Podcast Archives - MidMod Midwest

Who to Hire and When for an MCM Update (with Exactly Designs)

21 min read When is the right time to hire design help for your remodel? The right mix of experts at the right points in the process can transform your mid-century remodeling experience.

Elin Walters from Exactly Design is back to share her thoughts on who to call and when to make sure your remodel is a stunner. We talked about the experts you need on your remodel from the start and then dive into how the child of antiques dealers stumbled into mid mod interior design.

If you’re thinking about remodeling your mid-century home, the first step is finding the right people to help you. As much as we wish we could just call a contractor and say, “Let’s redo the kitchen,” the truth is, there’s more to it. The key to a successful remodel—especially when preserving mid-century charm—is assembling the right team before you dive into the project.

As a specialist in mid-century interiors and a mid-century loving architect, Elin and I agree that design should come first, followed by assembling the team that will bring that vision to life.

Design tips from (the 1955) Parade of Homes with Atom Stevens

23 min read MCM expert Atom Stevens is back! Tune in for our parade of homes conversation and ideas for how to future proof mid-century homes.

If you love nerding out about the history of your house as much as I do, then you need to hunt down the Parade of Homes history for your town. Don’t have one? You can borrow mine (Madison) or Atom Stevens’ (Denver) because they can really deliver on the excellent design ideas!

Get to Know Your Home Before You Remodel with Make It Mid-Century

25 min read Mid Mod Remodel Fav Susan Halla from Make It Mid Century is back! Susan is an absolute treasure trove of knowledge when it comes to period-appropriate choices for your home, whether it’s mid-century modern or mid-century modest.

I know it can be tempting to dive right into remodeling your mid-century house the minute you get the keys, but I’m here to offer a bit of unconventional advice: wait. And I’m not the only one who knows this is true!

In my latest chat with preservation expert Susan Halla of Make it Mid-Century, we explored why it’s crucial to live in your home for a little while before making major decisions about renovations.

(If you don’t already know Susan … check out her amazing supplies and how-to instructions to for perfect MCM projects.)

Creating Great Mid Mod Interiors with Exactly Designs

22 min read I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Elin Walters from Exactly Design to get her perspective on mid-century interiors. While I spend my days thinking architect-y thoughts, Elin obsesses over mid-century homes as an interior designer and I was curious how our takes might differ.

We covered everything from essential elements to keep (if you are lucky enough to have them) to the pitfalls you should avoid if you want to stay true to a mid-century aesthetic.

“Architect vs Interiors” aside, when it comes to remodeling a mid-century modern home, it’s all about balancing the timeless with the timely! Whether you’re gearing up for a restovation hoping to pack in the original charm or planning to add something fresh that still respects the era, making the right choices can be nerve wracking so having the right pros on your ReMod Squad is a must

Enter Elin Walters of Exactly Designs. As mid mod pros, Elin and I both encourage mid-century homeowners to think about the long-term when making decisions about their homes. Elin’s philosophy is that mid-century design is classic for a reason, and changes should be made with an eye toward how they will age. She believes a guide is to ask yourself, “Would the original designers think this is cool?” If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

House Numbers that Shine with Modern House Numbers

19 min read Brandy McLain from Modern House Numbers is back again with her wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for great modern and mcm design!

Are you looking for ways to make your home’s exterior shine? Updating your house numbers is one of those small, manageable tasks that can dramatically enhance your home’s exterior without breaking the bank.

Plus, it’s a fun way to inject a bit of personality and style into your home.

Quickly … if you’re thinking about exterior updates? Don’t miss this FREE live Curb Appeal Clinic hosted by Modern House Numbers and Mid Mod Midwest on September 6th!

thinking about exterior updates? Don't miss this FREE live Curb Appeal Clinic hosted by Modern House Numbers and Mid Mod Midwest on September 6th!

MCM Dream Team, assemble!

25 min read To make great choices for your mcm home, work with people who love mcm design. With so much bad advice out there, you need an mcm dream team!

Adrian Kinney is one of my favorite fellow MCM obsessives! Our most recent conversation covers what you need to know about assembling the right team to help you find and update your mid-century home. And we continue with a more in depth discussion about finding a mid-century home that will work for your remodel plan and budget.

Light up your Mid-Century yard with Ginkgo Leaf Design

22 min read Lighting up your mid-century landscape hinges on making the right design choices.

Even the most beautiful mid-century yard can disappear into the night, so I brought mid-century landscape mastermind, Jim Drzewiecki back to talk about how to light up your landscape and choose plants that keep your outdoor space stunning year-round.

Turning up the MCM Charm with Atom Stevens

19 min read MCM homes are so charming! And MCM expert Atom Stevens agrees. We’re talking about unique period details, historical insights, and preservation tips for mid-century gems.

I’m so excited to dive into the history of design in mid-century homes with none other than Atom Stevens, MCM history buff and Cliff May expert. Atom and I chatted a while ago and he’s back to share even more of his mid-century expertise.

Atom’s passion for mid-century homes shines through in everything he does, from helping people buy and sell these gems to diving deep into their historical significance. He believes that knowing the history of a home adds immense value, making it feel more like a cherished heirloom rather than just a piece of real estate.

House Number Basics with Modern House Numbers

21 min read Today, we have a fantastic chat lined up with Brandy McLain, co-founder and one of the creative geniuses behind Modern House Numbers.

Della and Brandy McLain, founder of Modern House Numbers, are digging in to discuss all things house number. From current requirements to history, plus tons of great style tips!

If you’ve been thinking about giving your home’s exterior a fresh look, you’ll want to keep reading!

Mid-Century vs. Mid Mod with Susan Halla

19 min read When I think about perfecting an original mid-century or mid mod home by polishing and upgrading its original details, I think of Susan Halla of Make It Mid-Century.

Today, I’m thrilled to bring you my most recent conversation with Susan Halla from Make It Mid Century. Susan is an absolute treasure trove of knowledge when it comes to period-appropriate choices for your home, whether it’s mid-century modern or mid-century modest.

Mid-Century vs. Mid-Century Modern

We kick off with a bit of myth-busting around the terms “mid-century” and “mid-century modern.” Susan beautifully analogized it to the difference between a square and a rectangle: mid-century modern is mid-century, but not all mid-century is mid-century modern. Think of mid-century as the broader era, spanning roughly from 1945 to 1975, encompassing a variety of styles from faux colonial to streamlined modern. Mid-century modern, on the other hand, is a subset with its own unique flair—think clean lines, large windows, and funky rooflines.