Where are all my history nerds? Raise your hands. This week is for you. I’m talking historic maps, digitized collections and crowd-sourced cartography projects. I KNOW! Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps are large-scale maps created to help fire insurance agents determine the risk associated with properties. They contain a surprising amount of detail about a building's size, shape, construction materials, and fire protection systems that might just help you plan a great remodel. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• What old insurance maps can tell you about your home and neighborhood. 
• How old maps might save your garage.
• Other surprising places to look to learn about your home’s history. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2215

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

In honor of spooky season, let's talk nightmare mid-century remodel scenarios. Can you picture it? 

You can file this under schadenfreude if none of it applies to your house. Or it can serve as a what not to do guide to help you avoid mistakes. If you're already living one of the nightmare mid-century remodel scenarios I'm about to describe, then let's focus on the fact that you're far from alone. 

And I really believe that a good, solid master plan can bring any mid-century house back from the brink of horror.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why a nightmare remodel scenario is absolutely coming for you. 
• How to outsmart terrifying trends. 
• Where you can find mid-century safe zones. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2214

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Today, some more excellent advice on planning the landscape the yard of your mid-century home from Jim Drzewiecki of Ginkgo Leaf Studio. 

I bet you're wondering why mid-October is a good time to talk more about landscaping. Aren't Jim and I in the Midwest? Isn't this the time of year when there's less to do and less beautiful growth happening outside? Well that's exactly today's subject. We are talking about how to winterize your mid-century yard, both what you can and should do outside in these weekends and late fall, and how to plan a yard that's lovely in all seasons, including the winter.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why a critter friendly yard is also a winter friendly yard.  
• How worried you should be about drunk robins. 
• Where to invest in the spring for an interesting garden year round. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2213

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

So many of our sweet ranches were sadly re-wrapped in narrow strip beige vinyl during the 80s and 90s, when appreciation for MCM was at a low ebb, covering up their original colors and patterns. 

If you've been dealing with that kind of generic cover-up, or if your siding is simply damaged or in poor repair, you might be considering a replacement. Before you call a contractor or pick a sample, let’s talk about what mid-century siding is and how to make good choices for your home.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why vinyl siding is always a bad idea. 
• Who to talk to before you decide to replace original wood siding.  
• How to pick a replacement siding with the most mid mod flavor.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2212 

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

We all know the story. You find an MCM ranch in your desired neighborhood, only to click further into the listing to discover a flipper has been there first. They’ve ripped out the character and replaced it with trendy, generic finishes. But what if I told you that it’s not impossible to reverse the damage done in a flip? 

I was thrilled to chat with Dana Jenkins and Colin Davis of the Instagram account @un.flipping (who may have coined the phrase!) and have blown up online sharing their five-year journey to add the soul back into their thoroughly flipped mid-century home.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to see past a flip to what might be your dream home. 
• Why taking your time unflipping makes sense.
• Where you can add charm back on a budget before tackling bigger projects. 

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

You’re thinking about a remodel. You have a budget in mind, a Pinterest board full of perfect tile, and a list of things in your house that just aren’t working. But stop right there. 

Before you hire a contractor or pick out a single fixture, I need you to answer the single most important question you will ask in this entire process.

Why does your house need a remodel? I mean, does it? Seriously?

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why your why is the most important element of your remodel. 
• How to get from your surface level reasons to a deeper understanding of your why. 
• Where to invest based on your why…and not where the remodeling industrial complex tells you to. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2210

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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!

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Movies love to show architects creating away at a drafting table or sitting picturesquely at a cafe, sketchbook in hand. 

It’s romantic, this vision of a endlessly creative mind conjuring beautiful buildings from some eternal, internal well.  But *SPOILER ALERT* no one uses a drafting table anymore (except throwbacks and nostalgia lovers). In fact, I do all my sketching on a tablet. But there is another thing we do all the time...

We spend A LOT of time answering questions. 

At this week's open office hours I answered questions about: 

• How to tune your remodel to a house built and expanded over eras. 
• Ways to upgrade a fireplace facade. 
• When to call an engineer. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2208

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

You’ve heard of the military-industrial complex, and maybe even the wedding-industrial complex, but what about the kitchen renovation industrial complex? A truly timeless kitchen renovation isn't about creating a time capsule (unless that is your dream!). It’s about making choices that serve your family, your budget, and the unique character of your home. 

So, how do you stay true to your home and your life when planning a kitchen renovation? 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• What I mean by the “kitchen renovation industrial complex”. 
• How to set your priorities and a timeless style for your kitchen. 
• Where to include trends you love. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2207

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Designing accessibility into your mid-century home is easier than you think. Mid-century houses have enormous potential to fit every stage of life. They make great first homes for  young couples and singles, were built for and are adaptable to the needs of growing families, and serve owners who choose to age in place. Let’s talk about how to design accessibility into your mid-century home to fit your life and the lives of the people you love.

This week you’ll learn:

• The difference between accessibility and universal design.
• Where big accessibility wins are easiest…if you plan for them. 
• What makes mid-century homes great for aging in place. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2206

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

I get asked about landscaping a lot and I always turn to our favorite mid-century landscaping expert, Jim Drzewiecki. Jim is an APLD, award-winning principal designer and the founder and owner of Ginkgo Leaf Studio where he and Hannah Paulson design beautiful landscapes for all kind of homes. 

