Houzz Tour: Eclectic Eichler in Northern California
Vintage treasures, found pieces and neutral colors make the most of an iconic designer's California modern creation
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it.
You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel... More »
When Jennifer Jones, owner of the San Francisco boutique Candy Store Collective, first saw the Eichler house in Oakland, California, that would become her home, she was wowed by the views: a giant expanse of the San Francisco Bay, right behind the swimming pool.
But Joseph Eichler's iconic design principles of light, air and openness were the real selling points for Jones, a vintage and midcentury collector with a great eye for sidewalk treasure.
When she set about filling the rooms, she found that she needed a little help. There was so much space, and every room seemed to look through the central courtyard onto every other room. She enlisted her friend and designer Nicole Socia, and together they set out to decorate the house, a rental, mostly using the stuff Jones already had, adding a few things and, of course, keeping it very personal.
What they came up with is sort of a modern period piece — a bohemian, artistic pad (shouldn't houses like this always be called pads?) that is both personal and iconic. Bonus: It didn't cost a ton.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer Jones and Caleb Poterbin
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: Jones was looking for furniture on Craigslist when she saw the Eichler listing. She and Poterbin rented it despite having no previous plans to move.
But Joseph Eichler's iconic design principles of light, air and openness were the real selling points for Jones, a vintage and midcentury collector with a great eye for sidewalk treasure.
When she set about filling the rooms, she found that she needed a little help. There was so much space, and every room seemed to look through the central courtyard onto every other room. She enlisted her friend and designer Nicole Socia, and together they set out to decorate the house, a rental, mostly using the stuff Jones already had, adding a few things and, of course, keeping it very personal.
What they came up with is sort of a modern period piece — a bohemian, artistic pad (shouldn't houses like this always be called pads?) that is both personal and iconic. Bonus: It didn't cost a ton.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer Jones and Caleb Poterbin
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: Jones was looking for furniture on Craigslist when she saw the Eichler listing. She and Poterbin rented it despite having no previous plans to move.
Eichler epitomized the California modern aesthetic. These are the house's original light fixtures, floors and ceilings. Most of Jones' furniture was either found on the street or purchased cheaply at flea markets.
The large, open living room is kept uncluttered and airy (long, custom shelves along one wall are for her well-curated collections). The lines are mostly midcentury, and the colors are all neutral.
This is one of two vintage white chairs Jones scored on Craigslist, next to a shag beanbag from PB Teen. Plants in every room add an organic look and keep the house from feeling too static.
An acrylic side table reflects the many glass walls in the house and plays with the airy feeling. As do the air plants.
There are small plant vignettes everywhere. Most of them are in white planters, and they add a touch of vibrant life.
The eat-in kitchen is furnished with a set of brown acrylic chairs from the '70s. This is so swinging.
In the tiny den area off the kitchen, books are stacked by color. Jones calls it her "bookshelf made of books."
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| The Frem Røjle Danish modern dining set was bought for "supercheap," says Jones, in Portland, Oregon. Its bones are pure midcentury modern. |
This acrylic bar was Jones' first-ever vintage purchase. A must for the grooviest cocktail parties.
A vintage nassa shell lampshade from the Philippines. Similar ones can be found on eBay or in beachside trinket shops.
The master bedroom is small (as was the style back then) and furnished in Jones' trademark simple vintage style (with plants, always with plants). The dresser is a flea market find, and she found the round mirror in an alley in San Francisco. Yes, she's lucky, but it's because she keeps her eyes peeled.
The original Eichler sliding glass doors offer an expansive view of the backyard and the San Francisco Bay beyond it. An Ikea sheepskin covers a found vintage chair.
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| Jones loves vintage paintings of California landscapes. She collects them at flea markets and garage sales. Next: More Midcentury Houzz Tours |
Comments
olldbobbi Nicely done! I live in Northern California, too, and I never find roadside stuff like that! I must not travel the right roads.....
13 months ago · Like
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Jamieson Love Eichler's work! What lucky people to live in a piece of American mid- century history! Glad it's furnished with mid century flair, but also infused with the homeowner's own personal sense of style. Well done!
13 months ago · Like
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embaucom What is the painting on the brick above the fireplace?
13 months ago · Like
kelmick Normally, Eichler homes are not my cup of tea. But this home is so beautifully decorated and cared for, I find myself wishing it was. Simultaneously stylish and charming.
13 months ago · Like
Becky Harris I love the way these homeowners have honored the house's history while making it their own!
13 months ago · Like
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ThankU.ca That place looks sooo comfortable! anyone know what the bed linens are?
13 months ago · Like
amsterdam_avenue White isn't normally my color but i'd move right in here. What a lovely home.
13 months ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Their home is beautifully put together. Long, low bookshelves are a good solution, if you have a lot of books and a lot of art. The plants are very 70s.
13 months ago · Like
kbaywitch Clean in every sense of the word. And in good taste. Thanks for sharing. GG
13 months ago · Like
vegasvic777 The art work on the fireplace looks to be a Curtis Jere metal sculpture. I believe it's a peacock and If found on the street they were very lucky. They usually are priced at 600.00 or more
13 months ago · Like
Samantha Schoech I'm not sure who did the peacock sculpture but it was not street find. It was once for sale at Jone's SF boutique The Candystore Collective http://www.candystorecollective.com/.
13 months ago · Like
trebinje This Eichler is but one of a bazillion ordinary, cookie-cutter homes that were slapped into crowded Oakland (also, Marin, San Mateo & Santa Clara County) subdivisions in the 60's by greedy Bay Area real estate developers. Don't understand the nostalgia for this style that represents a period in California architectural history when art and form was sacrificed for the almighty dollar. Maybeck and Morgan ... now THAT's California style!
12 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on May 23, 2012.
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