See Amazing Remodels of Eichler Homes
These homeowners have added modern-day flair to classic midcentury architecture
Mitchell Parker
July 28, 2016
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
The homes of midcentury modern developer Joseph Eichler are more popular today than they were when they were first built in the 1950s and ’60s. A look at almost any one of the 11,000 homes he developed tells why: plenty of glass, open floor plans, open-sky atriums and deep connections to the outdoors — a winning formula that many homeowners seek today.
But five decades of wear and tear can take their toll, and many of the Eichlers now snatched off the market need a lot of love. Here are nine classic Eichler homes fit for the current era.
But five decades of wear and tear can take their toll, and many of the Eichlers now snatched off the market need a lot of love. Here are nine classic Eichler homes fit for the current era.
1. Airy Atrium
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Pamela Lin and Erwin Tam and their daughters, Eniko (8 months) and Eliana (4)
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Size: 1,890 square feet (176 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
The exterior of this Eichler home remains virtually unchanged save for new paint. The homeowners did add an ipe wood side fence, a frosted glass sidelight to the entry and landscaping steps and concrete planters.
Exterior paint: Dolphin by Benjamin Moore; door paint: Pumpkin Cream by Benjamin Moore
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Pamela Lin and Erwin Tam and their daughters, Eniko (8 months) and Eliana (4)
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Size: 1,890 square feet (176 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
The exterior of this Eichler home remains virtually unchanged save for new paint. The homeowners did add an ipe wood side fence, a frosted glass sidelight to the entry and landscaping steps and concrete planters.
Exterior paint: Dolphin by Benjamin Moore; door paint: Pumpkin Cream by Benjamin Moore
The front door leads to an open-sky atrium — an Eichler hallmark — surrounded by walls of windows. A fire feature sits on an ipe wood deck.
Cube stool: Frank Gehry; glass doors: Palo Alto Glass
Cube stool: Frank Gehry; glass doors: Palo Alto Glass
The homeowners remodeled the kitchen but kept all the appliances in the same locations as the originals. Textured tiles with a nonslip surface form the floor that connects the kitchen to the TV area.
Sofa: Room & Board; rug: Betty, Angela Adams; chandelier: Staccato by Tech Lighting
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Sofa: Room & Board; rug: Betty, Angela Adams; chandelier: Staccato by Tech Lighting
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Photo by Mariko Reed
2. Ga-Ga Gable
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five with kids in elementary and middle school
Location: Burlingame, California
Size: 2,200 square feet (204 square meters) plus garage; five bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Here, two flat-roofed sides flank a prominent gable roof. The roof lines and post-and-beam construction are signature Eichler features.
2. Ga-Ga Gable
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five with kids in elementary and middle school
Location: Burlingame, California
Size: 2,200 square feet (204 square meters) plus garage; five bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Here, two flat-roofed sides flank a prominent gable roof. The roof lines and post-and-beam construction are signature Eichler features.
Photo by Mariko Reed
Photo by Mariko Reed
Like the previous example, and as with many Eichlers, the front door opens to an atrium surrounded mostly by glass. The tree promises to provide more shade as it grows.
Natural light is an important part of Eichler homes. Here, a skylight brightens the laundry room.
Watch now: Go inside this modern Eichler home on Houzz TV
See the rest of this home
Like the previous example, and as with many Eichlers, the front door opens to an atrium surrounded mostly by glass. The tree promises to provide more shade as it grows.
Natural light is an important part of Eichler homes. Here, a skylight brightens the laundry room.
Watch now: Go inside this modern Eichler home on Houzz TV
See the rest of this home
Photo by Bruce Damonte
3. Sky-High Skylights
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Palo Alto, California
Size: 2,000 square feet (186 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room
Looking at this Eichler from the backyard, we see that floor-to-ceiling windows — one of the best-loved features among Eichler homeowners — connect the family room to the outdoors.
3. Sky-High Skylights
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Palo Alto, California
Size: 2,000 square feet (186 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room
Looking at this Eichler from the backyard, we see that floor-to-ceiling windows — one of the best-loved features among Eichler homeowners — connect the family room to the outdoors.
Photos by Bruce Damonte Photography
Glossy white cabinets with minimal hardware define the new kitchen.
Cabinetry: American Woodworking (San Jose, California)
See the rest of this home
Glossy white cabinets with minimal hardware define the new kitchen.
