Help modernizing a mid century house?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi!

How would you modernize this mid century (early 1970s) house? My ideal would be a toned down, modest version of atomic ranch.

These are photos of the exterior -- the door is recessed. I would probably change the landscaping, door, and house numbers. Possibly even the brick and trim colors? Probably change the garage door as well. The entrance I would love to put some kind of extended cover on with rocks and desert plants bordering the right side of the entrance. Probably take out some of the various small bushes and replace them with larger aloe plants. The actual layout of the house is "W" shaped (see very last pic)

Photos of the interior also down below.

How would you describe the interior of this house? What could I do to make it more in-line with "atomic ranch" on the inside and a bit more modern or mid century modern?

While I am aiming for a toned down version of atomic ranch, I do not want to make this house look terrible in the process of trying to update it and any advice would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

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BeverlyFLADeziner

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

You are asking a lot for one post. It's good to see both the exterior and interior, but you might want to take the exterior separate from the ideas for the interior or this will be overwhelming. Your ranch has some specific traditional details with the brick work and double hung windows.

Is the paint on your brick stable or peeling off? There are newer products now that can eliminate peeling, but I'm not sure they can be applied over any unstable substrate. I would limewash the house (see example below where some bricks show through the finish) paint the trim and add shutters to the long narrow windows. I am pushing your home to a more 'charming' exterior appearance.

You'll need a complete rethinking of the landscaping to complement the softer appearance of the home.

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Comments (6)

S D
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you! I will edit out most of the interior section because it will be much easier to do that work and focus this post on the exterior. I like the idea of lime washing! I did not originally like the brick being painted, but removing the paint is a quite involved process. With lime washing it would be nice to have that brick peeking through.
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BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
SD I think if you selectively removed some paint here and there (or simply darkened the brick here and there for some contrast) and then limewashed over the brick the effect could be great

Additionally, I might add some board and batten to your siding to increase the texture on that surface. Notice the Dovecote/Cupola added to this ranch house.

If you want the appearance to be more contemporary you could paint the windows black and just select an off shade for the shutters.

Consider adding a Dovecote or cupola to your roof
apple_pie_order
5 years ago
Are the roof and exterior paint on the brick in good condition or will they need to be redone in the next year or so?
sushipup1
5 years ago
I really like your house! But I have a small point.... it's not a mid-century house. You could say that it's a 70's modern. The 70[s were a real outlying date for the true mid-century style, usually only found with architect-designed homes. Here's a good article, maybe you can get some ideas. But it's a lovely home. https://www.atomic-ranch.com/design-deconstruct/mid-century-rambler/
jackpug
4 years ago
I also like your house but have to agree...it's not a mid century. I live in a mid century and am documenting on Houzz...

Most Mid Century homes have a flat roof.

They tend to have a lot of windows with the focus on bringing the outdoors into the living space in as many ways as possible.

Our house has extremely high ceilings and is also a split level as are many mid century homes.

The interiors tend to be wide open spaces without small rooms with the exception of the bedrooms and baths.

I like to see people love the home they have and if you want a mid century than get one but trying to make a cottage or farm house into a MCM won't work.

Like I said...I like your house.