Kelsey, Eric and Tara Benning with dog Sophie
Midcentury Update COMPLETE REMODEL HONORS STRENG BROS. DESIGN
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ric and Tara Benning spent years searching for the perfect midcentury modern home to buy and renovate. They targeted Arden-Arcade, where midcentury moderns abound. But they were not alone. When they found the beauty of their dreams, they learned there were at least nine potential buyers chasing the same property. “We had a lot of competition for the purchase because this Streng Bros. home was all original and still owned by the first owner who had recently died there,” Eric says. The Bennings did what competitive buyers do these days—sat down and composed a letter to the seller’s estate describing why they uniquely deserved the home.
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“We wrote a heartfelt note of how we planned to update the home to modern standards, but respect and keep the integrity of the original design,” Eric says. “And that we had deep
Sacramento roots and wanted to make the home into something very special.” Built in 1971 by brothers Bill and Jim Streng and architect Carter Sparks, the home was one of more than 3,800 constructed around Sacramento over
three decades. Streng and Sparks homes feature exposed beams, walls of glass and high ceilings. Decades later, the modernist vision is still admired and coveted. Eric grew up on University Avenue, son of Bruce Benning, one of the area’s top interior designers from 1984 until his retirement a few years ago. His firm designed many of Sacramento’s iconic restaurants, signature residences and corporate offices. Eric began working in the construction industry 32 years ago. He secured his general contractor’s license, started his own construction firm and focused on high-end residential remodels. After collaborating for many years, father and son combined into Benning Design Construction, one of Sacramento’s premier design-build firms. The Bennings’ experience meant renovations on the midcentury modern went fast—just nine months from purchase date. “And this was during the COVID shutdowns,” Eric says. The work was a significant achievement. All major electrical and HVAC systems, windows and doors were replaced, along with many of the massive structural beams. New cabinetry and finishes were installed. “Don’t get me wrong, it was a major push by my entire team, and I’d never want to go through it again!” Eric says.