Cabinetry: American Woodworking (San Jose, California)
See the rest of this home
Photo by Mariko Reed
4. Awesome Addition
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Greenmeadow neighborhood of Palo Alto, California
Size: Original house: 1,670 square feet (155 square meters) plus a 400-square-foot (37-square-meter) garage; new master suite: 450 square feet (42 square meters)
These homeowners added a new master suite (seen on the left) to this classic Eichler.
4. Awesome Addition
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Greenmeadow neighborhood of Palo Alto, California
Size: Original house: 1,670 square feet (155 square meters) plus a 400-square-foot (37-square-meter) garage; new master suite: 450 square feet (42 square meters)
These homeowners added a new master suite (seen on the left) to this classic Eichler.
Photo by Mariko Reed
Photo by Mariko Reed
The new suite, which includes a family room, shown above, sits off the entry hall. Again, an Eichler signature atrium provides plenty of natural light to the rooms.
A full bathroom sits off the living area. Frosted glass windows on the front of the home bring filtered light in.
Countertop: Glacier White, Corian; tile: Cloud vein cut deep brushed field tile, Artistic Tile
See the rest of this home
The new suite, which includes a family room, shown above, sits off the entry hall. Again, an Eichler signature atrium provides plenty of natural light to the rooms.
A full bathroom sits off the living area. Frosted glass windows on the front of the home bring filtered light in.
Countertop: Glacier White, Corian; tile: Cloud vein cut deep brushed field tile, Artistic Tile
See the rest of this home
Photo by Scott Hargis
5. Catchy Courtyard
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephen and Taya Shoup, daughter Hannah and dog Stella
Location: San Rafael, California
Size: 1,550 square feet (144 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
After working on a few Eichler homes, architect Stephen Shoup and his wife, Taya, decided to settle down in one themselves, choosing the Marinwood development in San Rafael, California.
The home didn’t have an atrium when they bought it, but Stephen created a courtyard in the front using a fence of horizontal wood planks. Taya, who works at a landscape architecture firm, spearheaded the landscaping, introducing drought-tolerant grasses and olive trees.
The slat fence allows light to shine through. The exterior color is similar to the original palette.
Exterior paint: Rocky Coast by Benjamin Moore
5. Catchy Courtyard
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephen and Taya Shoup, daughter Hannah and dog Stella
Location: San Rafael, California
Size: 1,550 square feet (144 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
After working on a few Eichler homes, architect Stephen Shoup and his wife, Taya, decided to settle down in one themselves, choosing the Marinwood development in San Rafael, California.
The home didn’t have an atrium when they bought it, but Stephen created a courtyard in the front using a fence of horizontal wood planks. Taya, who works at a landscape architecture firm, spearheaded the landscaping, introducing drought-tolerant grasses and olive trees.
The slat fence allows light to shine through. The exterior color is similar to the original palette.
Exterior paint: Rocky Coast by Benjamin Moore
Photo by Scott Hargis
Drywall and MDF form the blocklike kitchen. Previous owners had painted the ceiling beams white, and Stephen decided to leave them alone.
Countertop: Richlite; floor tile: Provenza Re-Use in Fango Sand
Drywall and MDF form the blocklike kitchen. Previous owners had painted the ceiling beams white, and Stephen decided to leave them alone.
Countertop: Richlite; floor tile: Provenza Re-Use in Fango Sand
Photo by Scott Hargis
Stephen and daughter Hannah exhibit the indoor-outdoor connection for which Eichlers are praised.
See the rest of this home
Stephen and daughter Hannah exhibit the indoor-outdoor connection for which Eichlers are praised.
See the rest of this home
6. Open and Original
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Yan Zheng and Yimin Kang, son Leo (4 months) and dog Coco
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 1,835 square feet (170 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Year built: 1963
Interestingly, one of the homeowners of the first Eichler featured in this article helped design this one, basing many of the color and material decisions on her own home.
An original fireplace creates a focal point in the living room. This room, the kitchen and the hallways feature the same flooring so the spaces flow together.
Sofa: Chelsea, Room & Board; coffee table: Crate & Barrel; floor tile: Blast Antracite
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Yan Zheng and Yimin Kang, son Leo (4 months) and dog Coco
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 1,835 square feet (170 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Year built: 1963
Interestingly, one of the homeowners of the first Eichler featured in this article helped design this one, basing many of the color and material decisions on her own home.
An original fireplace creates a focal point in the living room. This room, the kitchen and the hallways feature the same flooring so the spaces flow together.
