Mid Century Modern Home Feature: Architects Saul Zaik and Jack Shimshak
NW Regional mid century modern home designed by Saul Zaik and Jack Shimshak 1963 - $719k
main entry
model of home
I had the opportunity (with permission from the listing agent) to take a tour of this amazingly well preserved mid century modern home designed by famous Portland Oregon architects Saul Zaik and Jack Shimshak (under the Zaik/Miller firm). The home was custom built in 1963 and it appears that nothing has been altered/changed since it was built. The home has a Northwest Regional design, which makes a Saul Zaik home easy to identify (still currently designing here). There are 3 bedroom, 3 baths, 2 fireplaces, upper and lower floor, floor to ceiling glass, vaulted wood ceilings, circular driveway, original (functioning) intercom system, original stove, 3,200 sq ft, and it is built in a wooded area which makes you feel like you are at a modern ski lodge. More photos here.
Located in the Greenhills area:
5608 SW Sweetbriar Rd
Portland, Oregon 97221
Design Feature: Northwest Regional Style
Swan House by John Yeon
The Northwest Regional Style was a popular building style in the Pacific Northwest from 1935 – 1960. The most notable characteristics of the Northwest Regional Style are wood framed construction, siding, roofs that were often left unpainted, floor to ceiling glass windows to bring natural light in, open floor plans, low slung silhouettes to blend homes into their environment, and minimal decoration. Architects such as John Yeon, Pietro Belluschi, Van Bailey were credited with being the creators of this style. Conceptually, it was how these architects placed a structure into the landscape rather than building over the natural landscape.
Some of the characteristics of the Northwest Regional Style are making a comeback in popularity, specifically the use of unpainted wood, generous use of windows for natural light, and clean modern lines. Also, these structures are described as being “Dwell-inspired”, Westcoast Contemporary or Northwest Regionalism style.
Westcoast Contemporary/Northwest Regionalism
More Posts on Northwest Regional Style:
- Mid Century Modern Home Feature: Saul Zaik and Jack Shimshak
- Architect Feature: John Yeon
- Architect William Fletcher
- Architect John Storrs
- Architect Pietro Belluschi
Shag Midcentury Modern
mid-century modern sofa at Shag
While cruising the local vintage store circuit the other day, I decided to stop in at Shag since I had checked out their website and it looked like they might have some interesting pieces. It is located on a small strip of stores on Sandy right across from the Hollywood Theater. The storefronts have been around for some time and have kept their original vintage charm which adds to the vintage furniture shopping experience. The interior is a 1,200 sq. ft. showroom where the furniture displays are all arranged in groups where the pieces complement each other. You can tell they hand pick good quality items and the owner, who was running the show while I was there, said that they have new inventory all of the time from designers such as: Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Borge Mogensen, Arne Jacobsen, George Nelson and more (they also post their inventory on their site). This is a must stop for someone who is furnishing their home with mid-century pieces.
You can also order on their site the REAC mini design chairs (multiple volumes) which are a lot less expensive than the Eames collectibles ($129 for set vs $250 for one Eames chair).
mini mid-century design chairs
Located in the Hollywood District:
4071 NE Sandy Blvd
Portland Oregon 97212
Mid Century Ranch – Montavilla
mid century ranch 1916 SE 76th Ave ~ $260k
I was out touring the new listings in Montavilla today and saw this cute little 850 sq. ft. ranch built in 1950 that has a very modern design. It almost has a completely flat, slightly pitched roof and from the outside looks tiny, almost like a doll house. However, I was surprised at how spacious it felt once I was inside, the rooms feel large due to the high ceiling. There are beam ceilings (that I would paint oxford brown), original 50’s tile in the kitchen, new hardware on kitchen cabinets that give it an original feel, newly refinished hardwood floors. I drove around the next couple of blocks and there are quite a few homes with the same design that are so cute (probably most are under 1,000 sq ft). This is a mid century hot spot that I am going to keep my eye on since it is so close to Mt. Tabor and there were a couple of fixers in the bunch.
Located in Montavilla:
1916 SE 76th Ave
Portland Oregon 97215
Atomic Ranch – Mt. Tabor Portland Oregon
Mt. Tabor Atomic Ranch Portland, Oregon. 6440 SE Pine ~ $889k
kitchen
living room
pool
While browsing through the listings in my neighborhood looking for a great mid century find, I stumbled upon this amazing Atomic Ranch offering owned by Portland’s famous Poiriers. Now, if you don’t know who the Poiriers are then you haven’t been into NE/SE Portland ever (they even have a song written about them). Anyway, since I haven’t actually seen the inside myself, I wrote Jerry to see when they are doing their next open house and guess what? They will be doing one next Sunday July 19th from 1-4pm, so not only do I get to go in and see it but so can you! Judging by the photos that they sent me it looks like they have spent a lot of time and money on upgrading this home while preserving the mid century aesthetic. Built in 1962 (the Poiriers purchased it from the original owner who was 98 when they sold it), it has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3,540 sq ft.
Here are a few of the feature in case you weren’t drooling enough:
- 3 fireplaces (2 gas)
- 2 family rooms
- in ground salt water pool
- new plumbing, electrical, insulation
- solid maple kitchen cabinets
- Jenn-air double stainless oven & warmer oven
- surround interior & patio sound
Located on Mt. Tabor:
6440 SE Pine
Portland Oregon 97215
More modern homes & stores here.
