Mid Mod Remodel

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 discuss all things house numbers. From current requirements to history, plus tons of great style tips! In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why we have house numbers in the first place.  How (and how not) to incorporate house numbers into your...

When I think about perfecting an original mid-century home by polishing and upgrading its original details, I think of Susan Halla of Make It Mid-Century. She has dedicated herself to being the resource people need to make period appropriate choices for their mid-century homes. And she's got an encyclopedic knowledge of all things period appropriate from front doors to Formica. I can't w...

In our latest podcast episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the amazing Adrian Kinney. Adrian has joined me on the pod before. He’s a realtor, mid-century modern (MCM) guru and heads up Mid Mod Colorado. Listen for his insights into what makes mcm homes so special and how to navigate today’s tricky market to find a mid-century gem. In Today's Episode You'll Hear: What mak...

Remember the delightful Jim Drzewiecki from Ginkgo Leaf Studio? We barely scratched the surface of all the listener landscaping questions we received last season. So, naturally, I had to bring him back on the podcast to continue our chat! Today, we’re diving in on hardscaping and adding feature elements to your landscape.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why concrete may be the perfect m...

When you find yourself in a remodeling time crunch, the most frequently skipped step in the process is actually the most essential part of any well planned and executed remodel.  Taking time to Dream can mean the difference between your perfect remodel and a remodel that misses the mark.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why you should take time to Dream, even if you don’t have much time....

Straight outta the DM’s “Do you have an un-flip quick start guide?” If you're wondering what there might be to salvage about your farmhouse flipped mid-century house, the short answer is there's plenty. And you may even find that the flippers did you a few favors!  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How to de-farmhouse your fireplace. (Sadly, you probably won’t be able to unpaint...

In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How to feel like the boss of your remodel, from the planning phase through the punch list. Which key tools you need to keep your remodel on track.  Why spreadsheets are your remodel’s BFF.  Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1710 Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify   Want us to create your mid-century master...

Mid-century homes are often kind of light on daylight, so I get a lot of questions about whether skylights and light tubes are appropriate and feasible options. The short answer? Heck yeah! In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why your mid-century home may seem lacking in the daylight department.   Which products can create a whole new light experience.   Suggestions for skylight and light tu...

Tis the season for window replacement folks to make the rounds in many mid-century neighborhoods, sharing the "good news" of vinyl replacement windows.  Or maybe a well meaning neighbor has been extolling the new maintenance free replacement windows they installed? Replacement windows may not be any better...and are likely worse...than your home's original windows. Learn how to tell...

Our season of listener questions continues! Folks ask all the time, "Della, you say a mix of materials is one of the cornerstones of mid-century design. Do you have tips for mixing materials without making a mid mod mess?" I sure do! In Today's Episode You'll Hear: A short history of 2x4’s.  Guidance on how to mix woods and metals to achieve a cohesive space.   Which new materi...

30-ish minutes to learn to plan a remodel in 30 days? Believe it!  You can check off maintenance, meet a deadline and still get a remodel that enhances your home's MCM charm and suits your life and family!⁠⁠ Listen to my new workshop for all the speedy remodel planning skills.  In today's episode you'll learn: That it is 100% possible to create a remodel plan in just 30 days.  What...

As you plan your ranch remodel, you can absolutely dip into Wright design ideas. Your house is actually already full of them! In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How to make material choices for a Wright-infused remodel.  Which colors to choose to shout about your combined love of mid mod and Prairie style.  The simple shape secrets to get the Wright feel.  Get the full show notes with all t...

Here's a question I get all the time from people who live in mid-century homes. "Hey, Della, I love my mid mod house. BUT I also like Frank Lloyd Wright...the Prairie School...this amazing Usonian place I visited one time. Am I wrong to want to add some Wright to my ranch?" In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How Prairie Style and Mid-Century style relate to each other.  Why U...

So glad you asked! Let's talk landscaping with a certified mid-century landscaping expert - Jim Drzewiecki of Ginkgo Leaf Studio.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How to let your house tell you how to design your landscape.  Why hardscapes are the hardest (and most important) to get right.  Tips for getting started on design.  Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https:...

What is the best mid-century flooring for your house? My answer to you, to my clients, to my students and to everybody who asks me this is, it depends. Now, when I answer this way, I'm not hedging or hesitating.  I do have opinions about and experience with many types of flooring in all sorts of applications. And strong personal preferences of my own! But when people ask “What's the best...

How long will your remodel take? Well that depends on you, my friend.  This week's episode kicks of a full season of listener questions. First up? Timelines.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: All about the remodel schedule venn diagram.  Where it is easiest to exert some control over your remodel timeline.  How to get ready to create the remodel schedule you want for your project. Ge...

In the last episode of our HGTV season we’re talking about what we can learn from looking at other people’s houses.  Despite its shortcomings, HGTV offers glimpses into remodeling and design processes and practical lessons for would-be remodelers. In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why HGTV might not be all bad.  How to use HGTV and mainstream shelter media to your advantage.  Where to find...

White paint on wood? Well, that depends.  Today's episode is going to be a love story to the wooden elements of a mid-century home. The main takeaway? Leave your original mid-century wood alone.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why paneling is not the place for paint - white or otherwise.   How mid-century hollow core doors are different than their modern cousins.  Where paint can b...

Today let's talk about why slapping a coat of white paint on your mid-century brick, stone or concrete block is never the right answer. Even if your house is entirely brick or entirely stone, there are still meaningful things you can do to change the feeling of your house without large quantities of white paint. In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why painting it white is so tempting. ...

There are key difference between cottages and mid-century ranch homes. Your ranch is not a cottage, so steer clear of cottage style updates. In many ways American homes changed more between 1930 and 1950 than they have since.  Part of the reason I find ranches so interesting is how modern they are in their essential nature.  Dated fixtures and finishes aside, a ranch built in 1952 is essentially a...

The culture we live in is selling us doublespeak that you must remodel your home to make it your home. You can't just take a house as it is. And there's only one right way to improve your home.  Let's interrogate this modern urge to change your life by changing your home. In Today's Episode You'll Hear: When a tiny tweak can feel transformative.  Why you and your house are...

Do you have objects in your life in your house that you would categorize as clutter? Probably you do. I know I do. Decluttering sometimes feels like our national pastime, or problem. And HGTV has multiple shows devoted to the topic. Or if you prefer your Marie Kondo straight from the source her show is on Netflix. I've talked in the past about how to manage clutter in your life with design. A...

A surprise reveal is a mainstay of remodeling TV shows and it's basically a jumpscare. Your ideal remodel should include few to no surprises.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why a surprise remodel reveal is worse than your average jumpscare.  When remodeling related surprises are a GOOD thing (hint, it’s way before construction begins)! How to avoid remodeling surprises and love ev...

Today I am future you’s best friend.  Do you know who is not future you’s best friend? HGTV.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why trendy remodels mean more waste and less joy.  How to stand strong in the face of before and after photos.  Where to embrace trends you love for a remodel that will stand the test of time.    Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod...

Want to know how to have a BIG fight with your partner about your remodel? Or even a series of many smaller fights that blur into each other and become frustration and resentment?  Welcome to the Valentine’s Day episode of Mid Mod Remodel! In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why all those couples on HGTV seem so MAD. How to design your drama free dream remodel. Which tools will help you crea...