Blog - Page 23 of 35 - MidMod Midwest

Spot Your REAL Kitchen Problems … then use Design to Solve Them in a Mid-sized Remodel

14 min readMake sure you’re solving the RIGHT kitchen problems with your remodel! Let’s talk about common underlying MCM layout issues and solve them at the right scale.

Is your kitchen actually too small or does it just feel too small? What Kitchen problems are you really trying to solve with your remodel? Let’s make sure you know the answer!

Yes! Your Kitchen Remodel DOES Need a Master Plan

16 min readWant a kitchen remodel that perfectly suits your home ,and balances good bones, good layout, and good looks for great design? You need a master plan.

A good kitchen remodel is more than pretty new appliances and tile. It really needs to work on a number of levels. It needs to be sturdy and safe, it needs to be practical and it still needs to look lovely. That’s a lot to keep track of. Which is why – like every home remodeler – you need a master plan to get the kitchen planned the right way! Today we discuss how to put together a master plan for your remodel, what it is good for along the way and what it needs to include to do the job right!

How to Choose Mid-century Materials for your Kitchen

2 min readThe right finishes can make or break your Kitchen update. How to choose Mid-century Materials that will make your kitchen shine!

Will your kitchen remodel stand the test of time or look dated in five short years? One of the best ways to make sure that your kitchen update won’t feel immediately out of date is to seed it with ideas from the original idea. So, if your house was built in the MCM era, looking to mid-century materials for inspiration is the way to go!

Kitchen Building Code Issues to Know before you Remodel

3 min readAvoid expensive surprises when you know the kitchen building code issues that may come up during planning and construction of your MCM update!

Let’s talk about our friend the building code. Why am I so excited about this topic that usually elicits a set of grumpy complaints? Because the kitchen building code and the inspectors who enforce it are meant to keep us safe and secure.

Solving Mid-century Kitchen Layout Problems

2 min readFeeling frustrated by mid-century kitchen layout problems? Don’t reinvent the wheel; learn how other people with houses just like yours have updated their kitchens!

Today, we are going to talk about mid-century kitchen layout problems. Nearly every ranch kitchen has a layout that can be problematic for the way a modern family likes to use their cooking and eating space.

The History of the Mid-Century Kitchen with Sarah Archer

2 min readToday I talk with Sarah Archer, author of The Mid-Century Kitchen: America’s Favorite Room from Workspace to Dreamscape. We dig into the history of the mid-century Kitchen and how it came to be.

Today’s episode is an interview with Sarah Archer, author of the Mid-century Kitchen. I’m so excited to share this conversation about the history of the mid-century kitchen we all love so much.

Get What You Really Want out of your Kitchen Update

2 min readIn many ways the kitchen update serves as a microcosm of your whole home remodel. It is just as complicated and important alone as a whole house overhaul can be.

There’s a saying that the kitchen is the heart of your home. That’s a little trite, but still true. The kitchen update is THE first element that I hear about from new clients wanting to plan a remodel. In any house, of any era, the kitchen is one of the most complex, expensive, and personally specific parts of the house.

Interview: Landscaping for your Mid-Century Home

2 min readListen in while I chat with Landscape Designer Sara A. Meier of Green Thumb SAM about landscaping for your mid-century home.

This season has been taking a look at a lot of big picture concepts for remodeling an MCM home: preservation vs updates, adding sustainability, and design for aging in place. Today, I called on another expert to help explain landscaping for your mid-century home. Listen in while I chat with Sara A. Meier, aka Green Thumb SAM, about how to bring a mid mod vibe … to your yard!

Make Sure your Mid-Century Remodel is Green

2 min readSpoiler alert: it already is!

Do you ever think of remodeling your ranch as a strike for sustainability? I do. There are so many ranches across America waiting to be someone’s dream home. So, choosing one to remodel is green – as in sustainable – compared to any new construction except maybe the most dramatic of Passivhaus or LEED Certified new homes.

Why? The choice to remodel is green, inherently. You can protect undeveloped space, cut down on building materials and waste, and keep your home smaller. Good on you!

Remodel your MCM Time Capsule or Flip with Love

3 min readToday, I’m digging into the dichotomy between MCM Time Capsule or Flip with no original character left. Good news: you can win with either.

In the 70 plus years since mid century ranches were built, these homes have had a lot of different stories, different owners, and different histories. Some have changed hands many time; some have been in a single family since the day they were built. Whether your ranch is an MCM time capsule or flip, I can help you figure out how to make it your own.