A reader named Cindy spotted this odd-looking entry hall in the real estate listings and sent me the photos. It’s in a house for sale in Fresno, California, and the agent says it has a “piano-sized foyer.” Would you put a piano in the center of this ring? I’m not sure about that.
I’m also puzzled by the big wooden box that appears in some of the photos. Is it a platform for the piano? We’re assuming this isn’t a strip club or anything. So what is it?
Cindy wants to know how we would decorate around something like this, “Besides the obvious pole-dancing platform.” Here’s one of her ideas:
What would you do with the space?
The entire house is kind of interesting to look at, with lots of curved walls and cabinets. For more information and photos, check out the listing. It was built in 1960, has over 3,500 square feet, and is selling for $349,000 (which sounds like a bargain for California, poles and all). Thanks to Cindy for the link!
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{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow.. Mind you I am already having a head-ache now I will need some medicine for sure!
That’s a big reno… if you can take those poles out of the way, wonderful. If you can’t: Pray!
I have a house for sale on my site today too… I think you’ll like that one, Julia. Let me know what you think about the decor.
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Ewww!!! I do like the fish tank idea. That entry would be great fun as a mini rollerskating rink too! I’m sure kids would love it. They could just go flyin’ and land on a pile of pillows in that cushy carpet.
: p
Julie M.
.-= The Little Red Shop´s last blog ..Standing in the Corner =-.
My kids would love the rollerskating rink, too. Ha. -Julia
transporter for the spaceship Enterprise!
Perfect!
I’m thinking Kelly Wearstler would love this entry way, imagine it with her great furniture in it…
That box is just weird!
.-= Sarah @ myfirstlittleplace´s last blog ..My First Little Place turns 1 =-.
You’re right. She’d come up with something perfectly bizarre for that space!
Wowee! Hopefully the stripper poles are not structural and can be removed. Then all floor treatments in that house need to go (and fast! yikes). Once that area is cleared and the floor replaced with wood , you could put a lovely antique round table there with a tasteful floral arrangement. Really good lighting is essential as well. It would depend on the scale of the rest of the house. Oh boy, this is a real beaut!
I would paint out the poles for one. Something neutral. Maybe a black, or brown or even a cream. Point is something NOT so shinny and stripper pole-ish. I would place a large round tuffed ottoman in the centre. Do custom built-in’s along the rock wall. Just the lower part. Some open some closed for books, display, etc. And don’t forget about a statement lighting piece in the centre of the circular area. Anything to draw attention away from the oddness and to the openness.
Good point about painting the poles. If they weren’t so shiny, they wouldn’t look quite so…tacky. Great ideas, Andrea. -Julia
If the poles were painted, I would be afraid someone would walk right into them
It is clearly a studio to teach pole dancing. Duh.
I am at a loss for words, truly. I do think painting the stripper poles would help, but you know that’s the first thing most people will think of when they see it. My gym has a “Flaunt” class that does stuff like that. Yeah. I have *not* tried that one and don’t want to! No one needs those images burned into their brains. I don’t want to be responsible for those shrink bills.
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..The Soup Nazi =-.
I’m wondering if they had a large statue on the wooden platform. That’s really the only thing I can come up with. I think like nealy everyone else, I am at a loss. Maybe Jeff Lewis could somehow rescue this place?
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/awkward/
.-= Nichole´s last blog ..Binswanger Glass Has Risen From The Dead! =-.
My thoughts exactly. There was a statue or some other large piece of artwork. This explains the lighting pointing directly down onto the box. Although hideous, the poles are probably there to protect it (art piece) from bumps.
that is just…not right. Yes, a certain type of club certainly does come to mind. I’d figure out a way to remove them stat, and as they are most certainly structural, I would do whatever was necessary to make their removal possible! Janell
.-= Janell Beals´s last blog ..BedskirtsOh How You Drive Me Crazy =-.
I think the platform was for a large art piece, like a bronze or something. I noticed the lights are all pointing to it highlighting whatever was sitting there.
If it were me I would take the rock wall out, the texture is too rough for me. If the poles could not be removed I would wrap them with wood and try to make them look more like true support columns. But what I would really like to do is get rid of the round, circle theme.
