Name: Karl Madcharo
Location: Golden Valley, MN (Suburb of Minneapolis)
Size:1400sqft
Type: Rambler built in 1948
Years lived in: 4
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Karl Madcharo makes his home 4 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Having lived previously in Atlanta for 11 years and South Carolina before that, he has settled nicely into this Western suburb of a thriving Midwest city. Karl's mid-century house comes with a few suburban perks, such as, no neighbors across the street (only woods and trees) and a two car garage to keep his beautiful 1964 Pontiac Catalina in.
Karl has done all the renovations to his house himself and has even taken some matters into his own hands when it comes to having great style without breaking the bank. He decided that after searching local stores and looking online, that he would take matters into his own hands and make his own front door. Being an Art Director for a local Ad Agency, he uses a keen eye to keep his home on point stylistically and to come in on budget with his renovations.
AT Survey:
My Style: Born Too Late
Inspiration: Whatever I come across. Eichler houses, Atomic Ranch magazine, a lot of books and years of being around some great, creative people.
Favorite Element(s): I have a lot of elements I like about the house. The location and park like setting (sounds like a real estate ad). My hammock. The red arrow in the den/living room. The 1948 roper stove i bought off Craigslist. The original Bubble light i came across at Succotash (MCM store in St. Paul.) The front door I made because I couldn't buy anything new that I liked ( or was in my price range). One story living!
Biggest Challenge: I think it will be the kitchen when I get to it.
What Friends Say: "It suits you." "Your house is too clean." "Your house is art directed too?" "That chair doesn't look comfortable." "I think he may be gay." "You where born too late." "Where's my gin and tonic?"
Biggest Embarrassment: Kitchen floor and basement.
Proudest DIY: Front Door
Biggest Indulgence: The bed from Modernica and Millers Westbourne Strength Gin
Best Advice: Don't do drugs or McMansions.
Favorite Sources: Succotash and Swank. Retro/vintage stores in St. Paul. Ebay. Craigslist and Various Thrift stores around the Twin Cities.
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Art and Furniture Resources:
Den/Living room:
Brown couch is from ebay.
Danish nesting side table and Nocuchi lamp are from a moving sale.
Danish Nesting side table and coffee table are from Succotash in St. Paul.
Lamp on table is from Retro at Pete in St. Paul.
Black Overman chair is from Ebay.
Eames chair is from my office (they were throwing it away because the base was broken) so I just bought the rocker base from Modernica.
Circle rug from Home Depot (yes, Home Ddepot)
Mosaic table is from Succotash in St. Paul.
Larsen Chair is from Theater Antiques (now out of business, which sucks)
Pole light with 3 fixtures is from Ebay
Shag (titled: Congo Girls At Rest) print is from Shag and the OX OP Gallery (now closed , which really sucks)
Clybourn media credenza is from Crate and Barrel.
Red Flashing arrow is from Wesley Treat (Author of the Weird Arizona book).
Prints above Fireplace are from a gallery in Carmel, CA.
Sputnik light from Swank in St. Paul in St. Paul.
Curtains from Ikea.
Master Bedroom:
Case Study Fastback bed is from Modernica.
Painting of the side mirror on my 1964 Pontiac Catalina by my dad.
Herman Miller side table is from Room and Board Outlet.
Dresser (not shown) is from Room and Board Outlet.
Eames chair is from my office.
Lamps are from Remnants in Minneapolis.
WWII poster is from some gallery I visited in LA.
Curtains from Ikea.
Guest Bedroom:
Bed from Ebay
Nightstand from a thrift store (Newsflash: As I'm writing this I'm going to go buy a Broyhill "Brasilia" nightstand/endtable from Craigslist this afternoon.)
It will match my....
Broyhill "Brasilia" Dresser/chest of drawers i bought from Swank in St. Paul.
Panasonic clocks I bought 1 locally and the other 2 on Ebay.
Square EXIT sign is from my Parent's bar in one of our houses in Columbia, SC.
