Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Homes

by Michelle Gringeri-Brown, Jim Brown (Photographer)

Atomic Ranch is an in-depth exploration of post-World War II residential architecture in America. Mid-century ranches (1946-1970) range from the decidedly modern gable-roofed Joseph Eichler tracts in the San Francisco Bay area and butterfly wing houses in Palm Springs, Florida, to the unassuming brick or stucco L-shaped ranches and split-levels so common throughout the United States. Authors Michelle Gringeri-Brown and Jim Brown, founders and publishers of the popular quarterly Atomic Ranch magazine, extol the virtues of the tract, split-level, rambler home and its many unique private front facades, open floor plans, secluded bedroom wings, walls of glass, and an easy-living lifestyle. From updated homes with high-end Italian kitchens, terrazzo floors, and modern furniture to affordable homeowner renovations with eclectic thrift-store furnishings, Atomic Ranch presents twenty-five homes showcasing inspiring examples of stylish living through beautiful color photographs, including before and after shots, design-tip sidebars, and a thorough resource index. Atomic Ranch

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Design, Interior Design, Reference, Art

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2006

About the author

Michelle Gringeri-Brown and Jim Brown publish Atomic Ranch magazine, a quarterly devoted to midcentury homes. Gringeri-Brown was the editor of American Bungalow magazine for nine years, and her freelance work has been published in Westways, the Los Angeles Times, Photographers' Forum,and Sunset magazine's View.

Reviews

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three trains on my commuter line were cancelled this afternoon with the result that I snagged this book out of the library as I headed off to the station with the knowledge that I'd likely have at least an hour or two at my disposal to read through it as I awaited a ride home with cautious optimism. Gringeri-Brown's text and Brown's photographs did not disappoint. The book is a truly happy mix of scholarship and image, with a nice breadth of geographic and temporal coverage of the oh-so-underrated ranch house. Furnishings receive nice coverage and, while definitely biased in this regard I very much appreciated the short chapter titled "State of the Nation" that dealt with community-based preservation efforts to preserve mid-century post-war communities of ranch houses such as Daly City (CA), Arapahoe Acres (CO), Virginia Village/Lynwood (also CO), Cedar Hills (OR), etc.

Heck, I'm only an archaeologist (vs. an architectural historian or interior design aficianado), but I'd willingly live in any of these houses and already have a place in my home for the readily-affordable Fiestaware and other household items featured in the book that once adorned so many of these ranch houses. Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Houses is a lovely book that successfully places this once-ubiquitous house form in its historic context. Good, good stuff that definitely salvaged a crappy Friday commute with a welcome bit of knowledge about this important element of the suburban landscape. Thanks so much, Ms. Gringeri-Brown!

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos. Inspirational for anyone who aspires to one day own a mid-century ranch-style home and make it the best that it can be. Great companion piece to the magazine of the same title

[Chris Contes · Rating 5 out of 5]

During my research on mid-century ranch houses for my own fiction book (as well as the decor of my own mid century ranch house) this book was an outstanding resource. While some of the featured homes have been modernized or updated, the book is still faithful to the design ethos that was so important to the mid-century ranch. It's a book full of great photography and unique locations that include interiors. I still pull it out for reference here and there.

[Angie Page-Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

E-book Issues

The pictures and descriptions were way off. Also communication for the printer was left in - ie make photo straighter, remove lines, etc. perhaps those mistakes are not in a bound version of the book.

This book had great potential but didn’t quite deliver what the Title stated.

[Lexi Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

We just bought an atomic ranch in Western Massachusetts, and man-oh-man, was this book a perfect launchpad of ideas.

[Mark Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Great little book. Loved it. Any others you’d recommend? This 120 word requirement for a review is annoying. lol. lol

[Natalie Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

good ideas for midcentury decor

[Mandy Crumb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good photographs and strong personal stories showcasing why owners in different locations enjoy decorating and living in their ranch homes. Great listing of resources in the back.

