Tennessee
Bay Area architect designs Eichler-inspired home in Tennessee
San Rafael resident Robert Nebolon is an unabashed Eichler home enthusiast.
Nebolon, the principle of Robert Nebolon Architects and a member of both the American Institute of Architects and the Marin Builders Association, has been designing residential, commercial, public and civic projects since 1994 and Eichlers are an important part of his history.
“My experience with Eichlers goes back 20 years,” he says. “I owned — and renovated — an Eichler in lower Lucas Valley; I remodeled Eichlers in Burlingame and Cupertino for clients; and I visited the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Hillsborough that Eichler rented.”
Nebolon was also commissioned by Houseplans.com to design a set of plans (No. 438-1) inspired by Nebolon’s own Eichler, but larger and incorporating changes that would bring the design into the 2000s.
His design was popular with at least one mid-century modern-loving couple, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, who built the house exactly how Nebolon drew it up. He visited the finished home in 2016 when he accepted a Designer of the Year award from the HGTV network, which is based in Tennessee.
Eichler designs “are very good for family living,” he says, with plans that are fluid, flexible and open. “The house expresses an optimistic view of the world and that anything is possible and the sky’s the limit.”
He likens living in one to driving a classic 1965 Ford Mustang convertible on a perfect weekend afternoon.
“Both the house and the car are contemporaries, having been designed and constructed in simpler times, both have sporty personalities and both sit lightly on the land,” he says. “Slow and heavy with history are not what an Eichler and a Mustang are all about.”
Like cars, though, dream houses require updates and maintenance. And each owner must address the difficult question facing each one — keep it original or modify, or resto-mod, it.
“Some resto-mods are better than others,” he says. “The trick is to make changes that preserve the character of the house while increasing comfort and bring the house into the 2020s.”
Here’s his top six tips for improving and maintaining an Eichler home.
• Replace all single-paned glass with double-tempered glass.
“The glass units held in place with wood stops can be easily replaced with double-glass units and need not have aluminum frames,” says Nebolon, which will preserve the Eichler lightness and design while adding safety and comfort. “You will probably get protests from a general contractor or glass company but ignore them, because it can be done and still meet building and energy codes.”
• Replace the main electrical panel, as original Eichler breakers are no longer made and modern house power requirements are higher than the original 75 amp panel size.
“I recommend a 150 amp minimum upgrade to prevent overloads,” he says. “You want modern breakers to prevent electrical problems and fires caused by overheated circuits.”
• Replace the 3/8-inch thick-grooved wood panels with new 5/8-inch ones to meet the code minimum.
“Here’s a great source — Eichler Siding in San Rafael,” Nebolon says. “Insulate the wall while the siding is being replaced.”
• Preserve the original globe lighting fixtures.
“These are signature items, just like the three-part Ford Mustang rear taillights,” he says.
• Roofing can be problematic on Eichlers.
“Monitor the condition at flat roof areas,” he says. “Don’t install a spray-applied roof; these installs are expedient and typically sloppy. Instead, remove the entire roofing down to the deck,” preferably before moving in as it is messy.
Using short nails that won’t penetrate the decking, install nailable rigid insulation that’s at least 2 inches thick, making sure that it stops at the wall below without extending to the gutters, and then install the roof over that, he suggests.
“There are generally two types of roofing that can be installed over the rigid insulation,” he says, now that the original tar-and-gravel roofing isn’t used any longer. “Torch down asphalt rolls or single-ply membrane roofing.”
• Insulate interior and exterior walls.
“Insulate interior walls for sound-proofing and external walls for thermal comfort,” he says. “Also, change interior doors from hollow-core to solid core. A quiet home is really nice to have and adds value.”
• Prevent sagging cantilevered beams.
“The rule of thumb is that two-thirds of the beam should be embedded in a wall and one-third is visible or cantilevered,” he says. “In some (Eichler) cases, the actual embedment is only one-half of the beam.”
