Thursday, August 19, 2010

Thanks for helping support a great cause!

The Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour is proud to support our neighbors at the Short Center South. We were able to donate a $3,000 from this year's tour and received a really nice handmade card.


The Short Center South is a day program that serves adults with developmental disabilities. The Center offers classes in a studio setting, taught by artists working in their own disciplines. Classes include drawing, painting, ceramics, mosaics, photography, music, dance, theatre, textiles, crafts, sign language, reading, computers, physical education/exercise and classes that further social skills and personal growth.

If you haven't visited their studios and seen their artwork, check them out. You probably have already seen their work around town; they recently completed a public mural that is displayed on Franklin Boulevard. For more information about their work, see their website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Many thanks to all of you who participated and contributed.

Friday, July 30, 2010

A Real Honor

We had the distinct pleasure of showing the California State Historical Resources Commission some of the homes and points of interest on the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour yesterday.


This morning, the three of us (aka Sacramento Modern) who put together the tour had the honor of receiving a resolution from the Commission during their quarterly meeting, which was held in the chambers of Sacramento's New City Hall.


Again, thank you to all who participated as a homeowner, sponsor, advertiser or volunteer for the home tour. We're proud to be highlighting and celebrating our mid-century modern treasures. We are honored to be considered a part of the larger preservation community and look forward to working further in this capacity.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Second set of official photos: 2010 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour


Here is the second set of official photos from the 2010 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour taken by our friend Toni Okamoto.

We again thank all who participated, especially the homeowners, sponsors, advertisers, and volunteers. If you would like to participate by showing your home, being a sponsor or advertiser, volunteering -- or nominating a neighborhood, building, structure, or otherwise sharing relevant information and history regarding the Sacramento region's MCM art, architecture and design treasures -- please drop us a line at sacramentomodern (at) comcast (dot) net.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

First official photos: 2010 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour



Here is the first set of official photos from the 2010 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour taken by our friend John DiDomenico. More photos to follow soon; stay tuned!

For other perspectives, check out:
A blog post by Erin of Bows & Sparrows regarding her tour experience
Another blog post by Kimberly of Mid-Century Living regarding the tour
MidCenturyMadam's blog post regarding her experience
Rynobot's tour experience on his Flickr photostream
Cassi's pix and thoughts about the tour

In the meantime, we invite interested and interesting people to join us. See our previous post about joining Sacramento Modern.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Join Sacramento Modern!


Sacramento Modern is looking for like-minded, hard-working mid-century modern and modern enthusiasts to carry out our mission to promote, preserve and protect modern art, architecture and design in the Sacramento region.

The home tour was the first of many events we'd like to plan that celebrate our area's modern heritage. We can't do this alone; we need your help. Here are some examples of what you can do:

1)  Join Sacramento Modern: be on our board of directors or be a member.

- If you are interested in being a board member, drop us a line and tell us a little about yourself: your interests, skill set, available time to commit. We encourage architects, designers, artists, event planners, volunteer coordinators, historians, organizers, accountants, cheery greeters, heavy lifters and go-getters.

- If you are interested in being a volunteer at a future event, drop us a line.

- If you cannot commit energy and time, consider joining as a member. We'll be offering memberships soon.

2) Nominate buildings, residences, structures, neighborhoods, architects, designers, builders, landscapes, and other local modern treasures that you believe should be featured in future events and/or highlighted by Sacramento Modern.

3) Share your knowledge. Let us know if you have any information to share regarding any local modern treasure (architecture, art, design, crafts, etc.) or any local artisan, designer, architect or craftsperson.

We look forward to hearing from you. Click here:    I'M IN! 

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Thank you!


Many thanks to all of the people who made this event happen and to all who participated -- the turnout and interest exceeded our wildest expectations. We really appreciate it!

Special kudos to my co-coordinators Kris Lannin Liang and Dane Henas who went above and beyond the call of duty. Kris had the initial vision for this event and put together the skeletal framework upon which it was founded. She has incredible organizational skills and spent countless hours collaborating and partnering with other local agencies, groups, and individuals, promoting the event, managing submissions to the car show at the airport and at individual homes, organizing registration at the airport, managing ticket sales, marketing and advertising, and volunteer coordination. Dane spent countless hours doing all of the awesome and talented graphic design work: the logos for the home tour and Sacramento Modern, tickets, postcards, poster, signage, various posterboards, image preparation for the cover of Inside the City and the fantastic guidebook layout. I maintained our blog, our presence on Twitter, identified and enlisted most of the homes and points of interest for the tour, conducted historical research (logged over 85 hours just staring at microfilm), helped contact advertisers, collected and prepared images, wrote the content in the guidebook and prepared the historical display at the airport. There were highs and lows, surprises and disappointments -- and lots of blood, sweat and tears.

