Houzz TV: Love Letter to a Small Mid-Century Find

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Houzz TV: Love Letter to a Small Mid-Century Find

Gerard Garbutt looked at this house for about two minutes before thinking, “I should put in an offer.” He says, “I was impressed with its economy of scale, and I wanted to live there. So I wrote a letter to the owner telling her that I loved the house and that I would respect its integrity.” The letter worked, and in 1999 he bought the house from the original owner, Shirley Todd. The story of how the home came to be adds to its charm.

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Comments (146)
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Virgil Carter Fine Art

Amazing house and grounds by some of the most admired names in Bay Area architectural history. Thanks for posting! PS: Can you imagine the cost to purchase the house today?

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bondsrus

What a perfect house and story - made my day!

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4f Lighting

This reminds me so much of the houses my father designed in Berkeley around that time, including the one I grew up in. It's great that it's been kept as originally built. So often the wood gets painted or covered, and it just kills the style.

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Qualityflooring4less.com

Northern California homes are so unique. This is a beautiful photo!

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Brooke

Amazing house. I'm so glad not much of it was touched. The architecture still stands on it's own without needing to be "modernized". The ceilings and beams are just spectacular.

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gillianne

Still perfect in every way.

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westphal95
LUCKY!
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amyhemlock

a treasure. an absolute treasure.

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midmodfan

Amazing! Look how well the house aged. It may have been cheap back then, but by today's standards it was extremely well built with beautiful, long lasting materials. Good decision to keep everything original, it's utterly charming.

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Joan


Exterior: I purchased this 570 s.f. home in Palm Desert CA four years ago as a foreclosure. It was built in 1954 and I was amazed to find out last year that it was designed by famous mid-century architect, Walter S. White. it was a challenge to bring this diamond in the rough back to life, but I'm so happy with the result. I love it!

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Joan



Interior: The California desert winter temperatures often drop into the low 40's and even 30's at night. This charming corner gas fireplace is used more often than I'd expected. The brick walls and solid wood construction have so far survived all the earth quakes without a crack since 1954. Amazing. Simple and solid is good.

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mch2212

Thanks for sharing, what cool houses!

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dd_sylvian

Wow! The photo of the back gardens with the view of the bay out front is worth it's price in gold. Could just feel the atmosphere of peace all around here. Beautiful.

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frenchbee

Stunningly beautiful. A piece of art that you can live in! And you didn't change a thing. Thank you!

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Betsy Plaster
What a jewel!
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kekulibay

the tsubo - gimmee!! what a gloriously private view of nature and lounging in a sunbeam......and the views from the dining table are splendiferous (if that's not a word I think it should be)! Also, kaczmogal I love your fireplace!

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lefty47

This house would be perfect for my husband and I ... I love mid century style !

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Jeff

Kudos to the Mr. Garbutt for being a good steward of this
house in his renovations. In an era where older is usually considered to be
"lesser" it's a tribute to the original designer and builder when a
house is appreciated for its holistic appeal. Not all old houses are great
works, but great design and craftsmanship are timeless, right down to the
original clear redwood exterior siding used on this little beauty.

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susanaikman

A real gem. Love this.

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ggarbutt

Many thanks to Mindy Mull for all her dedicated work on the project; plastering, sanding, painting and nailing trim. In addition to her great moral support. And big thanks to Margot Hartford for her easy going charm on the shoot and her terrific luminous photography.

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Studio NOO Design

Nice and still very IN!

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AmyCat

Why on earth would you want to REMOVE a nice set of built-in bookshelves to gain barely a foot-wide strip of additional floor space? :-( There was already PLENTY of room for a table and chairs, as you can see in the original photos... As a bibliophile, I'd want MORE shelves, not fewer!

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Denna Jones

So glad the right guardian came along to shepherd the house into the future. My only quibble is the removal of the bookcase. The room is not improved, and a table could have been set up in front of the bookcases as and when needed or even left there permanently while preserving the classic mid century under window bookcase. Love how the back of the gold leaf fireplace extends up and into the bedroom. As for the violet beams? The trick I've learned over years of buying MCM at thrift stores etc is to live with something a few months before ever considering changing an original element. This rule has kept me from ruining a few items from overzealous initial enthusiasm to "make my (unnecessary) mark" on someone's thoughtful design.

