California Dreaming - Page 2

"These are larger, later Eichlers, 2,305 to 2,500 square feet, according to the brochure, all designed by architect Claude Oakland," the story relates, quoting several longtime residents about both the homes themselves and the vibe of the area. "It is also a friendly neighborhood, while not the sort of place where everyone knows everyone and street parties are a regular order of business."

Most of the 34 homes in Walnut Grove have swimming pools, which, as you know from your aforementioned daydream, is another colorful feature of the new CA-Modern. Our 'Splash' story is a lushly illustrated spread of mid-century backyard swimming pools—from the domain of the upper crust to myriad tract homes of the middle class.

"When they [pools] first became popular in California, they made an enormous transformation in what people considered the family house," states Annie Kelly, a book author featured in the article.

"The average house suddenly became a resort, a place where you could recreate," she continues. "To have a swimming pool was really like bringing a vacation into your house."

Any home-resort worth its salt has stylish details, and preservation consultant Adriene Biondo provides the new issue a rundown on one that experts know as an escutcheon but many of us would call something like a 'doorplate thingy.'

'Doors to Adore' is our expert's review of MCM style in knobs and escutcheons, focusing on what used to be popular and what is available today.

"Since many doors were designed as flat, single panels, modern style and character were achieved with great effect through the use of contrasting door colors and distinctive hardware designed with oversized geometric circles, squares, rectangles, or stars and finished in silver or gold colors," recalls Biondo's diligently researched report. She goes on to review the best hardware available today as well as the unique challenges of upgrading your door as a DIY project.

The rest of this dreamy summer issue includes a feature on modernist typography ('Type that Talks'), a new installment of Cherry Capri's 'Dear Cherry' advice column, and the latest from our 'Unsung Masters of the Mid-Century' series, this time reviewing ten underrated films of the mid-century.

So be ye a modernist historian, a dedicated DIYer, or a movie-binging couch potato, you'll be able to find your particular style of dream sequence in the Summer '19 issue of CA-Modern magazine.