Tag Archives: architecture

modern ‘hood: cliff may’s rancho estates

Orange and gray modern ranch

If I ever build a house, I’ll drop a stack of Cliff May home photos on my architect’s desk for inspiration. In southern California, May was a pioneer of building characteristics that we think of today as the hallmarks of midcentury modern ranches — clean lines, open floor plans, and an indoor-outdoor feel. So on a recent trip to Los Angeles for Andrea’s work, we spent an afternoon in Long Beach cruising May’s Rancho Estates tract neighborhood, built in 1953-54.

The Rancho homes have opaque facades and high privacy fences that reveal little about their interiors. If you’re nosy curious like I am, you can mine real estate sites such as Rancho Style for photos of light-soaked rooms, swanky pools, and lush courtyards. Although I had to imagine what modern treasures lay beyond the walls, I gleefully shot the sculptural plants, rock gardens, colorful gates, and vintage cars visible from the street. Unless otherwise noted, all photos were taken by me from public property.

Photo via ranchostyle.com
Photo via ranchostyle.com
Photo via ranchostyle.com
Photo via ranchostyle.com

Charcoal and yellow ranch home

Modern concrete and stone courtyard with red gate

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curvy new landscape for our boxy lustron

Landscaping at Lustron home; photo by finelycrafted.netFor nine years, our Lustron has needed curb appeal like leafy greens need ranch. Last month we worked with Plants Creative Landscapes here in Decatur to finally put some “ranch dressing” on our bland front yard.

Lustron home before landscape makeover; photo by finelycrafted.net
Scraggly gardenias were hiding the porch, and the linear layout didn’t complement our boxy home.
Landscaping at Lustron home; photo by finelycrafted.net
Curvy beds, sculptural plants, and boulders bring SoCal style!

Since the bones of our ’49 prefab are slick and boxy, we created softness with three curvy beds. Taking inspiration from all those modern landscapes I’ve been ogling on trips to Southern California, I picked a topiary pine, a blue agave, and boulders as my must-have focal points. We filled out the beds with shrubs for year-round color (wintergreen boxwood, variegated yucca, gold mop false cypress), sculptural perennials (variegated iris, autumn ferns), vivid grasses (blue fescue, dwarf acorus, silver liriope), and cascaders for the retaining wall (chartreuse creeping jenny, pink-flowered phlox). Black bark mulch makes everything pop.

Lustron landscaping; photo by finelycrafted.net

Blue agave; Lustron landscaping; photo by finelycrafted.net

Lustron landscaping; boulder garden; pom pom pine; photo by finelycrafted.net

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modern ‘hood: morningside, atlanta

modern home in Morningside, Atlanta; photo by finelycrafted.net

It’s hard to believe Atlanta’s first Morningside residents were isolated suburbanites who rode a streetcar to work downtown. Today this charming neighborhood is a haven in the heart of the city, surrounded by shopping districts, restaurants, and condos. The typical M’side home was built in the 1920s or 30s out of red brick and stone, with Old World details like arches, leaded glass, and even towers, like this one below.

Home in Morningside, Atlanta; photo by Finely Crafted
In Morningside, a man’s home literally may be his castle.

While I love those special châteaux, my heart beats faster for the rarer midcentury and new construction modern homes–sometimes barely glimpsed beyond ivy banks and mature trees–on the hilly streets branching off East Rock Springs Road. They range from humble ranchers to custom contempos worthy of Dwell. Here are 10 of my favorites spotted on yesterday’s afternoon drive. All photos were taken by me from public property.

Modern home in Morningside, Atlanta; photo by Finely Crafted
I toured this 2013 home on Wellbourne Drive as part of Modern Atlanta in June. In contrast to the serious facade, the inside is warm, light soaked, and personal.
Midcentury home in Morningside, Atlanta; photo by Finely Crafted
Genius idea for typography fans
Modern home in Morningside, Atlanta; photo by finelycrafted.net
I like mixing foliage colors in my own yard, but a single green against a neutral facade is beautiful too.
Midcentury modern home in Morningside, Atlanta; photo by Finely Crafted
I like the little courtyard created by this home’s C shape.
Midcentury ranch in Morningside, Atlanta: photo by Finely Crafted
Peachy perfection

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modern atlanta home tour roundup

If “professional voyeur” were a job, I’d apply. I love peering into people’s nests, so I relish web galleries like the “sneak peeks” on Design Sponge. The only thing that beats panting over interiors online is buying a ticket to do it in person! That’s just what Andrea and I did Sunday, crisscrossing the city to visit four homes on the Modern Atlanta tour. Here are my favorite design moments.

sarvis home, north buckhead

See photos from three more homes after the jump!

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modern ‘hood: northcrest, atlanta

On a crisp day last week, Andrea and I took a break from our laptop pecking to explore Atlanta’s Northcrest subdivision. This modest midcentury modern neighborhood northeast of the city (zip 30340) is a feast for eyes that hunger for angular abodes and cacti gardens. Here are five homes that made me pull over and consider life in the ‘burbs.

My favorite modern designs incorporate earthiness, like this warm wood siding.
I slammed on the brakes for this prickly pear and boulder garden!
I don’t think Andrea would go for an aqua house, but a gal can dream.
Love the Asian screen!
I adore my Lustron, but I can see a split-level ranch like this in my future.