Table of contents for Fall 2020 in Atomic Ranch

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…

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.…

• Think Differently. If space is an issue, reimagine how you’re currently using storage spaces, and don't overlook traditional spaces like hallways and niches. • Measure Twice. By carefully sizing the desk, filing cabinet and chair, homeowner Elin Walters was able to conceal her office space behind closed doors when not using it. • Find Multi-Purposes. Maximize your small space by getting the most out of the pieces you have. The desk chair in this office is also an extra dining chair. • Do It with Style. Storage doesn’t need to be dull to be functional. These floating shelves, used to house resource books, were hung in a random fashion for visual interest.…

Jackie Robinson with his wife Rachel and their children at their Stamford, Conneticut home, where Scrabble makes the centerpiece for family time. We all know Jackie lead the way as the first Black player in the Major Leagues in the 20th century, but he also dealt with racial discrimination off the baseball field. Around 1953, Rachel wanted to leave St. Albans in search of a larger home with more privacy, better public schools and the fresh air of Connecticut. Looking for houses in West Chester county and the suburbs, Rachel was met with resistance. After hearing of Rachel’s difficulties, a reporter contacted her and a story was released, prompting the town of Stamford to help. A small group met at the home of Andrea Simon (wife of Richard Simon from…

It was the winter of 2015 and Jason and Laura ODell, owners of the clothing brand called The ODells and a retail store called The ODells Shop, had brought their kids to Big Bear, California, for a sledding trip. While they were there, Jason casually browsed listings for homes in the area when he stumbled upon one for a lakefront A-frame built in 1963. “We drove over to it and called the real estate agent,” Jason says. “Within an hour, she was giving us a tour.” Despite the fact that the interior was covered in mouse droppings—the couple recall carrying their children the entire time so they wouldn’t touch the dirty carpet—and that it seemed as though no one had been inside it for ten years, Jason and Laura knew…

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,…

This 1958 tri-level home didn’t have space for a full office, so homeowner and designer Elin Walters needed to get creative. She required a workspace where she could unroll architectural drawings, use her computer and store documents from her interior design clients. The solution came in the form of a clothes closet. “As a designer, I’m constantly helping clients reimagine spaces,” says Elin, owner and principal designer with Exactly Designs in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “Critically thinking about the best way to use space, rather than ‘how it’s always been done,’ is a valuable approach to designing and living in a house. In this situation, the space was not being utilized to its capacity. This closet housed some clothing, but we quickly realized that there were other places to store clothing,…

Fresh & Modern Architects: Rick + Cindy Black Architects, (512) 402-3152 or rickandcindy.net. Interior design: Mark Ashby Design (Christina Simon assisted by Cori Pfaff), (512) 524-1220 or markashbydesign.com. Cabinetry: A.R. Lucas Construction Company, (512) 801-7221 or arlucasconstruction.com. Counters: Architectural Tile & Stone, (512) 420-9989 or architecturaltilestone.com. DINING ROOM; Pendant light: Noguchi Akari 15A Ceiling Light from Noguchi Shop, shop.noguchi.org. Table: Lekker Home, lekkerhome.com. KITCHEN; Backsplash: Bedrosians Tile & Stone, bedrosians. com. Pendant lights: Shades of Light, shadesoflight.com. Wall sconces: Cedar & Moss, cedarandmoss.com. The Perfect Note Interior designer: Jared Frank, topsydesign. com. FRONT EXTERIOR; Chilewich shag doormat: Design Within Reach, dwr.com. Ipe chaise lounges with custom upholstery: Masaya & Co., masayacompany.com. Sgraffito planter pot by Gainey Ceramics: Vintage find. LIVING ROOM; Abstract biomorphic wooden sculptures: Etsy and eBay, visit etsy.com…