Sitting on the only corner lot that was part of the Modern
Gables development in Van Nuys, CA is this 1954 Palmer & Krisel-designed restoration
opportunity. Built by Murray Strauss, this home sits approximately 300 feet
west of the core grouping of 18 homes which make up Modern Gables. It’s a
foreclosure with tremendous restoration opportunity, featuring three bedrooms,
two bathrooms, 1,853 square feet of living space and an in-ground pool all on a
6,300 square-foot lot with an asking price of $404,250.
This home holds tremendous potential but also needs a
tremendous amount of work. There’s been additions to the property – the original
two-car detached garage has been converted to living space, adding
approximately 550 square feet onto an original 1,333 square-foot home. A
lean-to type storage structure has been added on the east side of the home, placed
right on the property line, while a flat-roofed open carport has been added to
the front of the garage.
 |
Front of home, converted garage and added carport
|
The exterior of the home is clad in a combination of
original clapboard siding and stucco. Clapboard was seldom used by Palmer &
Krisel as an accent material, which usually was board an batten; however three identical
models in the development conform this as an original treatment. On the outside
of the former detached garage, the original clerestory windows are still intact
on the north side of the building, hidden by a flat ceiling inside the
permitted addition. The front yard ready for a sleek modernist water-conserving
makeover, and already features a beautiful specimen cactus against the north
side of the former garage building.
 |
| Living and dining room |
 |
| Dining and living room |
Inside, the living and dining rooms sit at the back of the
home overlooking the south-facing yard and pool. The living room is anchored by
Krisel’s signature modernist fireplace, flanked by mullioned windows and French
doors which replaced what would have originally been a pair of floor-to-ceiling
windows and a sliding glass door. The original open-beamed Celotex ceilings are
still in place adding height and volume to the room, while Krisel’s hallmark
soffit with light sits above the room.
 |
| Breakfast nook and kitchen - check out that wall fixture, floating cabinet with glass doors and red tile counters! |
 |
| Original kitchen - note sliding cabinet doors, linoleum flooring and vintage wallpaper |
 |
| Breakfast nook - note second vintage spotlight on wall |
 |
| Pantry and service porch |
The kitchen is in near-original state, with original
cabinetry, bright red tile countertops, vintage wallpaper and retro linoleum
floors. The cabinets feature original sliding doors, and a floating handing display
cabinet features multi-color crinkle glass – green on one side, blue on the
other. Other fun features include vintage spot lights in the adjacent nook and
original sliding cabinet doors.
 |
| Converted garage features lots of paneling |
 |
More paneling in converted garage - please someone make this a garage again
|
 |
Master bedroom
|
 |
| Master bedroom |
 |
| Original master shower - gross, but vintage-y neat |
 |
| Master bathroom |
 |
| Guest bath - check out the mint green tub, original medicine cabinet, wall heater and light fixture |
 |
| Secondary bedroom |
 |
| Secondary bedroom |
The converted garage at the front of the home is a maze of
wood-paneled rooms, and would suffer far less if it were converted back to
automobile housing as originally intended. The secondary bedrooms sit at the
rear of the home, while the master is positioned at the front. The guest bath
features a nifty original mint green tub, vintage lighting, a built-in wall
heater and the original Krisel medicine cabinet, while the master bath feature its
original yellow-tiled stall shower, vintage bar light fixture and built-in wall
heater.
 |
| Backyard and pool |
 |
| Pool and covered patio |
 |
| Lean-to storage room addition on east side of home |
The backyard faces south and centers around the in-ground
pool. A trellised patio cover sits off the dining and living room, and narrow
planting strips line the sides of this entertaining space.
There’s something about a Krisel fixer like this that we
love. There’s tremendous opportunity here along with some workable vintage
features including an original kitchen that could really stand out if properly
salvaged and restored. There’s a lot of work here, but for those with a little
creativity who want a fun challenge, this is a perfect project.
No comments:
Post a Comment