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1 Review

Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence

This was a labor of love and a lesson in restraint. My personal design style runs more towards French country, layering, and with hints of the American West. When I saw this house, I knew it was the right one for our family. The key was getting my husband to see it -- he couldn't get beyond the parquet flooring. But once he did, wow!!!!
Project Year: 2013
Country: United States
When we purchased this home in 2011, we were only the second owners! The home was built in 1960 by commercial builder, Ben Stern for his cousin's family. The minute we walked in the front door, we knew we had to have it.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
The first order of business was exterior painting, a new roof, and energy efficient windows. While we loved the look of the original Miami aluminum windows, they weren't suitable.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
Unfortunately, I don't have a green thumb - and the Lamb's Ear that looked so pretty a few months after we planted them, did not survive. Note the detail of the round decorative bricks; they also provide the wall along the drive and carport.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
See why we fell in love with this house? Upon entering the front door, the large windows in the living room and den opened up to the spacious back yard.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
Even though the house had a nice, two-car carport, we added a separate garage. With a half-acre lot, there was more than enough room.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
This view from the patio into the den. The deep soffits provide extra shade.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
In the laundry room, we elected to keep the original doors and cabinetry, only replacing the knobs and countertop.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
In the kitchen, the original birch cabinets got new backplates (we kept the original knobs), the countertops were upgraded to Caesarstone Quartz, and the backsplash was a beveled subway tile with vertical installation. The fiberglass inserts are original to the home.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
The eat-in kitchen is roomy and bright.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
View from the kitchen into the den.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
The original mural was created by the owner's brother. It kind of sold me on the house! My husband learned to love it as much as I did.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
Is it any wonder that when we put the house on the market, it was under contract in 5 hours???
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
This view of the family room, with the kitchen off tot he right and the dining room in the background. The measurements for this area are roughly 13' by 20'. It's a comfortable room with a great deal of natural light. The panelling, birch and black-trim room dividers, and built-ins are all original...
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
The birch panel dividers separate the den from the dining room. The shoji screens are original to the house. The glass doors on the entertainment center were originally birch and custom shelving was installed.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
While the dining room wasn't square, it certainly worked best with a round table. This one seats six comfortably and could squeeze 3 more in a pinch. Custom velvet curtains. The original rounded-brick carport wall can be seen through the windows. In this space, that is somewhat open to the family...
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
The fretwork dividers are original to the house ~ and just great!!!!
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern ResidenceL
When we purchased the home, I requested that all window treatments remain. While most of the rooms in the house are blue, there are, in fact 5 different blues throughout -- designed to work in tandem with the drapes and the light of each room.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
This room was used as my husband's office, what I call "command central." We used a dark gray on the doors and drawer fronts, Sherwin Williams Creamy on the woodwork, and a Benjamin Moore blue on the walls.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
Bed and Curtains from Ikea.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
In the guest room, we used a pale pink with High-Gloss Oil Paint in Creamy for the woodwork.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
The original master bath was less than 40 square feet --- so we took 36" out of the master bedroom to create a comfortable, functional bath. In the process, we added two overhead lights for the master bedroom.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
By moving the bedroom wall 32", we were able to turn a cramped 30 square foot bathroom into a functional and comfortable master bath for two. Every inch was utilitzed. I designed the custom cabinets to allow for ample storage in the drawers, towers for our daily toiletries, and a built-in laundry...
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
The master bath was expanded to include two sinks, a separate WC, and a spa-like shower.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
What do I miss most about this home? Perhaps the 36" drawer bank to the right of my sink. I designed it to hold my undergarments, work-out wear, essentially everything I would need when I got out of the shower.
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence
By moving the bedroom wall 32", we were able to turn a cramped 30 square foot bathroom into a functional and comfortable master bath for two. Every inch was utilitzed. I designed the custom cabinets to allow for ample storage in the drawers, towers for our daily toiletries, and a built-in laundry...
Forest Acres Mid-Century Modern Residence