the midcentury ranch for a new generation
26 min readWith so many of us working from home, it’s more than time to chat about how mid-century homes can accommodate modern home office needs.
So, how do you design a functional, charming and stylish home office that fits in to a mid-century-sized house?
Mid-century homes weren’t originally built with home offices in mind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a workspace that fits seamlessly into your home’s aesthetic.
Continue reading “How to Fit Your House for a Home Office”27 min readThe mid-century was THE era of techno optimism. From smart tech decisions to celebrating the joy (and pitfalls) of color-matched appliances, let’s both embrace the future and stay true to your home’s mid-century-ness.
Mid-century homes always aspired to be on the cutting edge of innovation. Ads of that era advertised the “home of the future” and “the kitchen of tomorrow”, but today all of that future tech is … out of date. Today’s smart home technology offers exciting ways to modernize. But not every gadget is a good fit for your home—or your lifestyle. So, how do you decide which updates are worth the investment and which might age out faster than avocado green appliances?
Your mileage may vary: Are you a restored Hi-Fi and record cabinet person or do you yearn for an ever more interconnected smart sound system. One way or another, use these tips to make the right choices for your home and yourself:
Continue reading “MCM “Home of the Future” to Modern Smart Home”27 min readUse the holidays to focus your remodel plans.
I want you to use your holiday prep time to plan your remodel.
Okay, Before you tell me, Della, that’s crazy. I can’t plan a remodel right now. The holidays are when I’m busiest.
You’re right. Of course you can’t. You know me. I wouldn’t ask you to make your life harder when it’s already full. But … what if I told you that you could also use this time to focus your remodel planning and make real progress without spending time picking out tile or making phone calls?
Instead, make your future life easier by harnessing all of the satisfactions (and frustrations) that are part of the celebratory times in your house.
Continue reading “Yes, You Can Use the Holidays to Plan Your Remodel!”27 min readIs your house too chilly in winter or too toasty in summer? Let’s explore improving your home’s energy efficiency, without compromising its mid-century charm, by adding insulation.
Mid-century homes weren’t built with modern insulation standards in mind. Many of our homes leak heat in cold climates or let in too much warmth in hot ones.
The good news is that these homes often have excellent air seals thanks to plaster walls and old-growth materials, which provide a solid foundation for energy improvements.
If you’re looking to make your home more comfortable without a major remodel, start with the low-hanging fruit:
These are straightforward projects that you can tackle yourself or with professional help.
Continue reading “Adding Insulation to Your Mid-Century House”28 min readAs you get ready to sell your parents’ mid-century home, you may feel pressure to “modernize” before listing. But don’t!
What should you do to get ready to sell a house built in the mid-century era – a house built back in the 1950’s or 60’s?
Should you rip out a tired kitchen? Quickly tear off that old, beat up siding and replace it with some easy care vinyl?
No, please don’t.
One of the saddest things that can happen to a mid-century house is that the current owners jump into a bunch of unnecessary repair work right before they sell it in the misguided idea that that’s what future owners will want.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Instead, let me make your life easier. Do less. Because there is someone out there searching for your parents’ time capsule house.
Here’s a checklist of how to get the house ready to catch that person’s attention…and then move on with your life.
Continue reading “Get your parents’ dated mid-century house ready to sell”22 min readHow can a master plan help you feel ready to remodel?
A Master Plan means you have, well…a plan. It helps you have the right master plan vibes to move your remodel forward.
Too many people trip on the fallacy that they have to choose a perfect planning process or just “skip” right to the building part. There’s a middle ground.
Any time you spend on Mid-Century Master Plan thinking will set you up for more success. And a master plan doesn’t have to be a perfect object to be successful. In fact … perfectionism might be the problem.
Continue reading “Get Those Good Master Plan Vibes”19 min readYou might be doing your home remodel budget the wrong way …
This week, I’m sharing a Best Of episode on tackling one of the biggest remodeling myths I hear from clients—”I need to save up all the money before I can even start planning.”
I get the urge to save before you spend. But for home remodels, I argue that planning is step one. Dreaming up your ideal remodel, researching materials, and sketching out your vision are the essential “prep” steps that will shape a budget that fits your goals. Planning now can actually help you save more efficiently, so by the time you’re ready to start, you’ll have a clear picture of what’s next.
Listen in as I answer Anna’s question about replicating a beautiful mid-century tile for her bathroom project. I share tips on how to find materials that are affordable, style-conscious, and authentic to your mid-century home.
The Whole House Intercom
An iconic mid-century home feature and a lovely nod to mid-century design ingenuity. Whether you remember using one at your grandparents’ house or have seen one in a time capsule home, these systems highlight the techno optimism and forward focus of the mid-century era.
31 min readDo you have a new-to-you mid-century home (…congratulations!) and don’t know where to start? I get it—taking on a new home, especially one with some history, can feel overwhelming. You might be tempted to dive into big projects right away, but I’m here to help you start smart and avoid remodel regrets.
I get it … It’s tempting to jump right into renovations when you purchase a new mid-century house. Sometimes, and for some projects, that makes sense.
But before you do anything drastic, I’m going to encourage you to take a step back and live with your house for a little while.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Now, you don’t need to spend months or years planning before tackling ANY projects. But the best thing you can do to move quickly is create a Master Plan, even if it’s a quick version.
Continue reading “New Mid-Century House Quick Start Guide”< 1 min readThis week, I share some of my biggest remodeling regrets and lessons learned from my own mid-century home. Biggest take away? Make small, low-risk updates first and then be sure to create a Masterplan for a remodel you’ll love without the regret.
We all have remodeling regrets.
Yep, even mid-century loving architects like me. And some of my personal regrets helped shape the Mid-Century Masterplan method I now use to help homeowners like you. But it can feel lonely when you’ve made a choice you don’t love.
So this week I decided to get personal and share some of my biggest mistakes in my own home, hoping you’ll feel some solace if you’ve made a mistake. And if you haven’t, you can learn from mine and avoid making the same ones!
Continue reading “An Architect’s Remodeling Regrets”32 min readFinish a remodel strong with thoughtful final choices, course corrects when you need them, and mindset resets to help you bring your cats home…or whatever personal remodel milestone will help YOU stay positive and avoid remodel regret later on.
Are you mid-remodel right now, or maybe you’re just starting to think about one? Whether you’re already living among the dust and chaos or you’re just dreaming about your future project, it’s critical to focus on how you’ll finish your remodel strong.
This week we’re diving into the importance of your remodel mindset as you approach the final phase, making those last choices that will impact how you feel about your home for years to come.
Continue reading “Sanity Saving Strategy to Finish a Remodel Strong”
