Atomic Ranch Renovation Guide 2022

We often focus on the old as we look at the world through our modernist lenses. And, when we explore the exciting possibilities of what the experience of owning a Mid Century Modern home can be, it’s the prospect of bringing old things back to life that makes us feel the most effectual, most noble and most proud. But the thing is, we also bring in the new—new energy to rescue old homes; new ideas to solve long-standing problems; and new finds to invigorate these spaces for their new inhabitants. The homes in this issue all come together, thanks to teams of new talent and thinkers. We have homeowners with a fiery passion to save mid-century history and teams of experts bringing innovative design tricks from their trades to bridge…

LET THERE BE LIGHT 1. 265 swing-arm wall lamp by Paolo Rizzatto; $1,545. (888) 860-4311 or usa.flos.com 2. Viaggio chandelier by Sean Lavin for Tech Lighting; starting at $1,300. (844) 947-0159 or lumens.com 3. Mitzi Avery polished nickel pendant light with mint shade; $270. (800) 782-1967 or lampsplus.com 4. Amplitude double pendant; $399. (415) 597-6906 or mavistenedition.com 5. Lody chandelier by Sean Lavin for Tech Lighting; starting at $2,050. (844) 947-0159 or lumens.com 6. Multilight pendant by Louis Weisdorf for GUBI; $999. (844) 947-0159 or lumens.com 7. FL/Y pendant light by Kartell; $380.store.moma.org 8. Far pendant; $199. (415) 597-6906 or mavistenedition.com 9. PH 5 pendant by Paul Henningsen for Louis Paulsen; starting at $1,162. (844) 947-0159 or lumens.com 10. Kichler Jasper chrome, four-light halogen bath light; $349.99. (800) 782-1967 or…

WOOD PANELING. It’s one of the most iconic features of Mid Century Modern homes. With its simple, natural feel—a reflection of Scandinavian design—it brings warmth and a distinctly retro presence to any space. While wood detailing has long been a staple of home design, it was especially popularized in Mid Century Modern design because of the rise of modernist architecture and its emphasis on bringing together natural and man-made materials. History and Style Interior wall siding in Mid Century Modern homes can include anything from a single statement wall to full rooms to the entirety of the house. Originally, hardwood, plywood and even money-saving wood veneer were used to clad interior spaces, providing texture and a rich, natural palette in juxtaposition to more-modern materials. Mahogany and walnut were common hardwoods…

DOES YOUR MID-CENTURY HOME HAVE WOOD PANELS THAT HAVE BEEN PAINTED OVER BY PREVIOUS OWNERS? DON’T DESPAIR! CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING TIPS IF YOU PLAN TO DIY A WOOD PANEL RESTORATION: • Determine what kind of wood your paneling is. Softwoods are more difficult to work with, because they have more-porous surfaces. Hardwoods can take a little more. An easy way to gauge wood hardness is to find an edge that isn’t in view and press it firmly with your fingernail. Softwoods will dent easily, while hardwoods will resist. Look closely at the grain, pattern and color and compare them to online pictures to see if you can find a match. • Sand it. Depending on the type of wood you have and the amount of time you want to spend,…

WINDOWS ARE KEY FEATURES OF ANY MID CENTURY MODERN HOME. Clerestory, floor-to-ceiling and picture windows give a mid-mod home its character-defining aesthetic from the street, provide ample amounts of natural light for the homeowner and give the interior a sense of connection to the outdoors. They are expansive, they are beautiful, they are many, and if you’re lucky enough to have the original windows in your home … they are getting old. Old windows, while paramount to the architectural style of your home, can become the source of many problems: Leaks and dry rot in your window frames can spread to the rest of your house. Drafty, broken-down windows not only cause discomfort due to lack of insulation, they’ll also increase your energy bills. Noise reduction and ease of use…

BUILT IN THE EARLY 1960S BY A GEORGIA TECH ARCHITECTURE PROFESSOR, this lonely ranch is nestled in the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta. “Amid 1930s psuedo-Tudors, period bungalows, cottage-style homes, recent teardowns and subsequent builder-spec foursquares was this 1,400-square-foot 1960s Mid Century Modern home with vaguely California mid-century ‘Eichler-esque’ connotations,” says Robert Cain of Robert M. Cain, Architect. While the design of the house, itself, is a rarity for the area, its ability to survive—and ultimately thrive—is also miraculous. Thankfully, the home’s current owners, who had once lived in California, recognized and appreciated the Mid Century Modern form and were intent on retaining its roots. Their goal: Respect the style. Expanding the kitchen and dining area into a nonfunctional carport now leaves the exterior with a long, clean façade. In…