1980s California Home

We're taking a look back at Farrah Fawcett's home in California, originally featured in our February 1981 issue. When we think of California architecture, our minds often wander to mid-century modern homes, Mission-style bungalows, or maybe even the opulence of Hollywood estates. But nestled between these.

Designer Ryan Gordon Jackson recalls the caveat he issued when he first saw the home his clients were contemplating in Rancho Mirage, California. "If the design direction isn't complete 1980s. Sitting high above the Bay Area town of Alamo, this mountainside retreat is filled with architectural quirks and serviced by its very own cable-car.

Architect John Nance designed the three-bedroom Californian property in the 1980s, following the contours of its steep hillside plot to create a series of staggered, stilted and cantilever volumes for living in, inspired by the architecture of. The home was custom designed in the 1980s for the client and her husband (now deceased) by noted architect Jaime Gesundheit. While it had great bones, it needed some adjustments to suit the way she and her new husband live, with their large blended family.

With a handful of adult children between them, the couple welcomes about 30 family members for large weekend dinners. The 1980s economy, bolstered by Reagan-era policies and a thriving aerospace industry in Southern California, created a wave of upwardly mobile families eager to invest in homeownership. Housing prices in Laguna Hills during the 1980s were relatively modest compared to today's standards.

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The single-story board-and-batten house they found seemed to play right into the couple's storyline. The historic California cottage needed some refreshing, but the couple was intent on staying true to the home's history while adding sentimental touches to make it their own. Step inside this 1980s Los Angeles home, where a stylish retro living room opens up to a lush garden and swimming pool.

Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the warm California sunlight, creating the perfect blend of indoor-outdoor living. With vintage furnishings and a timeless mid-century aesthetic, this space is a dream for lovers of retro home design, LA architecture, and luxury California. The typical 1980s California stucco home often includes compartmentalized spaces that can feel cramped.

To create a more open and inviting atmosphere, consider removing non-structural walls to create a flowing floor plan. Incorporating modern design elements, such as larger windows or sliding glass doors, can also help bring in more natural light.