Blog - Page 23 of 35 - MidMod Midwest

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.

Find a Mid Mod Fixer Upper

3 min readToday, get this architect’s top tips for finding the perfect fixer upper to turn into your mid mod dream home.

Some people are looking for their turn key dream house but others want a fixer upper they can make their own. Fixing up modest little ranch houses into mid mod show pieces is kind of my jam.

Here are this architect’s ideas for how to win at the house hunting game.

Maximize the “Zillow Phase” of your House Hunt

3 min readListen in on a chat with first time home buyer – and my sister – KJ Hansmann on how she’s using the early “Zillow Phase” of her hunt to plan for her dream home.

Finding the right Mid-Century home to make your own is an exciting challenge for a first time home buyer. To kick off Season Four of Mid Mod Remodel, this week I chat with my sister, KJ Hansmann. She is in the earliest “Zillow” phase of planning to buy a modest MCM ranch to fix up with her partner.

We’ve been talking about her house hunt process so much in recent weeks. Finally, I realized that I should capture it for the podcast. Listen in as we dish on some family history, chat about why she’s choosing to live near her work place and have some fun discussing this essential phase of any millennial’s house hunt!

Find Madison Mid-Century Neighborhoods To Explore

2 min readDon’t panic, but I’m about to take a short hiatus. To tide you over, today’s podcast will tell you exactly how to seek out Madison Mid-Century Neighborhoods to explore on your own and highlight a few of my very favorites!

If you, like me, LOVE walking around looking at MCM houses, you’ve probably been relying on that as a primary source of out-of-the-house fun during the last few months. Today, I’m going to share my top tips for seeking out the hidden mid-century areas in your town and some Madison mid-century neighborhoods that I particularly love!