I don’t know, this must be the kind of room where professionals earn their stripes.
Odd.
.-= Jerriann´s last blog ..From the Craft Room =-.
Hi Julia, I think that for 349,000 in California I would knock it down and start over! It looks like there are some spotlights in the circular ceiling area above the box! What could they be for? Flashing lights for the pole dancers? And it also looks like some updates were made–new kitchen (off to the side), 80′s track lighting, and carpeting, but it all clashes, as do the stone walls and floor! Yes-I would knock it down. Linda
.-= Linda Green´s last blog ..A LETTER IN MY BOX =-.
I think they should put a round, circular sofa in it, like the kind you see in hotel lobbies. This type of sofa is called a causeuse. We had one in my sorority house, and everyone called it a bourne. Anthropologie has one called the Axel Three-Seater. It might work
.-= Ricki Jill Treleaven´s last blog ..A Mothers In-box =-.
Ummm…I’m usually up for this game, but this one? I wouldn’t even try to decorate it. I just would give up on this one. Are you SURE it wasn’t a “private” strip club?
I would build out around each column with a sturdier, fancier column ( I like the craftsman style but it probably wouldn’t work in that house http://www.rstrumpfurniture.com/images/P3232386.JPG) Then I would Add some built in bookcases between and a cozy little sitting area with overstuffed chairs and and ottoman for lounging and reading. This decor is NMS, but something similar to this: http://interior.exquisite-design.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/36.jpg
.-= Beth@Unskinny Boppy´s last blog ..Dinner and Merriment to follow =-.
If the ceiling was right above it, I might install some major skylights and make it an atrium and fill it with plants but really I think I would just totally remodel the space. Really does look like a strip club, doesn’t it?
.-= MelMel´s last blog ..Finally Something Done! =-.
Here is that first link again.
http://www.rstrumpfurniture.com/Built-In%20Cabinetry.htm
.-= Beth@Unskinny Boppy´s last blog ..Dinner and Merriment to follow =-.
If you look at what little you see of the rest of the house, it seems to be somewhat contemporary architecture. IMHO, I don’t think you could do anything “traditional”.
I’d go with a round shag rug with some sort of large, round pedestal table. Get rid of the poles if possible, but if not, they need to be polished to a good shine.
this is what I would do too!!
Tear down and rebuild?
.-= pk @ Room Remix´s last blog ..Some DIY Links Youll Like =-.
Wow this is certainly a decorating challenge. If the poles are not removable, I think I would allow a smaller foyer and build walls (probably to the first poles) to make a hallway that enters to the left (which appears to be another large room) and enter to the family room/kitchen area. The space behind the walls would make some awesome storage areas. Also the floors would need to be raised up to the same level as the entry way. Very curious piece of architecture.
I think the large box in some of the pics might be a stage… and the brass poles… well, no judgement but isn’t there a rec room that would be more suitable for the strippers ? Talk about a first impression when you walk in the door! I know our society is big on “wow” factor but “wow” can be good and bad.
That just reminded me of Oprah’s Oscar special when she had George Clooney and Julia Roberts interview each other. Julia asked George what he would do if he wasn’t such a public figure. He answered something about attending more sporting events. He asked her the same question in return and without hesitation she answered “pole dancing”. Loved it.
I would turn the poles into columns as Beth already mentioned. I would also torch every window treatment and change the flooring.
DEMO! What in the world??
.-= Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Just the right spot =-.
Wow! ditto to all the “this is just not right” comments. However, IF we could have Christmas all year round I can see a fabulous Tree there! Past that, for that home price those poles would be G.O.N.E. At the very least painted neutral.
I’ve always encouraged the idea of the “holiday” tree – so you can just leave the dang thing up all year… decorate it for Valentines and St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, the 4th, and then the fall holidays… that would be PERFECT in this spot!
I just looks plain ugly to me. My first things would be to take the poles out and change the hideous flooring……
Oh my word. I wonder if those poles are weight bearing? If not they need to come out, asap! If they have to stay, I would absolutely not buy the house. I don’t think I could put up with the stripper pole jokes every time someone came over. And more importantly, every time I had to walk by them.
