Dan Semar and his wife Tiffany, purchased this Mid Century Modern home in 2007. It was built in 1964 by Burton Duenke who is known as the person that brought the "Califonia Ranch" to St. Louis. Wanting to retain the mid-century feel, they have worked many long hours to rework and landscape the front of their residence.
3 hours with the jackhammer and they had removed the indecision of the old homeowners. They had originally used concrete , pavers, asphalt AND brick.
To help keep the rock that was going to be laid down in check they used treated 2x8s. Joining them on the corners using L-brackets kept things secure.
Dan gives Tiffany the credit when it comes to their creative use of Air Conditioner pads. They ended up finding them for $14 a piece. This saved the couple a good chunk of change. Otherwise, they would have needed to build and fill their own forms at an additional cost.
Their Honda Element was put to the test as it carried home 3 tons of rock to lay down in their new frame.
A low wall was constructed across the front of the house to give it an added dimension, as well as a great place for house numbers. Details like doorknobs and lighting weren't forgotten as they searched for just the right piece.
The work they have completed makes this house a real treat to come home to at the end of the day.
The couple has done a great job of documenting their work along the way. You can see their Flickr set containing the rest of their hard work over here. Likewise, you can also view the slideshow to get a closer look! Did we mention their house sits on top of a 100' bluff overlooking an 800 acre nature preserve? Check it out for yourself.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Fabulous!!!!! What vision. I never could have come up with that. Great job!
view jenzoe's profile
That rocks! (pun intended)
view mattab's profile
You guys really have done a fantastic job on this place. Congratulations!
view DarrenB's profile
nice! great find with the air conditioner pads.
view eec007's profile
wow. I have got to give credit where credit is due. most folks would have been afraid to get the shovel out, let alone move all that gravel, the cement pads jack hammer! I'm impressed with your clear vision for your house - the fence, the gravel, the mini gardens the modern house numbers work great with your ranch style house. whats next?
view kung fu grip's profile
Very smart. Love the new paint colors as well.
view BlueYonder's profile
Great job! I LOVE that black painting that I see on your wall - what is it, and where can I get it!!? thx
view karmy's profile
Go Honda Element!
view spinsLPs's profile
great work!
view phaedrus's profile
It looks amazing!
I'm wondering what, if anything, was used to stake down the 2x4s. I attempted to frame out a small garden path with treated lumber in a manner similar to this. It lasted a week before one of the boards warped and opposite corners popped up on each end. Any suggestions in the event I decide to try again?
view srw's profile
really great renovation. i have been reading this blog for a couple of years now and this is the most inspiring bit i have seen thus far. great vision and i applaud your ability to stick with it. you started with the typical 'brady bunch' style and ended up with a case study quality home. needless to say, i am completely jealous.
cheers.
view Matthew's profile
beautiful!
view HeatherAB's profile
cool
view plasticorange's profile
Love this, congrats on a job well done!
view DahliaCactus's profile
beauteous! Can you tell us where your house numbers are from?!
view jesmcb's profile
Way to go Dan!
view moderns-r-us's profile
holy smokes! this is beautiful and inspiring in equal measure. Next I hope you lose the grass and maybe put in some native grasses--
view jen_g's profile
Like night and day! Really amazing work.
view MattPDX's profile
Phenomenal vision and collaberative effort! Kudos!
view Seaside's profile
I'm a sucker for Neutra's house numbers. The step pads in gravel is a very nice modern touch; for reference, there are usually a variety of pre-cast concrete step pads available through typical retail and e-tail channels.
I'm a little underwhelmed by the planting design. The rocks on the left edge are a nice thought but it's not a strong enough component to really add punch to the elevation of the home. The front row of grasses should have been planted more heavily and carried through across the front elevation of the house while a taller, complementary selection should have been used behind the wall.
