We’re Thrilled This Ju-Nel Was Rescued and Revived

When I wrote about this Ju-Nel in March, it was with a deep hope that the right person would buy it and restore it to its former glory. I’m glad to report it was not only saved but has also become an absolute Instagram-worthy dream home.

For those unfamiliar with Ju-Nel, the company was founded in 1959 by Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson, who named it after their wives, Julie Rowley and Nelda Wilson. These homes have become so popular that there is a marvelous website created by Mark Weeks devoted to their history.

This one was built for Robert and Norma Shopland in 1966 for $19,434. It was then purchased in 1972 by the Bircher family. Preston Bircher and his brother, Lance, grew up here and regaled me with stories of playing on the dramatic staircase and climbing up the laundry chute.

This Midcentury Ju-Nel Is Ready For a Makeover

Greg Word was not a complete newbie to Midcentury remodeling. He’d restored a Donald Speck home that was featured in the 1967 sci-fi movie Zontar: The Thing From Venus. It was actually being marketed as a teardown. Word did the remodel, working with designer Miranda Parker, and by 2023, it was flawless enough to be included on the White Rock Home Tour.

When Word’s Realtor, Tara Durham with Douglas Elliman, sent him this Lochwood Ju-Nel before it had even been listed, he jumped at the opportunity to restore it. Wood is the owner and president of the commercial roofing company Restructure Roofing & Contracting, and he really enjoys bringing these Midcentury homes back to life.

“We knew we wanted to keep the Midcentury Modern integrity,” Word said. “We also knew we had to reconfigure the bathrooms and the kitchen, the principal bedroom, and add a half bath.”

Of course, all the major mechanical systems were updated, and Word installed Low-E windows.

Durham got involved picking out tile for the entire house, and Bonnie Achariyakosol of B.R. Interiors helped with the bathroom layouts and wisely had the property staged.

The only regret Word has is that the owners removed the fabulous Curtis Jeré flying bird sculpture from the fireplace. You can see the sculpture in my March post. However, I found one for you! Curtis Jeré is a metalwork company that started in the 1960s. It’s known for these very cool sculpted pieces, which continue to be reproduced.

This is not only a great home, it’s in a terrific, family-friendly neighborhood with Lochwood Park at the top of the hill and the Dixon Branch waterway at the bottom of the street. I’m sure buyers will be lined up for the open house on Sunday, so I’d treat this like getting in line early for tickets to a Taylor Swift concert!

Durham has 10936 Scotsmeadow Dr. available for $899,000. 

Open House: Sunday, September 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.