A giant thank you to the wonderful homeowners (that includes us three!) for allowing people to see what it's like to live in a mid-century modern home --- and to the fabulous volunteers who gave their time and support to this event.

Finally, we want to thank the sponsors, advertisers, and those who gave in-kind donations. We appreciate your believing in us; your participation made this event possible.

We encourage submissions regarding buildings, residences, structures, neighborhoods, architects, designers, builders, landscapes, and other local modern treasures that you believe should be featured in future events. Stay tuned!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Event Sold Out!


We are amazed and humbled by the interest in this tour - and are sad to report that we sold out of tickets this afternoon.

In order not to diminish the experience for participants and homeowners we are not selling any more tickets.

Those of you who have purchased on PayPal -- pick up your tickets at the registration area. Those of you who wanted to go but could not get your tickets in time -- we will have other events in the future so stay tuned! We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.


Thank you for your support.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Tick-tock! Get 'em while you can!


We are so pleased at the excitement and interest the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour has generated -- and we want to make sure you have a heads-up regarding tickets. Our cut-off point for buying tickets to the tour online via PayPal is Friday, June 25th @ 3pm.

We need to have a cut-off time in order to prepare the tickets for will-call at registration.

We will then sell the rest of the available tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis, beginning at 9AM at the Sacramento Executive Airport. Be forewarned, we are close to selling out! We cannot guarantee that there will be tickets available on the day of the event.

For additional details of what to expect on the tour, see our earlier post.

See you soon!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Feeling Hot Hot Hot!

Search Optimization, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Optimization

It's been beautiful weather here recently -- but be aware that Sacramento can get pretty toasty this time of year. We hope you bring plenty of sunscreen, drink lots of water and consider wearing a hat while you are out and about this Saturday on the tour.

See details in the post below about the tour; looking forward to seeing all of you!

Friday, June 11, 2010

2010 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour


Here are the homes that will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Check-in for all tour participants will be from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sacramento Executive Airport.

Tickets are $20 in advance and are available online via this site (see PayPal link in the upper left margin) and at the following Sacramento locations: Parkside Pharmacy, Capital Nursery, Blomberg Windows and HOT ITALIAN.

Any tickets remaining after advance sales may be purchased for $25 (CASH ONLY) at the check-in desk. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Short Center South, a day program serving adults with developmental disabilities. The Short Center South gallery will also be open during the tour.

At registration, participants will receive guidebooks with information about the homes and points of interest. They will then set their own pace on self-guided tours over three and a half miles of South Land Park and adjacent neighborhoods. On-street parking is available and biking is encouraged. Guest will be invited inside the 11 residences and enjoy driving past and learning about 22 points of interest. Homeowners and docents will be at the homes to greet visitors and answer questions.

Hope to see you there!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Super thanks to Midtown Monthly!

We'd like to thank Midtown Monthly editor and writer Tim Foster for his epic article regarding this year's Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour, the history of mid-century modern, and a little bit about us. Well, a lot about us.


The article, "California Livin' - Celebrating Mid-Century Modern Sacramento", can be found in the June 2010 issue -- on the cover, page 4 and pages 28 - 31. Available online and at newsstands at various locations throughout Midtown -- check it out!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Big thanks to Inside Publications!

We'd like to thank Inside Publications writer Julie Foster and publisher Cecily Hastings for the article regarding the Powell House, a custom designed home on this year's Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour.


The article, "Modern at Last", can be found in the June 2010 issue of Inside The City -- the Land Park, Curtis Park, Hollywood Park, Central City and Woodlake edition -- on the cover and pages 21 - 23. The tour is also discussed on page 12, under the "Life in the City" section -- "Mid-Mod Home Tour." Copies of Inside The City are available for downloading online (pdf) at newsstands at various locations throughout the above-mentioned neighborhoods as well as directly mailed to neighborhood homes. Look for your copy in your mailbox -- or pick one up today!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Special thanks to Sacramento Magazine!

Many thanks to Sacramento Magazine writer Joan Waters for her article regarding the Frame House, a custom Carter Sparks designed home on this year's Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour.
Photo by David Toerge

The article, "Midcentury Modern", can be found in the June 2010 issue of Sacramento Magazine on pages 120 - 123.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Scopitones A-Go-Go!

We won't tell you everything that we have in store for you at the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour -- but we'll share this little tidbit. Among the many treats will be a showing of Scopitone films at the Sacramento Executive Airport during tour registration.



Scopitones were a precursor to today's music videos -- a combination of a jukebox plus a screen upon which 16mm films were projected for viewing. Courtesy of Scott Moon we will be showing some films that were played on Scopitones back in the 60s.

