Mid Mod Remodel

Adrian Kinney is back to talk all my latest obsessions - housing history, passive solar and planning YOUR perfect remodel. Adrian has joined me on the pod before. He’s a realtor, mid-century modern (MCM) guru and heads up Mid Mod Colorado. In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How post and beam construction is especially suited to Denver’s climate.  When a “swamp cooler” is the ticket for comf...

Your mid-century house, and mine - just like  13 million solid ranches, tidy Levit cottages and charming post and beam homes built across the US between 1945 and 65 - might not strike you as "public housing." But they ARE our country’s solution to a housing crisis.  Post-war Britain, profoundly affected by the German Blitz and widespread destruction,  embarked on a different path. Their...

Passive solar design has been around since forever. It just means that a builder makes siting and design choices that use the sun and shade to keep a building warm or cool.  What were these choices? In modern times, but pre-HVAC systems, they included locating windows for heat gain or cooling, creating opportunities for air flow, and using the natural environment to shade or shelter homes. Our mod...

Do you remember the first person you encountered who validated that your mid-century house was great and that you should LEAN INTO its charm when updating it to suit your own life?   That’s such a magical feeling. To realize that you’re not alone in wanting to steer clear of the HGTV “paint it white” world.  Today I want to introduce you to one of MY OWN first sources of great Mid Mod inspiration....

Did you catch the curb appeal clinic yesterday? If not, I've got you covered. This free workshop had everything I believe about making smart, stylish, long, lasting update choices for your mid century home on the outside in bite sized, easy steps with a few key design principles and some common upgrade inspiration for mid century homes, you can transform your house without taking on a big rem...

Field trip time! No permission slip needed.  This week I'm sharing my recent tour of the Barbican Estate in London. In this episode we're going to cover:  How the US and UK approach to housing supply differed during the mid-century.  What that means for our national philosophies on homeownership.  Why these differing approaches led to such vastly different landscapes, economic patterns,...

Real talk, Mid Mod Remodeler. There comes a point in any significant home renovation where the project feels like it's boiling over. You might be behind schedule…like waaaay behind. Or what seemed like straightforward work has suddenly become more expensive and complicated than you ever imagined.  If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone! This happens on literally.every.remodel. I...

Let's talk about tile for a mid-century update. You've got options. You can go with bold custom color in your favorite shade or recreate a bathroom in powder blue or Mamie pink. You can get playful with shapes and even textures. But remember, tile choice also runs the risk of tipping into a trend that will ultimately put a timestamp on your whole remodel.  In Today's Episode You&apo...

Open floor plans are a hallmark of modern living. But do they always work in mid-century homes? In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why completely open may be less than ideal.  How to decide how much to open up your floor plan.  Where open floor plans work best. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2102 . Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify   Wan...

Choosing window treatments for your mid-century home can be a challenge. The good news is, when it comes to window coverings less is (usually) more. Let me help narrow down your options! In Today's Episode You'll Hear: The history of pinch pleat curtains.  Why there are only two right choices for window treatments in your mid-century home.  How to create a great mid-century look with mod...

Spring has sprung and your yard may be calling you...even if you have less than ideal outdoor space. An outdoor room could be just what you need to love your yard without taking on a huge project. An outdoor room lets you extend your enjoyable living areas with just a few simple tweaks! In Today's Episode You'll Learn: Why an outdoor room is a perfect addition to your mid-century home. W...

What makes mid-century furniture so great? And which pieces might you want to hunt down for your house? Whether you are looking for high quality comfort or something to your mid-century cool factor, your dream mid-century furniture piece is out there…no matter your budget.  In Today's Episode You'll Learn: All about some classic MCM pieces.  Where to find originals and licenced reproduct...

Being flexible is key if you want a feel good remodel process. Taking the time to set a big picture vision gives you a starting point to edit along the way and will pay off at every stage. No matter how big or small your project is, planning ahead will actually make for a more flexible remodel you can feel good about.  Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.co...

Arranging furniture in a mid-century home is about more than just fitting pieces into a room. It’s about creating flow, function, and style. In today's episode you'll learn: Where furniture might solve your layout challenges.  How to use furniture to create inviting spaces. Why (furniture) size matters in your mid-century home.  Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://w...

I love a good Q&A session and spend a lot of time during the masterclass and design clinics on attendee questions. That then get lost to time. So this time i grabbed some great questions to share. This episode is packed with answers to some of the most frequent questions I get, including: What’s the Right Color for My Exterior? How Do I Bring Mid-Century Charm Back to a “Wiped Clean” House? Sh...

Your remodel plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Today, I’ll walk you through what goes into a good remodel plan and how to avoid the common pitfalls that lead to remodeler's regret.  Today you'll learn: What it means to have a master plan.  Which questions to ask to get to the essentials of your remodel.  How to put it all together for clear remodeling communication. Get the full show...

Let's talk mid-century light fixtures. Here’s my best advice on choosing great mid-century light fixtures, identifying classic mid-century lighting designs, and sourcing fixtures from estate sales, vintage shops, and modern reproduction stores. In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why lighting is a key element of your style guide.  How to choose the right fixtures for your home and style...

Does your mid-century kitchen work for you? Or does it leave you feeling frustrated—bumping into family members while cooking, hunting for counter space, or wondering why everything feels just a little bit off? In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why you should move beyond the kitchen triangle.  How thinking in zones can help improve your layout.    When to customize your layout to your spec...

Lighting in a mid-century home was part of personalizing the house. Choosing your lights went along with choosing your furniture or art. Which means there are often few wired in lights in homes built in that era. So, what’s a modern mid-century homeowner to do about lighting? In Today's Episode You'll Hear: Why you don’t need all those can lights. Which lighting you need in a given area....

The right questions will guide you through matching your energy, experience, and expectations to create a remodel plan that works for you. I’m sharing some key questions I ask my all my clients to make sure their remodel reflects their life and priorities.  In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How the right questions can help you set realistic and achievable remodel goals. What to ask yoursel...

So it’s time for a roof replacement on your Mid-Century house … OK! What’s the best move. What roofing type is the most authentic? The most long lasting? What color should it be? Do you need to take on sister projects for most efficiency?  There usually isn’t just one right answer but let’s talk about your options! In Today's Episode You'll Hear: How to know when you need a new roof.  Wh...

In 2025, I’m going to encourage you to focus on starting where you are, setting realistic goals, and making progress at your own pace. In this week's episode you'll hear how to: Adjust your remodeling expectations Plan for the long game, and  Avoid the Pinterest perfection trap.  Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2001 Like and subscribe at A...

This week, let's reframe the financial fallacies that may be holding you back from kicking off your remodel. Listen in to find a way to get your remodel going...even if you: have no idea what a remodel would cost don't have any money for remodeling don't have enough money for the remodel you want  don't think your house is worth remodeling Get the full show notes with all the t...

With so many of us working from home, it’s more than time to chat about how mid-century homes can accommodate modern home office needs. So, how do you design a functional, charming and stylish home office that fits in to a mid-century-sized house? Let's discuss. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1910 Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify   Want u...

The mid-century was THE era of techno optimism and high-end homes were full of gizmos and gadgets. Sound familiar? We are living through another era of intense smart home technology.  So, which updates are worth the investment, and which might age out faster than avocado-green appliances? Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1909 Like and subscribe at Ap...