The Round EXIT sign and Clock are from Succotash in St. Paul.
WWII poster is from some gallery I visited in S.F.
Kitchen and dining/sitting room:
1948 Roper gas stove I bought off of Craigslist.
New vintage looking phone from Restoration Hardware.
Bread box from Succotash in St. Paul.
Brown Circle rug from Target.
Herman Miller dining table from Succotash in St. Paul.
White chairs from Room and Board Outlet.
Original Eames bubble light from Succotash in St. Paul.
Bicycle Northeast poster by Turman (bought during Artcrank showing at One on One bicycle shop).
Blue Heaven dishware from Craigslist.
Painting of the dash in my 1964 Pontiac Catalina, again done by my dad,
Danish Loveseat with barkcloth fabric is from Timelines Antiques in St. Paul.
Paul McCobb stools from Ebay
White shag rug is from Target.
Small black side table is from Ebay.
Unpainted table is from Target.
Hanging light and curtains are from Ikea.
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(Thanks Karl!)
Photos by Karl Madcharo
oh swoon! it's so perfect! every detail is, like, interesting and enjoyable to look at. to gaze upon. i'm very impressed. and green with envy. and jealous. and covetous. did i mention envious?
view kdkaboom's profile
Your art and accessories - very nice!
view david @ justveggingout.com's profile
I love everything about it.
view aladywhoknows's profile
Love it, Awesome inside and out. Looks fun.
view atomicranch79's profile
Weird random question . . . if Karl happens to check this post. . . How did you get to be an Art Director???? I am itchy to explore that career and not quite sure where to start?
~k
view kdear's profile
What a lovely home! I really like the color you used on the living room walls. What is it? Also, the color in bedroom with the fastback bed. So nice!
view idea chick's profile
those panasonic clocks are to die for.
view julie_k.'s profile
As much as I love your wonderful home, I am actually more in love with the comments in "What your friends say." Hysterical.
view Seaside's profile
Who's the artist of the print above the fireplace, have anymore info about it? Does anyone else know where I can find a print like it? Thanks
view atomicranch79's profile
Sweet ride!
And you have the exact same color front door as mine!
view ridge_van_winkle's profile
I almost bought that same Turman poster (my favorite among the MANY insanely cool posters at Artcrank). But alas, I was on a bike and had no way to get them home. I *swore* I'd go back and get them and, of course, never did.
view pattymonster's profile
Hey Karl, I am your neighbor here in St Louis Park. I live in a rambler too. I relocated from NYC with my husband who was from here. as you know - and now all the readers MN and the surburbs have the greatest supply of non touched ramblers and 50's homes around.. Great schools and everything for starter families, and now many buy in the near burbs instead of the lofts to get more room. MN is fertile ground for 50's furniture, I have the most amazing porch set. And so many goodies to be found downtown is 7 miles from here too and we can walk to the downtown bus, we happen to back the Westwoodhills nature preserve, but there are so many parks and lakes here. For all the hipsters in NYC we have plenty, come and try it out. I go back to my home in the Hamptons in the fall and always drag some great midcentury finds back..
great home. funny if you saw the Alco home post we live two blocks from that cool house too.
Stephanie
view parrishnut's profile
Karl--thank you for sharing. I'm a recent southern transplant to Minnesota. I sure do love reading about new places to find some good midcentury items. I happened to drive past Succotash on a trip to the Cities, but it was Sunday afternoon and they were closed. :( Now I know to try again!
view Molly Margarita's profile
so cool
view hanako66's profile
WHERE CAN I FIND A SWEET RED ARROW LIKE THAT! oh man, i am smitten.
view MFlick's profile
Love the soothing colors - very nice.
And ohmigosh - my front door is almost exactly the same. I have good taste and didn't even know it.
view arrestingimage's profile
I want those Panasonic clocks! Lovely home! I might have to visit Minneapolis...I'm always looking to get out of Socal!
view Lizzykewl's profile
Love the blue walls and the blue door, and the sputnik light.
view insanity_pepper's profile
Love the stove!
view madmolecule's profile
So so cool! It's done well without being overdone if you know what I mean.
view kms102773's profile
Ohhhhh, I have serious, serious door envy. We live in a similar little midcentury house, but someone replaced the original door with an ugly, uber traditional one. Blech.
