Shiny and Bright MCM Holiday Home in Idaho

Unique original features and a mix of vintage and new décor make this 1958 MCM home in Idaho sparkle for the holidays—and beyond.

It’s a wonderful life in this 1958 home, situated in the Randolph-Robertson subdivision of Boise, Idaho.

The neighborhood was created during the post-World War II/Korean War “boom” and was named after the men who developed the area: W. Orth Randolph and the Robertson brothers.

MCM holiday home in Boise wreath on orange door — The vintage door was painted orange and is adorned here with a holiday wreath to greet visitors. Jessica and Sam sourced locally quarried Oakley flagstone for the entryway flooring; it’s a stone commonly used in other mid-century homes in the area. “It’s not perfect, but most people think it was originally here, so I guess we did okay,” Jessica says.

After walking through this mid-century gem in 2012, Jessica Luque, interior designer and owner of Stussi Luque Design, along with her husband, Sam, knew it would be their “forever home.”

“We immediately fell in love with all the original features throughout the home; and, because I’m an interior designer, I had a vision for what we could keep and what we could improve,” says Jessica.

silver tinsel tree and holiday wall hanging in retro MCM Idaho holiday home — “The tinsel silver tree isn’t vintage, but we have had it for years, and it was my first attempt to get the coveted ‘aluminum tree’ look,” Jessica shares. The chair was an estate sale find, and Jessica made the pillow out of vintage 1970s fabric.

bottle brush trees on mantel of MCM holiday home in Boise — Jessica has been collecting bottle-brush trees for years, and they are displayed here as part of a Norwegian village holiday scene. The fireplace, built-in clock and wood paneling are all original to the home.

Filling the home wasn’t an issue for Jessica and Sam, who had been collecting mid-century furniture and décor for years before buying the house.

“We never had a huge budget or super-fancy, famous pieces, but we did collect affordable pieces we loved,” says Jessica. “We spent a lot of time shopping at thrift stores and estates—that is, when you could still find mid-century treasures no one else wanted. Our friends joke that we finally bought the house to fit our collection of mid-century décor!”

A Loving History

The home was built by Al Smart, along with the original (and only previous) homeowner, Bill Stith. Bill and his wife, Roberta, lived in the home with their three children until they passed away. Many unique, original features shine on in the home, including the kitchen, dining room banquette bar, living room cabinetry and sandstone fireplace.

“All our surrounding neighbors knew the family well and have shared stories with us about the Stiths,” Jessica shares.

pink tree in MCM Idaho holiday home with Drexel surfboard coffee tabletop — Jessica and Sam’s house was part of a “Preservation Idaho Heritage Home Tour” in 2017. A few days after the tour, a woman knocked at the Luques’ door to give them the Drexel surfboard coffee tabletop that’s now sitting next to the pink tree. “[She] handed me the top, saying, ‘This belongs in your home.’ It didn’t have the original base, so we improvised, although we would love to eventually source the original base,” Jessica notes.

MCM Holiday Home in Idaho: Rockin’ Around the Tinsel Tree

When the holidays roll around, Jessica and Sam love to pull out their vintage ornaments and décor, sourced from antique shops, yard sales, and friends and family (including a whole set of pink glass globe ornaments from Sam’s grandmother that he inherited after she passed away). In addition to having a real tree each year, “the pink-and-silver tinsel tree, as well as the aluminum trees, always come out. They feel very fitting to the 1950s vibe of the home,” Jessica notes.

kitchen in MCM Idaho home decorated for holidays with retro bottle brush trees — When Jessica’s collection of vintage Pyrex and serving dishes aren’t being used for a holiday party, they’re showcased in the dining room hutch—original to the home and still boasting its copper “boomerang” hardware. A mid-century candlestick holder makes a cheerful centerpiece for the vintage dining table and Eames shell chairs (all from Boise Vintage).

retro color palette stocking and mantel display in MCM Idaho home holiday decor — Everyone in the family gets one of Jessica’s handmade stockings. The embellished crochet stars and pastel felt colors add a bit of retro style. The sandstone fireplace is original to the home, as is the checkerboard mahogany wall paneling, built-in brass clock and directional copper can lights. The Plycraft side chair was a Boise Vintage find and is Sam’s favorite place to sit.

tinsel tree with retro color scheme and wall art — A vintage aluminum tree is adorned with a mix of vintage and new ornaments. Sam painted the mural—with inspiration from @Banyanbridges (Rachael Jackson) and using colors to complement the 1970s vibe of the bar. To the left, a sunken entertainment room/bar was added in 1975. The plans for the addition were drawn by Bill Stith, who was both the original homeowner and builder.

To keep the cheer going throughout the season, the Luque family loves to listen to records while cozying up by the fire or decorating their trees. Jessica keeps her collection of vintage Pyrex, along with serving trays and bakeware, in the original dining room hutch. She loves to use these for all to enjoy during Christmas parties at the home.

How to Find Vintage MCM Holiday Décor Items

Here are some tips for sourcing vintage seasonal treasures:

Whenever possible, sourcing your vintage finds locally saves on both packaging and costly shipping, and it’s also environmentally friendly. Try searching for nearby pieces on Craigslist or local Facebook groups, and make sure to keep checking year-round. You never know when someone might need to off-load a whole collection of vintage treasures.
As with finding any vintage treasures, consistent hunting is key: Enjoy the search, and search often! Visit your favorite antique malls, swap meets, flea markets, etc. right after the holidays to catch sales.
Are you looking for something specific? Try searching on Etsy or eBay, but be sure to thoroughly read the description, shipping information and seller reviews before purchasing. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions.
Think outside the Christmas “box” (er, “present”?), and remember that certain colors can read “holiday” if styled correctly. Greens, reds, golds, whites and silver hues already in your home can be a part of the holiday display.

Looking for more MCM holiday home inspiration? Don’t miss All About Aluminum Christmas Trees and Shiny Brites 101: A Beginner’s Guide to the Vintage Ornaments. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more Mid Century Modern inspiration!