OH SO....EICHLER!

Joseph Eichler


Joseph Eichler was a visionary real estate developer (not an architect) who utilized highly-respected and progressive architectural firms to create well-designed, yet affordable, modern homes for the masses.

Joseph Eichler's interest in architecture was heightened after moving his family from New York to California in the early 1940s, settling into a usonian house designed by noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Joe Eichler's experience living in this modernist house inspired him to find a way to bring the unique design elements of a modern architectural home to the general public.

Joseph Eichler founded Eichler Homes, Inc. in 1949 and pursued his vision of creating modern homes with architecturally distinct elements for the average family (and average income!). To help materialize his vision, Eichler enlisted the help of distinguished architects and architectural firms such as Jones + Emmons, Anshen and Allen, Claude Oakland and Raphael Soriano who would help design homes and neighborhoods which were reflective of the contemporary and progressive design found in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home where Joseph Eichler had once lived.

Between 1950 -1974, Eichler built more than 11,000 modernist homes. Virtually all of these homes were built by Joseph Eichler in Northern California. Most of the N. California Joseph Eichler homes are located throughout the San Francisco Bay Area including Eichlers in Marin (primarily San Rafael), San Francisco, San Mateo, Sunnvayle, San Jose, Palo Alto, Oakland Hills, Castro Valley Concord, Walnut Creek, Sacramento). In Southern California, Joseph Eichler developed five Eichler tracts which are located in Orange County, Thousand Oaks and Granada Hills. In addition to Eichler developments throughout California, he also built a small number of Eichler houses in New York, less than 1 hour north of Manhattan.

Eichler-built homes shared similar design elements including open floor plans, walls of glass which helped blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, and in-floor radiant heating systems which were a luxury typically reserved only for high-end, custom homes.

Despite the fact that most Eichler homes are approaching their 50th anniversary, the've never been more popular amongst homebuyers looking for good modern design that is both practical and livable.

To learn more about Joseph Eichler homes and neighborhoods in Northern California, be sure to visit the Marin Eichler Homes and San Francisco Eichler Homes pages of this website dedicated to Eichler Homes and its founder, Joseph Eichler. Additionally, be sure to preview the interior of select Eichler homes and see tips for restoring or updating a mid-century modern Eichler home.

If you are interested in purchasing an Eichler home, contact Renee Adelmann, a top real estate agent specializing in Eichler & other modern and mid-century modern homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

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ATOMIC BARKCLOTH STORES AND SITES!

HERE ARE SOME SOURCES FOR ALL YOUR ATOMIC FABRIC NEEDS. VINTAGE IS GOOD,
BUT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE AS TO HOW LONG THEY WILL ACTUALLY LAST OR TAKE WASHES TO CLEAN THEM. I TEND TO LEAN TO AS MANY OF THE REPRODUCTIONS AS I CAN TO INSURE A GOOD STRONG BARKCLOTH TO LAST FOR MANY YEARS. ONE OF THE BEST PLACES I FIND ATOMIC CLOTH IS ON EBAY. THERE ARE DIFFERENT FABRICS THERE AT DIFFERENT TIMES. OTHER THAN EBAY I HAVE USED THESE OTHER SITES AS A RESOURCE. ENJOY!

http://www.jandofabrics.com/ LOOK UNDER RETRO BARKCLOTH ON THIS http://www.fullswingtextiles.com/1950s-retro.aspx
http://www.barkclothhawaii.com/allatonce/abstracts.htm
http://www.contemporarycloth.com/
http://www.melinamade.com/
http://www.reprodepot.com/

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ATOMIC BARKCLOTH!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ATOMIC BARKCLOTH FABRICS. EVERY ATOMIC HOME SHOULD HAVE SOME ATOMIC DRAPERIES / PILLOWS /FURNITURE TO IT'S INTERIOR DECOR. THEIR ARE VARIOUS STYLES TO SUIT EVERY MIDCENTURY ENTHUSIAST. THE JET AGE JETSON STYLE DESIGNED PATTERNS ARE OH SO VERY, AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE TIKIS, OR THE STARBURSTS. WHATEVER YOUR PREFERENCE THESE BARKCLOTH MARVELS WHETHER VINTAGE OR REPLICAS SHOULD BE A PART OF THAT ATOMIC LIFESTYLE. HAVE A BALL WITH IT & CHEERS!

VINTAGE BETTER HOMES & GARDENS BOOKS!

WHEN IN DOUBT YOU CAN ALWAYS TRUST YOUR VINTAGE BETTER HOMES & GARDENS BOOKS AND BINDERS FOR USEFUL 1950'S & 60'S ATOMIC DESIGNS. GREAT PHOTOS AND DESIGN TIPS ARE GIVEN IN THESE FABULOUS PLANS FOR ENTERTAINING AND DECORATING YOUR ATOMIC PAD.

PREMIO DARDOS AWARD!

