1951 Mid Century Modern Home

 Piedmont, CA

We did not actually attend an estate sale at this house, or take these photos ourselves, but instead we stumbled upon this ultra fabulous house on zillow.com. This was back in 2013 and the house has since been sold. We saved the pictures from the listing because we just had to share this ultra spectacular 1951 Mid Century marvel! This house is just a stunner! The kitchen and living room are the prizewinners in this home, unbelievably original! SO BEAUTIFUL!

1953 Storybook Ranch

Attended this estate sale November 2009.

Modesto, CA

First off, I want to say that I have some conflicting information about this house. While I was there at the estate sale, the ladys that were running it told me that this house has had only one owner. They said that they built it in 1946, BUT I did a search on Zillow.com of this house and they said it was built in 1953. A lot of the design choices in the house seem more like 1953, so I myself want to say it was in fact built in 1953. There might be some parts of the house that were started in 1946, but I really cant say for sure. All I can say that this house was like a DREAM! So over the top mid century decorating! I loved it! See for yourself!

Time Capsule Snippet

Oakland, CA

This estate sale was held in March of 2011. The house was fantastic and oh so original. It was built in 1948. However, it was a very busy and crowded one with not so friendly staff running the sale, so therefore I call this post a Time Capsule Snippet because of the lack of photos that I was able to take at the sale. We were able to get some goodies from here, except for some awesome geometric barkcloth curtains that were hanging in one of the bedrooms. I asked a staff person if they were for sale and he sternly said "NO!!!" I have asked to purchase curtains off the windows before and usually the staff is polite about it, but this guy was so rude. He did not have to act that way toward me.

This last photo of the immaculate bathroom was not taken by me. I stumbled upon it while this house was on the market. The other photos that were included along with this one showed the freshly remodeled interior.... All of that beautiful exposed wood was painted beige, all light fixtures were replaced with Home Depot specials: brass dome lights, and that cool brown asphalt tile was covered with beige carpet. I say boo. Needless to say those barkcloth curtains I wanted to buy went in the trash. Another time capsule bites the dust.

1927 Tudor

Oakland, CA

We attended this sale in November 2011. This house had so many really neat original details as well as 1940s and 50s details. There were wonderful 40s window treatments including venetian blinds (We like to call them "shades with tape"). There was an incredible 20s bathroom with lavender tile and there was also a finished attic completed in the early 1950s I would say with a great wagon wheel chandelier. And as for the items for sale, there was tons of cheap old stuff! We got so many great things including amazing 30s wallpaper, which the cashier promptly gave me that confused glare wondering why in the world I was wanting all this brittle old wallpaper for. Actually now that I think about it I got tons of vintage paper all around from postcards to photographs to pamphlets. And I was there two days in a row digging this stuff out. But I dont care how many people think Im crazy. Im getting these fantastic vintage items and saving history from going in the trash. I love it!

1952 Stinky House

 Modesto, CA

I attended this one back in November 2009. This was a very tiny house built in 1952. It was also a bit smelly and very worn. It was not in the best of shape but it was complete! So much original details still remained! When looking at the ad in the newspaper for the sale, I noticed it was not in the best part of town. But I went anyway, and boy was I glad! The interior has so many goodies, both for sale and those that were attached to the house like stained wood ceilings, mid century room divider awesome kitchen and neat wallpaper. This was one of those sales where I bought so much stuff! One of my favorite finds was a huge stack of decorating magazines from the 1950s. Unfortunately my partner Jake was unable to come with me to this one, he still gets on to me for going without him to this one!

1964 Asian Styled Ranch

Modesto, CA

We attended this amazing estate sale in January 2010. This estate sale was a very exciting one because it was located in a very opulent part of town that I normally would not visit. The neighborhood was started sometime in the late 1950s and boomed in the 1980s-today, so there are very few older homes in the neighborhood. With the exception of this one!

This home belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Kamps, the original owners with an affinity for Asian design. The house was decorated ONCE in 1964 and not one thing was changed (except the kitchen, it was disappointing). We were simply mesmerized by the intact nature of this home. And of course with a house filled to the rim of amazing vintage things, lots followed us home from the sale, maybe even a bit too much stuff!