Now, not everyone can afford to hire a landscape designer for their project. Others just love gardening and planning for their own yard. And Ginkgo Leaf Studio usually has a waiting list. 

So, this week Jim is back with his best tips for DIY landscape designers. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why a plan is a must.  
• How to let your house tell you how to design your landscape. 
• When starting small is smart.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2205

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Temperature and moisture control in mid-century houses is one of those topics that seems less exciting and relevant until suddenly…it is. 

And while our mid-century houses have the potential be properly snug without being too sealed up. They also sometimes need a tune up. Plus a number of trendy, seemingly “esthetic” changes to your house - siding, soffit, or roof changes - can create problems that didn't exist before. We’ll definitely cover the moisture consequences (yes, that sounds icky) of painting brick and adding vinyl siding.

This catchall episode contains a number of lessons in building technology and the broader concept of thermodynamics that have me both reaching back to my graduate school architecture education and sharing some of the most important considerations about moisture control in mid-century homes.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why you should be on the lookout for evidence of moisture issues.  
• How to tell if you have a “warm” or “cold” roof. 
• Who to call for testing and answers related to temperature and moisture control. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2204

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Your master plan both a process and a document. Today, we're talking about how to use that document to navigate your remodel, from getting bids from contractors to working with the city. But when it comes down to it, your master plan is for YOU. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why a master plan is so much more than a bunch of pretty drawings. 
• How to curate sections of a master plan for different pros.  
• When to share your master plan. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2203

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

We love our mid-century houses for many reasons - their enduring design, clean lines and great indoor/outdoor connections. But MANY mid-century homes, both modest and high end, share one glaring omission. They lack of a proper mudroom. 

This design flaw often vexes my clients and students. Our families and pets come with a whole lot more "stuff" than they did in the 50s and 60s! Let’s explore how Mid Mod Midwest has solved the "garage to house” transition problem to offer options for a functional entry that truly works. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Which entry spot is always the WORST…and is super common in mid-century ranch homes.  
• How to tuck the storage you need into a modest footprint. 
• When you might want more than one mini-mudroom. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2202

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Mid-century homes often have a poor connection to the garage. This is largely due to early building codes and a very real fear of fire and chemicals, which led to a deliberate separation between the living space and the garage. Breezeways, covered but open-air spaces, were one solution to provide a covered path from house to garage. Today, however, our need for convenience and a dedicated space for daily clutter has made the breezeway to mudroom conversion a hugely popular project.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why your mid-century ranch was probably not originally connected to your garage. 
• What to consider before you decide to convert your breezeway into a mudroom.  
• How to determine which type of breezeway conversion could work best for you.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2201

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Documenting what you've designed is a key element to bringing a remodel to fruition.  I could have called the last stage of the master plan method Document.  

But I didn’t.  I called it Develop.  And that’s because your vision is subject to change until the last bit of construction dust has been cleaned away.  I’m taking 

July off from recording the podcast this summer but that doesn’t mean YOU have to. In fact, I’m actually pretty excited about what I’ve got planned for you.  I took a dip through our deep archives  (did you know we have over 250 episodes recorded) and pulled together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2123

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

If you don’t remember to plan a remodel that fits the mid-century era of your home … your too-trendy choices will rapidly become dated ones.  

To help you plan a timeless remodel, This week I'm sharing two episodes that encapsulate some of my core beliefs and strategies around making a strong mid-century choices to update your mid-century house. 

I’m taking July off from recording the podcast this summer but that doesn’t mean YOU have to. In fact, I’m actually pretty excited about what I’ve got planned for you.  I took a dip through our deep archives  (did you know we have over 250 episodes recorded) and pulled together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

I want you to become an expert in your home before your remodel.  Note, I did not say that you need to become an expert in remodeling … just in your house.  Taking a few of your own measurements, skimming an inspection report, or digging into some MCM history by chatting with elderly neighbors will set you up for clever design ideas for your remodel. 

These activities will also make YOU feel like the expert in your house so you can confidently lead your remodel!

I’m taking July off from recording the podcast this summer but that doesn’t mean YOU have to. In fact, I’m actually pretty excited about what I’ve got planned for you.  I took a dip through our deep archives  (did you know we have over 250 episodes recorded) and pulled together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2121

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Let’s talk about starting your remodel plan from the right place - your own life.  Your choices. Your priorities. If you start your remodel planning anywhere other than HERE it will take longer, feel more chaotic, be more stressful and likely end up more expensive.  

I’m taking July off from recording the podcast this summer but that doesn’t mean YOU have to. In fact, I’m actually pretty excited about what I’ve got planned for you.  I took a dip through our deep archives  (did you know we have over 250 episodes recorded) and pulled together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2120

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

Is your house a (mostly) mid-century gem? The “mostly means that your house that has some really great, intact mid-century features…and then an area or two where a maintenance failure or unfortunate remodel has wreaked havoc on the charm. 

This week, I'm taking you for a spin through three recent Mid Mod Midwest master plan projects to share some fun history, common design challenges and my favorite approaches to upgrading mid-century homes that are in (mostly) great shape. With a big focus on putting back the appropriate mid-century materials in those not-so-great spots.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why homes with just a few problem areas need a master plan, too.  
• How to approach right sizing a space post remuddle. 
• Where to consider if “decorative” mcm elements might be much more. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2113

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to 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 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

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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.

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.