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Mid-Century Modern in Our Neighborhood

Since I was corresponding with Ranch Redo over her bathtub dilemma, I realized that I haven't been fully disclosing the variety of housing styles within walking distance of our neighborhood.  We have LOTS of mid-century modern houses around, scattered among the bungalows.  Many of these houses have never been seen by lifelong Chicagoans who don't venture this far north in the city OR skip us entirely on the way to Evanston and beyond.

I'm talking about Budlong Woods...a neighborhood as unknown as North Park itself.  (Lincolnwood is a suburb within blocks of us which is also saturated with mid-century modern, but I'll write about that another time.)

Aaron and I loaded Grace into the stroller early Saturday morning and took a long walk so I could practice my photography skills and so we could gawk.  I'll be publishing the results of our mid-century expedition in a few installments.

It seems to me that Mid-Century Modern finished what the Bungalow movement had started in its rejection of elaborate ornamentation (most notably associated with the Victorian style).  It embraced more modern materials, such as plastic, aluminum and glass. 

What do I see when I look at this architectural style?

I see some of the same boxes and rectangles that I associate with the Craftsman bungalow, but I also see lots of angles.  Many times these angles will be tilting in the opposite direction of where they would be traveling on a more traditional house, creating an elegant asymmetry.

I see triangles, diamonds, and starburst patterns. Glass block.  Concrete.

I see the influence of the Prarie-style in boxy construction...

The asymmetry is what pulls the style over the line from bungalow to mid-century modern for me.  But I'm speaking intuitively here and not from any formal architectural design knowledge.

Aaron and I have been seeing a steady increase in the number of housebloggers purchasing more modern housing, and we also see modern styles reflected in consumer style trends. 

(See West Elm, Chiasso, Dwell, design*sponge, jetsetmodern)

Why?  There are probably many reasons but, as a houseblogger in Chicago, I tend to think that form follows function :)  Bungalows were affordable, then cutting edge, then fashionable, then hot.  Now, many bungalow neighborhoods are priced out of the reach of the first time homebuyer.  What is still affordable?  Middle class and blue collar Chicago neighborhoods with housing stock from the 1940's and 1950's.  If this trend continues, you'll see the 60's and 70's become hot again next.  (In fact, that is what many auctioneers are counting on.) Split-levels will be all of the rage.

And when the 80's officially become vintage?  I will poke out my eyes with a sharp stick because that was high school for me.  Someone else's high style will emerge out of my teenage fashion nightmare.

But, isn't that how things always seem to develop?  Sigh. 

Posted by jeanne on June 5, 2006 at 9:09 AM (4)

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