GREAT EVENT ALERT

This flyer pretty much says it all, but see below for a little backstory.

In Fall of 2016, I took on a project through the Lawrence Preservation Alliance (I am on the board) to write an application for 200 Nebraska AKA the Zimmerman House in Lawrence, Kansas, to be added to the Lawrence Local Register of Historic Places.

EASY, I thought. I like houses, writing is kinda fun, NO PROBLEM, I thought.

WRONG. 

Turns out I am not a huge fan of the kind of chronological writing required for an application of this sort (detailing when storm and sanitary sewers were installed and subdivisions platted is not exactly exciting, even for an infrastructure/ real estate nerd like myself). That said, I powered through and completed the application in Winter of 2016. 

DONE, I thought. The City Commission approving it will EASY, I thought. Time to move on to my next project, I thought.  

WRONG.

Instead, the application got hung up in City Commission purgatory for months for whatever reason, and I thought perhaps all my work was for naught. 

WRONG. (hooray!)

In December of 2017, the City Commission voted unanimously to add the Zimmerman House (along with a few others that LPA worked on) to the Local Register of Historic Places. (I personally think they were swayed by a pic we showed them of one of the most sexy staircases in Lawrence, so sexy it had to be featured on the flyer as well). 

Now, in order to celebrate this unique mid-century modern property's addition to the register, Lawrence Modern and Lawrence Preservation Alliance are hosting this great, free event. HUGE BONUS- the man, the myth, the legend, the architect himself- Warren Heylman, will be flying in from Spokane, Washington, where he has had a prolific career as a forward-thinking architect. Additionally- Lee Zimmerman, the man who commissioned the building of this house, will ALSO be in attendance.

I'm thrilled I've gotten to be a part of this process to document, preserve and celebrate this unique property- hope y'all can make it to the event! BRING A DISH TO SHARE! 

Mid-century modern on hidden cul-de-sac

Do you know what the plural of cul-de-sac is? If so- you get a gold star. If not- thats ok, because its a random thing to know. The answer, of course, is culs-de-sac. See what happened there? CULS- de-sac? Kinda crazy right? My life is full of culs-de-sac recently, oddly enough. But that's another story for another day.

That rousing intro on culs-de-sac brings me to this mini-series of photos of the exterior of 2 of my best friends' house. Its hidden on a super secret cul-de-sac (singular- you dig?) in Lawrence. Its so secret, if I told you where it was, they might kill me. This cul-de-sac is one of those pretty perfect places where kids and dogs play in the street while the parents hang out, watching, drinking cocktails and chatting. Like- they're actually friends (!). And neighborly (!!). Not only is the community vibe spot on, but so are the houses. They're all mid-century moderns each with their own personality, clean lines (duh), many with terraced gardens and a few with gravel roofs. Its an amazing. place. 

My friends recently finished re-painting their house this GORGEOUS navy. I love navy, especially when its crispness is paired with a landscape like this. 

The front balcony with modern wire railing is also pretty great. Insert heart-eye emoji here.

Do you see what I see?? That chimney??? The upward sloping lot that leads to an incredible terraced garden???

Mmmmmhmm- this is why I love old houses. You can't BUY that kind of texture.

Ah yes- this has been the site of many parties with my ladies. This house is AMAZING for parties- and the hostesses' great snack plate preparation skills don't hurt. 

Plant vibes, yo!

I mean- come on. Get out of here. These photos are just a snippet of the beauty this house has to offer. The gardens are incredible and the interior is rich in style and warmth. But this is what I leave you with today- a taste of the best cul-de-sac in town, a place where a new American dream (Lawrence style) is taking shape, one clean line and neighborly connection at a time.