THIS IS AN AWARD GIVEN TO ME BY MY PALLIE KEITH WHO HAS SEVERAL COOL BLOGS, BUT ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF ALL TIMES "THE DINO LOUNGE" WITH A DEDICATION TO THE FABULOUS KING OF COOL "DEAN MARTIN". WE SHARE A TRUE LOVE & PASSION FOR DEAN MARTIN AND I WANT TO HONOR HIM ALONG WITH OTHERS I WILL BE POSTING HERE. KEITH WILL BE HONORED HERE STARTING WITH #1 ON THE LIST.






The Dardos Awards is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.



1) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.

2) Pass the award to another five blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgement, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they have been selected for this award.



I give this award to:


#1 KEITH- THE DINO LOUNGE* THE SITE FOR A HIP & COOL TIME WITH A SUPERB DEDICATION TO THE ONE THE ONLY DINO MARTIN. KEITH IS KNOWN WELL FOR HIS KNOWLEDGE OF 1960'S & 70'S STARLETS IN ALL TYPES OF MOVIES TO INCLUDE FRENCH ACTORS AND ACTRESSES AS WELL. HE HAS A TRUE TALENT FOR BLOGGING VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN ALL OF THE BLOGS HE HAS CREATED. THANKS KEITH FOR THE MOST OUTSTANDING OF YOUR BLOGS. IT'S PURE DINO ENJOYMENT! http://coolnessistimeless.blogspot.com/

#2 DINO MARTIN PETERS- I LOVE DINO MARTIN* TO THE CREATOR OF A YAHOO BLOG CALLED i love dino martin AND OF 2 OTHERS WHICH GIVE THE PURE DEVOTION TO THE RANDIEST, KING OF COOL TO EVER WALK THE FACE OF THE EARTH DEAN MARTIN. HE WILL OFTEN BE HEARD QUOTING "OH TO RETURN TO THE DAYS WHEN DINO WALKED THE EARTH". HE IS IN TRUE HEARTFELT DEDICATION & HONOR OF DEAN MARTIN AND SHOULD BE TOTALLY COMMENDED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LOVE & STEADFAST QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS LEGEND TO PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, SO THEY TOO CAN COME TO KNOW THE ONE AND ONLY DEAN MARTIN. HE HAS WHAT WE CALL AT OUR DINO PAD... DINO "PALLIEDOM" IN THE MOST RARE & ULTIMATE WAY! THANKS DINO MARTIN PETERS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/

ATOMIC GOOGIE ARCHITECTURE FOR EATS!

ALL FROM THE 1950'S & STARTING WITH THE FIRST BUILDING, THIS WAS A PLACE CALLED THE PIGSTAND IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THE SUNBELT'S PIGSTAND FIRST BUILT ON THE DALLAS-FT.WORTH ROAD IN TEXAS IN 1921, IS OFTEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE FIRST, FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF OTHER DRIVE-INS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH AND INTO CALIFORNIA. BY 1931 THE PIG STANDS IN LOS ANGELES AND ELSEWHERE, AS WELL AS CARPENTER'S SANDWICHES AND OTHER DRIVE-IN CHAINS, HAD ADOPTED AN OCTAGONAL FORM FOR THEIR ONE-STORY BUILDINGS, WHICH WERE SET IN THE CENTER OF EMPTY CORNER LOTS. THE CONFIGURATION ALLOWED MORE CARS TO PARK CLOSE TO THE BULDING, MAKING SERVICE EASIER AND ATTRACTING MORE CUSTOMERS. THE EXPLODING NUMBER OF DRIVE-INS SHOWED THAT THEY HAD STRUCK A CHORD WITH THE CAR-MOBILE LIFESTYLES OF AMERICANS; APPEARANCES IN MOVIES AND GOSSIP COLUMN ITEMS ABOUT STARS FREQUENTING THE PIG STAND OR CARPENTER'S IN HOLLYWOOD'S HEART AT SUNSET AND VINE HELPED TO POPULARIZE THE FORM.

PHOTO #2 WAS A DRIVE INN RESTAURANT CALLED HERBERT'S ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED BY WAYNE MCALLISTER HIMSELF. COMMERCIAL VERNACULAR BUILDINGS LIKE HERBERT'S RESPONDED TO THE DEMANDS OF THE NEW MACHINE AGE AND THE CAR ATLEAST AS IMAGINATIVELY AS MANY BETTER KNOWN MODERN BUILDINGS. THE CIRCULAR PLAN AND NEON PLYON WERE TAILORED TO THE CAR CUSTOMER.

#3 WAS THE SPACE AGE RESTAURANT,

#4 WAS THE EVER SO POPULAR "THE WICH STAND" WHICH STILL TO THIS DAY IS REMEMBERED AS THE NOSTALGIC RESTAURANT CHAIN IN WHICH THEY STARTED OUT IN THE 1930'S AS DRIVE-INS, AND THEN IN THE GLORIOUS 1950'S WERE TURNED INTO COFFEE SHOPS. YOU COULD STOP FOR THE DRIVE-IN, COFFEE, DINING ROOM, OR COCKTAILS.

