Update 2023: While I haven’t built any of these updated variations on the Stanmar Leisure Homes to date, I have found a surprising amount of interest since originally posting this post. Some new and exciting information coming soon, and connected with several folks who have purchased and lovingly restored these old houses since writing this. If that’s you, or you’re interested in talking about building one, please email me at rusty@goodwork.design.
About a month ago, I shared my personal affinity for vintage house catalogs. Well, tonight I’m sharing my personal favorite of any house catalog I’ve ever seen.
The Stanmar Leisure Homes catalog, 1966.
Stanmar Leisure Homes – 1966 – Cover
One of the first lessons I learned in design school was that presentation matters, and this catalog does not disappoint. In fact, to call it a ‘catalog’ is not really fair. This publication, with individual cards for each of the speculative house plan kits complete with photograph, brief narrative, and plans on the front; and specifications and features on the back, is hardly your average house plan book.
I can’t help but love everything about it. Take the overall package, 8.5″x8.5″ square. Or the unfolding of the outer envelope itself.
Stanmar Leisure Homes – 1966 – Closed
Stanmar Leisure Homes – 1966 – Opened
Stanmar Leisure Homes – 1966 – Expanded
Everything, down to the heavy textured and colored paper feels and looks just right. Wonderfully picked earthtone pages with informative, readable, graphics and text.
Stanmar Leisure Homes – 1966 – Snow Frame
I’ll admit to being more than just inspired by this little pamphlet. I may very well be in love, and to top it off, here’s a magnificent quote from the back of the cover:
A Stanmar Home would have no justification if it were just a collection of quality building materials assembled with skill, zest and imagination.
But it’s a great deal more than that.
It’s a concept of living; a concept of freedom and privacy, and flexibility – a wonderful place to live – a place, your own place, where you and your surroundings may be completely in harmony.
Today’s online planbooks and webpages really pale in comparison to the thoughtful nature of both the design of the homes themselves, and the catalog. Which begs the question, “What ever happened to the brilliant people that came up with this?”
Well, they’re still around, but have moved on to bigger things. Stanmar Inc. is now a design and construction company of large multipurpose facilities all over the nation. Maybe I’ll call up Mark Snider, the current president, and ask if they have any extra copies of the old publications laying around the office.
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