Louise Manor Palmer & Krisel For Sale – Lake Balboa, CAL

Relatively new to the market is this traditionally-altered 1954 Palmer & Krisel-designed midcentury home in Lake Balboa, CA in the San Fernando Valley. This 1,421 square-foot home features four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms and a two-car garage all on an 8,100 square-foot lot. Priced at $549,900, this one will probably sit for a bit before finding a new owner. 

This home features lots of traditional updates which aren’t necessarily in keeping with the mid-century modern architectural style of the home, but do provide some updates for those looking for a midcentury home without a lot of midcentury features. The front of the home features a wide, sweeping driveway with diamond-scored concrete adding pattern to the surface. The curbline of the home features a waist-high wooden fence enclosing the front yard, separating the property from the street.

The exterior of the home has been re-stuccoed, and thick, heavy pop-outs have been added to the windows. This creates new focal points, away from the architectural form of the home and towards the mullioned replacement windows.  Walking into the home, the kitchen sits just off of the entryway, and has been opened to the entry hall and living room. This open concept creates a lack of division between spaces, and actually makes them appear smaller than if they were left enclosed.

Kitchen features lots of textures, patterns and colors

Heavy archways divide the kitchen from the living and dining rooms

The kitchen cabinetry is honey-colored oak, topped with busy granite counters and dark crown molding, creating a heavy, traditional feel in the room. Diamond backsplash tilework and two-tone tile floors help add to the busy feel of the room while thick, dark archways pull eyes upwards towards the decorative features that add even more heaviness to the room.

Living Room

Living room and fireplace

The living room sits at the back of the home, and is anchored the fireplace. It’s signature modernist form has been altered, covered in heavy, busy granite that confuses the original form.  Dark brown walls and thick crown molding help round out the heavy look of the room.

Bedroom

Very full and very busy bedroom

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The bedrooms are typical of most Krisel-designed homes, small in size with vaulted ceiligns helping to make the space feel larger. Both bathrooms have been renovated, with one completed in the same busy manner as that found in the kitchen and living room.

Backyard

The backyard features a large concrete patio and well-kept grass area complete with several trees and a play area.

While the renovations to this home don’t reflect the architectural style of the home, they don’t have to be a permanent part of the property. The original elements can always be restored over time. This one will most likely sit on the market for a while, as the heavy finishes and busy patterns are a visual distraction, but for those buyers who can see beyond these things they'll realize the home holds lots of potential. 

Check out the full listing on Redfin.com here: 17228 Valerio Street

Or on Realtor.com here: 17228 Valerio Street