1916 Ford V. Ferrari of Tangletown: Refined Design of an American Archetype
Architect owned, well-sorted bristol example of Arts & Crafts survivor from the heart of the Stickney era.
A purist’s example of arts & crafts movement;
modernized for decades of future enjoyment, yet fully-loaded Stickney-era trimmings:
• Quarter-sawn millwork, niched built-ins, box-beam-banger, swing-in piano windows
• Architect planned cook’s kitchen & three terrific baths
• Tangletown creek commune w/ 85k in MAC: Marvins + Monray + Carrier AC.
Why Ford V Ferrari you ask?
The Fords are a design & architecture power couple. And as we embarked on co-managing their remodel of 1916, it became clear that while their surname & the bespoke roots of their craftsman were as American as apple pie, we encountered a modernized refinement that was masterfully designed to elevate this model T. Enter Ford V. Ferrari: an architect’s take on a craft-era two story, implemented by the fine tradesmen at Rare Form Properties.
Why would these Fords complete an 80k update to their interior, while adding 75k in MAC efficiency updates, and decide to move? Because they are crazy for architecture, and their next chapter awaits in the Elmwood triangle: an encapsulated tudor-colonial that is in dire need of owners that command refinement of their space.
We brought Ferrari into the 2020s with a timeless specification beginning in October – the planning was underway to deliver a modernized interior for decades to come.
It requires decades of witnessing this era of architecture to realize the magnitude of Ferrari’s period detail. This was built with pride as a developer/builder example. Our first restoration was a ‘22 craftsman bungalow in Kingfield, and Ferrari was an exotic bengal compared to the California bungalow that sparked the passion for RFP.
She was constructed in April of 1916 at a cost of just over $5,000 dollars. Her final permit was signed off just after the 4th of July. Six years passed, and in 1922 her detached carriage garage was built. Various plumbing and electrical updates were completed wrapping up in ‘26.
Her trimmings are exquisite to say the least: Quartersawn burled millwork throughout the common areas on the main, plate rail paneled dining hall with box beam ceilings intact with four intersecting pendants.
The built-in program is storied and stately: inset window box in the dining is west facing, with a large radiator niche below the glass trimming in solid quartered oak. Her buffet is eight drawers and four leaded glass doors centering the southern light over the backyard.
Living firebox is flanked with leaded oak bookcases awaiting the philosophies and banter of the present stewards. Her flooring is rift-sawn white oak in the commons, douglas fir entry which is full patina (rear porch was deleted- our demo uncovered original south facing fir indicative of an early era back-porch that became the space that now occupies the kitchen), tight-grained maple finishes the bedrooms up & cooks kitchen.
The kitchen is a reflection of the thoughtful microscope of the Fords; as they delivered a terrific space that is both functional and social while constructed modestly without cutting any corners on what truly matters in a period classic kitchen.
The selections were captained by Deidre Webster: a timeless enamel over semi-handmade with quartz tops under high-fired glazed terracotta tile, paneled Bosch & commercial range and modern go-go-gadget fridge. The long countertop run extends over a cast radiator offering a life station that doubles as a stool perch to keep the chef company with his guests.
Ferrari boasts three functional baths with timeless fixtures:
WC (water closet- a Tangletown staple) restored in period patterned mosaic under wainscoting finished in dark burgundy,
curated full upper bath which is spacious & period blended MCM blue squares with modern wallpaper and casted milk glass sconces
a sport-mode marriage-saver bath in basement has a modern stall shower trimmed in vintage tongue & groove pine, a vintage wallhanging lavatory room within the finished-laundry finishes off the bath party at Ford v. Ferrari.
