Mid-Century Modern Time Capsule

Have you ever wondered, what is the history of this house? Who designed it, why were some choices made, or who once lived here? I discovered just that with this mid-century modern time capsule in St. Johns, Oregon.

I LOVE history and especially love the hunt for house history. When searching for homes with my clients, I do my research to see what fun tib-bits I can find on the ones they love. While lounging on the couch, I’m a house sleuth online discovering what I can about the history of some of Portland’s finest houses. Sometimes there are some nuggets to be found, but most often a history can be lost if the records we’re not kept by previous owners, or the story of the house wasn’t passed down owner to owner.

I had the incredible opportunity to discover details about this mid-century modern time capsule in North Portland recently, as it was once upon a time in my family. Seeing pictures online from a friend in the industry that went to the estate sale recently, I knew I recognized that carpeted firepit. I sent the picture to my cousin to confirm and yes, this was the house! Putting an alert on the address, I knew it would most likely pop onto the market soon, and once it did, in the door we went.  Turns out, my cousins Grandma Bunnie helped design this beauty back in 1956. There isn’t another like it out there. Over the weekend, we met at the house to explore, reminisce, and tell stories. As houses have so many of them.

This Mid-Century Modern home saw a family grow through almost four generations. Bunnie designed this to fit all of the needs of a large 1950’s family. There are built-ins with drawers and cupboards in nearly every room and hallway, easier to keep the house clean and organized. A once covered outdoor patio was remodeled early on to become an indoor space with the fire pit still intact. Then they added the spiral staircase to get downstairs to the pool/bar room, three other bedrooms, and an incredibly large workshop. There are electrical plugs everywhere, even on the ceiling in some rooms. No need for extension cords! There are two wet bars, one upstairs, one down. With over 5,000 square feet, this two-level mid-century modern home has it all, and has hardly been changed since it was built. There is still the old shag carpet, wallpaper, all the knobs, (there were hundreds, and they’re all the same!). I learned why there are two separate mailboxes, due to Little Bit, the poodle, that would eat the mail if it came through the slot. Why there is a custom switch alarm to lock the house up from the primary bedroom. How the intercom throughout the house was used. So many memories and stories with this one. A true time capsule.

I have a few memories coming here as a young child, playing with my cousins running up and down the spiral staircase, even though we weren’t supposed to, to even finding a hidden box of 1950’s Playboys in the basement! This house had it all. And well, it still does.

Want to know the history of a house? I love being a house sleuth and discovering the why’s, who’s and all the in-between. Every house has a story to tell, and this mid-century modern home sure struck close to home.

 

To see more videos of this MCM and many others, go to @janelleisrealestate on Instagram or TikTok.

Janelle Freeman, Realtor (@janelleisrealestate) | Instagram

Over 5,000 square feet in here!
Once outdoor, now indoor firepit.
The secret alarm switches hidden in the Primary bedroom closet.
The lower level bar/pool room.
One of many build-ins.
All original fabulous pink bathroom.
The Spiral Staircase.

MID-CENTURY TIME CAPSULE WITH GREAT BONES!

Mid-Century Time Capsule with Great Bones! 

6345 NE Roselawn Street, Portland, OR 97218

Offered at $399,000

  2 BEDROOM | 2 BATH |  1,876 SQFT
MLS # 21055879| TAXES: $4,090

Please see listing for Covid-19 safety procedures.

Here’s an amazing opportunity to roll up your sleeves and renovate this mid-century home teeming with vintage vibes! Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two driveways! Large basement, bonus spaces and an extra fireplace. Entertain in your large back yard with covered patio. Cozy up to a fire in the fireplace in the spacious living room. This Cully hot spot is a biker’s paradise close to all the neighborhood has to offer and easy access to NE Portland and downtown.

WHAT’S AROUND – WANT TO GO FOR A WALK? A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN SOUND FUN? NEED TO GRAB SOME GROCERIES?

      • Khunamokwst Park
      • Sacajawea Dog Park
      • Cully Park
      • Angel Food & Fun
      • Cully Central
      • Prescott Cafe
      • Jump Jump Music
      • Albertsons
      • NEPO42
      • Pizza Jerk
      • Cully Farmers Market
      • The Merry Kitchen
      • Rigler Community Garden
      • Gracewood Studio

HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES:

      • Time capsule mid-century modern teeming with vintage vibes and ready for your updates
      • Formal dining + living rooms with fireplace and great light
      • 2 bedrooms, with ample closet space, and 1 bath on main
      • Spacious lower level includes family room with built-in modern bar, original paneling, bonus room with fireplace, full bath, workshop, storage, and separate entrance – great for parties or an ADU
      • Hardwood floors under carpet
      • Two driveways – 1 at garage and 1 at the entrance to the back yard
      • Large 60 x 103 lot with flower beds in front and covered patio in back

 



About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Fun with Vintage Flooring

Ever climbed into an attic room and found an original true linoleum “art rug” preserved for perpetuity? Maybe, you walked down into a dark basement, hit the lights and a crazy quilt pattern of asphalt or vinyl composition tiles or polished stones greeted you? Or perhaps, your agent (hopefully me) merely popped the front door to a vast wonderland of SHAG carpet?

A 2013 study conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that 54% of buyers were willing to pay more for homes decked out in hardwood. And in 2019, new wood flooring ranked as the #4 most popular project to attract potential buyers, right below kitchen-related projects and HVAC replacements. Wood flooring is any product manufactured as timber flooring that is designed for use as flooring, either structural or aesthetic. Wood is a common choice as a flooring material and can come in various styles, colors, cuts, and species. Timber flooring is a product of nature. It’s also commonly known as wood flooring and hardwood flooring in the market. Timber flooring is a product that manufactured from timber to provide warm and an easy feeling on the feet. Timber flooring that constructed with more than 1 layer of wood.

If you’ve ever shopped for a home, I’m pretty sure this has happened to you!  As a REALTOR® specializing in mid-century and “period-perfect” time capsules, I’ve been documenting floors for some time.  These are floors from houses 1890-1980 in the Portland Metro Area.  Watch for my post on Wall Papers, next!

Here are some of my collection:

And a few random floors, just for fun:

Mid-Century Time Capsule

Happy Buyers in their new kitchenTalk about magical alignment! These two fine folks accepted and offer and had an offer accepted in the same day! Completely worried that their Portland house wouldn’t sell, kismet stepped in! Not only was the buyer of their former home thrilled as punch, but now they get to live in a mid-century time capsule, on a large lot, at the end of a darling cul-de-sac in Milwaukie…are you swooning yet?

About Us:
Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.