Guess where we found this hidden Sacramento gem? See rare mid-century modern home
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- A rare 1976 mid-century modern home lists for $1M in Orangevale, Sacramento.
- The 3,570-sq-ft home features original details, two suites and a sunroom.
- Design elements include Japanese landscaping, retro tile and custom doors.
A custom-built, midcentury modern-style house for sale in Sacramento County may not come as a surprise — but if it’s located among the predominantly ranch homes in the semi-rural suburbs of Orangevale, then that’s a unique property.
The five-bedroom, 3,570-square-foot home off Hazel Avenue stands as a testament to 1970s architectural elegance and fine craftsmanship. Sitting on 1.3 acres, the home has been meticulously maintained and preserved in all of its original detail. A residential time capsule, the property has seen only two owners in nearly 50 years.
“It’s rare to find a completely original, custom midcentury modern house in Orangevale,” listing agent Gaby Moreira of Mod Real Estate said. “This house is really something special.”
The house is for sale for a tad over $1 million.
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’70s style of midcentury modern
Midcentury modern homes are defined by clean lines, open spaces and an integration with nature. The architectural style spanned the decades from the mid-1940s into the early 1970s. Technically in the post-modernism era, the Orangevale house was built in 1976.
The residence boasts unique elements that transport visitors back to the era of bold design. A Japanese-inspired influence runs throughout the property, beginning with the front-yard landscaping and elaborately detailed front door.
Inside, a grand travertine stone fireplace with an original working television that can be hidden behind custom doors stands out. An adjacent dining room is spotlighted by a bar behind hand-painted sliding doors with automatic lighting that turns on when they’re opened. Doors with the same hand-painted pattern close off the kitchen but allow for a pass-through window into the dining room.
Symmetric if nothing else, the house has two dining rooms, two living rooms and two primary bedrooms. There are four full bathrooms.
Both primary suites open out to the home’s most innovative design: A bright, 53-foot-long sunroom — complete with a cocktail bar window and a stunning dome skylight and hot tub. The sunroom features walls of glass and clerestory windows that showcase the expansive backyard, which is surrounded by tall, mature redwood trees that provide both privacy and shade.
Big, shady backyard
A gate leads to a separate area behind the backyard fence where citrus trees grow. This enclosed back segment of the property could work for raising chickens and other small farm animals —away from the main house.
Talk about vintage vibes. The home makes extensive use of retro tile work in he bathrooms and original grass-cloth wallpaper throughout — all in excellent condition.
Top it all off with automatic curtains, a three-car garage, authentic built-ins and a tranquil waterfall in the front yard and you get the idea behind the original owner’s storybook home.
“I think somebody was building their dream house and wanted all these details,” Moreira said.
While Hazel Avenue is a busy street, traffic cannot be heard from inside the house and is muffled in the front yard.
The property also has a large dog run.
“With its preserved character, thoughtful design, and amenities for both everyday living and hosting, this one-of-a-kind property is a rare opportunity to own an architectural gem,” the property listing states.
