Loving Eichlers in Many Ways - Page 2

Closely related to the purist are the 'nostalgics,' who not only love the homes for their architectural distinction, but also play up the period appeal through restoration and displays.

Among classic nostalgics, we met Renee and Karl Underwood in their Eichler in Concord, which was filled with period collectables. We saw closets filled with Hawaiian and Western shirts, and classic cocktail dresses. Vintage fashion made up most of their wardrobe.

Their Eichler contained two jukeboxes, and in the driveway sat a vintage Ford Thunderbird and a 1931 Model A.

For nostalgics, the Eichler lifestyle and all it entails becomes a way of life. Through the vintage clothes, collectables, and cars, Karl said, "We get to know people who have exactly the same interests and hobbies as we do."

Undoubtedly the most populous sort of Eichler enthusiast—the type that loves the look, openness, and social-historical aspects of the home (Joe's willingness to sell homes to Black people, the way the home advanced new ways of living)—are those we call the 'we-don't‐want‐to‐live‐in‐a‐museum' crowd.

It's a sentence we've heard so often from Eichler owners who consider themselves practical, not nostalgic dreamers. They appreciate the value of the homes as places to raise children, throw parties, and work out of home offices.

But, they'd also say, wouldn't it be nice if the home were a bit bigger? Couldn't we scooch out a bit for a larger living room? If it's an early, small, pre-atrium Eichler, couldn't we add a room in the front, for more space and to form an atrium-like front courtyard?

Dave Paoli, a distinguished architect who lives in an Eichler in San Rafael's original Lucas Valley tract, has made significant changes to his home. He replaced the original mahogany siding with sheetrock, arguing that it is safer, and aluminum doors with wooden doors. "We did little bit of adding on," he said.

Still, he assured us, it retains its "contemporary expression of a way to live."

• In a future article here we will continue this topic by considering owners of Eichlers whose appreciation for the homes' modernity, openness, and lightness, while bringing them into the 21st century, runs the risk of loving their Eichlers to death.