the midcentury ranch for a new generation
13 min readNext year … try going easier on yourself so that you can actually make some remodel progress. Counter intuitive, I know. But it just might work!
Find a new, kinder and easier remodel philosophy in 2023. One that understands perfectionism is a perfect way to prevent yourself from making remodel progress. Real talk folks…it’s more important to begin than to do it perfectly.
Today’s episode is an end-of-year pep talk about setting yourself up for success with reasonable and realistic expectations for yourself around remodel planning.
Continue reading “New Year, New Remodel Philosophy”This week we’re revisiting the best of our 25 days of design in hopes of sparking your sense of wonder about your home, boosting your remodel confidence and providing concrete advice on making your 2023 remodeling dreams come true.
‘Tis the season! Around the holidays, everyone likes to add a little charm to their home. Shortening daylight makes us think about how to maximize the comfort and joy inside. Bringing out seasonal decorations makes us take a fresh look at the space where we spend our days and share holiday traditions. As well it should – we need a recurring chance to reevaluate how well our homes suit our lives!
This season of revelry and reflection is a great opportunity to dream a little bigger than holiday decor. While you’re thinking about how to make your house merry and bright for the season, let’s also think about how to improve it in the medium and long-term!
Continue reading “Best of Our 25 Days of Design”11 min readWhy you should design your remodel before you set the budget. You’ll love the results more … and it might even save you money!
This week’s episode is a classic from the Mid Mod Remodel archive. You can find the original episode and resources at www.midmod-midwest.com/604.
The common wisdom is that you should save up money for a remodel and then plan one that fits your budget.
I want to pitch an alternate plan. It can be better to let the design drive the budget, rather than the other way around. Let’s talk about diving into your master plan before you decide what your home update should cost.
Continue reading “Best Of Mid Mod Remodel: Why You Need a Design Before You Make a Budget”14 min readIn just one hour you really can make big or small decisions that put your remodel on the path for success.
In just one hour you really can make big or small decisions that put your remodel on the path for success.
Taking a whole remodel from start to finish is a big undertaking. Just planning to start your remodel sometimes feels like it’s taking forever…and it really can be a black hole that seems to absorb as much time and energy as you have to put into it. However, it is possible to set yourself up for bursts of decision-making that shift the momentum in your process.
Taking time to mull has its value. Doing your research is important. BUT, if you’re feeling stuck in analysis paralysis, today’s episode is for you. It’s all about what you can decide for your remodel in an hour.
Continue reading “What You Can Decide in an Hour”14 min readIf you’re struggling to pick out a mid-century faucet (or any other part) of your remodel … start right here!
What should you do when you can’t make up your mind, when finding a mid-century faucet seems impossible?
Before I get into that: ARE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE FREE MASTERCLASS? IF NOT, WHY NOT? Come (LIVE) on Saturday 27th at 11am central or watch the On Demand Replay as soon as the class is over.
The abundance of choice is a HUGE factor in feeling in over your head when you are trying to choose finishes for your home update. With the entire internet at your finger tips … or even the plumbing supply show room that your plumber directed you to … you can feel like anything is possible and nothing is certain.
Here’s the thing though – only a few of these myriad options are actually going to be right for your style and your house when you get right down to it.
Continue reading “How Do I Pick a Mid Century Faucet? (Or any other finish material for my remodel?)”When HGTV, Home Depot, every contractor you’ve spoken to so far, and some of your friends and family are all questioning why you like that feature of your mid century house, it can feel like maybe they’re right and you’re not. You can ask yourself, am I wrong to love mid-century?
No, of course not! Your mid mod home is great!
How can you find other people besides me to reinforce you when you love mid-century? You need a community of people who can share war stories, advice, and wins from their experience and updating, repairing, and maintaining mid century homes. So, today, we’re going to talk about how to make that happen!
Continue reading “Am I Wrong to Love Mid Century?”14 min readIf you’ve ever wished to just open up a wall in your house but worried it would be too expensive, too difficult or downright risky, I hope you’ll feel less so at the end of this episode!
If you’ve ever wished to just open up a wall in your house but worried it would be too expensive, too difficult or downright risky, I hope you’ll feel less so at the end of this episode!
True, there are some areas of your house structure you don’t want to carelessly change – for fear of bringing down the whole thing!
You sure do need to know where your bearing walls are and what they are. But once you know where your home’s structure is … and isn’t … you’ll be better able to “see through the walls” and open up some great flow in your home!
Tune in for some rules of thumb for identifying structure AND some easy design cheats to open up space in the structure you have without costly re-engineering!
vv14 min readMake sure you get the best value in your remodel and JUSTIFY your time, energy and expense by considering how you can tweak the layout of your home to fit your life!
Here’s how you can get the best value in a remodel … you can super charge any remodel using adjustments to your home’s layout. By the way … this episode and topic are the PERFECT preamble to this weekend’s Mid-Century Design Clinic. Listen up here and then go save your seat for the Workshop!
Look, beautiful finishes can make your life so shiny and pretty.
But just changing the surfaces of things doesn’t have a power to change your life the way adjusting your layout can-do.
Continue reading “How Do I Get the Best Value in a Remodel?”Today’s question is actually one I don’t get asked often enough. Here it goes: How can I get started now on my fun mid-century home update plans when I have this feeling I should do maintenance before I remodel?
Don’t forget to sign up for the summer Mid-Century Design Clinic by July 31st to get the early bird pricing!! Plan a deck or patio update perfect for you and your home!
I don’t get asked because way too many people assume it’s the wrong question to ask! Is this you? Do you think you have to take care of some maintenance and repair work first. You should replace the furnace, get a new roof on, repair that rotted deck – before you can do the fun things … before you can start making your house into your home?
I understand the logic of this. And if you are someone who likes to work before they play, eat a good dinner before desert or just generally earn their fun … I get it. It sounds adulting and responsible home-owning 101.
But it this case, it’s the absolutely wrong idea.
Continue reading “What if I Need to do Maintenance Before I Remodel Plan?”13 min readIf you are brand new to owning a Mid-Century Home and wondering “Where do I start?” Start small. Here are the first steps to get you on the right path!
What comes first when you’re brand new to your mid-century home and wondering “Where do I start?”
It doesn’t matter if you are a brand new homeowner, someone who’s been in their house a few years and feeling ready to make some changes or you don’t even HAVE a home yet but want to start making your life look a little more MCM!
Now, you’re ready to start planning what you would like to do to make your house into your home so … where do you even begin?
How can you start the remodel process without getting in completely over your head?
Today, let’s talk about how to stick your toe into the kidney-shaped pool of mid-century home updates.
Continue reading “I Want to Update My Mid-Century Home. Where do I Start?”