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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.