Groovy, Baby!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Sneak Peek: unique and rare Land Park mid-century modern!

Here's yet another sneak peek of one of the spectacular homes scheduled for the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on June 26, 2010 (see details regarding the tour in our previous post).


R's gorgeous home was originally built for real estate developer Robert Powell, circa 1962/63. Designed by Robert N. Hill of Morris Construction Company. Don't miss the many beautiful details throughout, from the glamorous pool in the front to the amazing floating stairs.

Keep checking in -- we'll be posting press coverage links, up-to-date information and glimpses of the upcoming tour!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Sneak Peek: Another Jones + Emmons Eichler Home

Here's another sneak peek of one of the wonderful homes scheduled for the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on June 26, 2010 (see details regarding the tour in our previous post).



C & M's tranquil 1955 Eichler Home was originally built for Ms. Sheridan. You're going to love this distinctive Eichler home with white birches and gorgeous colors. Visitors are greeted by bubbling koi ponds and a lovely mid-century clay pot collection. Don't miss the back yard and hidden pool!



More sneak peeks coming soon....

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Tickets now available in town at HOT ITALIAN!



Our friends at HOT ITALIAN are now selling tickets (cash or check only) to the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour.

Get 'em while they're HOT -- at 16th & Q Streets in Sacramento. HOT ITALIAN is open everyday from 11:30a until late night. That's amoré!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Sneak Peek: former personal residence of George Muraki, AIA on the Tour


Here is another example of one of the homes scheduled for the first-ever Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on June 26, 2010 (see details regarding the tour in our previous post).

This outstanding home in South Land Park Estates was designed by Sacramento architect George Muraki around 1956 for his family. This home features a central enclosed atrium that provides wonderful natural light. Current owners A & J have updated this mid-century modern home into a comfortable family home that they share with their three children.

After being unjustly fired from the California State Department of Employment and interned with other Japanese Americans during WWII, Muraki became a prominent Sacramento region architect and Sacramento City Planning Commissioner.

More to come -- keep checking in for updated information and more sneak peeks!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour Tickets now available!


You may now purchase tickets for the first-ever Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis - act now!

Online tickets are being sold through PayPal -- refer to the "Buy Tickets Now!" icon in the top left hand margin of this blog. PayPal is an easy way to pay with your credit card.

In-town purchases may also be made in-person at the following businesses: Parkside Pharmacy, Capital Nursery, and Blomberg Window Systems and Hot Italian (as of 4.8.10). Cash or check only.

Postcard photograph by Don Satterlee of Satterlee Photo. Postcard design by by Tour co-coordinator Dane Henas of Dane Henas Design.

Hope to see you at the Tour!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Calling all (MCM) cars!


This Car Show on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Sacramento Executive Airport is open to all -- including ticket holders who will be registering for the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour (see our previous post for details).

Both the Car Show and Tour are presented by Sacramento Modern (SacMod), a non-profit association that promotes, preserves and protects mid-century art, architecture and design in the Sacramento region. SacMod is partnering with the California Automobile Museum to display impressive modes of transportation at the home tour registration site. The event is limited to 150 vehicles, and admission to the car show is FREE (a limited number of home tour tickets are available for purchase).

For those of you with vehicles who would like to participate in the Car Show, take us “Back to the Future” with distinctive, space-aged vehicles representing the modern movement between 1940-1970. All types of transportation are welcome: automobiles, travel trailers, motorbikes, scooters, and bicycles. Think fins…chrome…power…innovation…the future! Please email photos of your vehicles to Tour co-coordinator Kris Lannin Liang using the contact information on the back of the postcard.

The Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour logo, postcards, upcoming tickets, and upcoming guide book have been created by Tour co-coordinator Dane Henas of Dane Henas Design.

Hope to see you at both events!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Sneak Peek: Another Carter Sparks Custom Home on the Tour

 

Here is another example of one of the homes scheduled for the first-ever Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on June 26, 2010 (see details regarding the tour in our previous post).

This elegant home in South Land Park Hills was designed by Sacramento architects Carter Sparks and Donald Thaden around 1960 for the Stecher family. Current owners M & S have sensitively updated the home, retaining much of its original character. The home is full of ingenious details and has several outstanding garden areas.


We'll be posting more about the Tour and giving you other sneak peeks soon -- thanks for checking in and stay tuned.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Sneak Peek: Another Jones + Emmons Eichler Home

Here's another sneak peek of one of the wonderful homes scheduled for the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on June 26, 2010 (see details regarding the tour in our previous post).