[Caryn Sobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation derived from the quarterly, highlighting different facets and issues of owning a mid-century ranch.

I have been a fan of Michelle Gringeri-Brown since she was at American Bungalow, and she and Jim Brown make a great team. Pertinent material accompanied by clear, useful photography, and a sense of humor and style to the writing that captures the spirit of the time.

I especially like Gringeri-Brown's focus on affordable renovation and living. This sets her apart, in my mind, from many others in the field. I remember her articles on her own A&C bungalow, a modest home that she restored without breaking the bank--at least as much as possible. Her approach is rooted in working with these homes within their original contexts, and that is important to me.

This is a cheerful, gorgeous little book, packed with info and history, and just the right compact size to be a coffee-table luxury, yet portable.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. My house is too old to use much of this inspiration myself, but it was fun to flip through. This book is an peek into some homes that have been lovingly restored by MCM-enthusiast homeowners. One of the first houses in the book has an VCT flooring throughout the main living spaces. I liked it so much, I tried to convince my wife we should do that to our house. We compromised on flooring our chicken coop with VCT. My favorite parts were the gardens/exteriors. Atomic Ranch made me want to move someplace flat, dry and sunny and buy a trashed Eichler to fill with Eames chairs. It is hard to appreciate my 1930s Pacific Northwesty bungalow after reading this book. I wish there was more - more photos, more resources, more "before" pictures, but it is pleasurable eye candy.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gorgeous book has wonderful photographs of numerous ranch style homes featuring mid-century modern design elements. Each chapter of the book features different ranch homes including a brief story of their history and renovation. The decoration of the homes vary widely from clean neutral minimalist styles to colorful lived-in homes which are obviously occupied by families. The stories of the homes and families are interesting and the variety insures you will find something that would work with your life style and preferences. I highly recommend this book.

[Deana Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

my friend stacy sent me this coffee table book for xmas!!! i haven't put it down since! i just love this design more than anything and this book has it all.. from furniture and appliances to landscaping in this style.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something about these types of homes that immediately attract me. The architecture is so stylish and modern, without being cookie-cutter and dull. If I ever win the lotto, one of these will be mine. :)

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book on mid-century ranch style houses. Lots of great Eichler architecture and beyond. I like how it gives tips and overviews for remodeling/updating old ranches. A great overview on this type of architecture...

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was just "ok". Some great picts and concepts. Frustrated with the photographs. A few were duplicated and some textual descriptions weren't illustrated with an associated photograph leaving you hanging.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting and had some neat pictures, but I really like "Atomic Ranch Midcentury Interiors" much better.
This book had more houses featured, but you didn't get to visualize what the house looked like as a whole like in "Midcentury Interiors".

[White House Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book about America's mid century tract houses. Great photos and info. This is a good book to browse and read. Great book for any fan of serious modern, mid century, googie, or boom generation cold war living and style.

[Merissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT!

[Jason Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishbook of homes I wish I owned. EIchlers and Kreisels are represented. It showcases westcoast modernism at it's finest.

[Kathie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me drooling for more fiberglass & formica! I got so many ideas for mid-century decorating.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this Christmas Day 2006 and went out and found a mid-century modern ranch house New Year's weekend... finalized the purchase 6 weeks later. Truly inspiring and great photography.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many good insights and ideas on how to restore and decorate a mid-century ranch home.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book- With a great mid-century house to renovate for our retirement, this will be a wonderful resource!

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many good ideas in this. I don't have a ranch house nor do i have all 1950s furniture, but i can look at these pages and really appreciate the people that do!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas for flooring, etc. I wanted to see more "before" photos but got good information/inspiration for our MCM renovation.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

High-end décor and inspiration for mid-century modern design fans.

[Donald Shank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Half of me thinks these are god-awful dorky houses. The other half (the dork half?) thinks they are sooo cool![br/]Like a journey through the late 50's, but without the bad wardrobe.