Sofa: Chelsea, Room & Board; coffee table: Crate & Barrel; floor tile: Blast Antracite
A back-painted glass backsplash was chosen to match the blue of the swimming pool.
A walk-in shower and teal tile define the master bathroom.
Backsplash paint: glass paint in Blue Jean; floor tile: Blast Antracite; tiles: Arizona Tile
See the rest of this home
A walk-in shower and teal tile define the master bathroom.
Backsplash paint: glass paint in Blue Jean; floor tile: Blast Antracite; tiles: Arizona Tile
See the rest of this home
The owner filled the interiors with midcentury modern art, including an Andy Warhol portrait of Joseph Beuys over the fireplace in the living room.
Large windows that look toward the lagoon highlight the small George Nelson Marshmallow sofa. The Artichoke light fixtures were designed by Poul Henningsen and made by Louis Poulsen. Two Florence Knoll sofas flank a vintage Hans Wegner coffee table.
Large windows that look toward the lagoon highlight the small George Nelson Marshmallow sofa. The Artichoke light fixtures were designed by Poul Henningsen and made by Louis Poulsen. Two Florence Knoll sofas flank a vintage Hans Wegner coffee table.
The galley-style kitchen layout is pretty much the same as the original. New high-end appliances modernize the space.
See the rest of this home
See the rest of this home
Photo by Mariko Reed
8. Bold Backyard
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Size: 1,920 square feet (178 square meters) plus garage; two bedrooms (and two offices that could be bedrooms), two bathrooms
Year built: 1964
This house sits in a neighborhood that’s 90 percent Eichlers — one of the last developments built before the company went out of business.
The homeowners kept much of the exterior the same but refreshed it with paint, cleared away some overgrown plants and fixed the leaky roof.
8. Bold Backyard
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Size: 1,920 square feet (178 square meters) plus garage; two bedrooms (and two offices that could be bedrooms), two bathrooms
Year built: 1964
This house sits in a neighborhood that’s 90 percent Eichlers — one of the last developments built before the company went out of business.
The homeowners kept much of the exterior the same but refreshed it with paint, cleared away some overgrown plants and fixed the leaky roof.
Photo by Mariko Reed
In the kitchen, the homeowners extended and added height to the original island, replaced appliances and filled in a small corridor with a pantry and refrigerator wall. The beams and ceilings are original, but the vent hood in the ceiling over the induction cooktop is new.
Firefly light fixtures: CB2
In the kitchen, the homeowners extended and added height to the original island, replaced appliances and filled in a small corridor with a pantry and refrigerator wall. The beams and ceilings are original, but the vent hood in the ceiling over the induction cooktop is new.
Firefly light fixtures: CB2
Photo by Mariko Reed
During construction, the homeowners lived in this 9-by-10-foot structure that now serves as the pool cabana.
See the rest of this home
During construction, the homeowners lived in this 9-by-10-foot structure that now serves as the pool cabana.
See the rest of this home
9. Nifty and Natural
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Oakland, California
Size: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
This Eichler rental in Oakland, California, features an original, unpainted wood ceiling. The occupants filled the space with vintage pieces appropriate for the era in which the home was built. The dining room shown here features a Frem Røjle Danish modern dining set.
In the living room, original light fixtures hang from the original ceiling over original floors.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Oakland, California
Size: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
This Eichler rental in Oakland, California, features an original, unpainted wood ceiling. The occupants filled the space with vintage pieces appropriate for the era in which the home was built. The dining room shown here features a Frem Røjle Danish modern dining set.
In the living room, original light fixtures hang from the original ceiling over original floors.
A dresser bought at a flea market and a round mirror found in an alley in San Francisco round out the vintage style in the master bedroom.
See the rest of this home
More
Design Icons: Joseph Eichler
Roots of Style: Midcentury Modern Design
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Design Icons: Joseph Eichler
Roots of Style: Midcentury Modern Design
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I'm not a very envious person until I see these beautiful mid century homes.... Palm Springs has many wonderful Wexlers, Eichlers etc...... sigh, in my next life perhaps
I can't imagine much those houses would cost to build and how much each is valued in the market. Definitely worth a fortune each.
I've always loved Eichler homes, and when they were first being built, they were designed for low income people. However, they are now out of reach for most people due to their high prices ($800,000 to over $1,000,000!). And, they are designed for warm climates due to the indoor outdoor decor, and all of the windows throughout them. And, I don't live in a state that is warm all year round-so no Eichlers here. These are really beautiful homes, and if I could afford one, I would buy one.