Midwestern Midcentury

Angles Away! Kinky Mid-Century Modern House in Illinois

Two views of the "kink" in our wrap-around MCM house.  Was the architect inspired by a game of Twister?

 

Moline, Illinois Leaf Vacuum Truck in Action!

Feast your eyes on this shocking but tasty yard waste removal video footage.  Well, I guess it's not that shocking.  A new and controversial* local burn ban is in effect, so the Moline, Illinois street maintenance trucks and personnel are busy, and "recreational" fires are raging.  Weiner roast anyone?

*When did breathing clean air become controversial?

It's Fall...Again...at the Midwestern Midcentury House

 

Our twin oaks still have a few fall leaves on them.  The rest are on the yard...and the street.  I spent part of the day today raking the rascals into a row by the curb.  The city of Moline, Illinois provides a leaf vacuuming service, but unfortunately they don't drive those big trucks onto each lawn.  Then again, do I really want giant tire ruts in the yard?  I'm still thinking about that one.

In past years we have jumped on leaf removal too early.  And that leads to what I call "repetitive leaf removal syndrome."  This year we are taking a wait-and-see approach.  If we wait, we'll see how many leaves will fall and blow into the neighbor's yards before we remove them in one or two giant raking operations.

Yes, while I crave a leaf-sweeping rig to tow behind my ancient riding mower, we are kicking it old-school with a rake in one hand and a cell phone to call for medical help in the other.

The Eclectic Gourd in West Des Moines Features Midcentury Modern Antiques

 
During a recent business trip to West Des Moines, Iowa we visited the historic Valley Junction district for lunch (at The General Store Eatery!) and discovered three antique stores that feature mid-century modern furniture and accessories.

The lamps and shades above are in the Eclectic Gourd.  While the shop is not exclusively MCM, owners Ed and Sheri have stocked it with a higher than normal percentage of modern items at reasonable prices.

I have more pics of this store to share in future posts!

Eclectic Gourd Antiques & Fine Art
226 5th Street
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515.274.9955

Midwestern Midcentury is Back!

We are back!

We have been in production all summer on a new documentary.  Our travels have allowed us to photograph mid-century modern homes and to visit several cool antique stores that specialize in MCM furniture and accessories.

Stay tuned for a flood of updates!  Well, it will be a flood by my usual standards. : )

Shown above: A Okay Antiques in the historic Valley Junction area in West Des Moines, Iowa.  More interior images from this and other retro stores coming soon!

Villisca, Iowa Lustron Shines Through a Victorian Fog

A Lustron home nestled among the Victorians (homes, not citizens) in Villisca, Iowa.

I mentioned previously that the first Lustron home I ever saw was in Villisca, Iowa.  Above is a picture to prove it!  At the time, I had no idea what it was.  But the metal-clad house caught my eye and the attention of my relatively new digital camera.

Villisca is best known for the 1912 axe murder mystery that remains unsolved today, but there are also several noteable homes and commercial buildings in town.  Great mid-century modern architecture?  Not so much.

That's why this Lustron is a welcome beacon in a Victorian fog.

No, I don't dislike Victorian homes.  I find them quite charming.  But hey, this is a MCM blog! : )

One more look before you go.

(click on photos for larger images)

Frank Lloyd Wright's Jack Lamberson House in Oskaloosa, Iowa

During a recent visit to Oskaloosa, Iowa we spotted not one but TWO homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  Just around the corner from the Carroll Alsop House is the Jack Lamberson Home completed in 1951.

 

The brick home also features wood, concrete, glass, and asbestos (yikes!) construction materials.  Living spaces extend out from a central kitchen in the remarkable Usonian home.

Now, when you think "Iowa," think "Frank Lloyd Wright."

Pool Leak Repair Revisited - The Proof is in the Putty

I have noticed that my article regarding our pool leak has been drawing a lot of hits this spring.  That makes me sort of gloomy, since it likely means that pools are sprouting leaks all across the Midwest!  Have a seat on your clicking water meter and check out the message from a reader below:

I found your blog while Googling a fix for a leaking swimming pool.  Our pool starting losing water after the ice thawed this spring and settled at a level pretty much identical to what yours did.  We also have the same style light as you do.  The pool company put a rubber plug where you turn a wingnut and the plug expands and plugs the hole.  After filling it to above that level we are still losing water.  Is the epoxy you used working since you brought the water up to the normal level for the pool?  What type/brand epoxy, any other tips you could give me?
Thanks,  Craig

Hi Craig.  Although I posted the story in April 2009, the repair took place in spring 2008, and yes, the $5.00 putty is still holding.  However, that doesn't constitute a recommendation since, as I noted in my previous post, every other internet article cautions against repairing your own pool leaks (a conspiracy by pool repairmen?).

I used regular plumbers putty purchased at Lowes.  I broke off about half the stick and kneeded the two different colored putties together.  Once mixed, you have 5-10 minutes to shape it to the form you want.  Then it turns, and stays, hard as a rock.

That said, your pool light may not be the culprit.  My food coloring test confirmed that my light was leaking.  You may want to try that step before using the putty.  Again, according to pool experts everywhere, you should not attempt to repair your own pool leak!

Results of my foolish experiment can be seen below. : )

Marshalltown, Iowa MCM Lustron Home

While visiting a cemetery and other locations in Marshalltown, Iowa we spotted this "Maize Yellow" Lustron home.  I've been fascinated by these unique mid-century modern artifacts since I saw my first Lustron in Villisca, Iowa.

(Click on the photos to view larger images.)

For the uninitiated, Lustron homes are made of porcelain-covered steel and were built by Chicago-based entrepreneur Carl Strandlund in response to a housing shortage following World War II.

They were billed as rodent proof, rust proof, fire proof, and lightening proof and generally easy to maintain.  It was said they would never have to be painted...inside or out.

Like the siding, the home's roof was also a series of metal "tiles" arranged like shingles.  Inside, its gray metal walls featured pocket doors and built-ins, and warmth was provided via a radiant heat system.

While the company received a whopping 20,000 orders, only about 2,500 were built before the company declared bankruptcy in 1950.  As testament to their durability, about 2,000 Lustron homes remain for owners, enthusiasts, and preservationists to enjoy.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Carroll Alsop House in Oskaloosa, Iowa

When I think of Oskaloosa, Iowa, I think of the statue of Native American Ioway leader Mahaska.  I don't think of Frank Lloyd Wright.  That is, not until now.

Oskaloosa has not one, but two Wright designed Usonian homes.

The Carroll Alsop House, built in 1948 is pictured above and below (click on photos for larger images).  The brick home has cypress trim and a red asphalt shingled roof.

Also known as the Mitchell House, it has three bedrooms, one bath, a step-down livingroom, and a fireplace.  It's an in-line design, but the master bedroom is angled 45 degrees.

Carrol Alsop was a women's clothier and department store owner in Oskaloosa.

Now when you think of "Osky" (the foreshortened moniker used by locals), think of Frank Lloyd Wright.