Bryant’s Modest Mid-Century Baton Rouge Abode

Name: Bryant Smith
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

I live in a 1955 Atomic ranch house, located beneath stately live oaks in balmy Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I bought this 1,160 square foot home just over two and a half years ago and was delighted to see that most of its original character had been left intact: blonde brick, oak tile floors, wall of windows, sliding glass kitchen cabinets, phone recess, attic fan, car port, metal-rimmed laminate counters, etc.

The updates that had been made (new kitchen floors, new bathroom) were either period appropriate or neutral enough to be non offensive. My favorite room is the foyer/dining/living combination with an 8′ x 8′ wall of windows that overlooks the terrace and backyard.

As with many ranches, the main views of the house are of the private, family spaces (the back garden) and the bedrooms are in front, nestled under the live oaks to stay cool in Louisiana summers. A pass-through from the kitchen to the dining/living room often serves as an informal work space or a convenient buffet for food service.

I’ve been collecting mid-century items from thrift stores and garage sales since I was a child and fell in love with the house from the Brady Bunch. I knew I had found the perfect house when an avocado green rotary phone that I had had since I was 13 fit perfectly in the telephone recess shelf in the hallway.

I’m perfectly happy in my mid-century modest ranch and look forward to enjoying it for many years to come.

Thanks, Bryant Smith!

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