Contact me to recieve mid century home listings daily.
Mid Century Modern Home Design – Frank Shell Home
built in 1960 by architect Frank Shell for himself - currently on market for $305K
concrete hallway
outdoor fireplace
Looking through the home listings the other day I came across this incredible mid century modern listing. It was custom built in 1960 by architect Frank Shell for himself. Inside of the house were poster boards with some of his design projects specifically Camp Arrowhead, Estacada High School, and some detailed foot bridge plans. The house has multiple atriums (which was great for lighting because there was no electricity on), floor to ceiling glass in most rooms, post and beam ceilings, outdoor fireplace, cork floors, concrete halls, radiant floor heat, and a lot of original fixtures still intact.
More photos here.
Located in the Ash Creek area:
4725 SW Canterbury Ln
Portland Oregon 97219
More MCM design posts:
- Mid Century Modern Home Feature NW Portland
- Rummer Mid Century Modern
- Mid Century Modern Home Feature: Saul Zaik and Jack Shimshak
Eichler Park – Beaverton Oregon
Eichler Park
UPDATE PART 2:
Per Tualatin Parks and Recreation records, the 2.58 acres for Eichler Park was donated in May of 1992 by Oregon resident Alena Eichler who owned the last at least as far back at 1943. They named the park after her and not California builder Joseph Eichler. The land that Rummer donated to the city was turned into Taliesen Park in the Highland neighborhood where some of his homes were built.
*Even though this park now has nothing to do with Rummer, I am going to leave this post up since it is an interesting story/coincidence.
UPDATE: so I went to an event where Rummer was interviewed and he said that he dedicated this plot of land to the city of Beaverton for a park and the city named the park Eichler Park (which he did not seem very happy about). Maybe the city should be petitioned to change the name to Rummer Park? Just a thought…
Eichler Park is a small city park that is located 2 blocks north of where Bob Rummer built some of his famous modern homes. The park has a beautiful community garden space and play area for children.
Located in Beaverton:
4770 SW 139th
Beaverton Oregon 97005
Architect Feature: Webster Wilson
- Webster Wilson design on Mt. Tabor
Being a fan of modern architecture, I have been drooling over this listing ever since it hit the market. It is one of the few homes designed and built by architect Webster Wilson and Portland is lucky to be one of the cities that he has chosen to construct one of his masterpieces in. Webster Wilson was born and raised in West Cornwall, Connecticut. Wilson has worked for multiple award winning architecture firms in Connecticut, Paris, Seattle, and New York. His own sauna design (his thesis project) won a Wood Design Award in 2004 and was featured in Dwell, Sunset, and Fine Homebuilding magazine. Wilson has also designed homes in Vermont, Hawaii, and Seattle and is currently working on a remodel of a Bungalow in Portland among other projects listed on his site.
This home is located at 1534 SE 71st on Mt. Tabor and is listed for $895k.
Lounge Lizard Home Furnishings – Portland, Oregon
inside of Lounge Lizard, mid century modern vintage home furnishings
While out and about searching for the perfect cabinet to house towels in my bathroom, I decided to actually go inside of Lounge Lizard to see if they had anything that would work for me. I have driven by many times and have always assumed that A) it is going to be way too cool for me and B) it will be outrageously expensive for used stuff. Well, I was pretty much wrong on both counts. Don’t get me wrong, it is a very cool store but I never felt uncomfortable or snubbed, as a matter of fact, they were super helpful and let me take tons of photos to get 2nd opinions. The prices were much lower than some of the competition out there and the merchandising is fabulous. Even if I don’t get one of the cabinets that I found, while I was there I created a wish list millions of miles long. If you are into mid century design they had a good selection of retro vintage furnishings that were in excellent shape.
Located on Hawthorne in Ladds Addition:
1310 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, Oregon 97214
Design Feature: Rummer Homes, Portland Oregon
8535 SW Bohmann Parkway (currently for sale $459,900) UPDATE:THIS HOUSE IS SOLD $400K
Builder Bob Rummer built Eichler-esque homes in Portland during the 1960’s and 70’s after his wife Phyllis toured Eichler’s Rancho San Miguel subdivision in Walnut Creek California in 1959. Rummer built up to 750 of these mid century modern designed homes in Oregon, and they have had a cult like following for some time. Some of the floor plans include atriums that bring the outdoors in and according to multiple owners, that is one of the most treasured feature of their Rummers*. Other features of a Rummer are: large windows to connect you to the outdoors as much as possible, post and beam vaulted ceilings originally painted with Rodda’s Oxford Brown, gally kitchen’s with Thermadore stainless ovens and cooktops, and radiant heat floors.
If you are in the market for a Rummer be prepared to spend $20k – $30k more than comparable homes that are not Rummer’s design. They are highly sought after (especially after the Dwell magazine feature) and are very limited.
*not all Rummer plans have atriums
If you own a Rummer home I would love to feature your home on my site, please contact me here.
For a list of all of the Rummer homes for sale in the Portland area visit the Rummer page where I will update listings as they hit market.
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