by Denver Markwith Jr., was perfect; however, the owner abruptly decided against renting the space. Disappointed, Reggie viewed several more homes, but none were up to par. Miraculously, the homeowners…

The online listing for the 1965 custom-built home overlooking Boise, Idaho, hadn’t sold Marcia Welker. She thought the home, still in its original condition and still owned by the original family, was a bit too original. Seeing the home in person, though, was a whole different experience. “Several weeks later when we had moved to Boise, Steve convinced me to just look at it,” Marcia recalls. “I wasn’t that impressed with the outside, but when we opened the original double doors, wow, I couldn’t believe what we had just walked into.” Steve and Marcia Welker walked into a 4,000-square-foot, two-story home built by Ralph E. Sherman that offered four bedrooms, four bathrooms, views of Boise and wall-to-wall original details in near-pristine condition. ORIGINAL CHARACTER “Nearly everything was original to 1965,…