Karen and Bruce Victor felt a connection to the midcentury modern home in their Minneapolis neighborhood, even before they lived there.
With a mod graphic-design exterior of bright yellow tile with teal blue trim, the house undoubtedly stood out among the traditional Tudors and bungalows on the block. Bruce had watched the home being built while he was growing up nearby, and the couple drove past it every day on their way to the freeway.
"It was one-of-a kind, and the setting was remarkable," said Karen, referring to the pie-shaped lot facing Diamond Lake in Minneapolis. "We called it the Dale Tile House."
Minnesota architect Carl Graffunder had designed the modernist dwelling in 1955 for his sister and brother-in-law, William Dale, who owned the Dale Tile Co. Graffunder incorporated mosaic tile designs in every room — from a bold block pattern covering the entryway staircase wall to a playful multicolored fireplace surround.
In fact, William Dale published a marketing brochure, "Carefree Living With Tile," in 1956 with photos of his home's interiors to laud the qualities and usage of Romany Spartan ceramic tile beyond the bathroom.
"Carl used the Dales' love for tile, and accented each room with it," said Karen.
Although they lived nearby, the Victors had never met the Dales or been inside the home. But in 2000, they were ready to move, so they sent a heartfelt handwritten letter to the elderly couple about their admiration for the dwelling. "We asked them to consider us if they ever were going to sell the house," said Karen.
Less than a year later, the Dales' son called them. His parents had moved to an assisted-living facility, and the Dale family was selling. "Bruce said to cancel my hair appointment, because we had an appointment to see the house," recalled Karen.
