Recently, the Eichler Network published a piece entitled, “Heartbreak Over White Paint” about how wrong it is to paint an Eichler home all white. Then they followed up with a second piece entitled, “White Blight, Not Alright,” It felt like a rebuke since I’ve done a few white Eichlers, and since one of my white Eichlers won a prestigious design award from the American Institute of Architects, it seemed to me this contradiction was something that needed to be addressed. Several nationally recognized Architects from the awards jury, and the Eichler Network are on opposite sides of the issue. So I thought I’d share my experience.
My clients had been working with us for nearly a year when they said they wanted to whitewash their Eichler. I was horrified, and I nearly quit. In the shower I had been practicing my speech about how to put my foot down and say I wouldn’t do it, and if they were going to do it, they’d need a new architect. At the time, I didn’t believe in whitewashing an Eichler.
I nearly quit.
Then my good friend Gina messaged me about how she was shopping for new homes and never liked Eichlers because they always felt old and stodgy to her, and her family doesn’t really relate to them. She said she could appreciate the mid-mod style, but that it just wasn’t for her. But when she saw this beautiful white Eichler designed by incredibly talented architect, Ryan Leidner, Gina completely changed her mind. She said she’d move into an all-white Eichler because they’re more her. This, funny enough, was a bit of an epiphany for me.
An Epiphany
The ethos of Eichler homes are to provide good design for the masses. Broadening the appeal fits the Eichler ethos.
This might sound familiar… because Ikea has the same ethos. Even a 50 year old Ikea piece is still Ikea, and it’s one of thousands of the exact same thing. This doesn’t mean the design isn’t good, it means it’s not precious. It’s meant to be enjoyed, well loved. Most Eichlers aren't precious. There are over 10,000 of these homes in the bay area alone. If you own one, you know that most of your neighbors have the exact. same. house.
They’re beautifully designed, but frankly they aren’t built well. They’re missing structural components and without structural upgrades, they’re incredibly weak laterally (so they’re the most likely candidate to fall down in an earthquake). They aren’t insulated (like, at all). So good luck with your heating bill in the winter. If they light on fire, they’re very likely to burn up in a matter of minutes because of the way they’re built. In short, they’re beautiful but imperfect, and they need to be adapted for modern day living.
This is what I do. I adapt Eichlers so they suit the family and also are stronger in earthquakes, are heated and cooled properly, are well insulated and energy efficient, and safer for kids (or rambunctious adults… you do you.)
The Templeton Eichler
I agreed to do the white Eichler, and proceeded with an end goal of a simple, perfect looking piece of modern architecture that called to the mid-century roots through original detailing. At the end of the project, I was walking through the new atrium as the delicate clicks from photographer, Mariko Reed’s camera broke the silence, when a simple meditation came on over the whole-home audio system. The house was singing to me. And it wasn’t just my ears that heard it, it was my soul. The way the rising sun hit the roof line and gently bounced down to the immaculate white cork floors, warming my bare toes, the meditation, and the soft morning light… that was it. That was the moment that brought the delight of this simple home into my soul. Dear Benjamin Moore, Chantilly Lace OC-65, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Groundrules
So it’s alright if you want to whitewash your Eichler, because you get to make your Eichler your home. But let’s set some groundrules so this trend doesn’t get out of hand.
It’s NOT OK for real estate agents to whitewash an Eichler. This decision is solely for the homeowners, because it’s their house, not yours. The number of cheap Lowe’s kitchens we rip out immediately after sale?! Save your $8000 and leave the kitchens and bathrooms to the future homeowners.
Don’t paint an original Eichler, or any original unpainted elements since the supply is dwindling. There are not enough of them left. If you want to whitewash your Eichler, buy one that’s already been touched. Painting original mahogany wall, or unpainted bricks, and painting that gorgeous grey washed original ceiling should be a crime. Don’t do it. Buy a different house since those things can’t be undone.
Don’t mess with a master. Don’t paint a custom designed home from the 1950’s and 60’s. If anyone puts paint (any color) on any wood in a Neutra house, I will come after you. The only thing you should do with these homes is protect and restore them to their original state.
Leave a comment below if I missed any ground rules. Happy painting, y’all.
Megan