His solution? “Install a 4-by-4 post below the embedded beam end and anchor that post the concrete slab via a retrofit hold-down,” he says. “Then, fasten a strap from the (post) to the beam end above on both sides. This will prevent these from sagging over time and fix those that have already sagged.”
It’s a noble effort for those who embark on it, he insists. “By embracing the legacy of Joseph Eichler and his stable of very talented architects, you contribute to the ongoing story of these iconic mid-century modern homes.”
See more at rnarchitect.com and Instagram @robertnebolon.
Show off
If you have a beautiful or interesting Marin garden or a newly designed Marin home, I’d love to know about it.
Please send an email describing either one (or both), what you love most about it and a photograph or two. I will post the best ones in upcoming columns. Your name will be published and you must be over 18 years old and a Marin resident.
Not-to-miss events
• Enjoy live music and browse vintage and antique items outdoors at the French Market Marin from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in the Marin Civic Center parking lot at Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. Admission and parking is free. Go to thefrenchmarketmarin.com.
• Learn how to grow roses using organic pest and disease methods from Mill Valley’s Green Jeans Garden Supply owner Kevin Sadlier at the monthly meeting of the Marin Rose Society at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Mill Valley Community Center at 180 Camino Alto in Mill Valley. Refreshments will be served and an optional raffle will follow. A $5 donation is requested from guests. Call 415-457-6045 or go to marinrose.org.
PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.
When will Americans know the results of the presidential election?
Mail-in ballots and poll closure times will be two factors in determining when presidential election results will be ready on Election Day.
Election Day is here!
The only statewide race on the ballot this year is a battle for the U.S. Senate, where incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, is seeking a second six-year term against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson. Meanwhile, all nine U.S. House seats are up for election this year and all 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Only the even-numbered state Senate seats are up for grabs in 2024.
In Nashville, voters will decide on whether to increase the sales tax by a half-cent to fund Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s $3.1 billion “Choose How You Move” transit improvement plan.
Polls open at 7 a.m. CST and close at 7 p.m. CST.
Results:
Follow along for live updates throughout the day.
Polls in Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson and Montgomery counties open at 7 a.m. while in some counties they will open at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.
WeGo rides free on Election Day
All Election Day rides on WeGo buses in Davidson County will be free, Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a release. The transit app will provide available route directions to polling sites Tuesday.
Help curb Election Day fraud
Voters can reach the Election Day hotline at 1-877-850-4959. Those witnessing voting fraud are asked to text TN to 45995.
“Tennesseans should know their elections remain secure,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said in a statement Monday. “These numbers provide easy and direct access to election officials, so voters can have confidence when casting a ballot and know that any potential issue is addressed.”
Is mailed delivered on Election Day?
Mail carriers and other parcel services are delivering on Election Day. The USPS expects a surge in mail delivery on Election Day as it prepares to deliver ballots.
What is my polling location?
Voters must vote at their assigned precinct on Election Day.
Residents of Davidson County may use the county Polling Place Finder to identify their assigned polling location. Voters may also look up their polling location through the Tennessee Secretary of State website.
What do I need to bring to vote? What IDs are acceptable?
Voters must present an ID with their name and photograph to vote. One example of this is a Tennessee driver license. The following IDs are also acceptable, even if expired:
- A United States passport
- A photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- A photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- A United States Military photo ID
- A Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
I forgot my ID. Can I still vote?
Yes. In the case that a voter can’t provide an acceptable form of ID, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot.
The voter will then have two business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office and show a valid photo ID. According to the Tennessee Secretary of State, upon returning to the election commission office, the voter will sign an affidavit and a copy of the voter’s photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.
Is it too late to register to vote in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee does not offer same day voter registration. The last day to register to vote in Tennessee was Oct. 7.
Felix Okpara is battling a “serious hip pointer” for Tennessee basketball, coach Rick Barnes said Monday.
