Name: The Lorna House
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Reader and home owner Traci Brandon sent us a few photos of her renovated 1950's Ralph Haver designed residence located in Phoenix, Arizona (Haver was Cali born, but set his roots in Phoenix professionally), a modernist ranch tract home with literal layers of history behind its walls. The Lorna House was recently renovated by previous owner and architect Shawn Kaffer, who took the task of uncovering a modernist aesthetic hidden under years of era non-specific additions while also riffing on its roots with his own additions. The home was renovated from some worn, but still charming, condition into a house whose 50's character still permeates through and with the modern updates...
Here's some insight into the thought behind the renovation as reported by architect Shawn Kaffer, interviewed by Modern Phoenix/Desert Living Magazine: “God rest her soul, Lorna had stuccoed the entire house,” Kaffer recounted with a wry chuckle. “I couldn’t sandblast with the way the stucco was applied, so I was out there with a chisel for about a year and half.” The stucco was chipped away brick by brick with the resolve of Sisyphus to reveal the running bond of the original masonry. The reality of economic building was most evident here; the mortar and CMU block were sturdy, but too tender to hold up against sandblasting media. The result was worth it as earthy grays and flecks of black aggregate were revealed in the original block.
By today’s standards, the home wasn’t so pretty, though it’s easy to understand why it was fashionable in its heyday. Lorna had already bumped the kitchen further back on the property decades ago, and had knocked down one of the bedroom walls to create a dining room. A flashy Art Deco mural had been integrated into the remaining wall. The original materials palette included raised velvet wallpaper and deep ocean blue carpet throughout. It took a little x-ray vision to strip away all the surfaces and recognize the good bones beneath.
Want to know more about the Haver House? Listen to Desert Living Editor David Tyda discuss the renovation in detail with Alison King and Shawn Kaffer. There's also a thought provoking discussion about Kaffer's renovation and the topic of historical modification here that may appeal to you passionate midcentury/historical architecture buffs.
My dad has that exact same smiley face cookie jar!
view Marbargarbo's profile
I think it's an interesting place and I congratulate the owner and her contractor on their work. I have to say I found the art just awful and was sorry that it took away from a really impressive job. Less is more where art is concerned (only true artists get away with the stacked-up canvas look), and if in doubt, find a consultant to help you.
view AustinSarah's profile
P.S. I do think that the rolling pin/elongated jar wall sculpture in the kitchen is just wild and I would love to have it. However, the owner would do much better by losing half to two-thirds of the other "decorative" clutter on the kitchen counter. The eye would then go immediately to that amazing vintage wall sculpture, and enjoy at its leisure some of the other nice vintage objects.
view AustinSarah's profile
I love this house! Love the colors and the vintage-feel to it.
view Courtachino's profile
This house is great, but I especially love the entryway. Very cool!
view mattab's profile
Lovely house, seriously snooty comments.
view debtex's profile
love it!
view firespitter's profile
Your house is amazing and you have lots of great objects and esoterica. Your stuff looks very cool displayed. Don't be discouraged by pretentious advice about "true artists" and don't hire a design consultant--great job!
view Furpants's profile
nice kitchen countertop!
i'm thinking to put in same s/s countertop for my kitchen but not sure how the scratches will look as it ages? anyone have some advise?
view phase2phase's profile
i have that same kitchen scale! works like a dream
view Gold Teeth's profile
This is in Phoenix. There is a great water shortage here in the desert Southwest. Please for the love of God have landscaping that is native to the area. Lawns are for places where it rains, not for Phoenix.
view laetitiae's profile
Too frickin' cool! Every little bit is interesting.
Swoon...
Love the bit about chiseling away by hand to find the treasure buried beneath. I think you've done Lorna proud.
Enjoy!
view fledgling's profile
Laetitiae
I happen to know exactly where this house is, and it is in an irrigated neighborhood. The greenery is watered with non-potable water diverted from the salt river (seriously non-potable. I got hives on my legs from walking through it once), and retains the irrigation structure from the citrus orchards that were on the property 100 years ago. Even though it's jarring (for me, especially, as a Tucsonan, where a green lawn is unheard of) to see so much green in the desert, it's a small, old neighborhood, and hardly a drain on the usable water resources in Maricopa country.
view bocadelperro's profile
I think your house is great. I love your collections. I hope you're not discouraged by the snooty comments--some people don't understand acquiring objects you really love. They think something is only good while it's trendy. I think your kitchen looks homey and personal--exactly what I hope to achieve in my own kitchen.
view BlackFrancine's profile
What a lovely treat to see all these pictures this morning. I enjoyed reading the forum link you posted as well. You put so much work into this place and have created a treasure.
view baileyb's profile
What a groovy house - like a little 60's oasis.
view bepsf's profile
I find everything lovely in this house, especially the bathroom.
view Elise_B's profile
I think that you did a great job. I didn't care much for a few of the discouraging comments above. This has been one of my favorite posts in a long time. Its got a sweet retro vibe, but it still feels fresh and approachable.
view mikelay's profile
I love your house. It's decidedly retro, but without being cliche. I can tell you picked every item out of love. Great job.
view whitespike's profile
You have a totally groovy home! Love all the retro items throughout. It's beautifully done.
view suzy8track's profile
Gorgeous! Honey, keep your "stuff." Let the minimalists have their less. But for me, more is more....
view quiltmaster's profile
Wow, that's my dream house. Keep everything the way it is!
I enjoyed each and every item on the kithen counter.
view lbc's profile
It isn't clutter if it's thoughtfully meant to be there!! Your kitchen is beautiful and I love your collection! It clearly isn't taking up that much counter space anyway, it wouldn't be the same if you took anything away from it. This is my dream house... Beautiful.
view Lafferteezy's profile