Don't miss L & T's beautiful and charming 1955 Eichler Home originally built for the Koutchis family. Filled with whimsy and vintage goodness -- plus a terrific light-filled addition by a local Mid-Century modern architect!

More sneak peeks coming soon....

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Tweet tweet!



If Twitter is your preferred medium, you may now stay up-to-date regarding the upcoming Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour and other interesting MCM stuff by following eichlerific.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Where tickets will be sold

Many thanks to the following neighborhood businesses who have agreed to sell tickets for the upcoming Sacramento Mid-Century Home Tour. Tickets will be available for sale in April.

4404 Del Rio Rd., Sacramento, CA 95822 
(916) 452-2200
4700 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 455-2601
1453 Blair Ave., Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 428-8060

For our out-of-town friends or those who wish to pay via credit card, we'll have a PayPal link up and running on this blog at the same time the tickets are available at the above businesses.

We'll post again when tickets are available, so stay in touch!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Sneak Peek: A Jones + Emmons Eichler Home

We are still diligently working behind-the-scenes to bring you the first-ever Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour. As promised, here's another sneak peek of one of the fantastic homes scheduled for June 26, 2010 (see details regarding the tour in our previous post).



This 1955 Eichler Home was originally built for the Scott family.  J & J have transformed it into a warm, colorful and relaxing retreat. Don't miss their spectacular vintage clock collection.

We'll be bringing you more sneak peeks, and information on how to obtain tickets -- stay tuned!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Sneak Peek: A Carter Sparks Custom Home on the Tour


Here is an example of one of the many beautiful homes scheduled for the Sacramento Mid-Century Home Tour on June 26, 2010 (see details regarding the tour in our previous post).

This stunning home in South Land Park Estates was designed by Sacramento architect Carter Sparks around 1957-58 for the Frame family. Current owners D & J have tastefully updated this incredible home -- guaranteed to take your breath away.


Coincidentally, this home is featured in an article of the current issue of CA-Modern, a quarterly magazine by the Eichler Network. For additional details, please refer to Dave Weinstein's article, "Signature Singular Sparks: Using fantasy, surprise and whimsy, Carter Sparks' lively homes are like nothing else."


We'll be featuring other "sneak peeks" in the weeks to come, so stay tuned!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Special thanks to our first sponsors

The Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour is pleased to announce our first event sponsors:



Many thanks to Lumens Light + Living for their generous Platinum level sponsorship.


Special thanks to Blomberg Window Systems for being one of our Gold level sponsors.

We're proud to have the backing of these local and nationally-recognized businesses. If you are interested in purchasing a sponsorship, please contact us: sacmcmhometour at gmail dot com.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Announcing the first Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour

 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!


On Saturday, June 26, 2010 the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour will provide enthusiasts of architecture and design an opportunity to discover what it’s like to live, work and play in more than 15 quintessentially Californian residential and commercial structures built between 1945 and 1970. This year's tour features homes within Sacramento’s South Land Park and adjacent neighborhoods, which contain hundreds of Mid-Century Modern residential and commercial buildings.

Participants are invited to go inside eleven residences and drive by multiple points of interest throughout the southernmost portion of Land Park and in various South Land Park neighborhoods. Architects and designers include: Jones + Emmons for Eichler Homes, Carter Sparks, Donald Thaden, George Muraki, designer George W. Haggett, designer Robert N. Hill, Rickey + Brooks, Bucky H. Fong, Herbert Y. Niiya, Albert Dreyfuss, Sooky Lee, Dean Unger, Harry J. Devine, Grant Caywood, and William Koblik. Registration will be at Sacramento Executive Airport, a wonderful MCM building designed by renown Sacramento architect Leonard F. Starks. An estimated 500 visitors will see Sacramento from a different perspective as we open the doors to our past, present, and future.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Sacramento Executive Airport at 6151 Freeport Boulevard. The program begins at 10:00 a.m.; homes will be open to visitors from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants will receive tour booklets/driving maps upon check-in, and are encouraged to check-out the interpretive items on display (including a showing of Scopitone films), and the airport itself, a Leonard F. Starks-designed (circa 1955/56) building.

Guests can set their own pace and visit locations on the map in any order they wish through the close of the tour at 4:00 p.m. Neighborhood parking is available and biking is encouraged. Homeowners and docents will be on-site to greet visitors and answer questions.

Tickets are $20 in advance and will be available to purchase online and at various Sacramento locations beginning April 1st, including Parkside Pharmacy, Capital Nursery, Blomberg Windows and HOT ITALIAN. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event for $25 at the check-in desk at Sacramento Executive Airport. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Short Center South, a day program serving adults with developmental disabilities. They offer classes in a studio setting, taught by artists working in their own disciplines.

The tour is still developing; please check back for additional details, changes and updates.