Deanna and Brian’s home looks just like what you imagine when you think of classic mid-century modern home design. Architect Cliff May (known as the father of the ranch-style houses) designed this unique tract of homes in Long Beach in the early 1950s. “We were very lucky to buy ours from the original owners who appreciated what it means to have a ‘rancho’ home. These style homes were designed with the intent to connect to the outdoors.”

The layout of the home is open with straight lines, simple designs and floor-to ceiling-windows. “It is hard to explain the feeling of living in such an open and naturally sun-filled home,” says Deanna. “It truly is relaxing and calming having this connection to nature. The Ranchos neighborhood community is amazing, too. I feel like we live in Mayberry (from the Andy Griffith Show). There is always something going on, whether it’s a neighborhood pot luck breakfast, an ice cream social, a harvest share or concert in the nearby park. Everyone knows each other and looks out for each other. It is a really great thing that you don’t see much of anymore.”

A hospitality interior designer for 18 years and native Californian, Deanna loves designing spaces that become the backgrounds for people’s vacation memories…or a home away from home. As a breast cancer survivor and the mother to twin seven-year-old girls, she’s no stranger to understanding the soothing power a beautiful home can have. It’s clear that her ability to create airy, beautiful and relaxing spaces has paid off in this home.

Our Style: Atomic Ranch/Mid-Mod

Inspiration: Although we have always loved tiki and bright colors, we bought a Nat Reed art piece Valentine’s Day in Palm Springs the year before we bought the house and I feel it gave us a lot of the inspiration for the color palette and style of our home.

We have been collecting mid-century modern furniture pieces for over 10 years, which all started when we used to live in the Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Long Beach. It is a slow process to find the pieces we truly love in good condition but that also makes it fun.

Favorite Element: The natural light from all of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Biggest Challenge: The Cliff May clerestory windows in the bedrooms. I love the natural light — it really is my favorite thing about these homes — but being woken bright and early isn’t my favorite. It was difficult to figure out how to cover these windows so we could sleep a little later and our daughters could sleep in a little, too. In our room we covered the windows in a special tint by The Tint Pros and in our daughters’ rooms we piled tons of stuffed animals on top of the closets to cover the windows thanks to our friend and realtor Micah Stovall.

What Friends Say: Our home represents our personalities.

Biggest Embarrassment: When my friends leave my house covered in white hair from my fur babies Orbit and Charger.

Proudest DIY: Annabelle’s blue starburst wall and the sectional in the backyard.

Biggest Indulgence: Our Kid Robot Collection. We have been collecting them since 2007 and have the majority of the collection displayed in our entry hall but also have a large Labbit in our yard and The Scary Girl Collection in our kitchen.

Best Advice: Create a space that makes you happy and don’t be afraid of color.

Dream Sources: Original Platner table

PAINT
Dunn Edwards

ENTRY
Rug Runner Carpet Tiles — Flor
Kid Robot Collection — Kid Robot
Horizontal Wood Framed Mirrors — West Elm
Wall Sconce Light Fixtures — Practical Props

LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM
Bar Console Table — West Coast Modern
Rocket Ship Decanter — Jonathan Adler
Stahl House Art Work — Nat Reed
French Bulldog Speaker — AeroBull HD
Record Top Boomerang Table — Urban Americana
Womb Chair — West Coast Modern Sofa — West Coast Modern
Bookcase — West Coast Modern
Dining Table — Urban Americana
Dining Chairs — Urbana Americana
Dining Bench — Total Design Furniture
Sputnik Light Fixture — Practical Props
TV Stand Console — Yard Sale
Hanging Planters — AllModern.com

MASTER BEDROOM
Nightstands, Headboard and Dresser — Custom Design by Total Design Furniture Wall Sconce — Home Depot
Shades — The Shade Store
Shag Rug — Surya Rugs

MASTER BATHROOM
Vanity — Modern Home in Palm Springs
Faucet — Price Pfister
Artwork — Bettie Page store in Las Vegas
Mirror — Modern Home in Palm Springs

GUEST BATHROOM
Vanity — Ikea
Shower Curtain — Amazon

KIDS ROOM ONE
Starburst Wall — Etsy
Tray Side Table — CB2
Bed — Wayfair

KID ROOM TWO
Elephant Wall — Home Depot
Table and Chairs — Yard Sale

OFFICE
Chair Wall Paper — AllModern
Desk — Custom Designed for a hotel Wall Sconce – Practical Props

FRONT YARD
Mail Box — Mod Box USA
Wall Sconces — Practical Props

BACKYARD
Landscape Designer — Falling Waters
Rocking Chair — White on White
Cushions and Pillows — Custom made by local manufacturer
Bunny Seat — Kid Robot

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