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Lynn G

You sold the original art deco stove that looked new? OMG! I shudder to think of letting that piece go, and jealous that I didn't get it. Well, I'll console myself that it didn't go to a landfill...

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alexandra bogdanovic
Very, very, very cool!
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chezbon

Exquisite historically respectful restoration. The gold leaf is so integral to the design, and many would have removed it: "oh too gaudy". I too would have removed the bookcases.

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Nancy Budde
Fantastic article!
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Tom Dang

Very nice house but the kitchen is way too small. I can see why the Art Deco oven was practically brand new because cooking in that kitchen isn't practical.

1 Like    
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Aimee
Oh, to be $11,000 again...
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silviakunst
WONDERFUL House ! Great view! What a FIND!
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loniluna

Wow!!! Amazing.

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labincurlers

I seriously felt my heart quicken at the first picture and half way thru was in love. I totally understand his feelings, I felt that way once about a house also and although we have moved on, that house will always be a treasured time in my past memories. I don't think I've ever seen a more perfect view than this one. Thank you so much for sharing it.

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campercara

Love it! I would like to see more new construction in this style. All the new homes around my area continue to go bigger and bigger. People think they need all the space but they don't.

23 Likes    
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l_palombi

Outstanding! Beautiful original design and I admire your respect for the structure, the space and the original owner. Were the cork floors refinished?

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William Hoffman Architect

very nice space

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Bette P

If I had a choice between a gift of a McMansion of several thousand square feet or yours, I'd take your house instead, every time.

39 Likes    
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Steph Fisher
Timeless beauty! Love the views! Truly a work of art. Very jealous over here...
3 Likes    
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brighton9214

From the photos the house doesn't seem like it would "feel" as small as it is. The only things I didn't care for was the removal of the entire bookcase. I think leaving some of it, putting the table in the place where a portion was removed would be better. The bookcase adds warmth to the room. I also like the original drawing that does not have the cupboards on either side of the fireplace. The original concept sets off the fireplace.

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judylovesmodern

It wasn't a very clear picture of the bookshelves that were removed, but from what I could see, I would have kept them.

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bluemink

Beautiful- love everything about it

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plavine

A timeless example of mid century. Are the kitchen cabinets original?

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trixie47

Love it! Everythng one needs in a nice compact and eficient house.


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terrierista

Yes please...

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gramma907

I am SO ready, more than ready, for a retirement small house now. How wonderful a lot of the 50's houses were indeed. I remember them well and am seriously longing for one. With a terrace, with big windows. Oh I have such a perfect spot to build it...

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frznpch

I don't even like mid-century modern, and I LOVE this house! I would have kept the bookcase, too. But I see so many beautiful old homes gutted and changed that I am gratified when I see one kept mostly intact. Lovely.

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helenfromsun

Love to see people loving this style. I live in one and despise it. Ha ha. Maybe one of you will buy it some day. It's in Los Altos.

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joanofmarmo

I'm not big on mid-century even though I grew up in one in the late 50's, but this is a house to envy! What a wonderful fireplace and I love the garden off the bathroom. Oh, to dream!

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Mary E Walker

Love everything about this house but especially that gold leaf fireplace, awesome!


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amnorcal

ellavemia

"Oh, to be $11,000 again..."


Just imagine: One year's worth of property taxes on this house now is well over half of it's original cost.

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Jean Morgan
Love the pictures and articles, thank you so much for sharing!
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Taproot Studio

quality over quantity. Love this.

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jbird164

So glad he didn't try to "modernize" it. People don't realize what gems these houses truly are!

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pbonaduce
Excellent article ! Thanks for sharing your love letter to all of us MCM lovers .
Wondering ideas for the tsubo garden? The project of having an outdoor shower giving natural light -with privacy- to the master bathroom is in our list. How can I get more pictures?
Thanks and congrats for respect its integrity.
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610innerlooper

What a beautiful home, then and now. I hope that the original owner, Shirley Todd, was able to see how you transformed her beloved home and know first hand what a thoughtful steward you are of her home. The simplicity of the overall design and decor allow for the focus to be on the architecture and the stunning views. Thanks for sharing.

