The Question of Color

To paint or not to paint?  The photos here show four neighboring homes that were either never painted or painted to look like the original redwood posts, beams, and siding.  At this time, it is uncertain if Anshen + Allen Architects preferred to keep the homes in a natural state.  There is some reference to Japanese architecture influencing the overall designs of these homes, which supports maintaining the natural redwood contrasted with warm to neutral stucco. The architects would move on to work with Eichler, where natural wood paneling and painted siding commingled.  

Most original homeowners quickly learned that staining and sealing redwood would require higher maintenance than painting.  The low-slung ceilings made of redwood beams feels heavy and dark. Consequently, ceilings have been painted white, and most exteriors have been painted, too…an assortment of colors.  

Our house is shown in earlier blog posts, and quite frankly, we cannot tolerate the color much longer.  Beige, in several tones, inside and out.  So the question remains, what do we do?

We are not confident that stripping the redwood siding of paint is an affordable option.  Its age and thinness feels fragile.  Perhaps this is a question for an expert restoration painter.  For now, we should decide on: 1) matching the Japanese-inspired natural redwood siding appearance, or 2) have a little fun with some Atomic or modern colors.

If this was a historic site, what would we be required to do? We would love to hear from preservation professionals!   

Siding Repair: The Potting Shed

Siding removed from potting shed at left.  Note existing siding that will be removed and replaced.  Photo by Rob Huebschmann.

Mess after dirty mess has often left us wondering what the previous owners were thinking when they ran so many unnecessary television cables, phone wires, and substitute extension cords.  We still have many cords to follow, but we really wanted to tackle the mess in what we call the potting shed.  After all, we are gardeners!

Potting shed with original old growth redwood siding on one wall.
The two other wall show the backside of the siding that faces
the interior of the garage.  Note the post and beam construction.
Photo by Rob Huebschmann.

Within the original carport the architects designed a shed accessible from the side of the house.  The carport turned garage is just beyond the potting shed in the photo above.  In the 90s, the carport was filled in with studs between the post and beam construction, then clad in a grooved plywood siding.  Seen in the photo above is the newer siding still attached to the potting shed area, and the shed's original old growth redwood grooved siding.  Rob photographed the siding (photo at left) before we carefully removed it from the shed.  This photo was taken after we did a major clean up.

Siding removed and ready for replacing.
Rob replaced the mud sill with redwood to
match the home's construction.  Photo by
Rob Huebschmann.

Rob found bag after bag of fertilizer, herbicide, pool equipment, and other miscellaneous and abandoned things.  That was when he discovered exposed fertilizer piled over a LIVE electrical wire that at one time actually caused a small fire.  Upon further inspection, the live wire was an extension cord that had its ends cut off so it could be used as hard wire in the wall.  As we removed the siding, we discovered a termite infested mud sill.  The garage infill was not made of redwood, so the infestation was no surprise.

We carefully removed the interior redwood siding for two reasons.  Current California building codes require greater fire protection between living spaces and garages, which means that we needed to replace the wood siding with drywall.  We also needed to replace the existing siding that was not original.  Using the potting shed siding enabled us to replace the unmatched siding.

Finished wall.  Photo by Rob Huebschmann.

It is difficult to capture in a photo, but the siding continues into the interior of the home on two walls.  We will photograph this later, but the architects created a visual of indoor walls extending to the outdoors, successfully blurring the line between indoors and out.  Similarly, the ceiling beams also extend as the home's eves, furthering this objective.

As seen in the photo at left, we have completed the siding rehabilitation project!  Well, almost.  We still have to countersink the nails, fill in the holes, prime and paint.  Then onto the potting shed interior, where we will install the drywall and shelves.  Maybe then we can use it as intended!

Saving Old Growth Redwood

Redwood Grain, Then and Now.  Photo by Rob Huebschmann

Working on a small repair to an abandoned utility box, Rob discovered what we expected from the start. This home is constructed of old growth redwood that would be impossible to replace today. Not that we would want to cut down any more, since only 5% of the old growth forest remains.