.-= hip hip gin gin´s last blog ..The Voyagers =-.
The wooden box looks like a stand for a statue/art or fountain of somekind. There are lights above it in the dome. They need to direct attention to whatever they put on the stand and away from the poles. Those poles need to be painted to blend it. And a rug around each side of the box on the outside of the poles to direct “traffic” around it and to the main part of the house…and to make it warmer. Thats a start anyway.
I would remove the box (hehe) and add a large round wooden pedestal table with a huge floral arrangement. I found out recently, that the big gorgeous floral arrangement in one of our most glamorous hotels is actually partially fresh, partially fake, and partially dried fillers. very clever!
.-= black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..BENNINGTON POTTERY MY 400TH POST =-.
I would buy some high quality plastic ivy vines, say from the dollar store, and with some heavy duty packing tape I would affix them to the poles. To add a bit more glam, I would also intertwine some white Christmas light in the ivy so that when people walk in the door for the first time…they are WOWED! In the center, in that box which I would also surround with more plastic plants, I would put a statue of a Greek god. I love all things Greek. I would paint in “key” features on this statue to give it more demented….I mean dimention. To add a final bit of sparkle, I would hang lots of crystal from the ceiling.
Seriously….and I hope you know I wasn’t serious!….I can actuallly see a lot of potential for the price. Of course I don’t know about the location, it may be across the street from a cattle rendering factory! Then I’d walk away! LOL!
.-= Pat´s last blog ..The meaning in words =-.
Oh and dolls! Lots of dolls everywhere, and random wandering vases, and a statue of Freddy Kreuger in the corner. See Julia, we’re learning!
Ha! You guys are cracking me up today. Too funny! -Julia
Big 2nd on the ivy and the dolls. Perfect
If not for support, the poles would definitely go!
But to use it… that little dome kinda asks for a show-stopping art sculpture… you know, to flaunt? Ugh. But I think the best idea would be to make alittle sitting area on the side with the stone wall- a couple of arm chairs and a side table? (would be good for putting on shoes and dropping keys on the table) And a big potted plant to the left side oft he door- to frame it/separate from the sunken family room.
… the rest of the house is super fun, too! Not a straight line to be seen!!!
.-= Candace´s last blog ..soups on- roasted eggplant & tomato soup =-.
I like the pole-dancing platform idea. I don’t think any other idea could compete with that one. LOL!
.-= rhianna´s last blog ..What You Going Hang Some Curtains =-.
If the poles are structural maybe they could be covered to look like columns (square or round or whatever). I also agree with the suggestion of a circular sofa or something.
If I were decorating this place, I believe I would have columns built around the poles so it looks more majestic and less like a strip joint. Then I would have an antique round table in the middle with a large vase of tall flowers. I might also change the flooring to a lighter color so the table and flowers would pop.
Oh my! What were they thinking when they built that house? LOL…I’d have to remove those poles or find a way to make them into columns. Wonder what the rest of the house looks like? With an entry like this you know the rest of the house has to be very interesting! LOL
Kristen
.-= Kristen´s last blog .. =-.
It’s definitely an interesting house. Here’s the link to the listing:
http://www.6053butler.info/
I would cover those poles with big square wooden columns, definitely take out the rock wall, and since I play piano, I agree that would be a perfect place for a baby grand. I would definitely remove the platform. A beautiful live terrarium or specimen tree would also be an option. It might require a skylight being installed. So much potential in this home. You would just need lots of moolah!!
I would… umm… not buy this house. Kidding, I like the fish tank idea.
.-= Cole´s last blog ..5-600-000 – Riverside- CT =-.
Why would the poles be structural ? Not sure how they would even be holding up. They were an unfortunate addition to begin with.
This is what happens when some one buys a MCM house and has traditional taste.
The atrium idea is best, sky light the dome if there is no second story, or use 3 color LEDs to back light a diffuser if there is.
The poles can come out if you have enough money.
$350k isn’t a cheap house in Fresno.
