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Cliff May Library

Articles and Publications
In 1934, Architectural Digest published a home designed by Cliff May. This was only the second house Cliff May had designed and built. He had little architectural training and little building experience, but he succeeded in bringing his vision to life and to national acclaim. Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, May's designs were again featured in numerous publications, including: Architectural Digest, American Home, California Arts & Architecture, Sunset Magazine, Architectural Forum, House Beautiful, and House and Garden.

Today, May's designs continue to be published and recognized for their unique Californian qualities of a casual indoor/outdoor relationship, and the horizontal low-slung profile that harmonizes with nature, rather than overpowering it. In the past few years, Cliff May homes have been featured in several books, newspaper articles and periodicals. Here in the Ranchos we are honored to have many fine examples of Cliff May designs recently published in books such as Ranch House Style, and The Ranch House, as well as the publication Atomic Ranch.

The goal of the Rancho Style Cliff May Library is to catalog the books, publications and articles where Cliff May designs appear. The list below is by no means exhaustive. We make new discoveries nearly every week. And we invite you to submit your discoveries as well. For anyone looking to discover the history, design, and architecture of Cliff May, this is an invaluable resource list.

 

 

Books

Western Ranch Houses by Cliff May
Editorial Staff of Sunset Magazine and Books (1958)
Reprinted with permission, 1997, Hennessey+Ingalls

  • The entire book features custom homes designed by Cliff May. It also explores the roots and influences of the 20th century ranch house.

Ranch House Style
Katherine Ann Samon (2003)
New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers

  • "A New Riff on Cliff May", pp. 72-79
    This chapter features a beautifully restored Long Beach Cliff May Rancho.

The Ranch House
Alan Hess (2004)
New York: Harry N. Abrams Incorporated

  • "Lilypond House", pp. 82-85
    Features a 1935 Cliff May designed home in Los Angeles, California
  • "May • Wagner House", pp. 92-101
    Features a 1939 Cliff May designed home in Riviera Ranch, Los Angeles, California
  • "Evans House", pp. 106-111
    Features a 1947 Cliff May designed home in Los Angeles, California
  • "Gimbel House", pp. 116-123
    Features a 1950 Cliff May designed home in Los Angeles, California
  • "Borgeno House", pp. 132-135
    Features a 1954 Cliff May designed home in the Ranchos neighborhood of Long Beach
  • "Eshelman • Bemis House", pp. 216-223
    Features a 1963 Cliff May designed home in Rolling Hills, California

Periodicals

Architectural Digest
1934 (month unknown), May 1991, May 2005

House+Home
October 1952
"Low-Cost House"

Sunset Magazine
1936, 1944, 1946

House Beautiful
1946, 1948

Atomic Ranch
Winter 2004, "Cool Californian"
Spring 2005, "At Home in the Ranchos"

 

   
 

 

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