I don't suppose you do commission work? We've had pretty bad luck trying to find a salvage door.
Oh, and the rest of the house is fabulous as well. Very inspiring. You have amazing taste.
view ehat's profile
I love everything about this house. Especially the front door and the sputnik light in the entrance!
view jetsetter66's profile
Wow, this place is amazing! Every room is fascinating. The front door looks so authentically period-correct, great job!
I also love that Brazilla bureau. I hope you will post photos of your kitchen when it's finished.
Why do people spend a lot of money for bland crap at Pottery Barn -- when there is amazing stuff like this out there? It's a mystery.
Thanks a lot for sharing!
view BrooklynRob's profile
This place is gorgeous! I love everything about it. You did an amazing job on the front door...looks very authentic! I'm just blown away!
view suzy8track's profile
Oh and one more thing...your vintage 1964 Pontiac Catalina is awesome! Makes me still wish I had my old 1969 Dodge Dart...may it RIP.
view suzy8track's profile
Who makes the clock in picture 11?
view cevec's profile
Nice job with the door!!! (not to mention the rest of the house)...
view clancy's profile
How did you make the door?! I need one for my 1957 brick ranch, and I can't afford $3k for a Crestview! and I don't want to steal my neighbor's.
view Rebecca_South's profile
This is great! It gives me some great ideas for my own house all while making me miss my homestate!!!
view thelittlestmonster's profile
I love this place even more on second viewing. The collections especially are great! And the arrow ... wow! You have great taste!
Oh, and BrooklynRob ... almost as if you lifted your comment right from my flickr brasilia pics. Makes me hope you're not another Brooklyn Rob that comes to mind.
view BlahDeBlah's profile
Darn it! I logged in ridge_van_winkle, but it didn't work. I can't understand why it will only let me log into my own user ID at work, but at home it always stays on Ted's ID. AT never helps ... does anyone know? I can't override it ... is it an AT thing or a Firefox thing??
(Sorry Karl for hijacking your house tour with my question!)
view BlahDeBlah's profile
this is a beautiful home!
view mfpants's profile
I'm so impressed by this home! Everything flows together and makes it so comfortable. I appreciate that you let us see the exterior as well-it's beautiful!
view stillgreenlilo's profile
wow! after i saw the car and the stove top it reminded me of the movie Pleasantville.
view cscamp20's profile
I like the way you have provided exterior shots, as well as interior ones. Nothing like showing the indoor/outdoor relationship, especially since you designed your front door yourself. Very impressive, I must say.
view Snoozy's profile
Great home but where's all of your 'stuff?'
view wild-er's profile
Biggest Embarrassment: Kitchen floor and basement.
Dude, amen.
What Friends Say: "It suits you." "Your house is too clean." "Your house is art directed too?" "That chair doesn't look comfortable." "I think he may be gay." "You where born too late." "Where's my gin and tonic?"
I like Karl's friends already.
Favorite Sources: Succotash and Swank
If I ever start a law firm, this is what I'm calling it.
Overall, this house is pretty excellent in every way (kitchen floor notwithstanding...)
view Blandwagon's profile
Karl, you are my hero. I love your house and you're not so bad yourself!
view TpaPower's profile
Great house and collections, Karl! Just one thing...your "Eames Bubble Lamp" is actually a George Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant...love the transistor radio collection too!
view redchairs's profile
I want to marry this house. And its owner! :p
view Eve in Hochelaga's profile
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! I am swooning over your living room right now, that big red arrow is just too perfect.
view suziegoombs's profile
sexy. and i like your friends.
view HeatherAB's profile
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the nice comments.
I'm going to try and answer some of the questions people have asked.
