Rikkitikki's Profile

In 1950, 9 out of 10 houses were 1000 sf, single story, 2 bedroom/1 bath priced at about $11,000 (US Census). There is no census data on style until the 1970s. The plan books (1945-1955) show a trend after WWII of building homes almost identical to those built in the 1930s. After the War, they were a mix of small traditional and starter houses. Though the ranch style gained popularity after the War, the ranch phenom really didn't take hold until about 1955, when the economy really began to pick up steam.

When I started researching mid century architecture, I expected to see more modern design earlier, but it took 20 years for the avant garde designers to gain any traction with middle-class home builders.

It's also important to remember that the ranch is a child of the bungalow movement (1900-1920). Open floor plans, natural materials, and integration with outdoor living rooms were hallmarks of the earliest California bungalows.

So many ideas! In case you want a peek at the opinions of what constituted a dignified paint job back in the day ... http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/outside/color/goodhouse-badpaint.htm ... I'm kind of digging the gray and brown 3rd down on the right. Painting is such a big job I wouldn't want to mess it up with the wrong color. ~R