All said, still a great DIY and a good start on what could be a great modern garden.
view NathanSE's profile
When do we get a house tour? The silhouette artwork glimpsed through the front window looks suggests a cool interior.
view Blandwagon's profile
That looks so awesome!
view atomicranch79's profile
Thank you all for your comments. This is our second house we've purchased and renovated. Our previous house had a very traditional Midwest exterior, but to everyoneâs surprise was completely different on the interior. More than anything it was a great stepping-stone to learn. You can see it here: http://www.lottaliving.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=6755&highlight
We moved into this house in May of 07. We are concentrating on the outside primarily because it was so neglected by the previous homeowners. Plus that old color...YUK! The interior is in good shape already. Of course there are still several things we will do in order to make it our own. We're taking it a little bit at a time knowing we'll get there.
I'm glad I could share my experience with you. I'll try and answer all your questions as best as I can...
kung fu grip
Q. - What's next?
A. - Wow, this is hard to answer. To many things. What I'll most likely do next is place sod over the dirt patch in front of the landscaping bed. It's dirt because that's been all the old growth existed. During this winter I'll start painting some of the interior rooms and maybe replace some of the baseboards.
karmy
Q. - What is that b&w painting and where can I get it?
A. - It is a silhouette of a girl holding up an AK-47. I painted it myself. So where can you get it...everything is for sale for the right price, but I have a few friends in front of you for it. I guess I could always paint another one.
srw
Q. - What did I do to hold the treated 2x8's in the ground?
A. - The trench I dug was about 12" wide and 8" deep. Before placing the boards in there I poured sand in the bottom. I then put the boards in place and poured more sand on either side. Not only did the sand help me level the boards but it also helps drain the water away faster.
jesmcb
Q. - Where did you get the Neutra house numbers?
A. - My friend's Dad owns a machine shop and I had him cut them out of 3/4" aluminum to my size (8") on a water jet. He then gave them a brushed finish on the face. Cost $50 for all three! That sure beats $70 a piece, huh!
NathanSE
C. - The rocks on the left edge are a nice, but it's not a strong enough component to really add punch to the elevation of the home.
A. - I completely agree. That grouping is temporary and will be replaced with stepping pads (like in front of the door). I plan to bring the fence all the way to the front of the house like on the right side. Once that is in place it will balance it out.
Blandwagon
Q. - When do we get a house tour?
A. - Our house will be open for a neighborhood house tour in spring of 09. It was suppose to be this fall, but got pushed back. As for a web tour, I have a few more items I would like to address and then I'll snap some more photos and maybe AT will do an additional write up!
One more thing I would like to clarify. The Honda Element did not haul those three tons of rock. Though it would be extremely impressive if it did.
Again, thank you for all your comments and questions. Please feel free to give me more feedback or shoot me any questions.
Dan
view STLModern's profile
Thanks for the Element clarification - since Honda rates the payload, perhaps overly cautious, at 675 pounds, I was hoping no one tried for 3,000 pounds in one trip.
Love the cathedral ceilings.
view Poster's profile
The house exhibits now a fantastic curb appeal. This is a great renovation job.
view At Home with kim vallee's profile
What a great update!! Where did you get the light by the door?
view jjhseattle's profile
Thanks Dan for your reply! I think it's a great painting, shoot me an email at soliskm@hotmail.com and let me know what the "right price" is, thanks!!
view karmy's profile
Only thing I will say bad is that the house number, if it is still not illuminated today, it should be ASAP. Emergency personnel cannot find an unlit address number.
Other than that, love your work!! This house and the first one. =)
view cheep3r5's profile
one more question, if i may, where did you find the exterior light? it's perfect! love the up and down lighting next to the front door. really lovely and thoughtful job. many thanks!
view Betsy Boston's profile
jjhseattle & Betsy Boston
Q. - Where to purchase the light fixture I have?
A. - http://www.lightinguniverse.com/products/view.aspx?family=21826&linkLoc=related
view STLModern's profile
Wow, it looks great! What paint colors did you use?
view aqd1967's profile
Looks awesome!! I was wondering where you bought the concrete pads? I live in the Fort Worth area and cannot seem to find them that big anywhere. Any suggestions?
view prefab13's profile
I know I am late to comment, but if you read this, I would love to know the paint color of your house- love it!
view njshannon's profile