Consisting of just over 500 Palmer & Krisel-designed
homes built in 1955 by builders Weber-Burns, Valwood Estates offers relatively
affordable modernism in western Pomona. Homes varied between three and four
bedrooms, and after 60 years and generations of families, these homes
oftentimes need a little bit of work to make them shine. This particular 1955,
four bedroom, two bathroom home is 1,200 square feet in size, has a detached
two-car garage and sits on a 6,000 square-foot lot with an asking price of
$329,800.
The plan of this home is a Valwood Estates Model B2.
The beams connecting the home to detached garage have been removed, the clerestories
from the north-facing front have been covered, and the original floor-to
ceiling four-pane bedroom windows have been replaced with shorter white vinyl
mullioned windows. For some reason, this type of window seems to be a favorite
in Valwood Estates, as is building a wall or fence along the front property
line, as this home features.
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| Living Room with traditional fireplace in place of original modernist design |
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| Living Room - small replacement windows reduce natural light that flows into room |
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| Kitchen with wall removed between living area |
Inside, the property was flipped back in 2011, and features
many flipper hallmarks. The signature Krisel beamed celotex ceilings are still
in place and exposed in the bedrooms, but everything else has been updated with little regard to the
architectural style of the home. The kitchen has been opened up to the
combination dining and living room, which ordinarily is at the sacrifice of
privacy; however in this small floorplan it actually helps create more usable
space.
The fireplace has been updated, and no longer incorporates
it’s modernist styling without a mantle; instead it’s given way to a traditional
surround with beige tile, carved wooden detailing and a mantle. French doors and half-height
windows replace floor to ceiling sliders and four-pane windows, which cut the
amount of light let into the home. The kitchen features white raised-panel
cabinetry topped with overly ornate molding, granite counters and white appliances.,
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| Original Master Bedroom |
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| Secondary Bedroom |
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| Master Bathroom |
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| Guest Bathroom |
Four bedrooms in 1,200 square feet is a tight fit for any
designer, and this home still squeezes them in in their original configuration.
Unfortunately the clerestories were removed at the front bedrooms, which
sacrifice the amount of natural light that would have flowed into them as well
as helps them appear as small as they are. The bathrooms have been updated with
materials that are indicative of big-box stores, but are clean and functional.
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| Backyard |
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| Covered Patio at back of home |
The backyard contains a few mature trees, a covered patio
and a varying combination of wooden and block fences. The ground areas are a
combination of bare earth or concrete patio, which leaves plenty of room for
new landscape opportunities. There’s plenty of opportunity to restore an
affordable piece of modernism in Pomona’s Valwood Estates, and this could be a
great restoration candidate.
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