perfect (perfect) cliff may in long beach; 1954 never looked so good

Cliff May is considered the father of the post-war California Ranch home, and Long Beach, quite near where I live, has a substantial Cliff May housing tract. Just a day before its first open house, I got a little sneak peek of a really impressive Cliff May.

They had me at the front door. Awesome coordinated light turquoise retro door with a Firesticks succulent in a matching pot.

#psmw 2014 signature home tour: glamorous mid-century treasure, herbert burns arhcitect

The 2014 Palm Springs Modernism Week Signature Home tour did not disappoint. Honestly, they outdid themselves this years. Seven amazing homes in three hours. Mom and I moved fast.

With a mail box like this, how could you go wrong? Not to be a tease but this landscaping is VERY similar to something we have going on, and I will reveal when all is complete. Okay 95% complete. We never get to 100%. Ever.

cliff may 1954 rancho-style mid-century in long beach - #2

Okay, I can't hold out. You really need to see the second Cliff May I toured last Saturday. The first one was exquisite, honestly perfect in every way. This little beauty is an equally special treasure.

It does give out a bit of that mid-century tiki bar party vibe. For sure.

#dwell home tours la: las tunas malibu, architect bruce bolander

A house tour is like a treasure hunt. The morning of, I wake up excited -- not sure what the day will bring. Don't get me wrong, house tours take a certain amount of endurance. There is the uncertainty for sure. Will the homes be spread up and down the Los Angeles freeway system? Will the tour organizers make attendees line up and go in two at a time to protect the precious houses?

But there is also the unadulterated joy, when you step into a home that you would never, ever, be able to see in your wildest dreams, in your "real" life. The last home of the June 15, Dwell L.A. West Side Tour was just such a home and something I thought we could all enjoy.

#dwellondesign home tours l.a. 2013: garten and reid residence

It's that time of year again! @Dwell is back in town with their June 21-23 Dwell on Design show which also includes home tours. Sunday, June 15 kicked off with @DwellOnDesign's L.A. West Side Tour.

I walked up to this home on the tour, the Garten & Reid Residence in Venice.Yawn.

#pasadena modern tour: Dorland House, 1950, Lloyd Wright, Architect

It was perhaps this house that I got most excited about the opportunity to visit on the  Pasadena Heritage 1940 Forward Modern House Tour.  (You can see all six homes here.) I have a very soft spot in my heart for Frank Lloyd Wright and was quite curious to see what his son had contributed to mid-century architecture.

Honestly, not disappointed. At all.

#pasadena modern tour: test house 1952

Our Pasadena Heritage 1940 Forward Modern House Tour continues with the Test House. (You can see all six homes here.) No, this "Test" is not like a Case Study Home.

This ornamental rail design is used throughout the house.

It is a home architected by Lawrence Test for his family in Pasadena.

an eichler in orange?

What self-respecting mid-century modern fan doesn't love an Eichler? I have often harbored dreams that our house is an Eichler because whoever designed it certainly ripped off all the elements: the central courtyard, plank ceilings, flat roof, and wood floors.

Looks kind of like an Eichler? See the window strip on the right?
The post and beam construction, the plank ceiling, blah blah, I could show you more.

Alas, I have never gone done to the Newport Beach City Building Department to inspect the original plans to see exactly who the mystery plagiarist is. Maybe I will, when the building department moves to their new Taj Mahal location just down the street.