Cliff may homes

Built in 1954 by the architect Cliff May, progenitor of the California Ranch-style house, this mid-century classic was in need of a thorough update to suit the needs of a modern family. JKA, in partnership with an architect, carried out a down-to-the-studs remodel. Key elements, such as beamed ceilings, wood ...

From stunningly gorgeous and utopian to cold and soulless, there are probably as many opinions about modernist buildings as there are people in the world. In the eternal discussion about whether function or form is more important, the balance might arguably be skewed in favor of the former when we talk about modernism, the architectural style that dominated much of the 20th century. Though who’s to say that modernism doesn’t allow for beauty and balance?

Vintage "Cliff May homes" brochure from 1953. Cliff May "The Father of the California Ranch Home" designed many unique homes here in Cali...

Although Cliff May's designs favored smaller ranch-style homes, there are also some luxe models. We found seven of his designs currently on the market.

Walls of glass and vaulted ceilings.

It even has the original oven

All of the home's signature windows and doors are still intact, as is the rich original Birch paneling and post-and-beam construction. An atypical VCT tile lines the interior flooring.

A few years after Cliff May started winning his reputation by designing ranch houses, he came upon the book 'House of Tomorrow: America's First Glass House.' He was not impressed. The boo

What better location could there be for a classic Cliff May ranch House than Alisal Ranch in the incomparable Santa Ynez Valley? Set high on a hill within the preserved 10,000 acre Alisal Ranch, May’s work surrounded by verdant mountain and hillside vistas here seems timeless, but not dated. A meticulous restoration by the current […]

Built in 1974 and designed by Cliff May, this is one of his signature hacienda-style homes. It has a beautiful courtyard as well as a tile roof and floors.