Doug and Rochelle Kramer were ready to design their own dream midcentury residence. Realtors who specialize in selling and reviving Cliff May homes in Southern California, they knew precisely what they wanted. However, what they got was a bank-owned house using a swampy pool, outdated appliances and light fittings, an army of ants and a four-sided fireplace covered in crazy materials.
After taking the opportunity to fix up this 1953 home, the couple filled the house with midcentury stone, designing a room that contributes their Cliff May tract by example and exemplifies that the greatest in midcentury design and indoor-outdoor living.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Doug and Rochelle Kramer and their feline, Eddie
Location: Cliff May Rancho tract, Long Beach, California
Size: 1,950 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, home office-study
That’s interesting: This home has been featured in the 2008 book Cliff May and the Modern Ranch House
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The excellent room has two sitting areas bisected by a fireplace. The couple considers that side the casual family room, where they enjoy unwinding while viewing TV.
The neutral sofa and rug floor a Noguchi coffee table and vivid orange Modernicachair.
Rug: Dubai Vanilla, MAT; sofa: habit, David Galindo; paint: Sea Pine, Benjamin Moore
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
A wall of windows allows natural light into the living space. The glass divider is typical of houses in this region — the hallway behind it contributes to the master bedroom.
Lamps: vintage, Inretrospect; side tables: Email; credenza: teak, vintage, eBay
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The Kramers’ house remains true to open-concept midcentury design; the fireplace in the great room creates two separate living spaces while maintaining flow. “I will see the pool, pool, living area, dining area and kitchen all at one time, but it is not too open,” Rochelle says. “There is just enough separation of room to feel defined nevertheless still connected.”
White armchairs: 1940s-inspired, Twentieth; java table, eBay; pub rug: Tokyo White, MAT; seat: Case Study Museum Bench, Modernica; floors: moderate brown hard maple, Lauzon
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Each of the fireplace’s four sides originally was coated in another material — stone, drywall, tile and mirror. The Kramers stripped it all off and started from scratch.
Searching for a material that would balance out the smooth interior surfaces and the jagged stone out by the pool, Doug and Rochelle determined on this limestone from Thompson Building Materials. The double-sided fireplace is now the great room’s focal point.
Planter: Bullet, Hip Haven
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
A curated mix of accent pieces — like the glassware, artwork and ceramics on this dining area credenza — add character to the very simple house’s blank lines.
Credenza: Sussex, Design Within Reach; ceramics: Teardrop and Oval bud vases, Klein Reid; glassware: HomeGoods; artwork: vintage, Deja Vu
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The couple is really a driving force in bringing this closely knit Cliff May community collectively. They frequently host progressive dinner parties in the neighborhood. Rochelle also opened a neighborhood message board that now has close to 400 members, who post about everything from lost dogs to garage sales to builder referrals.
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Embracing their love of modern design and the architectural characteristics of their home — like the low, pitched roof and exposed beams — made the Kramers’ design choices easier. Each room makes use of one material or colour, rather than mixing different components.
Dining table: Baron, Calligaris; dining chairs: Globus, Design Within Reach; pendant: Nelson Saucer, Modernica
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The Cloud Couch from Modernica anchors the main living area. The curve of the coffee table perfectly complements the lines of the sofa, topped off by a round vase and bubble ground lamp.
The couple settled on Gingersnaps by Benjamin Moore for the living room’s main wall with the help of colour adviser Nancy Epstein.
Coffee table: eBay; pub rug: Tokyo White, MAT; floors: moderate brown hard maple, Lauzon; floor lamp: Cigar Lotus, Modernica; wall art: vintage, Long Beach Antique Market
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
A solid wall of windows and French doors conducts the length of the entire residence, making the interior feel like an extension of their outdoor space.
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Unlike in several midcentury houses, this updated kitchen includes ample storage and cabinet space without compromising on windows and natural lighting. But kitchens built in the ’50s frequently had dual wall-mounted ovens, and this one was true to form. One oven has been swapped out for a more modern appliance — a microwave.
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The kitchen has been the center of every home in the 1950s. Due to the improvements and expansions completed on the house from the prior owners, the generally small galley kitchen has become more spacious.
Clean surfaces keep with the modern design of the home. The backsplash adds a touch of color against the neutral canvas of their cabinetry and countertops.
Countertops: Cinder, Caesarstone; backsplash: prism glass mosaic, source unknown
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Playful kitchen fittings are carefully curated to accent the blue backsplash and white cabinetry. The countertop stove allows for storage underneath.
Salt and pepper shakers: Birds, Jonathan Adler
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The outside and indoor spaces flow flawlessly together in design and style.
Planters: Bullet, Hip Haven
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
When the couple moved, the pool has been “a shallow swamp,” in accordance with Rochelle. The couple restored the attractiveness and character of the original rock surrounding what they affectionately call the Flintstone Pool or Kramer Lagoon.
The lack of a true front door is a distinctive marker of Cliff May homes. Instead, a collection of French doors surrounds the perimeter of the house, making multiple entry points for authentic indoor-outdoor living.
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The couple fought with finding the ideal exterior color but finally landed on this calm gray-blue, which complements the pool and landscape.
Rochelle’s notion of gardening is utilizing low-maintenance plants, like succulents, followed by pebbles, stones and also a touch of grass to soften things up.
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Situated off the main courtyard and pool area, the master suite also has a solid wall of French doors.
Lamps: vintage, Deja Vu; shovel on dresser: Home Goods
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Because of the expansion function, the master suite is a lot larger than just one in a normal Cliff May home. The pitched roof and exposed white beams improve the open feeling.
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Eddie, the couple’s cat, makes an appearance to sunbathe. An heirloom teddy bear sits on a wing chair gifted by friends and fellow Cliff May homeowners Josh and Jen Amstone.
Curtains: Gate Jade, Robert Allen cloth; painting: vintage, Deja Vu; wall covering: Juicy Jute in Espresso, Phillip Jeffries; dressers: teak, vintage, Deja Vu; chair: Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The master bath and big walk-in cupboard lie through a set of louvered doors. Unlike many homes built at the exact same time, Cliff May homes comprised master suites with attached baths.
The television in this bedroom is concealed from the hall. A vintage wall sconce brightens up this chocolate-colored corner of the space.
Bed frame with attached nightstands: Meubles Mobican Furniture; sconce: Anemone Wall Light, Robert Abbey
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The master bath formerly had all-black fixtures, and there was no shower, only a tub. The Kramers redesigned the toilet in neutral and crisp colors, with both a shower and bathtub.
Countertop: Nougat, Caesarstone; tile: Gres Cemento, Neutra, CasaMood; cabinets: custom, Estrada’s Cabinet Designs
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
The pendant over the brand new tub helps establish the mood in this relaxing bath. The timber front to the tub makes it blend seamlessly with the rest of the bathroom cabinetry.
Tub deck: Nougat, Caesarstone; tile: Firenze Nicar, Porcelanosa; light fixture: Possini Sphere Pendant, Eurostyle Lighting
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
In the back of the house, Doug’s home office exudes midcentury warmth, connected to the lush greenery outside by a wall of windows. The neutral paint colour and jute wall covering complement the vintage teak furniture and make the room feel cozy and manly.
Coffee table: teak, vintage, Xcape; sofa: Room & Board; lamps: vintage, eBay; finish tables: teak, vintage, Xcape
Tara Bussema – Neat Organization and Design
Here, Doug and Rochelle Kramer relax in their everyday family room.
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