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pamelawarren

Beautiful home....I have been looking for a simple and small dining table and chairs for my 1930's spanish bungalow. Where did you purchase yours?


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Glenn Ingram
Awesome design transformation!
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cushopn

Timeless in side and out. Totally love Midcentry modern. Grew up in the 50's-60's. Now I appreciate all the furniture we had. My mom hates that style now. I bought a 1958 Midcentury about 4 years ago. I wish I had a furniture designer who specialized in Midcentury for design and placement. I want my parents old furniture. I'm sure it was better made than modern too. this house makes one ponder the old into the new and feel not much has changed. That's a nice feeling. I would have love to have seen a blub of the original love letter to the former owner. Thanks for sharing.

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kierlakin
Thank you so much for sharing this house. What a special house. Thanks for preserving it. We are losing so many small homes.
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jmpjmp

He really hit the jackpot here. The tub is awesome: is it 7 feet?

   
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PaintColorHelp.com Dallas

It has a wonderful vibe that makes it seem much larger than the stated square footage. I can see why it caught his imagination.

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buyerakd

If a house is designed well and kept up like this house has been there is no reason to want anything else. Considering the houses of today are built fast and will look horrible in 20 years I would rather have a home built in the 1950's which were built to last. Wonderful pictures and writeup

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Jim Kraus

Fantastic! Built for $11,000 in 1954. What do you think it's worth today? $1 million perhaps?

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littleapples
Absolutely love MCM.
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dbwolinski65

Spectacular! Love it! Would move in in a minute.

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mnester17
It is so refreshing to see a buyer who appreciates the original design and integrity of a home. As opposed to someone who claims they want a certain style, then goes in and tears it down to the studs, moves walls, etc.
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redoredone

The views are amazing and your home is wonderfully suited to take advantage of them! I'm not a fan, usually, of midcentury modern homes, but this one is timeless and very lovely! You were wise to leave it virtually unchanged! Kudos!

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grochmer

When it come to timeless design...truly.....less is more.....

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Maureen Best

Love this!! So glad you kept it's integrity.

   
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Jerry Shore

I adore this little house, It looks livable, the design is to die for and it even has drama. The view I know is breathtaking too. In those days they even had the foresight to put aside a few more of the flooring tiles for later modifications. I like the practicality and I too put floor tiles in hidden areas of my house for when someone has to do something different later on

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Vicki Cagan

Thank you for sharing . What a lovely home and surrounds

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30sreno

I love the way the bricks were oriented vertically on either side of the fireplace; better than the original design, but I'm not too crazy about the doors with door knobs on either side of the fireplace - nor am I crazy about the fact that they are painted. In the original design, it looks like there is no door there (no storage). Opening those spaces to storage is a good idea, but the doors could be made without hardware and could be almost invisible.

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Sylvia T
Beautiful!!!
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indivisuality
What a great Mid Century home. How fortunate to have all of the original drawings and the magazine feature from the period. I love all the original details that were left untouched but its still lacking an overall design look both a mix of vintage and new. Most interior designers would have a field day adding the pizazz that it truly deserves. I know I would.
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Scott Shipton - work ASSA ABLOY

Would be a great panelized/kit house design...just saying, optional basement with 2nd bedroom and another bath...!

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tj2639
Perfect! Love the understated decor and that you left as much original as possible; amazing find.
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jiminyc

I grew up in a Henry Hill house on the other side of the Berkeley Hills. Even as a 50's kid, I always thought our house was rather special. There was, however, one drawback to these houses -- no insulation above the ceiling. Tar paper and gravel were simply laid on top of the ceiling paneling. On our side of the hill, 100 degree days weren't unusual during the summer, and we sweltered under the heat radiating down through the ceiling. Most Eichler homes built during the era, suffered from the same problem.

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cav9

Fabulous!!!!!! and thanks for showing us droolers!

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cattaill

Amazing, inspiring architecture. Proof that style outweighs size, hands down.