A lot of people have commented on my front door. To be honest it wasn't that hard. It's actually a solid core door from Home Depot. Then I cut some holes for the window frames and had glass cut. SO, it may not be as super high end as Crestview (which i think are really nice) but with some paint and stain it works really well. The name of the paint is Newburg Green by Benjamin Moore.
"I really like the color you used on the living room walls. What is it? Also, the color in bedroom with the fastback bed."
posted by idea chick
idea chick, The name of the paint in the den is glacier lake (I think). The bedroom was like that when i moved in.
"Who's the artist of the print above the fireplace?"
posted by atomicranch79
Atomicranch79, The artist is my dad. He's super talented and this was a different style for him. Here's his website http://madcharooriginals.home.att.net/. He also did the one in the bedroom (and is going to do a third.) Then I'll get them all framed and hang together.
"WHERE CAN I FIND A SWEET RED ARROW LIKE THAT!"
posted by MFlick
Mflick, I Got it from Wesley Treat it was his first one and I'm super happy with it. I've always something like this (in fact there was one or two for sale but the didn't work and I wanted it to work.) This one is because it's all modern wire and i can adjust the speed of the lights and how fast they move. Here's his link http://www.roadsideresort.com/
Great home but where's all of your 'stuff?'
posted by wild-er
wild-er, that made me laugh. Well, I did clean up a little bit but that is my "stuff". I'm single and live be myself, so it's easy to keep clean. Sometimes.
"your "Eames Bubble Lamp" is actually a George Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant..."
posted by redchairs
redchairs, you are correct. In my zeal to get the pics and info to Sarah at AT (btw she was patient and awsome) I mislabed that. I don't know why because I 've been wanting one foe years. I'm sure I misspelled a word or two. I'm a art director not a copywriter :)
"How did you get to be an Art Director???? "
-posted by kdear
kdear, talk with some people in the biz in your area,Call up some agency and ask for an informational interview or better yet check to see if there are some "ad schools" around. They are mostly 2 year. Networking helps too.
Again thanks for all the nice comments.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Karl
view karl's profile
I LOVE THIS HOUSE! If it was mine, I would have to work from home so that I could spend as much time there as possible. This may sound corny but, all of the furniture seems like they are happy that you found them and brought them together. I love Apartment Therapy. I'm happy I found it.
view modernguy's profile
i LOVEEEE your house...!!!
i really love your wall color in the living room. where did you get it?? i'm thinking of the exact same color for my living room (i got a lot of red accents in the room)
view cvsus's profile
Hi Karl - funny you mentioned in your response to me, "I am a (sic) ad director, not a copywriter," because - funny - I am a copy editor...
view redchairs's profile
I am simply mad for this house! It reminds me of the houses that the Peanuts gang were always shown way back in back in the early days of the strip, when Sally and Linus were babies. Great job!
view Lynniji's profile
Cevec,
That clock is a "Jefferson 500". :-)
view kathzh's profile
Those two pink lamps in the bedroom are beautiful. That particular pink is dead on. In fact, it's the only shade of pink that for me has enough sophistication to hold its own. And just those two lamps perfect.
view click212's profile
Super, kathzh; thanks!
view cevec's profile
looks like so much fun to visit!
view Deidre88's profile
I live near you..I love this home so much..I'm gonna slooowly walk by several times a day..
view justjenny.'s profile
There is just sooooooo much to love about this. One of the tiny things I love is how even the modern cordless phone in the bedroom relates to that magically overscaled (and yet completely perfectly scaled) bed-side lamp. The whole composition of that room is sensational.
The rest of the place is amazing, too, but I that details just struck me for some reason.
And please, please, please.... DO go ahead and do something to the kitchen, because no one could do something like that better for that house than you guys, but I hope you'll be able to keep your stove. Please resist the temptation to do stainless, and instead see if you can find one of those funky new-but-old-school refridgerators to go with that stove? Please? I'll shut up now.
view Curtis's profile
this is my favorite house tour ever. so amazing.
view neuf's profile