Those poles can’t possibly be structural, they look like an afterthought. That is actually a pretty great house. I love the curvy cabinets and custom furniture. It just needs some love and serious updating and restoration. What a great buy though. However, looking at the listing I feel like I’ve entered a time warp. I scrolled down to check the date on the website just to be sure. While we are updating the house, can we give the realtor a makeover too??? Check out that hair, the standing up collar and the ginormous earrings!! Hello Ms. 1982, welcome to 2010!
.-= jana´s last blog ..Thursday Thoughts Did he really just say that =-.
Isn’t it thoughtful that the pole-dancing can be seen from the kitchen, so the cook needn’t miss out on the fun? Or maybe while one girl was dancing, another put on her pinny and made herself useful getting snacks. Integrated lifestyle.
I’m loving all your comments on this. You guys are hilarious. A lot of people are leaving their thoughts and ideas on my Facebook page, too, if you want to see more:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hooked-on-Houses/55680190818
-Julia
I think it was absolutely a piano platform.
I’d aquawash the brick, and cover the floor in sandpebble flooring, cover the poles (are the weight baring?) with columns. I’d put a ceiling medalion and white (think shabby chic) chandalier in the middle, and arrange open, airy beach seating as a nice little seating area.
But I’d have to worry how bad the rest of the house is?
.-= Chrissa´s last blog ..Accidental wins and fails =-.
Although I do like the fish tank idea, I’m thinking (1) an antique carousel with a few animals or (2) some round couches with a round coffee table and some sheer valances loosely draped between the poles, harem style!
.-= SueLovesCherries´s last blog ..REDNESDAY – VETERANS DAY =-.
Okay, where’s Dollie when we need her? I would go take that creepy doll from your other post that kept showing up in various rooms and buy her a few friends. Then dress them in something exotic and put them on the poles. Instant Pole dancers!
.-= Sue@awelllovedhome ´s last blog ..8 Bad Repurposing Ideas =-.
How about a dining room? You know, with a circular table and all.
.-= Cole´s last blog ..5-600-000 – Riverside- CT =-.
I like the dining room idea too: big wow factor when you enter, and an interesting place to entertain guests. Take out the poles though! Ugh. Love that comment about the circular sofa/hotel lobby look too.
.-= Gillian´s last blog ..Between a rock and an ugly place =-.
I’d have to find a way of either removing or covering those poles. Then I’d put a large beautiful round entrance table there. But the whole space is just butt ugly, even for a mid-century California mod house. It has no flow, it looks like a cheap hotel, and the fireplace to the right of the front door is much too formal for this rock and slate entrance. Yick.
Wow, I actually kind of love this house. If bought by someone who has a great vision and a love of mid-century modern, it could be transformed into something pretty spectacular. Those window treatments, chandeliers, and wallpaper have got to go. This house is begging for mahogany paneling, a conversation pit with round couches, and natural materials to go with that great curved stone wall. I agree with the folks above who think the round space in the middle of the foyer should be turned into a space for plants and trees. If it’s possible, open up the domed area with a skylight, then either cut into the slate (yikes! maybe not…too hard to undo down the road) or build up a low planter bed somehow to hold soil and gravel then fill with trees and plants. Cover the poles with sanded and stained wood. You could even go for a slight South Pacific tiki vibe throughout the whole common area of the house and backyard!
Why is no one stating the obvious? I would take some pole dancing lessons.
IF YA GOT IT, FLAUNT IT!
(decor-wise, of course)
How about a Merry go round? You could charge kids to ride on it. Or one of those hotel spinning doors.
This house is so horrible that I don’t think it’s worth saving. I say tear it down and build a brand new one. Or do a whole new renovation.
Wow that house is dark and glum! Looks like a mausoleum! I wonder why the price was reduced? Was somebody murdered there?
.-= Daisy´s last blog ..Black Friday Sales 2010 =-.
Geesh, the things people do when building hey?? This one is a toughy but if it were me I would change those pillars to more substantial white pillars with millwork and mouldings, and then I would place a round pedestal table in the center with a giant arrangement of orchids or something like that!
Nancy xo
.-= Nancy@marcusdesign´s last blog ..q & a with colleen mcgill =-.