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cattaill

okay, and the view doesn't hurt

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tealtips

What a jewel! Definitely I would alter the path down the slope- but otherwise

it's perfect.

   
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Elizabeth McGreevy

I love this. It caters to a more intimate life. One person said the kitchen is too small. I would agree if you're all about massive gatherings, but I like smaller gatherings or potlucks, so this size would work for me.

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Elizabeth McGreevy

I love your appreciation for a REAL landscape. The trend for cleanscapes devoid of anything but gravel and two agaves are most depressing and are contributing to desertification. Side note: you got an Eckbo garden....so jealous!

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Nancy Elser

My parents-in-law live in a 1920s house one street over from Kensington, in the Berkeley Hills, and also have this amazing view. You can't go wrong with a house in this area. (And yes, probably worth $1 million today).

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Sue Quinn
My very first thought was Frank Lloyd Wright.
   
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redecoratingtropicalcalm
I like the window in the bathroom looking onto the garden as well as the billion dollar view. I'm not a fan of this style myself but I love how sometimes things are left untouched long enough they become true treasures of time. What are the odds of other homes of this era left unchanged as styles evolved, I'm sure slim so what a find that this home needed such minimum work and none to bring it back to original. Thanks for sharing.
   
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Sabrina Bunks

It's so nice to see really beautiful, livable spaces that are not enormous. It seems like almost everything I see on houzz and HGTV is either 2500 sf + or a tiny house. We live in a 2 bedroom/2.5 bath townhouse that is 1800 sf and it's very spacious. I can understand if you really need more bedrooms, but why is it that so many people feel the need to go so much bigger?

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rupert2002

i usually tend to gravitate to tradional syle ut i love this house, it is warmer and cozier than most mid century types. have good health and good luck in it.

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msmonotone

Thank you for giving a tour of this gem. I do think the integrity of the house was compromised when the bookshelves were removed though. Those shelves could have been useful for displaying beautiful everyday objects, mid century American pottery, board games, etc. I'm not liking the lighting choices either. Sorry! It's a great house. When making sensitive updates, one has to consider complimenting the space. There are U.S. made sources out there that would fit the needs of this special home without breaking your budget. Best of luck to you!

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bjnoster

Love the drought resistant landscape garden I would like more detail about the plants chosen for it. Which month of 1959 Sunset magazine featured this house? Or can you tell us what plants the architect chose? Avid Texas gardener,

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victoran

Amazing house. How I would love to live there! The view is spectacular, and except for the missing bookcases, the house is perfect! Wish someone would build a home like this with this quality in an area I could afford to live in with a view like this! But I know this home is worth millions.

Someone mentioned McMansions...well the reason McMansions are built is because the builder gets more money for a 3,000 sq. ft. home on a lot than a 700 sq. ft. home even though the land cost is over 1 million dollars for the lot itself. Land is just too expensive in California Bay Area for any builder to build a small house with an ocean view.

Considering inflation and value of property in ocean view areas, to build this $11,000 home in today's money would probably be closer to $1.5 million.

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amnorcal

Zillow estimates it at $578,000, Trulia a little more. Although Kensington is great, it is still pretty tiny and there is no garage or even a driveway. Limited street parking and then a looong walk up those stairs to the house? The view is great though - sunsets must be awesome. I do like it when people save/restore these older, smaller homes rather than remodeling them into too-big-for-the-lot monstrosities.

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Gwendolyn Hayes

I live in a 1954 house with the same style as this one, although ours has a basement and is 2200 square feet. It's nearly original (we put in new windows and redid the baths as they were in terrible shape). When I can stop looking at everything that still needs to be done I can say WOW! this is a really cool house.

One major thing that needs to be done is the cork tile floor is in bad shape. Has anyone refinished cork tiles successfully? Ours has gouges and stains and heavily worn areas. I'm still not sure if I should try to refinish or replace, and we've lived here for 14 years.

