Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

Marble clad guest bath with walk-in shower
Bathroom - small 1960s 3/4 white tile and stone tile marble floor and white floor bathroom idea in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops and white countertops

This Denver ranch house was a traditional, 8’ ceiling ranch home when I first met my clients. With the help of an architect and a builder with an eye for detail, we completely transformed it into a Mid-Century Modern fantasy. Photos by sara yoder

By pairing a reach-in wardrobe with a built-in credenza, this elegant mid-century-inspired master closet provides storage and classic style. Lago® Roman Walnut creates a rich and classic look Bronze powder-coated Aluminum sliding doors with frosted glass inserts add texture and conceal clothing. Warm white ribbon light illuminates the space. Push-to-open drawer hardware offers ease of use. Oil-rubbed Bronze finger pull drawer hardware adds a minimalist accent. Deep texture slab door and drawer fronts bring texture and depth to the space

Tired of the original, segmented floor plan of their midcentury home, this young family was ready to make a big change. Inspired by their beloved collection of Heath Ceramics tableware and needing an open space for the family to gather to do homework, make bread, and enjoy Friday Pizza Night…a new kitchen was born. Interior Architecture. Removal of one wall that provided a major obstruction, but no structure, resulted in connection between the family room, dining room, and kitchen. The new open plan allowed for a large island with seating and better flow in and out of the kitchen and garage. Interior Design. Vertically stacked, handmade tiles from Heath Ceramics in Ogawa Green wrap the perimeter backsplash with a nod to midcentury design. A row of white oak slab doors conceal a hidden exhaust hood while offering a sleek modern vibe. Shelves float just below to display beloved tableware, cookbooks, and cherished souvenirs.

Antiques, including a pair of Portuguese eel traps hanging over the fireplace mantel, Chinese garden stools, a rustic mirrored cabinet, and French blown-glass demijohn bottles, add a patina of age.

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

The extension out into the beautiful forested back yard gives the feeling of floating into the forest. A high-tech glass product developed at University of Michigan was used for the canopy. Builder: Meadowlark Design+Build. Architecture: PLY+. Photography: Sean Carter

Designed-build by Kitchen Inspiration Mid-Century Modern Bathroom with blue herringbone & white subway tiles.
Example of a small 1950s 3/4 blue tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile, gray floor and single-sink bathroom design in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Photography by Brokenpress Design+Fabrication
Example of a small 1950s wooden staircase design in Chicago with wooden risers

Dan Kozcera
Inspiration for a small mid-century modern linoleum floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in DC Metro with beige walls and no fireplace

A dark, Spanish apartment gets a bright, colorful, modern makeover! Photographer: Zeke Rueles
Living room - small mid-century modern formal and open concept terra-cotta tile and red floor living room idea in Los Angeles with multicolored walls

Inspiration for a small 1950s blue one-story wood house exterior remodel in Charlotte with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Our Collectors’ Shelving System is infinitely flexible and fully customizable by size, finish, and configuration to fit the style and dimensions of your space. This Wall Mounted Shelving Unit in warm brass and glass can live in many different environments and is a stunning display for a small liquor collection.

We brought color and life to our client's high rise unit while highlighting her extensive art collection and maximizing this small space.
Small 1960s enclosed living room photo in New Orleans with white walls

home office created in a living room alcove with a wall mounted bookshelf desk. Luxury and comfort added through a Restoration Hardware office desk in cigar leather.

geometric tile featuring a grid pattern contrasts with the organic nature of the large-aggregate black and white terrazzo flooring at this custom shower

Kitchen pantry - small 1950s galley cork floor and multicolored floor kitchen pantry idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and brown countertops

With a limited budget, we were able to transform and update this front garden with a new modern pathway, a small patio, and a variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants. The black mulch completes this modern landscape design transformation. Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata', Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyers' - Fox tail Fern, and Daphne odora 'Marginata' are great companions in partly shaded areas. © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design