back of the double gabled Gresham Rummer *Not For Sale*

A little while ago I stumbled across a very entertaining blog about a family (the Lewis’) from Gresham restoring/remodeling their Rummer home.  They do not make it look fast or easy but it is very entertaining getting to take a peek into their remodeling projects and the outcome is always amazing, they do such a great job! Another thing that I love about the Lewis’ blog is that the entire family is excited about their home projects, they make it feel like the home is a family member and not just a place to live.

So after I had devoured all of the blogs contents, I contacted Steve and Haley and invited myself over to tour and get a first hand look of their restoration project.  When I visited they had zero kitchen, it was gutted to the studs (very brave).  Haley took me on the tour and explained all of the pretty, clean lines they are going to open up throughout the home, to take it back to the way it was intended to look (& then some).

The kitchen design is influenced by case study home #22.  Here is the plan:

kitchen plan, modeled after case study home #22 - (photo by the Lewis')

case study house #22 - photo by Julius Shulman

Update: Since I have visited, the Lewis’ have put the kitchen back together.  Pics here!  It is amazing, thanks for sharing it with us.

P.S. can’t wait to see what they do with that ‘56 Airstream Safari aka Plan B

Gresham Rummer holiday ~ beautiful! (photos by the Lewis')

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.

More Rummer Related Blog Posts:

• Rummer Mid Century Modern Home – Bonnie Brae
• Rummer Neighborhood – Oak Hills
• About Rummer Homes
• Rummer Page

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.

More Rummer Posts:

• Mid Century Modern Homebuilder Rummer Speaking at Rejuvenation Benefit
• Rummer Mid Century Modern Home – Portland Oregon
• Oak Hills Neighborhood – Mid Century Homes

Rummer Home

Rejuvenation is hosting a benefit in conjunction with the Street of Eames – Portland’s Modern Home Tour on November 4th at 6pm.  The special guest speaker is  going to be local legend mid century modern builder Robert Rummer!  Becca Cavell of THA Architecture Inc. will also speak, introduce and interview Mr. Rummer at the event.

Important Info:

You need to RSVP for this event and I was just notified that they will be at maximum capacity by this weekend.  This means you need to sign up right now….here!

There is a suggested donation of $20 at the door that will benefit the Street of Eames after school programs for homeless youth.

There will be light refreshments served.

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.

Located at:

1100 SE Grand

Portland, OR

Oak Hills formal entrance

Oak Hills neighborhood map

mid century designed recreation center

The Oak Hills neighborhood is one of the areas that I keep tabs on listings in.  There are 23 Rummer built homes in this neighborhood that periodically go on market as well as other well built mid century homes.  The community is located in Beaverton and has it’s own recreation center (with pool), greenways with walking paths, sport fields, playground, tennis courts, and elementary school.

I had the opportunity to tour this Rummer (pictured below) a little while ago that is surprisingly still on market.

Oak Hills Rummer 15435 NW Perimeter Drive ~ $475k

atrium and living room

To view homes for sale in the Oak Hills  neighborhood visit the listings page 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.

Photos courtesy of Mark McGinley

Rummer Home 13770 SW Bonnie Brae ~ $479,900 (SOLD -$410K)

atrium in the Rummer home

kitchen living space

mid century modern globe lights

This mid century modern listing found it’s way to my inbox via repdx (thanks for the tip!), the photos were amazing so I had to head out and see it for myself.  The company that is selling the home, Phoenix Redevelopment Inc., buys and refurbishes properties all over Portland.  I have seen a lot of their listings and they typically renovate older homes, this is the first time that I have seen a mid century modern home in their line up (I could be wrong).  Usually one cringes when they see the words “renovate” when paired with “mid century” because a lot of people upgrade to a newer look instead of restoring the original concept. Phoenix did a good job restoring this Rummer, they have kept as much original detail as possible i.e. sliding doors, floor to ceiling windows, exposed beam ceiling, cement floors, radiant heat and have paired it with tasteful modern fixes where preservation was not possible.  Some of the upgrades include: new roof, newer bath fixtures (dual flush toilets), on demand water heater, exterior window upgrade,  new cork floors, recycled glass kitchen counters (sparkly!), updated electric more details here.  If you are wondering what is a Rummer (rhymes with summer)? Here is the answer.

P.S. if you love all things Rummer, stay tuned, we will be announcing some fun Rummer events coming up in the next couple of months!

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.

Here is a video tour of the home:

Here is a tour of the neighborhood, working on getting my full face in the shot:

Another after I turned the corner (more extreme close ups):

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

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.

More Rummer Posts:

• Robert Rummer Interview
• Rummer Mid Century Modern Home
• Oak Hills Neighborhood – Rummer Homes