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.
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…
As the only freestanding midcentury specialist in Atlanta, City Issue is Mecca for local Mad Men fans. A full-time vintage dealer since 2000, owner Jennifer Sams has enviable knowledge of the modern design movement and cross-country experience with finding exquisite pieces. I photographed her Inman Park shop and asked her to dish on topics to titillate the…
Andrea and I just spent a long weekend in Los Angeles, exploring midcentury neighborhoods and relaxing near the beach. Sunday we drove to Pasadena for the monthly Rose Bowl Flea Market. I'd been looking forward to this shopping trip for weeks. This was a flea market in CaliFORNia, a modernism mecca! I…
3 thoughts on “modern ‘hood: cliff may’s rancho estates”
Excellent homes. I grew up (partially) in a place called Hayward in No. California where there happened to be a number of mid century modern, ranch-style homes. I have a soft spot for this architecture, to be sure!
Thanks for the post about our neighborhood! I’m the house with the red doors & block fence
You’re welcome, Rachel! I didn’t get to see the whole neighborhood, so I’ll definitely be back. I love your rock garden!
Excellent homes. I grew up (partially) in a place called Hayward in No. California where there happened to be a number of mid century modern, ranch-style homes. I have a soft spot for this architecture, to be sure!
Thanks for the post about our neighborhood! I’m the house with the red doors & block fence![🙂](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f642.svg)
You’re welcome, Rachel! I didn’t get to see the whole neighborhood, so I’ll definitely be back. I love your rock garden!