Monique Lombardelli -- The Mid-Century Modern Whisperer

Monique, originally a film major, was captivated by this look and lifestyle when she moved to the Bay Area from Portland, Oregon. Her interest developed organically, and her vision to be a one-stop-shop for modern homes has grown her Modern Homes Realty Group since she launched in 2012. Armed with knowledge, a robust network of designers, carpenters, stagers, furniture collectors, lighting experts and contractors, she and her Modern Realty -- 10 realtors and counting -- colleagues offer a seamless process to clients. Her nurturing of a niche real estate segment has made her well known in the area and with Eichler devotees. She says often heirs of owners contact her, not fully understanding the cult of the Mid-Century Modern movement. She is there to shepherd sellers and buyers through the entire process and she takes her caretaking role seriously. Like Eichler, she believes each of these special homes has a soul, and it is her passion to be the conduit. Clients -- usually family of someone who has passed -- have said to her “oh my god, I thought this was gonna be so much harder”.

Not only is she the preeminent mid-century modern realtor on the Peninsula, but she knows where all the famous Eichlers are and has cultivated a network of owners, historians and groupies. She is plugged in, and really lives and breathes this mid-century modern vibe. Steeped in the history, she often organizes meet-ups and has a vigorous facebook group for owners and aficionados. Monique even produced a film 'People in Glass Houses: the Legacy of Joseph Eichler' that can be found on YouTube at eichlerfilm.com. It is a fun, informative and well produced look at this movement and well worth a viewing. She is the master of her Eichler Network. From her film and her continued work in the community, she has access to these homes like no one else.

I met her during a sunshower on a rainy February day at one of her recently sold Palo Alto properties. The light was exquisite and I was immediately struck by the simple, elegant lines. There is an enthusiasm for angles, and the open, airy layouts mesh so well with the lush indoor/ outdoor feel. The floor to ceiling windows and verdant gardens illuminate and expand the living space. There is a real devotion to the original ethos, and Eichler admirers are dedicated to detail. In this property I remarked how the abundant lemon tree was a complement to the splashes of mustard and yellow in the decor. Popular with Europeans, these modest homes -- meant as a environmentally friendly avante garde nod to California Dreaming -- now fetch huge sums. The slick look and feel of the style in no way reduces the warmth and coziness, and the sunny vistas and radiant heat add to the elixir.

Monique says often when she sells an Eichler, buyers put a lot of money into fixing it up and staying true to the mid-century modern spirit. She helps clients -- soup to nuts -- with everything from yard sales to sourcing specific items for the home. Her seamless caretaking makes the whole experience less stressful and more enjoyable, in keeping with the essence of the lifestyle.

I was struck by the resonance of this movement today. Maybe some kind of Eichler 2.0 could help mitigate the housing crisis and sense of growing inequality. Musings on my part, but Monique’s passion for her work was infectious, and the idea of stylish houses for the masses echoed in my mind after our meeting.

Whether you are buying, selling or just fascinated by the movement and architecture, Monique Lombardelli -- the Eichler lady -- is a delight, and she and her Modern Homes Realty Group are the go-to folks for all things mid-century modern.