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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Screen-block walls

One of my favorite mid-century home features is the screen-block wall, which probably originated in Palm Springs in the 1950s.  The construction was not only decorative, but it was also practical, as it let in light and a breeze.

I would love to incorporate one of these walls in my back yard, and the photos of these homes certainly provide inspiration.


freshdirt.sunset.com

insuremekevin.com

homeinexteriors.blogspot.com

about.com

insuremekevin.com

moderndesigninterior.com

homeinexteriors.blogspot.com

18 comments:

  1. I think, one would look great at my place too!
    I'll show your post to Mr ouchflower ;)

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    1. Hope it works! If you get Mr. Ouchflower to build you one, we want photos!

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  2. Done! ...and thanks for the heads up on your previous Midwinter posts, I will post some more pics of some more designs I have to show you. That tea set is divine, I 'd plan an event and show it off :)

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    1. When we ran across the Midwinter set at a local auction, we had no idea how rare it is to find a whole set in pristine condition. I hope the customer who bought it from us is creating her own special event every day with each pot of tea she brews. :)

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  3. I love those breeze block walls too! I think they're absolutely fab.

    I can't get enough of Mid-Century exteriors for some reason. The Mid-Century garden fascinates me ... oh, now I see on your side-bar a post on landscaping! I'll just pop over there. Thank you, Miss!

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    1. Love the decorative concrete block. There are millions of them down here in FL, but not much variety if you try to buy them new. Have you looked at Jack's Very Vintage Vegas article on block? He has quite the collection.

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    2. @Makeminemidcentury: Hope you enjoyed the posts on landscaping. I did a whole series on trees, shrubs, ground cover and hardscaping.

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    3. @Dave: I haven't seen that article, but I will definitely look for it today. When writing this post, I did find several business online that had a nice variety of blocks. I'm at the store, but when I get back home to my computer, I'll add that information to this post. I don't know why I forgot to include it originally.

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  4. Oh my!! my weakness for screen walls :)..lovely images

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  5. I've always loved those blocks. The area we lived in while living in FL was full of them, since a lot of the homes were built in the 50's. I made Mr. VirginiaRetro come & look, because I want one. His response was, we could do that. Another project to add to the wish list!

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    1. Lucky you!!! Pippa was going to show the post to her husband too. I hope he's as amenable to the idea as your husband was. We want pictures of yours when it's finished.

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  6. I'm a big fan of 50s-60s screen-block. My grandparents' house had one of these, it was Japanese inspired.

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    1. There weren't too many of these in rural East Texas or Louisiana where I grew up. Do you have photos of your grandparents' house?

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    2. Unfortunately, they renovated their house and tore the screen-block down when I was young and I haven't seen any photos. A real shame.

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  7. I wish they would start remaking them! I've 'head tell' about 2 companies one in California and 1 in Florida that make them, and that thye cost a fortune to be shipped on a flat bed truck. I have 1 patterned block I painted white and turquoise and use it as a table between 2 low lawn chairs. Wish I had enough to make a wall!

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  8. Several office buildings in Richmond Virginia with screen walls two stories high and set several feet in front of windows for shading.

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  9. Your own vertical garden with climbing roses.

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