Karen Calef looking ever so stylish in her new living room circa 1960something

In 1997, we bought an architect’s own house.  Admittedly, it had some water demons that we spent the next 15 or so years solving.  We now have the ability to meld midcentury modern style with 21^st century materials like improved drainage systems, sump pumps and high tech membrane roofs. It’s like technology finally caught up with the design that had no limits.  But there is nothing like the forward thinking architect’s vision for his own family’s perfect home.  Their magnum opus.  The original palette of architectural hardware, fine woods and boundless creativity have made these dwellings endure for the past 70 or so years.  And cause quite the sensation when they do hit the market in this millennium.  Quite simply, they don’t (or can’t afford) to build them like this anymore.

A happy happenstance of our 20 year career selling Cincinnati modern homes is that we have had the honor of listing several architects’ own homes.  Some still in the original hands, and some many owners later.  The owners of the Benjamin Dombar, Ray Roush, Jim Alexander, Woodie Garber, David Niland, Walter Scheblessy, Dick Peacock, G. Thomas Taylor and now…… Richard T. (Dick) Calef homes have chosen cincinnatimodern to find new caring owners.   We could not be more thankful to be entrusted with this task.

Along with the home plans and other ephemera, we are always thrilled to get our hands on vintage photos showing the homes under construction and the original owners living their best lives in their dream homes.  The Calef house is no exception.  Here are some photos shared with the current owners by Dick’s daughter Susan.   What a great peek into the past to see the furnishings and artwork when they were ‘contemporary,’ and before the term ‘midcentury modern’ had any meaning.  Because hey, back then it was just MODERN!  I have to believe these guys would be thrilled to know that their homes are coveted in the next millennium.

calef house construction photo 1 circa 1957. oh how these trees have grown!

calef house construction photo 2 circa 1957

calef house construction photo 3 circa 1957

Karen Calef and her mom, chillin in the living room.

cheers!

The Calef house  **SOLD**