Barnes said Okpara refuses to come out of practice, but the injury is bothering the Ohio State transfer. He played 25 minutes, scoring two points and grabbing nine rebounds in No. 12 Tennessee’s season-opening 80-64 win against Gardner-Webb at Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The 6-foot-11 Okpara is part of Tennessee’s starting five. Sophomore J.P. Estrella is the backup, but has been dealing with a foot injury throughout the summer. Barnes said Estrella did not go through shootaround with the Vols and ended up being a game-time decision.
“I think that is a major step for him,” Barnes said. “Is he 100%? No. But I thought his minutes were valuable for us tonight.”
Okpara averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 70 games in two seasons at Ohio State. He started 45 games and entrenched himself as the starting forward as a sophomore. He averaged 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds while blocking 82 shots.
Tennessee has 11 scholarship players this season. It was without two against Gardner-Webb as senior guard Darlinstone Dubar and freshman guard Bishop Boswell did not play.
Dubar, a senior transfer from Hofstra, was out due to a personal matter but is with the team. Boswell, a freshman guard, is in concussion protocol.
Barnes said Dubar’s “timetable is up to him.”
“Tough time for him personally,” Barnes said. “I think he has dealt with it for a while. We love him to death. We miss him. It is up to him. It is all on his time.”
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
Coach Josh Heupel understands why Tennessee football fans will watch the first College Football Playoff rankings show on Tuesday night, but it won’t be must-see TV for him.
“Do you remember what the first rankings were last year? I don’t either,” Heupel said. “So it doesn’t matter. What they remember is where you finish as November wraps up.”
For what it’s worth, Tennessee was No. 17 in the first CFP poll last season. And it never factored into the playoff race.
In 2022, the Vols were ranked No. 1 in the first CFP poll. They dropped out of the four-team bracket after losing to Georgia and never got back in.
So Heupel makes a fair point. A team’s finish matters instead of its start when it comes to the playoff rankings.
But in this new 12-team playoff format, there’s more room to maneuver from week to week and still stay in the mix.
The first College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). A new top 25 will then be released by the CFP selection committee every Tuesday through Dec. 3.
The 12-team playoff field will be announced on Dec. 8.
Focus on Mississippi State before worrying about Georgia
Tennessee is ranked No. 6 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the AP Top 25. Where the Vols are placed in the CFP rankings will indicate what the selection committee thinks of their resume thus far.
But Heupel is right that Tennessee (7-1, 4-1 SEC) will make or break its playoff chances by what it does in the next four games, beginning with Saturday’s contest (7 p.m., ESPN) against Mississippi State (2-7, 0-5).
“Playoff rankings at this point don’t matter. You don’t have control over it,” Heupel said. “All you have control over is your preparation and how you play. Ultimately, that determines where you’re at or where you’re not at.
“For this football team, we’ve got to continue to grow and get better and control those things that we’re in control of.”
If Tennessee beats Mississippi State, its trip to Georgia on Nov. 16 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) would have a massive impact on the SEC and playoff races.
Are Vols talking about College Football Playoff chances?
No. 2 Georgia (7-1, 5-1) plays at No. 12 Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2) on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC).
Ole Miss likely would drop out of the playoff race with a loss, and Georgia would be in the driver’s seat for a playoff bid and SEC championship game berth.
A Georgia loss to Ole Miss would put the Bulldogs in a potential playoff elimination game against Tennessee.
Tennessee would be a playoff shoo-in by winning its final four games for an 11-1 record. Losing to Georgia only and finishing 10-2 would set up a toss-up situation for the Vols, who would need help from other playoff contenders.
Alabama (6-2, 3-2) plays at LSU (6-2, 3-1) on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC) in a likely playoff elimination game. And there are games in other conferences that will impact next week’s CFP rankings. But none of that matters to the Vols unless they beat Mississippi State to stay in the race.
“It’s just a one-week season at this point. And we’ve talked about us being in control of our destiny,” tight end Holden Staes said. “But in terms of the big picture with the College Football Playoff, we know down the road that will come. But if we just take it one week at a time and do our job each week, then we’ll have the results in terms of that at the end.”
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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