the midcentury ranch for a new generation
17 min readThere is a right way to steal mid century style ideas. And today we’re planning the perfect mid mod style heist!
Let’s talk the right way to steal mid-century style ideas. Believe it or not there is actually a right way and a wrong way to find your mid mod home improvement inspiration.
Done right, you can light up your mind with great ideas and connect with mid-century homeowners who have walked the path you’re on to find out what they learned.
But done wrong, your search for ideas can lead you into overwhelm, or worse…terminal house envy.
Continue reading “Steal Your Mid-Century Style (Part 2/4)”18 min readQuick! Name your favorite Mid-Century remodel era! Do you love 40’s fab or 50’s space-race or earthy late 60’s vibes?
What is your mid-century remodel era?
I know you are here because you love mid century design. I know this because I love mid century design! And we all love to talk about “mid century” style…and then wonder what does that actually mean in terms of hitting that just right tone in an MCM remodel.
Mid Century is a broad term that covers anything from the immediate postwar building boom, up into the late 60s (or even the early 70s!).
When I’m planning a remodel for a design client, I need to know which end of the mid century era really lights them up in order to create a remodel that is right for them.
Continue reading “Name Your Mid-Century Remodel Era (Part 1/4)”24 min readOne of the easiest ways to make your front door shine is to upgrade your house numbers.
One of the easiest ways to make your front door shine is to upgrade your house numbers. I’ve been a big fan of Modern House Numbers, for quite a while.
I’ve got their numbers on my house, and I recommend them to a lot of my clients.
I didn’t even know how much I love this company until I sat down to chat with owner Brandy McLain recently.
Before we get to the goods … though, don’t miss this:
Here’s what we were dealing with: a very basic ranch that had been through an unfortunate 1990’s remodel.
Built in 1956, this was a modest house from the get go. But one that reflects the focus on maximized efficiency as a defining feature of the era. The homeowners described their home as a “pretty boring, standard builder grade ranch”. They wanted to add some style to the exterior and connect to the outdoor space for daily living. The house had one of the trickiest kitchen layouts we’ve ever encountered in a mid-century home!
Our goal was to add some interest to the exterior aesthetics and make the most the outdoor space by improving the connection to the living spaces with an adjustment (or transformation) of the kitchen.
We focused on solutions that could be implemented in phases – adding surrounding elements, anchoring the porch, and even replacing the siding eventually. The house’s pleasant form and classic ranch elements would allow for a dramatic shift with small one-off projects or with simple updates. The potential for a kitchen addition in remodel budget allowed us to explore a deck as an option to improve flow out to the backyard.
29 min readMid-century modern is so in right now, people are popping neutra type house numbers and modbox mailboxes onto just about any house type.
Note: this was originally posted in January of 2019. It has been updated and now includes a podcast episode and youtube video for those who’d rather listen/watch than read!
Mid-century modern has become such a buzzword, that people are applying it to just about any style element. How can you be sure you’re making true mid mod calls for your mid-century home?
You are in luck, Ranch Owner, because the mid-century front door was made for your house.
I’ll break down how you can get or make your own perfect Mid-Century front door. This works whether you are simply aiming for a spin through Etsy or planning major renovation.
Listen Now On Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher
Continue reading “Perfect Your Mid-Century Front Door” 19 min readMost mid century homes lack a modern mudroom…or any practical dedicated entry/exit space designed to catch those things that belong to the outside edge of your life.
Fortunately, solving this problem doesn’t have to be that complicated!
Is your mid century home missing a modern mudroom … or any practical dedicated entry/exit space designed to catch those things that belong to the outside edge of your life?
If you are wishing for a little more storage at your doors … you’re not alone!
The typical mid century ranch house in the Midwest and the typical Eichler-style semi-custom home in the west are similar in that you come and to through the front door … right into the living area.
There is typically no more storage than a coat closet; a little two foot wide swing door framed closet that has a hanging rack and a single shelf.
Where did those original mid century moderns keep their outside things?
Continue reading “Modern Mudroom Updates for Mid-Century Homes”17 min readHow do I choose the right mid-century house color for my house? The short version is that many colors work but here’s how to choose the right one for YOU.
The right Mid-Century House Color isn’t one that’s specific to the period or style of your house. It isn’t the color that looks so great on the house down the street. It’s the color that expresses the feeling you want your home to create in you and in others.
Choosing a color scheme for your home is one of the most effective ways to put your stamp on a house and start the process of making it your home. But before you “pick” the “right” color for your home … I want you to ask yourself a few more questions about what you’re trying to make happen here.
Don’t panic. This is part of the fun, I promise! Because today we’re going to talk about how to apply the Master Plan Method to help you confidently update your mid-century house color scheme.
Oh, and you might want to grab the free guide before you get started …
16 min read(AKA: how to fit your flat screen TV in a mid-century living room)
Where ARE you supposed to fit your flat screen TV in a mid-century living room? Especially if you are one of the lucky folks who ALSO has a lovely brick or stone fireplace as a focal point. Let’s discuss the TV fireplace wall conundrum!
“What to do with a TV on a fireplace wall,” is a quintessential modern conundrum for mid century homeowners.
There’s an undeniable charm to an actual mid-century TV unit – a piece of wooden furniture with cute legs and the ability to roll out of a corner for “family viewing.” But where are you supposed to fit your flat screen TV in a mid-century living room? Especially if you are one of the lucky folks who ALSO have a lovely brick or stone fireplace as a focal point.
This came up in a recent Ready to Remodel Office Hours call because the homeowner was really struggling to find a good solution. Keep scrolling to see the video of that call and how we SOLVE the TV on a Fireplace wall conundrum for them!
Note: This was originally posted May, 2022. It has been updated and now includes a podcast episode for those who’d rather listen than read!
Listen Now On Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher
Continue reading “How do I fit a TV on the Fireplace Wall”12 min readThink twice before you paint over your mid-century brick: a short term facelift could damage the character and durability of your home.
Brick has been used as a building material since long before the three little pigs. But mid-century brick is particularly well suited to the ethos of modernist designers: it is humble, honest, tactile and capable of both great simplicity and great variety. Let’s talk about why you should not paint brick, and why you should especially not paint mid-century brick!
There are a number of problems with painting mid-century brick, including aesthetics, technical issues and maintenance headaches.
Note: this was originally posted Feburary 2019. It has been updated and now includes a podcast episode for those who’d rather listen than read!
For more on OTHER mid-century masonry you should not paint, check out this episode: White Paint is NOT the Answer!
Listen Now On Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher
Continue reading “Please, Don’t Paint Your Mid-Century Brick”13 min readWhat is a mid mod ReMod Squad and what can it do for you?
Your ReMod Squad is the team you rely on to give you advice specific to your love of mid century style. There is just TOO much bad advice out there for people who want to update a mid-century home. It takes a village (a squad) of people on your side to help you push back and make regret-proof choices for your home!
Continue reading “Find Your Mid Mod ReMod Squad”