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duneya

What a jewel

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Susan Finlay
Our downtown (Toronto) apartment is about this size. If only it had the thought and creativity that this home does. In a time when I want to rip my hair out if I read "MidMo" one more time, this was refreshing. I notice many, on buy/sell sites, are calling anything and everything "mid century modern" these days - most of which is most definitely not! Wonderful home - never thought I'd love lavender/mauve beams, but these just work. The gold leaf over the fireplace, the original metallics paper in bath, so much - perfection. And so happy it was all preserved - except those wonderful bookcases! Weighing in, as another bibliophile, but also lover of beautiful objet d'art, on the "keep" side of those bookshelves. Oh well - all else is wonderful! Congrats on a great home! Thank you for inviting us in :-)
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lcdsmith
Gorgeous home!
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lindagsawyer
My father, Norman Gordon was Art Director at Sunset Magazine in 1959 so he did the layout for the story and possibly went to the house for the shoot. I grew up in a similar house in Palo Alto. Wonderful article. Thanks!

Linda Sawyer
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Moonwallstickers

Gorgeous House.. Linda i envy you :) that is the kind of house i would love to live :)

Check out some Mid Century fresh ideas...

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User

I love how they kept the original style intact and still where able to update it to modern functionality. very nice.

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circadesign

That is a very cool house. Jim Hensen's mid-century house in Bedford NY is on the market right now. Don't remember which real estate company has it, but easy to google search if anyone is interested.

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Julie McCarter
I walk past this house every day with our dog. What a great surprise to see it featured! Howdy neighbor!
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Malibu West Interiors
Oh wow.... I grew up in Palm Desert, Calif. and and at fifty something years old now, still lust after Mid Century Modern. In Naples Florida it doesn't exist in the original way.... One day soon I hope to recreate the dream!
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ggarbutt

The shelves issue was complex. The Sunset photo shows the two long narrow custom walnut and wrought iron tables by Francis Whittaker, America's premier ironworker. These fitted right under the windows so guests could sit in a single line and enjoy the view. This was an experiment, but one which didn't work well, as Shirley Todd mentioned in an article I read in an Architectural magazine. Diners couldn't converse easily. So with some regret, I sold them. The space they were designed for would not accommodate a full size dining table, so I removed the shelves which opened up a 12'x1' footprint in the living room where the new expandable Danish table fits beautifully with plenty of space for guests on both sides. I love the extra space, and gaining it without impacting the envelope. Keeping the shelves would have been an excellent choice for many people, but it didn't meet my needs. The shelves had been filled with LPs and books. LPs are history now, and I keep the books I love in the cupboards.

The kitchen is small, but works very well. Two people can do food prep. The oven was a real beauty, but my electrician advised me that it might not be safe. Ironically, the gas oven I replaced it with died after a year and is verified unrepairable. Modern garbage controlled by sub-standard electronics. Very common unfortunately.

The roof had some insulation added above, probably in the 70's, so it never got terribly hot, especially being located Bay side of the Berkeley Hills. I thoroughly insulated the walls so it doesn't get too cold in winter in spite of the expanse of single pane glass. Replacing two jalousie windows helped too.

Cork floors can be refinished if they are not too worn. Dale Swirsding of Berkeley advised me on finishes. I applied one coat of Streetshoe oil sealer, followed by three coats of Streetshoe 275 catalyzed water-borne polyurethane. A fantastic system. Dale is a master floor finisher with much cork experience.

The garden has many Sunset, Harmony, Sentinel, Vandenburg, Howard McMinn and Mama Bear Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos). Plus several varieties of Ribes Sanguineum and California Fuschias (epilobium canum). And two Channel Island Bush poppies (Dendromecon hartfordii).

The Sunset article ran in February 1959.

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ggarbutt

I brush painted the kitchen cabinets in 2001, and again this year. Color matched to the original olive color.

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plavine

So you are saying the kitchen cabinets are original and that you have simply brush painted them to match the original olive color. To me, the color does not look like olive in the new photo but it is an interesting choice.

   
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plavine

Also what material are the kitchen cabinets?

   
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Mindy Mull

I'm the woman in the photo with Gerard. Such a pleasure to read all the lovely appreciative comments from Houzz readers! You all really got it. Gerard worked painstakingly to keep his word in his 1999 "love letter" promising Shirley that he'd remain true to the house and Henry Hill's design.

