Unremarkable, boring, faceless, cookie-cutter? Such is the reputation of the ranch house, the most-built style of home in the 1940’s to the early 1970’s. They served to house the growing middle class in utilitarian 3bd/2ba practicality. As this style passes its 50 year mark, proponents of this “underdog of architecture” are pushing a renaissance of sorts. Ranch home owner Katherine Ann Samon wrote the book “Ranch House Style” after an unsuccessful search for reference material for updating her home. She’s become a champion for the style, which she purchased originally only after an unsuccessful attempt to acquire a Tudor house. I’m living in my third ranch house. I grew up in one in Connecticut, purchased one in California, and ended up buying one in the Seattle area. Many owners, myself included, would admit that if the pocketbook would allow, we’d be in different digs, but I have twice chosen the ranch, cookie-cutter of its time, over the cookie-cutter “McMansions” of this era. It’s possible I was attracted by the comfort of the only home I have ever known, but it must be noted that if there were a house to match the practical, no-nonsense nature of our lifestyle, the ranch would be it. (sources: N.Y. Times article on Katherine Ann Samon, Amazon.com details on Ranch House Style, L.A. Times article, read up on house styles at architecture.about.com)