First, I would hope that the poles can be removed. If that means tearing up the ceiling to add support, I would be happy to lose the weird little dome, too. The stone wall and the stone floor are fighting. I would probably tear out both. The stone wall could be tiled with wood, like this – http://www.archithings.com/wood-wall/2008/06/15 or this – http://trainormodularwalls.com/inner.php?cid=53. Or Leather tiled walls, like this – http://www.yorkstreet.com/products.lw.wetbar.asp
I’m not sure what I would do with the floors, but it would certainly work better with the adjoining flooring materials than what is happening now…Perhaps a tile pattern
I would love to work on this entire house. It needs so much more than an entry makeover.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Random Loveliness for Friday =-.
agreed.
Oh geez. That is some seriously ugly architecture, and it is in Fresno. I say tear the building down and start over!
Oh my. I love these brain teasers. If the poles HAVE to stay, I’d paint them a less stripper color. Shiny brass isn’t classy in a home. I think maybe a gorgeous, vintage confidante sofa in the entry way? I don’t know. I love confidante sofas but this space is tricky…
.-= Bre´s last blog ..Grazing Arizona =-.
wow! what was the builder thinking? I have to agree with Meg….tear it down and start over. My uncle tore down a house and started over and it’s beautiful! now you need a little money to do that though and with this economy that may be tough.
.-= Desiree´s last blog ..Thanksgiving Outside =-.
I agree with Billy: that’s one stylin’ 60s MCM gem! (Which seems to have been bought & lovingly remuddled by owners with a penchant for balloon shades.) In its original state, it probably looked like something out of the movie “Casino.” I love the contrast between the curves and angles, and the texture of the rock. (The rock on the exterior is wonderful.) Mentally remove the surface treatments (cabbage rose wallpaper in image 38– ow, my eyes!)- this house definitely needs to be brought back to its mid-century roots!
Fresno is a hotbed of affordable mid-century modern:
http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/08/13/fresno_the_next_palm_springs.php
Thanks for that link, Jean. Interesting article! -Julia
I don’t think Fresno has the same cachet as Palm Springs (it’s Fresno!), but it certainly is cheaper!
I noticed even the real estate agent’s picture had a 80′s look to her. This is a very interesting house. All of the rooms are big, and it features an open floor plan which most find desirable. Seems it’s basically cosmetic. I love the idea of the fish aquarium.
Wow! That IS odd. I have no idea what would make it not look odd. hmm…
.-= Vicki @ In The Sandbox Comic Strip´s last blog ..Pedometers =-.
I recall you had a bad MLS photo of a foyer with a replica of the statue of David in red trunks. Yup, that’s what I would put in this foyer. Otherwise, it would have to be an enormous round bed with satin sheets and mirrors on the ceiling.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Etsy Shop Now Open =-.
That would be perfect! Ha.
What if we covered the poles with columns ( would have to be something modern and not colonial looking…obviously) and then build two walls out from the rock wall to meet the first two poles from the wall and created a nook? Then it would only look like you had two columns in front of a nook?
The flooring would have to be changed and even though I love stone work, I hate this particular example of if. Gabby had a great link above, to a wood wall treatment. that would look great in the nook. I’m thinking those poles must be load bearing to still be in the house, they are so ugly and awkward.
Furnish the nook with chairs, sofa, table, whatever, of course. Library area?
If I were really re-doing the area for myself:
What Beth said, with the arts and crafts colums and the cozy reading area with a beautiful circular rug. I might put a half wall around part of it so that it did not feel so exposed.
In the alternative:
1. With the platform: Mandatory karaoke stage–visitors are not allowed in the rest of the house until they do at least one round of a) Freebird b)Brown Eyed Girl c) Margaritaville or d) I Will Survive.
2. With the platform: Holiday tree. And I do mean Holiday: Christmas ornaments in December; Champagne glasses in January; hearts in February; leprechauns and pots of gold in March; Easter Eggs in April; etc. Beware the sparklers for the 4th of July.
3. Without the platform: indoor fire pit for year round smores.
4. Without the platform: I can see doing a huge starscape hanging from the ceiling.
5. Without the platform: like the tree above, but use dolls and mannequins to create holiday vignettes. Think of the costuming fun!
.-= Holley´s last blog ..Everything is new =-.