Our fellow booklovers will be happy to hear that after gently disassembling Henry Hill's bookcases G stored the original materials so the bookcases can be reconstructed in future.

Most books come from the library so wall-to-wall storage was not the priority in this small house. With the floor space gained, we've comfortably seated a dozen or more guests for dinner and there's also room to dance! And no barrier to the view. Here's last night's painterly orange sunset as seen from the dinner table:

Different show every night. As you can see one of the best things about this house is not the house!

PS Grateful to you Margot for creating this Houzz tour. What a storytelling talent you have with ideas, pictures and words!

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Denna Jones

The view is incredible. Nice to hear the bookcases are stored for possible future use. Again, accolades for saving and restoring this house in the spirit it was built.

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ggarbutt

Kitchen cabinets are plywood. Original finish was white stain with an olive stain on top. Finished with clear varnish. The wood grain showed through nicely. Much variation but it looked harmonious. Same in living room cabinets. They were beat up and trying to restore the exact system would have been a huge challenge.

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goodewyfe

I love this home. I wish I could have one like it. I definitely would have kept the bookshelves as I have 100's of books. I probably would have kept the tables, too, and used them as library tables/work tables.

   
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Henry Nader

Didn't realize MCM could feel so warm....reminds me a tad of the Arts N' Crafts movement.

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Chris Byrne

An inspiration for "Not So Big House" lovers everywhere! Any inspiration on how retrofitting insulation has been handled? Without a ceiling/attic space, it would be pretty chilly --even in the mild-winter East Bay.


   
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ggarbutt

roof already had some foam insulation, with tar +gravel on top. I filled walls with foam slab insulation. It's not too cold in winter in spite of the huge area of single pane glass! Stays pretty moderate during very hot weather too, until mid afternoon usually.

   
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PRO
studioCJF.Inc
Fantastic house! Reminds me of all the "Case Study" houses of the late 40s to early 60s. The most important line in the article is the owners comment about "economy of scale" which highlights the notion of what can be accomplished with a small structure and footprint. Most houses really don't need to be of the 5000+ square feet homes that everyone seems to want today. Don't get me wrong there are circumstances that warrant the large house. I very often give clients everything they want in 4000 square feet or less... Often much less. Again fantastic!
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gurukaram
I do wonder sometimes if people read the article or look at the pictures before offering comments. The closets on either side of the fireplace are original folks, just look at the pics in the Sunset article.

What a gem this home is and what an amazing custodian Garrett is! Oh my goodness - the gold leaf fireplace! I think the Earth clay finish on the walls is a brilliant update. Too bad about the original stove - it is a good thing that electricians are so conservative but a conversation with an old stove guy might have served you better. Ah 20/20 hind-site an all that...

Great home, great work!!
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Joan
This article linked me to the best "find" to finish my update of my 1954 Walter S. White designed Palm Desert bungalow...a mid century style Mail Box. Every mid century era home should have one. Go to modbox.com!
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Shoshana Bloom

For those who commented that the kitchen is so small. I have basically the same size kitchen which is fully functioning and quite adequate and is used three times a day and for visitors. No problem.

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Francesca

I love this place. I love where it sits, but beyond that, I love the style of the home. I'm planning, very slowly, on downsizing my life, and with that, I need good design ideas. The kitchen is a small box, and I am more inclined to do a galley wall with an island, but beyond that, the bath is a perfect size, the bedroom is amazing and the living room is beautifully open.

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petermcgibney

are you lucky or are you lucky, what a fantastic house, like you I just love the fireplace, and the beams. I never saw the bookcases but what you did with the table and chairs is wonderful, it must be so awe inspiring to sit there and have breakfast. Love your choice of lighting, and the garden is the crowning glory. Very well done thank you for sharing.

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jerelldawn1
Thanks for all of the interesting ideas!

Jerell
   
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Cindy Bagcioglu

Thank you so much, Gerard and Margot, for sharing this amazing home with all of us. The writing, photography and Gerard's commitment are inspiring and it was just a treat. Yes, lucky, lucky you, Gerard!

