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”37 min readDella chats with Denver area mid-century Realtor, designer and advocate Adrian Kinney on what he’s learned restoring SEVEN Cliff May homes and helping match mcm homeowners to so many more.
Today’s podcast is a chat with Denver Area mid-century Realtor, designer and advocate Adrian Kinney on what he’s learned restoring SEVEN Cliff May Homes and helping match mcm homeowners to so many more.
Adrian shares his mcm origin story, all the deets on his favorite projects and some surprising insights from a decade of mcm remodeling.
Listen along as as two true mid-century super fans dish about the value of design, detail the features that make mid century homes a great fit for modern lives, and get real about square footage. Adrian also shares insights about a hot housing market and why today’s pickier buyers are excited about mid century homes (hint: they want to make sure they are buying something that is worth the $$$).
Continue reading “Interview with Adrian Kinney: Why MCM Homes “Live so Well.””Stress-free is a BIG promise.
Of course, there will be some stress in a remodel. You can worry about labor and material costs. You will feel the pressure of timing. You might rack yourself over design details.
But you can cut stress out of the remodeling process in as many places as possible!
Continue reading “Lead a Stress Free 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?”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?”