The ranch house was originally derived from Southwestern and Spanish Colonial design. Ranch homes first appeared in the 1930′s and quickly became the dominant home design in American suburbs during the 1950′s.
The plans for Ranch homes were simplistic in design. They were affordable and allowed people to own their own land in an open, spacious house that could bring the outdoors in.
Ranch homes were often criticized in later years for their lack of charm and character. With the emphasis on a low roof height, the ranch house combines modernistic style with notions of the American West working ranches, creating an informal casual living style.
The “prairie” style house pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright and the informal bungalow styles of the early 20th century paved the way for the ranch house. Architect Cliff May is credited for building the first ranch style home in San Diego in 1932.
Mandalay home photo above by Cliff May, architect. “Everyone tells me I invented it,” May once said of the ranch house. ”But I still don’t believe it .”
“Picture windows” made their first appearance in Levittown, Pennsylvania. They were meant for “looking in”-at displays for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. Opening the house to invite people in was a new idea.
Jerry Lewis and his family once lived in this home in Bel-Air California. This living room photo was first shown in the fall 1961 issue of Architectural Digest.
Features of the original ranch house style include:
- Single story.
- Long low roof-line.
- Asymmetrical rectangular, L shaped or U shaped design.
- Attached garage.
- Sliding glass doors opening onto a patio.
- Large windows.
- Vaulted ceiling with exposed beams.
- Exteriors of stucco, brick and wood.
- Cross gabled, side gabled or hip roof.
- simple and/or rustic interiors and exteriors.
In 1955 A. Quincy Jones, architect, built this modernist wood, stone and glass house for Gary Cooper. The single level home has been restored by Mark Rios. Photography by Dominique Vorillon.
By the 1950′s the California ranch house accounted for 9 out of 10 new houses built. They were built throughout America and were given “regional features.” The Colonial ranch of the Midwest and east coast added American Colonial features to the facade. Ranch homes of the 1940′s and 1950′s were typically more rustic in nature than those of the 1960′s and 1970′s. In the 1960′s the ranch home had the sleekest design and even simpler trim and ornamentation.
In 1940 this isolated 3 bedroom ranch house on Summit Ridge Drive located on the crest of Coldwater Canyon, overlooking Beverly Hills, belonged to Artie Shaw, the renowned musician, composer, arranger, bandleader, actor, author and first husband of Lana Turner. By Cheryl Crane for Architectural Digest March 2006.
By the late 1970′s, the ranch house was no longer the house of choice. Ranch houses are occasionally built today, but mainly in the Western states and usually as custom homes. Today, more than half of all new houses have 2 stories. Picture windows and carports are gone-and so are breezeways and modernistic design.
Although the big “fling” with the ranch house is over, there is a revival of interest and the ranch house is finally beginning its long trek back to respectability. Beginning in the 1990′s a renewed interest occurred. Younger buyers found that ranch houses are affordable entry level homes in many markets, and the single story attracts buyers as they age.
“There is a re-appreciation of ranch houses”- Mark Hinchman, associate professor of interior design at University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Architects.
The juxtaposition of wood, stucco and brick on both the interior and exteriors of houses has regained popularity. Retro decorating for the ranch style home includes using 1960′s colors: greens, golds, oranges and yellows. Black and white were also popular. The combination of fuchsia pink and tangerine were also popular.
This living room photo was taken in 1964 . The bookcase is the only separation between the two living areas. Although each area is defined, they flow together as one living and entertaining area. The same yellow and golds are used in both areas, with accents of rust gold. A decorative wood grille is used as a back wall for furniture, without actually enclosing or confining the room. The beamed ceiling extending through the glass wall expands the visual limits for the room. Interior Design by Barnett Brothers. Decorator Bettina Hall. Photography by Leland Y. Lee.
On a personal note about colors, someone once said “there are no bad colors, just bad memories.” Visions of Harvard Gold and Avocado Green appliances come to mind. With that said, I would not be inclined to duplicate the exact 1960′s colors to update a ranch house to 21st century standards- unless a true retro style was desired. There are so many ways of using today’s popular colors such as a fresh sage green, sandy tan, chocolate brown, black and white. Bedrooms and baths can always use more personal and stylized colors and patterns for walls, floors and bed linens. Wallpaper is also back in vogue with an array of exciting new colors and patterns. See my post ”Wallpaper Revival”.
This cozy room setting is the living area of a renovated ranch home. Shades of brown, off white and black are complimented by the violet fringed throw. It is reminiscent of a 1950′s room with a definite up-to-date look.
This kitchen photo from a 900 square foot renovated bungalow in Santa Monica reflects a new twist on modern design. ”I needed something strong to give this tiny kitchen character,” says the designer, so he covered the walls with handmade Star and Cross tiles that he designed with the Lascaux Tile Company. The ceiling and cabinets are painted with Pratt & lambert’s Glacier Sand. Interior design by Chad Eisner. Photography by Dominique Vorillon.
Recommended Reading: Levittown: The First 50 years.
www.1950′satomicranchhouseblogspot.com
Do you ever wonder how food pictures in magazines look so perfect and creatively displayed-and how it happens? It is accomplished by talented food stylists to show off food in unique and often unusual ways. I was instantly drawn to Kristina Gill’s food photo creations for Design Sponge www.designsponge.com “In the kitchen” column. The beautiful platter and cup shown above add to the appeal of the pecan whiskey cake in this exquisite featured photo. 
Kristina gained much of her food photography expertise through the teachings of food photographer, Matt Armendariz, http://www.mattbites.com and food stylist Adam C. Pearson. Kristina considers them to be two of the best in the food styling business. 
Beetroot Pasta 