It’s a 1960′s version of a party house ! There is no rational explanation to things … My sister has her own 1960′s party house that has had some revisions etc. When people find out where she lives they say, ” Oh, I remember going to a party there!”. A friend remembers, as a child, going to this house because it had an indoor fountain / water feature. I think it’s a strong possiblity for this Fresno house.
Was there a bar in any of the photos ? I can’t imagine this place with out a real built in bar. Of course, living there might make you want to drink!
Personally, I think the house might be a fun challenge. Big windows, big yard…. And, no matter WHAT I did, I would like it better then what is there now! The slate floor and rock wall drive me crazy. You get one or another… they are fighting each other. And the carpet …. Ugh. 1960′s house might have wood floor underneath the carpet ? Stained concrete would be cool.
I wonder if it is a short sale ?
~ Christie
Hi Julia – how about a statue of David smack in the middle? My son would be in on the skateboarding. That was fun… Thanks Julia
Regards Esther from Sydney
Take out the poles and it’s an extra seating area! Very dated, though.
Hmmm. How about the time-out chair…on the platform. Public humiliation at it’s best!
.-= linda @ Lime in the coconut´s last blog ..It’s Fall…Really and truly FALL! =-.
That’s hilarious!
When we finished our basement we had just such a pole to deal with. We had a carpenter build a beautiful square wooden pillar around it, add molding, and paint it out a nice white. If you did that with all four and placed a round table in the middle, it just might replace with stripper connotation with something classier. Good luck with the rest of the house though!
It is a nice big entry something should be able to save it. Depending on the rest of the house, first thing that comes to mind is covering the poles with white columns and then the floor redone in marble. The stone wall could be paneled. Then remove the carpet in the adjoining rooms maybe more marble. A lovely wooden round table or maybe a skirted one with sculpture or flowers in the center. Abench or sette on the wall. A beautiful new door, dark wood with wrought iron grill. then move on to the rest of the house
.-= colleen´s last blog ..CUSTOM HEADBOARDS- OTTOMANS & STORAGE BENCHES =-.
A dancing pole? Eeek!
.-= Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com´s last blog ..Christian Fiction Sunday- Free Read =-.
The reason it is so much less than coastal California houses is that Fresno is in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley- blazing hot in the summer followed by fog and cold in the winter. Much of the food for the U.S. is grown in the San Joaquin Valley, but you couldn’t pay me to live there even if the house was spectacular.
Just hang the disco ball and be done with it — it will distract from the poles if you never turn it off – heheheheee. Or better yet, finish the poles off as a cage and add a go-go dancer inside along with the disco ball. Be sure to theme the rest of the house to go with the Austin Powers groovy ’60′s look.
I’d removed the poles and put lots and lots of huge, high plants in the middle. Like a jungle.
Oddly enough I am NOT a fan of that style or era of home and I actually found it interesting.
Being from the Heartland I was of the impression you couldn’t get a tent in California for $349k so assuming it’s not in some dire ‘hood I would think it would be a great deal for someone.
As for the poles – take them out. Those skimpy little bits of nothing are not likely to be holding anything up – if they are – you get a capable contractor to figure out an alternative.
My guess is the platform and spotlights were for some fancy art piece. It’s too bad the original realtor photos from 1960 aren’t available – the house was probably a showplace before someone ran amuck with floral wallpaper.
Quote: “The reason it is so much less than coastal California houses is that Fresno is in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley- blazing hot in the summer followed by fog and cold in the winter. ”
So much like Ohio then? Just add snow …
Hi everyone. This really does look like a spot for strippers that the person who owned the house can throw strip parties and hire private dancers. Butt, when I read Jerriann’s comment, I really began to think that what Jerriann said makes more sense. The middle has a big platform or it looks like a pedestal or something to put a display of some big giant statue. Like Jerriann said, there are some spotlight like lights pointing to the middle of this big box like someone once had a big bronze statue there, or something, and wanted light on it so people could see it nicely. Maybe it was used for a strip party before and a big statue after someone else moved in there and that’s why they placed that square box there. Who knows what people could have in mind when decorating or redecorating a room in a house.