#5 WAS ANOTHER GREAT DRIVE IN FOR BURGERS & FRIES, SODAS & SHAKES.... TO ALSO INCLUDE SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

1950'S KITCHEN

HERE IS ANOTHER GREAT 1950'S KITCHEN TO ADMIRE! NOTICE THE BEAUTIFUL & COOL FLOORING. SKYLIGHTS HAD BECOME MORE POPULAR TO USE IN RANCH HOUSES AT THAT TIME, ALTHOUGH I CAN'T TELL WHETHER THOSE WERE SKYLIGHTS OR JUST SHEETROCK WITH BEAMS. TO ADD TO THIS, I REALLY SWOON OVER THE OVEN & REFRIGERATOR! LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE EVER SO POPULAR CRAZE WAS THE NEW ORANGE FORMICA COUNTERTOPS!

ANOTHER SWANKY KITCHEN DESIGN!

DONTCHA LOVE THE PINK??

A DYNAMITE FIREPLACE!

WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO SNUGGLE UP NEXT TO A FIREPLACE LIKE THIS ONE THIS WINTER! IT LOOKS SO RETRO COZY! MOM HAS THE BOYS COOKING STEAKS RIGHT OVER THE FLAMES...

MY NEWEST MIDCENTURY ADDITIONS!

THESE FABULOUS CHAIRS ARE MY NEWEST MIDCENTURY ADDITIONS. THEY ARE MADE MY STANLEY FURNTIURE COMPANY AND THEY ARE FROM THE 1950'S ERA. THEY HAVE AN ASIAN LIKE INFLUENCE TO THEM. I WANTED THE RIGHT KIND OF LOOK FOR THE JENS RISOM SOFA THAT I JUST PURCHASED. THE LOOK IS INSANELY SWANKY FOR SURE!

ATOMIC JENS RISOM SOFA!

HELLO AND HERE IS MY RECENT PURCHASE OF A JENS RISOM SOFA IN OLIVE GREEN NAUGAHYDE AND WHAT LOOKS TO BE TEAKWOOD OR ROSEWOOD, IN ALL OF IT'S GLORIOUS MID-CENTURY SPLENDOR! I'M LOVING IT!

AN INTERESTING 50'S KITCHEN!

WELL ANOTHER INTERESTING POST OF A 1950'S KITCHEN. NOTICE THE BULLET PLANTERS, AND THAT KILLER DROP DOWN COVER FOR THE FOOD. THERE ARE SURELY A FEW LITTLE SPACE AGE ITEMS IN THIS KITCHEN.

FEATURED IN ATOMIC RANCH MAGAZINE ~EICHLER IN ORANGE CALIFORNIA FOR SALE!

THIS HOUSE WAS FEATURED IN ATOMIC RANCH MAGAZINE. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD SOME HIGH END FEATURES ADDED TO IT, AND NOW IT'S UP FOR SALE. IT IS AN EICHLER WITH A JONES & EMMONS FLOORPLAN, AND WAS BUILT IN 1964. IT DOES HAVE TERAZZO FLOORING WHICH IS ONE OF THE FEATURES THAT I LOVE SO MUCH. IT CAN BE SEEN ON MY FAVORITE BLOG LIST @ EICHLER HOMES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ISN'T IT ATOMICALLY COOL??

ATOMIC INTERIOR WITH KILLER CHAIRS!

THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN 50'S FABRICS FOR YOUR FURNITURE UPHOLSTERY PROJECTS. ALL OF THE FABRICS JUST SCREAMED COOL! NOW THERE ARE REPRODUCTIONS MADE IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT AGE.




TAKE NOTICE OF THE HANS WEGNER "PAPA" CHAIRS. TODAY THEY ARE VERY PRICEY. THEY WERE
ONE OF THE MANY COOL DESIGNS IN THE ATOMIC ERA. I SURE WISH I HAD 2 OF THEM IN MY HOUSE. THEY CAN BE FOUND WITH OTTOMANS, AS THESE PARTICULAR ONES DON'T HAVE ANY. YOU WILL NOTICE ONE IN THE SCENES OF "BEWITCHED" IN THE FAR LEFT CORNER OF THEIR LIVING ROOM.

ATOMIC RANCH INTERIOR !

HERE IS ANOTHER INTERESTING INTERIOR OF THE WEEK DONE IN RED, PINK, WHITE, AND BLACK. HOW SCRUMPTOUS!

SWANKY MIDCENTURY HOMES IN THE DESERT OF PALM SPRINGS!

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A NEAT VIDEO OF THE PLACE I WANT TO BE...IN PALM SPRINGS LIVING IN A SWANKY ORIGINAL MIDCENTURY HOME OVERLOOKING MY GORGEOUS VIEW....

1950'S RANCH INTERIOR

HERE AGAIN NOTICE THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE SWANKY AQUA BLUE COLOR. WHAT A STATEMENT ON THAT POST AND BEAM CEILING. THE ORANGE FURNISHINGS COMPLIMENT IT SO WELL. SIMPLY COOL!

1950's APARTMENT

HERE IS A PHOTO I FOUND THAT I THOUGHT WAS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A FABULOUS 1950'S APARTMENT BUILDING, WITH ALL OF IT'S AQUA SPLENDOR.

ATOMIC RANCH

~ATOMIC RANCH BOOK~