Table of contents for Fall 2022 in Atomic Ranch

SOMETIMES, A HOME STANDS OUT because of its paint color or an interesting architectural or landscape detail. This home in Pelham Manor, New York, is definitely “eye candy”—not only because of its striking form, but because it’s the only mid-century home in an entire neighborhood filled with 1920s buildings. “There are people stopping and getting out of their cars and looking at this house all the time because it's so different in the context of what's around it. I think that enhances its appeal,” explains Scott Specht of Specht Architects, who oversaw the home’s renovation not long after a large tree fell on a portion of the rear of the home. “I think highlighting the difference between it and its contextual neighbors was really big. But it doesn’t disrespect those…

MOST NEW HOMEOWNERS DON’T CONSIDER the placement of artwork until after the remodeling and redesign work have been completed. However, the homeowners who also redesigned this late-1970s modern build made the placement of their art collection a primary consideration early on in the process. Dick Burkett and Russ Uthe, owners of Richard Russell Design (RichardRussellDesign.com), have an extensive art collection and wanted to create spaces that would showcase them. “The placement of the art collection is always of prime concern for us anytime we are looking at purchasing a new home,” Burkett says. “We have lived in numerous parts of the United States and Mexico and have traveled overseas, so art became a passion to collect along the way. This home is our 20th in a series of residences we…

Jeff and Cheryl Weiland loved living in their mid-century home, built in 1962 by M.J. Brodie, the renowned architect widely credited with revitalizing downtown Baltimore, Maryland. They also loved to host dinner parties and relax outdoors on their backyard patio, which offered a view of the home’s lush landscape. However, the existing patio was small and in disrepair, so the Weilands felt that rather than just repair it, they should expand and redesign it to better suit their lifestyle. It was also important to them that the addition would look like an organic extension of their MCM home. As a result, they contacted Laurie Stubb, AIA, principal at Place architecture:design (placearchitecture.com) to design and direct the porch expansion project. “Jeff and Cheryl wanted a place to sit, relax, grill and…

DISTINGUISHED RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, architect Clinton Marr would go on to build his most notable work, the Hall of Justice building in downtown Riverside. However, before he contributed to the post-war development of Riverside with this massive and stately structure, he constructed a modest family home in 1955 that was anything but. HIDDEN TREASURES The home’s size conceals the grandness within. “At 1,600 square feet, for its size, the home always felt much bigger,”says Mike Presser, recent owner of the home. “The slightly low-pitched roof and tall ceilings created the sense of openness.” Mike and his wife, Alison, purchased the home (their first house together) in 2013. Although prior owners had spent two years remodeling the home and put in new flooring and stone kitchen countertops, Mike and Alison soon discovered…

the vibe MY FAVORITE SEASON OF ALL HAS ARRIVED, and I am thrilled to share with you some of the things that make fall so special to me. It’s a time when cooler temperatures juxtapose with warm colors, and comforting foods are best enjoyed in small gatherings—a reason to make our homes feel cozy and to put our displayed collections to use. In this issue, we‘ll touch on a few pro tips for the dinner party host, as well as some seasonal recipes to get you into the fall spirit. Keep in mind that a bit of household preparation comes with the fun of entertaining. After all, what are our homes if not safe refuges from the elements and a welcoming retreat for family and friends? The promise of winter…

last look While searching for an image to fill the penultimate page of this Atomic Ranch issue, I stumbled upon this photograph of a young, bundled-up woman next to a Lincoln Capri in the fall of 1952. It was striking, autumnal, interesting, fun—and just perfect for this fall 2022 isue. (And, as a matter of interest,The Ford Motor Company manufactured the Lincoln Capri model from 1952 until 1959.) Edie Adams’ mother taught her how to sing and play piano. Her grandmother taught her how to sew. She earned a vocal degree from Juilliard, graduated from the Columbia School of Drama and started making her own clothes when she was in 6th grade. She appeared on television for more than 40 years, starred in classic films and headlined every major New…

FOR SOME, OWNING AN AUTHENTIC MID-CENTURY HOME is not practical or possible. However, incorporating some of the hallmarks of this style into a more contemporary layout is a great compromise. For the homeowners of this Minneapolis, Minnesota, kitchen, combining a mid-mod aesthetic with an open floorplan was just the right mix. So, when Colby Mattson, architectural designer and principal at Charlie & Co. Design (www.charlienadcodesign.com), took on the project of designing a new home for a young and growing family, he let the clean lines of Mid Century Modern design lead the way. LETTING IN THE LIGHT “The kitchen is centrally located in the floor plan, so it’s the literal hub of this home,” Colby says. Because the dining room and living room are found just off the 315-square-foot space,…

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES TIME TO FIND HOME. Just ask Michael Stehlik of STEHLIK Design and his partner. These long-time residents of Washington, D.C., spent two long years searching for the right place to call home. They encountered a litany of small and unimaginative fishing cottages but nothing that spoke to their souls … until they discovered a vertical, four-story 1970s home exuding MCM inspiration and boasting water views from nearly every room. “Originally, it was designed and built by Lynford Snell, a Washington, D.C.-based architect, as a retreat for his family,” Michael says. “It’s a wooden post-and-beam construction with a vintage interior.” Aside from the home’s aesthetic beauty, it also has an ideal location: It sits on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in St. Mary's County, Maryland, and is…