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.