Channeling my inner Clampett

This is the music room:


This is the side of the carport where my VW Beetle normally lives:


Doesn't the van seat just complete the vignette? There would be a stove there, too, but I couldn't get it out of the barn. I have been "planning" a yard sale for, oh, about two years. About two months ago I jumped up, posed with legs akimbo and fists firmly on my hips and pronounced "I'm gonna DO it!" The mister either rolled his eyes or actually laughed out loud. I can't remember his exact reaction because I was FOCUSED on my MISSION! So I proceeded to drag all this detritus out from where it had been cowering since the summer of 2007. But it was just so hot. And my mom punked out on me. And I started a new job. And I needed to get my nails done. And . . . I am a master procrastinator, people. I'm hoping that between committing to the Atomic Crash Party on October 9, and posting these truly embarrassing photos today, that I will be shamed into having the sale at long last.

September 11 looks to be the day. So if anyone is in need of VHS movies from the 1980s, cute small stuff that never sold in our old antique booth, wayward linens and speakers, or a plastic nativity scene for the front yard, I'm your girl. I'm hoping to make at least $50. Then I'll really be able to spruce the place up by October 9! (Seriously, be warned in advance that the yard is not . . . optimal).

Mark your calendar for October 9, 2010 - the inaugural Magic City Modern Atomic Crash Party

Mod babies, we have at last reached what my physicist father would call "critical mass". In liberal arts terms, that means there are now enough of us for a decent throw down. MCM cohort Baz at the Atomic Indy blog initiated the whole Atomic Crash Party movement and has visions of it sweeping the U.S. like a viral video of a New Jersey wedding dance. We shall do our small part to help fulfill his dreams.

What is an Atomic Crash Party, you might ask? Why, it is whatever one wants it to be. Primarily, it is a gathering of lovers of all things mid-century. We can chit and chat and wax philosophical to our hearts' content. All the while eating tasty canapes, drinking refreshing libations and enjoying vintage tunes. Do we want to organize home tours? Do we want to become architectural activists? Do we just want to party? You have to attend to find out. Much thanks to Lee Ann Brown of the mybirmingham blog for encouraging me to just pick a date and DO IT.

And, as if the thought of MCM camaraderie might not be enough, I have a special surprise for you: Architect John Fuller, of Fuller Thompson Olds, will be in attendance! I have featured Fuller projects on the blog before, and now you'll have the opportunity to hear the behind-the-scenes tales of these places and learn what lies in store for Fuller, Thompson Olds in the current century. Some projects:








I am going to host the first one (note to self to inform sweet husband in the kindest manner possible that we are hosting this) and hope to get a rotation in place so we have a "destination" for each gathering -- an MCM home or building. I was planning on an evening gathering, but daylight might be more conducive to attendees actually finding our home and escaping it later, absent a trail of breadcrumbs. So pencil in 1-5 PM, or thereabouts. If you haven't already done so, please join the Magic City Modern facebook page so I can get you updates about the event.

Kirklin House - MCM beauty (and a mystery solved)

Back in the spring I noticed this house on Altadena Road had been listed for sale:


It looked to be a spectacular place. But the listing showed only a few exterior photos and the property was gated and not visible from the road (a curse for the MCM stalker). I put out a plea for additional information and none was forthcoming, until . . .



I was checking out the site of local architecture firm Fuller Thompson Olds. Lo and behold, this is the Kirklin residence, an early project of the firm's modernist John Fuller. He describes the project: "Located in the suburbs on 12 acres, the house is very private; it cannot be seen from the street or the neighbors. This home was designed to be a private retreat for the Client where he could put aside the stress of his daily work. Most of the site has been left as natural woodlands with a half mile lighted walking trail for evenings walks. The house is fire resistant construction; concrete floor slabs, masonry walls, metal stud & gypsum board partitions and steel joist roof structure. A friend of the client stated that we must have crawled into his brain to come up with a design that matched his personality so completely."









I also featured some time ago another project of FTO -- this swank place on Altamont Road:


And now the baby picture of the Pensinger Residence:



These are truly wonderful places. Thank you, Fuller Thompson Olds, for sharing them with us. Other projects and additional information about the firm can be found at http://www.fuller-thompson.com/Home.aspx

Edited to add: I have just learned that the new owner of the Kirklin Residence loves the house even more than the rest of us do . . . if that is possible. A sensitive restoration is planned. The gods of MCM are smiling upon us, Birminghamsters.

New Wright-inspired house in Alabama

A young Talladega couple has completed a labor of love -- a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home on the picturesque property of a faded plantation. It was featured in the Birmingham News today and is well worth a look.




http://photos.al.com/birmingham-news/2010/08/061024_awesome_house_9.html