"These modest homes were the fulfillment of the American middle-class dream, bringing a higher standard of living to average people, and giving birth to a whole new way of life. There is a type of beauty in their simplicity, their efficient use of space, and the creativity with which they employed inexpensive materials to deliver a modern look." ~Rob Keil
Twenty-five inspiring homes are showcased in Atomic Ranch. Outdoor red walls are gorgeous with greenery and stone fountains while indoors we find warm sunny rooms with fireplaces and stylish comfy shag carpets.
The beautiful windows of walls on the exterior of the houses allows an open expression and brings nature indoors. The front of the houses retains privacy while the backyards open up into landscapes filled with unique rock pools and lush foliage.
"Escape to the Islands" is one room filled with rattan furniture, tiki mugs, island art and sea grass mats. The collection of Fiestaware pitchers and colorful housewares adds nostalgia and a longing for the serene simplicity of the past.
I'm always intrigued by the Eero Saarinen Womb Chairs (Shown temptingly throughout the entire book numerous times!) and there is a beautiful red chair in a cozy corner beneath a wall lamp which can I say costs about three thousand dollars for the chair and ottoman. It is on my eternal wish list! Rarely has any piece of furniture so captured my attention.
The kitchens all have a classic streamlined appeal and it makes you want to go look for your Betty Crocker Cooky Book (ISBN 0764566377) and bake up something with vanilla frosting and coconut like Bonbon Cookies. The turquoise, orange and sunlit white (very mild yellow) cabinets in one kitchen create a playful lime/lemon/orange citrus theme that is surprisingly appealing and playful.
With many of the furniture pieces being reissued you can truly recreate the magic of a bygone era. Personally, I'm dreaming of a shag carpet in the living room. You don't have to redecorate the entire house, but you might want to incorporate elements from various settings to create the cozy warmth you desire. Unique features like a fireplace filled with river rocks and candles or the patio with an outdoor dining table presents comfort and practicality. The pictures show you how you can mix and match a variety of colors and furniture styles to create inviting spaces for entertaining or relaxing. The use of purple, red and green as wall colors enlivens the rooms and reminds me of reading about famous literary figures and how they painted each room a different color. It is striking and adventurous.
~The Rebecca Review