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Posted on Sat, Jun 1, 2013 : 5:58 a.m.

Robert C. Metcalf's mid-century modern 'Crane House' featured on Sunday home tour

By Melanie Maxwell

When Jim and Linda Elert bought their home at 830 Avon in Ann Arbor, they weren't exactly looking for a mid-century modern house.

"I haven't really liked modern very much, just because it always seemed very cold to me," said Linda. "But this house didn't seem that way, I think because the inside is very warm, it's very beautiful and it's very open."

The four-bedroom, three-bath home showcases classic mid-century traits. Wall-to-wall windows, open space, cork floors and wood paneling are a few of its attributes.

"I certainly had a lot more clutter in my previous house," Linda recalled. "This house teaches you what it wants, and it doesn't want very much. It wants very simple styles. It's been really fun for me; I feel like I've evolved."

830 Avon, also known as "The Crane House," was Ann Arbor architect Robert C. Metcalf's first commission. He personally designed 68 houses in Ann Arbor, many in the mid-century modern style in Ann Arbor Hills and Barton Hills.

Metcalf's personal home was even featured in the Ann Arbor City Club's home tour last year.

The home, along with several other area houses, will be featured on the Ann Arbor City Club's 61st annual home tour on Sunday, June, 2. Tickets will be available at the Ann Arbor City Club (1830 Washtenaw) or at any of the featured homes on the day of the tour. The home tour will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets cost $15. For more information on the tour and how to purchase tickets, go to www.annarborcityclub.org/home-tour.html.

Melanie Maxwell is a staff photographer for AnnArbor.com.

Comments

bluenella

Sat, Jun 1, 2013 : 3:47 p.m.

Such a beautiful home by architect (and former Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at U of M for many years) Robert Metcalf. Nice photo series, so many wonderful details in his design.

Homeland Conspiracy

Sat, Jun 1, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.

I say we knock it down & build a skyrise (for rich ppl only) on that spot

DBH

Sat, Jun 1, 2013 : 1:58 p.m.

It was built for Professor Richard Crane in 1954. I presume this is why it is referred to as "The Crane House." I think it would have been relevant to have included that in the story.

Linda Peck

Sat, Jun 1, 2013 : 11:35 a.m.

Beautiful pictures of a classic home.

Elaine F. Owsley

Sat, Jun 1, 2013 : 11:17 a.m.

I give our architect daughter a hard time about "mid-century modern". I tell her "Oh, honey, why don't you just say it was modern in the 1950's".

jns131

Sat, Jun 1, 2013 : 10:09 p.m.

Most of our family own homes that were built just after WW II. Can't figure out why those are not considered historic. O well, guess it is the historical society at its finest.