As a tree broadens and gains more girth the rings become nearly straight, as in this cross cut example in the photo above. By contrast, trees harvested at a young age will more clearly expose wider, separated rings. This sample from a local lumberyard shows the center of the tree and 13 rings, or 13 years of growth that received an abundance of rainfall or irrigation. Old growth center cuts are coveted for their tight grain, strength and rarity, so it is highly unlikely that this piece is one of them. It is difficult to imagine that the old growth lumber within this house could easily predate the American Revolution when it was harvested, sawn, and nailed to the wall. Some of the oldest Coast Redwoods date to the Roman Empire!

Coast Redwoods, or Sequoia sempervirens, are one of three trees identified as redwoods. Sequoia giganteas are known for their great mass, whereas S. sempervirens can be taller reaching heights over 300 feet. Their more unusual cousin, Dawn Redwoods, or Metasequoia glyptostroboides, are deciduous. Turning a russet in fall, the needles convince the misinformed that the tree is dying. Unlike its California cousins, the Dawn Redwood is native to China.

Here's the crux of this commentary: little remains of the old growth forests that are irreplaceable without the passage of hundreds if not thousands of years. In purchasing this home, and most early homes built throughout California, we are investing in the harvested redwood our predecessors took for granted as a resource. People who tear down these homes only to build their cheaper McMansions are contributing to and continuing the decimation of the California rain forests. I cannot think of a more clearer example of why we should preserve our older buildings as the optimal choice in sustainable processes.

Fun with Electricity

Classic Mid-Century Modern globe light.  Photo file found at Modern Charlotte Realty.

If two men are going to be involved with lighting their home, then it will be dramatic on any budget. Classic Eichler homes mostly used simple globe lights for pendants, as seen here. Other Mid-Century Modern homes would also use globe lights, however our home did not have the original lighting. Exposed bulbs and half-shell wall sconces just do not add value to this interior.

We did not feel any obligation in recreating lighting that at this time is an unknown.  If we do find out more information, then switching out a light or two could be considered.  For now, we opted for something in keeping with a fun Atomic style.

Kitchen Lighting.  Photo by Thomas Eddy

Some retailers have embraced the public interest for period lighting, and we can see using a few of these in key locations throughout our home. Torpedo lights were the rage at the time, so in keeping with their appeal, we found this simple track lighting at Home Depot.  It enabled us to replace the low hanging bare bulb pendents with more lighting where we needed it at the sink, range, and counters.  As the halogen bulbs burn out, we intend to replace them with LED.

This is a good time to digress and talk about the heating vent seen in the photo to the left.  The home originally had radiant heating within the slab floor.  According to a long time resident of the neighborhood, it was shortly after the home's construction that an earthquake damaged the pipes. This tells us that our furnaces appear to be almost as old as the home.  Unfortunately, the duct work was poorly done and needs replacing, not to mention that they cut into the groovy redwood siding in several locations.  We will talk more about heating later.

What doesn't represent the atomic period more than cold wars, stellar imaginations, and UFOs?  So, in a flight of whimsy, I replaced the half shell sconces with a couple flying objects I identified at Bellacor.  They are fun, but they also pivot on the wall to direct the lighting where you need it.  Change of mood? Just rotate the light!

Homage to Flooring

New Flooring

Vintage Flooring Advertisement. Found photo file at A Pop of Pretty.

After removing the sheet linoleum (possibly from circa 1980s), we discovered the remnants of some broken up hard linoleum flooring...similar to those shown on the vintage advertisement at right.  If only the colors were as interesting as these! Instead, the flooring was monochromatic in a light tan/brown.  Brown flooring and brown wood walls were apparently not suited for the previous owners who painted and covered everything.  The designer in me agreed and was not enthusiastic about seeking out replacement pieces.  Admittedly, childhood memories of similar flooring at my father's office also reminded me of sterile and period government institutions.  I cannot go there, although I have evolved an appreciation for Brutalist architecture!

There were several problems from the get-go: much of the flooring was missing or had been broken up when new copper pipes replaced the corroded galvanized pipes.  It meant at sometime in the past, the previous owners had jackhammered through the existing slab and non functioning radiant floor heating to lay new pipes for the kitchen and baths.  In the haste of expecting our movers within days, we decided to not salvage what remained and had it removed in preparation for a new floor.  The question became, what's best suited for the home?

Vintage Flooring Advertisement.  Found photo file at Mid Century Home Style.

