This House Takes Care of You in 1956

In: Architecture, Interior design
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In the mid-1950s, American home design was undergoing a quiet revolution. Efficiency, adaptability, and low-maintenance living were becoming just as important as curb appeal. Household Home 601, featured in the January 1956 issue of Household magazine, embodied these values with surprising clarity. Designed by Edward B. Hawkins for the Paul G. West family of Englewood, Colorado, the home offered more than just modern aesthetics—it offered freedom from domestic fuss. With clever zoning, durable materials, and a flexible floor plan packed into just 102 square meters (1,100 square feet), this house didn’t just shelter its owners. It took care of them.

Mid-century modern home with low-pitched roof and brick-redwood exterior, featuring a double carport and minimalistic front landscaping
Mid-century modern home with a low-pitched roof and brick-redwood exterior, featuring a double carport and minimalistic front landscaping

Imagine a home that works for you—where the layout is intuitive, the materials are tough, and the rooms adapt to your needs instead of the other way around. That’s exactly what the Paul G. West family found in Household Home 601, a thoughtfully designed postwar house in Englewood, Colorado.

Back in 1956, when many homes demanded constant upkeep and traditional layouts ruled, this house broke the mould. It was compact, efficient, and genuinely low-maintenance. In short, it spoiled its owners—in the best way.

Mid-century dining room with folding shutters, cork flooring, and multifunctional layout in Household Home 601, with woman setting the table
Hinged shutters can be three seperate rooms
Bedroom with exposed brick walls, clerestory glass panels, butterfly chair, and built-in closet in mid-century modern Household Home 601
Brick in the bedroom?

One Level, All Function

Let’s start with the layout: everything is on one floor, and nothing’s missing. The living spaces are fully optimised. Need a third bedroom? Just close a pair of folding shutters in the den. Want to separate the dining area from the living room? Another set of shutters takes care of that.

Even the second bathroom isn’t an afterthought—it’s a full-sized, fully functional space. This home doesn’t feel like it was cut down to fit the budget. It feels intentionally compact.

Still relevant today: single-level living, multifunctional rooms, and flexible design for aging in place or small-family life.

Mid-century modern living room with red brick fireplace, exposed ceiling beams, cork flooring, and minimalist furniture in Household Home 601
A clean blend of exposed wood and face-brick defines this 1956 living room in Household Home 601. The designer noted, “You could save some money in this plan by leaving out the fireplace, but you’d ruin the house!”

Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom

Mid-century modern kitchen with compact layout, integrated appliances, and shared storage partition in 1956 Household Home 601
The kitchen in Household Home 601 reflects the home’s design ethos: compact, clean, and cleverly planned. The range is built into a multipurpose storage wall that also includes the entry and hall closets—an efficient design move that separates the kitchen, living room, and hall without wasting space.
Mid-century bathroom with tiled bathtub surround, small window, patterned curtains, and sink in Household Home 601
Both bathrooms in Household Home 601 are located back-to-back along the rear wall, maximising plumbing efficiency. This second bath opens to the central hall. Still, it can easily be reconfigured to connect directly to the rear bedroom if desired—a thoughtful touch of flexibility in a compact floor plan.
Bedroom with high windows, exposed brick walls, twin beds, and handmade abstract curtains designed by Adair West in Household Home 601
High windows in both bedrooms wrap continuously around two walls, bringing in natural light while maintaining privacy. The curtain design is by Adair West, who crafted them from unbleached muslin and black rug yarn in a unique free-form pattern.

Source

Carter, J. M. (1956, January). This house takes care of you! Household, 20–21.