   
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marmalade920

I saw one picture of this house and knew exactly which one it was! Hey, neighbor! Mr. Hill designed the house I grew up in as well, and your home reminds me much of that house with the picture windows and a very similar view. I've always looked at your house when driving up sunset, thinking it looked really neat. Congrats on the media attention! :)

   
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grandmariver

Lovely. Wonderfully calm narrative and an understated renovation. I think my bp dropped 10 points just listening and watching.........ommmm.

   
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User

Woah...views! Lovely considered design choices, a lot not my taste but can really appreciate the thought that's gone into it. Lovely sense of home.

   
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midcenturyjoanne

What an incredible home! You stayed true to the original design, while making it all your own. I love it!

   
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teamaltese
What a lovely home! Our house in Florida has an enclosed courtyard off the bath, our neighbor's call it a "privacy garden ". "Tsubo" it is!
   
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Bob Martin

Peter, if you look at the photo in the top right of the Sunset article, you can see the original bookcase. And I agree, it is a beautiful design and beautiful home!

   
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Jude Wenke
Love the size and design
   
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Susan Strickland

I love everything about this house. With a view like that, there is no complaint. My only concern is earthquake.

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pam

I'll be visiting San Fran in a few days.....enjoy the variety of architecture. Love the era and mostly size of your home. What makes it a stand out is the view. And taking out the bookcase and replacing with "dining with a spectacular view" is exactly what I would have done! Not sure about the lavender beams, though :)

   
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Average Jo

That is, indeed, truly lovely. My goodness, the gold leaf! I feel quite wistful about the loss of that art deco oven, though...

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suzannah86

Wonderful home. Love what you did with the space.

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mack50

A perfect home found it's ideal owner. What a great relationship for the both.

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kierlakin
What a cool house. How nice of you to keep it and not decide to build a huge house on that lot.
I wonder if the closets flanking the fireplace were originally a varnished wood veneer. It looks like the original drawing shows this. The drawing looks like there might have been a diagonal wood pattern. Also were the kitchen cabinets originally wood like the bathroom cabinet? Many kitchens from that time were.
   
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jill4lipoti6

The roof seems like a good candidate for a green roof. Could you put some mixed varieties of sedum up there and have an even better view from the top of the garden? It would attract pollinators, absorb rainwater, absorb CO2, add some sound proofing and insulation.... what do you think?

   
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Gerald Lorentz

"Quaedam numquam mutant. " Attributed to Cicero. [Translated as "Some things should never change."]

   
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gandolfo4823615

The house is beautiful. Kudos to the man who would give up size for beautiful architecture. I am sure he was one in a million who would pay the price and commit to keeping it as original as possible and mean it!

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inspireme1

What an exceptionally lovely mid-century home. Thank you Mr. Garbutt for so lovingly refreshing this exquisite piece of San Francisco history.

   
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Karen Campbell

A tidy little house with a million dollar view. Wow! Don't need the book cases. Get all of that view you can get! You did so well with it. Spectacular!

   
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poomie

Gorgeous house from day one. Very thoughtful upgrades.

   
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ggarbutt

that's a terrific idea for a green roof! It would be a huge improvement in the view from the top of the garden. It would really integrate the house and garden at a much deeper level. I'll add it to my wish list. Thank you.

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Lori Feller

what is the exterior materials and colors used on this house

   
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jmpjmp
Wonderful. The doors on the cabinets flanking the fireplace cry out for replacement with the golden grainy doors of the original.
   
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ggarbutt
The exterior siding is redwood with an oil stain. This didn't last too well so I'm replacing it with a solid acrylic stain. Probably a neutral warm gray. Originally it was a very dark brown creosote stain- heavily worn. The front is Doug fir posts and trim with transite (cementitouis) panels. All with semi gloss paints similar to original colors.
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Rio Robianto
Ideal house and has a beautiful design
   
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cindymaggio

I absolutely love this house! I know this is an older article, so I am not sure if you will answer. Do you happen to have any more of the original drawings that show the elevations and roof pitch? Thanks.

   
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ggarbutt

Sorry for late reply Cindy. The renderings in the article are all I've got. BTW, I like your ideas section, the pergolas article is inspiring