THE ESSENTIALS

R E S T O R AT I O N

Remaking History

A 1950s House Beautiful cover stara home epitomizing

the architecture of the next Americais revamped for todays
tastes by an enterprising team in Oregon.
N OW

THEN
In 1953, we enthused
about a bedroom
with privacy yet
quick access to
outdoors.

112

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

PHOTOGRAPHERS BEFORE: MAYNARD PARKER; AFTER: DAVID PAPAZIAN. FOR MORE DETAILS, SEE RESOURCES

The master
bedroom has a
new bath behind
the warm oak
feature wall.

THE ESSENTIALS

1953

W E ST C OA ST MODE R N I ST A RC H I T E C T

John Yeon knew one secret to good living: getting

outside. He loved nature and opened up homes
to the landscape, says designer JoelleC. Nesen.
Her firm Maison, Inc., alongside architect Keith
Abel, recently helped reinvigorate Yeons Shaw
Housewith views of Oregons Mount Hood
which graced our cover in 1953. In an era when
the magazine was eager to find a style of modern
design that felt warm and inviting, this one
succeeded; we wrote that houses like it would
lead the way to a golden age in American life.

1953

114

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

PHOTOGRAPHERS BEFORE: MAYNARD PARKER; AFTER: DAVID PAPAZIAN

There was opulence

in the original black
marble mantel, but we
increased the size
of the surround so its
more eye-catching,
Nesen says. The
paneling replicates
the original; the
custom parquet-floor
pattern is a nod to
Yeons design. A new
airy hallway lets in
needed light. Above:
Nesen kept Yeons
green-blue door color,
as well as the bronze
knob he designed.

THE ESSENTIALS

PHOTOGRAPHERS BEFORE: MAYNARD PARKER; AFTER: DAVID PAPAZIAN

The original flagstone

patio remains, but
the cedar tongue-andgroove ceiling was
replaced with aged
cedar. Recessed
lighting was added
for illumination.
Below: The 1953 cover.

Of course, 60-plus years later, not

everything Yeon did holds up. Kitchens and baths then werent the stars
they need to be now, Nesen says.
Other upgrades: a mudroom, a media
room, and a wine cellar. But the interiors still harken to Yeon; the Maison,
Inc., design team outfitted the space
with the Regency-meets-modernstyle pieces he favored. After the race
to the McMansion, people are circling
back to simplicity, Nesen says. In
a house like this, you want to have
a cocktail on the patio and watch the
sun go down. The good life, in any
decade. Kathryn OShea-Evans