A Haver in the Rough

My love affair with mid-century modern architecture began about 4 years ago when I was considering doing a project showcasing the old motels on Van Buren Rd here in Phoenix. In retrospect it was a project I should have taken on as a few of these lovelies have fallen into wreckage in the years since, as a matter of fact they are now few and far between. I happened upon this wonderful site which I have spent countless hours pouring over called Modern Phoenix. I was delighted when I won tickets to attend their home tour 2011   in Sunnyslope a few months back. Although I am drawn to Palm Springs and architecture throughout Southern California for good reason I tend to sympathize with what is happening in the local scene and often times drool over an Al Beadle or Fred Guirey home when it comes up for sale. Ralph Haver has always been and still remains one of the architects who's work I can tend to get lost in, the simplicity so well defined in his homes has led to many a day dream about perhaps owning one myself some day as his homes, for the most part are attainable to me. Living in phoenix has been bittersweet, it is well known that we are a state that lacks in our preservation and conservation and for the most part we have no real rhyme  or reason to our neighborhoods or design. It has become in large part a sea of stucco jungles, tract homes and plazas on every corner, most of which sit empty. Fortunately we also have those pocket areas which are up and coming and show real character and promise. We are home to the late great Frank Lloyd Wright school at Taliesin and the enigmatic Arcosanti which whether you love or hate the new Soleri bridge in Old Town Scottsdale you cannot dismiss the value of Soleris body of work. It is pure and original, like nothing else. I am not much for newer homes, I am of the mind set that older homes are full of character waiting for life to be breathed into them by a family. I am always looking at homes, many a night I fall asleep fantasizing re-models in my head room by room..I have had projects in my head that have lasted for years. I have been doing this for as long as I can remember. I can look beyond the plight others have created for instance and see nothing but possibility. This past weekend I noticed a little snippet my mother clipped out of the paper for me of a Haver home for sale in Phoenix within my price range and immediately I lit up. I spoke to a realtor today who told me that it is a one owner home, the same family has lived there since 1956. The downfall they have done two additions which seems to have compromised the integrity of the design somewhat. The yard doesn't look as though it is very big, as a matter of fact it looks very narrow in the rear of the property. In looking at these photos  these are the things that stand out to me...artist studio above the carport..slump block pillars inside the home, those fantastic windows, the cabinets, the wide back door, the pitched ceilings, the wood shelving and paneling, the huge front yard, the tile and wallpaper in the bathroom.. the home sits on a main drag however while it is a well traveled street I wouldn't call it a major thoroughfare.Lord knows there are nicer Haver homes in the valley. The neighborhood seems like a foreign country compared to where I have lived for the last 15 years tucked away in the mountains in my own little safety zone up here where I deal with little to no traffic, can't go anywhere with out running into some one I know and everyone at the coffee shop knows me by name and has my drink ready before I set foot in the door. I sometimes think change would be good for me, after all I grew up in the city for the most part and it does have its advantages to as good places to eat are few and far between up here and as it stands right now I drive almost an hr each way now on Sundays to get to the Buddhist center. I know it may seem lame to some but I really don't know if I can step out of my comfort zone and into city living again but in any case I am testing the waters and will be going to take a tour of This Home on Friday. I am a person who is of the belief system that sometimes you don't have to look for things as if they are meant to be they tend to find you..what is meant to be will be. I have peace in my mentality in that I truly feel everything in our lives happen for a reason and I have a good feeling about this place.I think I want this home.So we'll see what happens and where it goes if anywhere at all, the beauty and tragedy that is life is that sometimes things flip, they change and next thing you know life is never the same. I don't know if this will be my peaceful place to live out the next half of my life but I am keeping my eyes and heart open to it wherever it may lead me.