Midtown Ventura is home to a small slice of architectural history with all of its mid-century homes. Behind the simple exteriors of many of these bungalows and beach cottages, are living spaces that would make an interior designer's heart flutter. The property at 197 Lang Street is one of these.

The current owners, Wendy and Martin Ruane, purchased the home three years ago and have rejuvenated the property, preserving much of its mid-century charm and updating it with a classic, modern style that is both warm and functional. Built in 1953, there are still many of the original mid-century features, but the home brags of a clean, trendy design that also is environmentally friendly.

The couple said they chose the home for its overall simplicity, which was standard in mid-century homes, but they managed to recreate it with impeccable detailing that is so well-planned that it may go completely undetected. Close attention was paid to preserving the traditional mid-century style while incorporating an eco-friendly design.

Wendy describes it as a "mini Eichler" for the homes designed by famed architect Joseph Eichler in Thousand Oaks and Granada Hills. And this is an apt description.

Like an Eichler, this home is airy and modern in comparison to most of the mass-produced, middle-class, postwar homes being built in the 1950s. It has the typical mid-century post and beam construction and is built entirely of redwood. At first glance, and from the street, the home appears to be little more than a standard home. Consistent with the Eichler motif, the home features with a low-sloping roof, vertical siding and spartan facade with geometric lines. All that can be seen of it is a garage and a fence. But inside, the time, hard work and attention to detail that was paid to it by the Ruanes is revealed.

Eichler homes are from a branch of Modernist architecture that has come to be known as "California Modern," and typically feature glass walls, post-and-beam construction and open floor plans. Improvements made by the Ruanes made this gorgeous home even more open than it was when they purchased it. The majority of this can be seen in the kitchen and dining room. Once separated by a large wall that housed the kitchen appliances, the kitchen is now large, open and bright, complete with new cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a gorgeous island with power on either end that can be used for food preparation, service or even a casual meal. The counters are made from a composite material by LG that is entirely eco-friendly and looks like granite.

The floors in this great room are done in a beautiful bamboo that is brings a richness to the space and keeps with the light, airy feel. And the room is finished by a wood-burning fireplace that occupies center stage in the space.

One of Eichler's signature concepts was to "Bring the Outside In," achieved via skylights and floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking out on protected gardens and patios. This is true of the Ruane's home as well. The walls in the living room are almost entirely composed of windows, and vents run along the floorboards to allow the cool breezes that are typical of Ventura to flow throughout the home. The master bedroom also features a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the patio in the backyard, and a glass door to access the patio. (The patio is large enough for a spa or Jacuzzi as well.) And one of Wendy's favorite additions to the home is the fence that was added in front.

"With the fence, the front yard is completely private," she said. "So we leave the front door open in the afternoon and the breeze flow through the whole house."

The home has numerous unorthodox features, including post-and-beam construction and Vaulted ceilings. The beams are exposed in the living room, kitchen and dining area, and have been painted white adding to the brightness of the space. Along the center of the home is an old-fashioned tract lighting system that adds to the mid-century styling. But Wendy said it's rarely needed.

"We hardly ever turn the lights on in this house," she said. "Because of all the windows, natural light pours into the house and bright." Bright enough that the lights are just an unnecessary energy expense.

Down the hall from the kitchen to the right is the bathroom which has been done is a gorgeous mosaic tile of read, blue and green against a white background. It is complimented by a basin and a shelf at the back of the shower which were created out of a rich, deep brown, ceramic tile. As the home's one bathroom, it is spacious for its size, and it also features a dual-flush toilet for water conservation.

Opposite the bathroom is the aforementioned master bedroom, and two smaller bedrooms. One is currently serving as a guest bedroom and features 1950's closets with a tremendous amount of storage space. The other also has a large closet, and is surrounded by large windows that overlook the large backyard. It also has a door leading to the backyard that could serve as a private entrance.

The parklike backyard is expansive with a large lawn, two separate seating areas and a play area in the far corner. The landscaping here has been done almost entirely with native plants, meaning less watering and more conservation. Wendy says that the home is incredibly energy efficient and that because of the landscaping, their utility costs are remarkably low.

This impressive home is certainly one that must be toured and viewed from the inside out. A driveby will not suffice. To schedule an appointment for private viewing, contact the listing agent Liz Donnelly at 794-6005, or take a virtual tour at http://www.197Lang.com.

FOR SALE

107 Lang Street

Ventura

$519,000

Liz Donnelly

RE/MAX Gold Coast

794-6005

www.197Lang.com