A Perfectly Preserved 1950s Ranch House

Name: Andrea & Christopher
Location: Coventry, Rhode Island

We visited this 1958 mid-century ranch on a miserable New England winter day. We weren’t even on the market but as soon as we walked into the kitchen, I turned to the realtor and said, “We’ll take it.” A mid-century ranch in New England that was built with every mod-con available in 1958 and never updated is a rare find. We’re putting the house on the market but wanted to celebrate it before we say goodbye!

The house is deceptive: it was designed to look like an elegant-but-modest single level ranch from the front. However, once inside, you are socked with over 3,000 feet of living space, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a stealth second floor.

For a middle-class home, the builders spared no expense: multiple laundry chutes, custom drapery, high-end light fixtures, and built-in appliances: blenders, televisions, turn-tables and house intercom. Amazingly, nearly everything still works. We cook exclusively with the thermador double ovens.

We love the fact that our 60 year old house looks and feels truly modern. Despite its level of preservation, the house is no museum piece: our family of four (plus pets) freely lives and plays in every space in the house. What’s more, it begets the lifestyle from which it emerged. We live together, entertain and enjoy the indoor and outdoor spaces every single day.

We are proud of our commitment to preservation and, only when necessary, period renovation. And the house rewards us: everything just keeps holding together, running, and looking as fresh as a 1950s Better Homes and Garden magazine.

Thanks, Andrea & Christopher!

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