Susan Halla, founder of Make It Mid-Century and mid-century enthusiast, joins me this week to dish about her own recent house hunt. 

If anyone knows what they’re looking for in a mid-century home, it’s Susan who has spent the last decade making retro-focused DIY doable for mid-century lovers of all stripes. Her multi-city search was laser focused on finding a relatively untouched, not too high end mid-century home. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• What matters most when deciding which realtor to work with. 
• How to recognize the value in “original charm”.
• Which compromises you can make and still get the right house for you.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2112

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

You’ll need to answer just five questions to make timeless choices that are right for you and your house when replacing mid-century kitchen cabinets. Easy peasy, right? Well...it will be after listening!

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Five questions any cabinet company (worth their salt) will ask.
• The only two door styles you need to know. 
• How to decide on YOUR right answers for a kitchen you’ll love.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2111

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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 comfort. 
• Why renovating for how you live in your mid-century home is always better than focusing on ROI. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2110

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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 "blitz spirit" of collective sacrifice led to a significant political shift and the creation of a robust welfare state, including a massive program of publicly subsidized housing (often called council housing).  By 1977, nearly half of the British population lived in socially assisted housing, leading to a much less stigmatized view of public housing compared to the US.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why the US and the UK took such different post-war housing paths. 
• How these mid-century policy choices are reflected in our current communities. 
• Where we might find opportunities to respond to our current housing crisis in our mid-cenutry neighborhoods.   

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2109.

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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 modern and mid-century homes rely heavily on heating and cooling systems that require power, but we can still incorporate passive solar strategies to reduce our enery use and improve our comfort.   

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why we stopped using passive solar design. 
• How to get big wins from small changes. 
• Key principles you can use right now to cool your home with less energy. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2108

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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.: Aletha VanderMaas

I first “met” Aletha when I was a complete newcomer to the Mid-Century world. 

Her home, her design project photos and advice were a revelation to me.  She showed me I was not ALONE in thinking vintage mid-century homes could be lovingly updated in ways that felt timeless and still charming.  (She also showed me that it was possible to run a small business providing mid-century design services!)

I finally got to chat with Aletha for this week’s podcast and we covered a lot of ground!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2107

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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 remodel. You can do it one weekend, upgrade at a time, or one little handyman hire at a time.

I had such fun being hosted by Brandi McLean of Modern House members to put this workshop together. I didn't want podcast listeners to miss out.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2106

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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, and modes of transit in each country.

Find the full show notes plus all the bits and bobs at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2105.

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why your remodel WILL NOT be different. 
• How to keep your cool when your project feels like a dumpster fire. 
• What can help you reset and finish strong. (Maybe tears. Then looking within and in your Master Plan!)

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2104

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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'll Hear:

• How to read a tile you see out in the wild.
• Why to start from your style guide.
• Where to use different types of tile.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2103

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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.

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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 modern window treatments. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2101

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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.
• What you need for a simple outdoor room you’ll love. 
• How to create (or purchase!) a level one outdoor room.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2013

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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 reproductions. 
• How to get the right vibe with modern designs. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2012

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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.com/2011

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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://www.midmod-midwest.com/2010

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here to get on my calendar for a Discovery Call! 

Get Ready to Remodel, my course that teaches you to DIY a great plan for your mid mod remodel! 

Schedule a 30-minute Zoom consult with me. We'll dig into an issue or do a comprehensive mid century house audit. 

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?
• Should I Swap My Bathroom Layout?

Catch my most recent masterclass right here!

If you listen to the Mid Mod Remodel Podcast regularly, you hear lots about the tips and tools I recommend to help you plan and lead your perfect MCM remodel. And once or twice a year I boil down the most helpful of those tips and tools into a free masterclass that I offer live. 
 
In the past that session was only available to the folks who signed up and attended the live event, but now you can listen on the go! 

In Today's Episode You'll Learn:

• The three biggest mistakes other homeowners are making on their remodels (that ALWAYS result in a remodel that costs more, takes longer and … doesn’t do end up how they want)
• My five step process for planning a remodel YOU CAN LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE: one that will turn the house you have into a home you’ll love
• How to cut the chaos of remodeling in HALF with one simple maneuver (seriously, everyone should do this!)

Learn more about my master plan process and Ready to Remodel right here!

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 notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2007 

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. 
• Where to source vintage and new “old” light fixtures. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2006. 

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 specific patterns.    

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.
• Where to start applying lighting theory in you mid-century home. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2004

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 yourself (and your architect) to ensure your remodel reflects your life and priorities.
• Why understanding your home's story and quirks can unlock creative solutions. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2003

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. 
• Which roofing material is the right choice for your roof.  
• Where to maximize opportunities to bundle improvements with your roof replacement. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2002

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