marisa swenson Archives - Living Room Realty

Mid-Century Modern Homes Rock in Gresham

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Living Room Realty

East Multnomah County has a treasure trove of hip homes and two are on a May tour.

The Gresham area is a treasure trove of the popular and meticulously designed mid-century modern homes and two of them will be included on a Saturday, May 11, regional tour of these in-demand houses.

“There are some hidden gems in great little neighborhoods” in East Multnomah County, says Marisa Swenson, a REALTOR® and specialist in mid-century modern homes. She is the proud owner of one of the Gresham mid-century modern homes on the tour.

Swenson’s home was designed by architect Day Hilborn and constructed by commercial builder Paul E Emerick. The other Gresham residence on the tour is a beauty built in 1976 by local mid-century master Robert Rummer.

Although always in demand, mid-century modern homes have enjoyed a major resurgence in popularity recently, brought on in part by the wild success of the TV series “Mad Men” set in the stylish, Kennedy-era 1960s and more recently “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” set in 1958. The clothing, furniture, and other designs figure so prominently in these shows that they essentially become a recurring character.

Learn more about these stylish abodes in the article by Teresa Carson HERE

Oregon’s Coolest Mid-Century Modern Houses: Builder Bob Rummer’s Enduring Legacy

Posted on May 2, 2019May 1, 2019 by Living Room Realty

Traditionalists turned up their noses and scratched their heads when they saw Robert Rummer’s wide-open, glass-walled modern homes in the 1960s. The tract developer, now 91, had an uphill battle with banks, building inspectors and homebuyers who couldn’t see the allure of dwellings designed to encourage then-revolutionary indoor-outdoor living.

But Portlanders who appreciated Frank Lloyd Wright’s later work and developer Joseph Eichler’s atrium-centered homes in California instantly understood the appeal of soaring living rooms with see-through sliding doors that opened to patios.

Marisa Swenson of Modern Homes Portland – Living Room realty, calls Rummer a risk taker who “brought unique, bold home designs to our area, changing the real estate landscape, challenging home buyers to live differently.”

Read more history on Robert Rummer in Janet Eastman’s Oregonian article HERE.

Bye-Bye Boring: Remaking the Common Ranch-House

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Living Room Realty

There’s a lot to love about the common ranch-style house. Most of the horizontal, ground-hugging ramblers built for middle-class families in the 1950s and 1960s boom years had hardwood floors, brick fireplaces, and layouts that were easy to expand into the big, grassy backyard.

Architecture snobs sneer at the “granny ranch” or deride one as “just another ranchburger.” And yet, the appeal of a ranch reigns. It’s adaptable. Add a family room off the kitchen. Create a separate apartment in the daylight basement. Or, strip away decades of adornments to create a sleek, midcentury moderns with glass w alls, says Marisa Swenson of Modern Homes Portland and Living Room Realty, who specializes in cool post WWII dwellings.

Alyssa Starelli, an agent with Living Room Realty who focuses on “period-perfect” midcentury homes, also applauds ranches’ solid construction and large inventory.

If a remodel-minded client wants a ceiling vaulted, walls removed, or the fireplace remade, if it’s not possible in one ranch house it certainly will be in another, says Starelli, who posts vintage house plans on Instagram.

Even without modifications, the ranch has elements buyers want today: Living rooms connected to dining spaces, bedrooms on the same floor and wide hallways, making it easier for people with mobility limitations to maneuver.

Click HERE to read the full article by Janet Eastman in the Oregonian and see some before and after photos of remodeled ranches.

Just Listed: Elegance on Edgewater

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Living Room Realty

1947 NE Edgewater Drive

PORTLAND, OR 97211

Simply stunning custom luxury home, this large .75 acre lot is on a private cul-de-sac that backs to the Columbia Edgewater Country Club and acres of open green space. Soaring barrel vaulted ceilings in the living room with travertine floors and a gas fireplace. Perfect for entertaining with a chefs kitchen that opens to the dining and family room. An opulent master on the main with a double sided fireplace, a luxurious spa like bathroom with heated tile floors, workout room and a large walk-in closet. Upper level family room complete with a wet bar, covered balcony and surround sound throughout the home both inside and out. Entertain outdoors on the expansive open and covered patios surrounded by lush landscaping and exterior illumination. This custom home features high end architectural details and built ins, a private gated drive and a 6 car garage with room for RV storage.