Mid Century Modern Eichler Homes located in Thousand Oaks, California offer one of the best travels in time. Unfortunately, you won’t see a “milkman” or a “paperboy”. However, your eyes will experience 100 well-preserved single-story “modern” homes created and developed by Joseph Eichler. After living in a small Frank Lloyd house himself, he recognized that open floor plans make small houses seem larger. Eichler then went out in the 1950s – 1960s and built modern “post and beam” constructed houses. That meant that posts would hold up beams to support the roof. Larger open rooms could be created and glass walls could allow the outdoors to be appreciated indoors.

All exteriors are painted wood paneling. Newer shades of grays, browns, greens and whites are the most popular. Some reds, yellows and blues are also used. Homeowners usually paint the beams and fascia a contrasting color. The Eichler front door is the focal point and is sometimes painted with an accent color for “Eichler Bling”. The original Eichler doors were installed with aluminum door knobs and back plates. One final exterior touch was the modern house number design made of white plaster that Eichler used throughout his tracts.

Eichler interiors are a special experience. One enters a house basically made from California redwood. Tongue and groove ceilings, beams, posts and some paneling is redwood. Another paneling that Eichler favored was Philippine Mahogany. The floor coverings are either pebbled cement or tiled. Both help to contain the radiant heat in the cement slab floor. Almost all of these houses have atriums. Glass walls make it possible for the homeowner to use the outdoor environment and bring it inside.
Walls of glass are placed at the back of the house so one receives more of the out-door environment while being inside. This outside/inside experience combined with the open floor plan makes a small house (tract house) feel spacious.
Joseph Eichler wanted people to appreciate his houses. He provided modern stainless steel stoves and ovens. His kitchen pantry always lit up every time the door opened. He placed sky lights in the bathrooms. Even the electrical switches light up in darkness. Eichler wanted people to enjoy affordable homes.
Philippine mahogany (more commonly referred to as "Luan" or "Luan Paneling") was used in the Thousand Oaks Eichler homes when they were constructed during 1964-67. This honey-colored, 1/4" thick mahogany paneling made these homes feel warm and homey. It also helped to provide a contrast to the light-filled environment found in the homes.
Preserving the original mahogany panels is sometimes a high priority for some Eichler owners who are “purists”. However many owners have walls that are painted, stained, replaced (wall board) or updated as part of a “remodeling” project.