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Friday, September 18, 2015

1954 Santa Ana Palmer & Krisel in Need of New Life – Santa Ana, CA


The Palmer & Krisels in Santa Ana are a new feature to the blog, simply because there hasn’t much for sale in there lately, until today. Built in 1954 by Dunas, Greene & Swidler, this 1,200 square-foot four bedroom, two bathroom home carries an asking price of $449,000. Located on a 6,500 square-foot lot in the urban core of Santa Ana, those with a keen eye will note that the floor plan looks familiar – it’s the same as the Plan D in Pomona’s Valwood Estates, which was built at roughly the same time as this property.

Large front yard is grassy; original clerestories are still intact on the sides of the home

Much like most of the homes in Valwood Estates, mullioned white vinyl replacement windows have become the dominant façade feature, with the original floor-to-ceiling windows nowhere in sight. Sometimes homeowners get confused on how to handle a midcentury modern home when it comes to updating or retrofits – easy solutions are never in the bog-box do-it-yourself stores, who typically carry materials that are accordance with newer homes.

Kitchen features granite countertops and raised panel cabinetry

Kitchen opens directly to entry

Entering the home through the southeastern US-style leaded glass door, the combination kitchen, living and dining room immediately greets guests and visitors. The kitchen has been opened to both the entry hall and living area, which opens up the space in current manner, but comes at the sacrifice of privacy and spatial division. The kitchen sits at the front of the home, and features granite counter tops, raised-panel cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. The laundry sits tucked off the kitchen, and provides an access door to the service porch.

Kitchen also opens directly to living room and dining room

Luckily Living and Dining Rooms still feature original cut stone fireplace, clerestories and floor-to-ceiling windows
The living room features the original open, beamed celotex paneled ceiling, along with the original cut stone fireplace. Luckily the floor-to-ceiling windows are still in place in the living and dining areas, replaced with vinyl replacements and French doors, and the original clerestories are still in place.

Hall bathroom

Rear corner bedroom

Front bedroom

Bedroom with mysterious dropped ceiling

Both bathrooms have been updated with very simple, generic materials that create a functional space that doesn’t acknowledge the architectural style of the home.  The bedrooms on the ends of the home still incorporate their original clerestories and vaulted ceilings, while one of the interior bedrooms has a dropped ceiling for an unknown reason.

Sideyard

Backyard patio and rear of garage

Backyard incorporates large shade tree blocking west-facing sun

The backyard of the home incorporates a large uncovered concrete patio and a large shade tree, along with a patchy lawn that is ready for a water-conserving makeover. It’s really a blank slate ready for personalization. The detached two-car garage sits adjacent to the home, and keeps a tight footprint that doesn’t over interfere with the open space in the rear yard.

There’s definitely room for the midcentury modern to be put back into this home, and in doing so this property could really pop. If you’re looking for a midcentury restoration/renovation opportunity in Santa Ana, look no further.

Check out the full listing on Redfin.com here: 729 West Central Avenue


Or Zillow.com here: 729 West Central Avenue

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