Discussions among Mid-Century enthusiasts usually revolve around exposing and polishing the existing concrete slabs or using cork. Polishing the concrete is pricey, but we also had the trenched, broken, and patched concrete to contend with as well.  We thought cork was the best solution, however homeowners have complained about its lack of durability and tendency to fade.

Finally, we opted to respect the past while choosing wisely. People who have seen our floor assume it is cork, when it actuality it is a commercial grade vinyl made of 67% recycled post-consumer products. Manufactured by Naturelle Floors, the product also supports LEED certification.  Kudos to Empire Flooring & Design Center for completing the project on time just prior to our mover's arrival.

Oh So Unoriginal: Integrity Losses

Neighbor's original carport.  Photographer unknown.

Key to submitting a property for the National Register of Historic Places is the building's integrity. As stated by the National Park Service, "the National Register traditionally recognizes a property's integrity through seven aspects or qualities: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association." Of the approximately 35 Gavello built homes, only this one posted to the right retains its original two-car carport. Given the low-slung roofline, a carport appeared to be the most logical decision...along with its affordability. Garages, additional living spaces, and modified carports have all replaced this original design throughout the tract.

There are several features here that should be noted: to the left of the carport is the home's laundry/pantry/hobby room; a feature favored in many Eichler floor plans by Anshen + Allen Architects, Claude Oakland, and others. Within the carport's right bay is a small storage room, accessed by an interior side facing door. The laundry room's elongated ventilation door (more on those later), grooved redwood siding, and the redwood post and beam construction appear to be original.

Rob & Tom's modified carport.  Photographer unknown.

Unfortunately for us, we are inheriting this cockeyed garage remodel. Built to accommodate the roofline, the left door is so small that few cars can fit, and there is no room to install a garage opener. When the door is open, I can easily hit my head on the door. The placement of the storage area at the head of the bay also limits the length of car that can fit. Hopefully, my little compact will be snug, and I will be capable of driving through this needle eye to park.

The larger door barely allows for Rob's Jeep. Lucky for him, he's inheriting what's likely to be one of the oldest garage door openers in the neighborhood. Anyone nearby will hear when Rob's coming or going.

The siding of course does not match the existing grooved redwood siding, but the original carport configuration is intact. Do we return it to carport status for integrity purposes? Or do we remodel this end of the house to accommodate modern lifestyle needs? It will be some time before we have an answer, but please feel free comment.

The House that Rob & Tom Bought

Patio of living/dining room. Photos by Rob Huebschmann, unless otherwise stated.

Today, I will visit the house for the first time since obtaining the keys.  We already have contractors working on site (more on that later), so it will indeed be interesting to see what I find.  In the meantime, here's what we know about the house.  Set within a small development of only 35 like homes, the designs were created by the well-known Anshen + Allen Architects.  More about Robert (or Bob) Anshen can be found at Eichler Networks.  Built circa 1954, the homes mimic similar aesthetics and configurations found in the architects' more familiar designs for Joseph Eichler. Typically, both Eichlers and our home emphasize an indoor/outdoor relationship, post and beam construction, small bedrooms, larger social spaces, low slung roofs, simple materials, and passive solar designs.  Yet these homes are much more modest than some of the sprawling courtyard homes Eichler built.  There are no atriums or dramatic panes of glass, and most are well under 2000 square feet.

Again, this is not an Eichler.  Some might consider them "likelers," and I happily agree.  Credit should be given where credit's due.  Other developers hired Anshen + Allen Architects for their work, too.  In this case, we are fortunate to find our home's developer, Elmer Gavello, on YouTube meeting with residents of another tract of the same models built in nearby Sunnyvale, California (see update below).  The interview confirms some of the quirkiness of the home...including being fully built out of redwood.

This blog will investigate further its unusual character at a time when modern homes were trendy but still rare.  As homeowners, we're looking for that delicate balance between modern comforts and historic preservation of a unique place.  We look to viewers for comments and suggestions, and we hope this process will be of interest to others interested in exploring the preservation of Mid-Century Modern designs.  Are we in pursuit of the National Register of Historic Places?  We'll see.

Update:  As we have been meeting neighbors, several have mentioned that the developer was a firm named Pere & Mont.  I have not been able to confirm this as of yet, so more later...