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My Houzz: Resourcefulness Works for a Midcentury Remodel

Reclaimed wood floors, thrifty finds and plenty of patience pay off for a budget-minded family in Dallas

Sarah Greenman

Sarah GreenmanOctober 21, 2012

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For a couple who describes their style as "organic midcentury modest," this house was initially an unusual choice. Tired of house hunting, Meridith Lohse and her husband, Trey, snagged this 1960s Dallas cottage via the Craigslist real estate section. "The house was updated in the early 1990s in an old-world, heavy style," says Meridith. "It was definitely not our style."

With the help of New Leaf Construction, the couple added a new bedroom and took the main living areas down to the studs. The remodeled open-concept family space now reflects the couple's clean aesthetic and happily suits their family's needs.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Trey and Meridith Lohse, 3-year-old son Asher, a baby on the way, a dog and 2 cats
Size: 2,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
Location: Lake Highlands, Dallas

The remodeled family room has elevated views of the backyard. The design takes advantage of the tree views, opening up the inside to mimic the expansive outdoors.

Sofa: Retro Revival in Lewisville, Texas; carpet tiles: Flor; Eames chair: White Elephant Antiques in Dallas

The new portion of the family room was built over an existing deck. Clerestory and picture windows look out over a tree-lined backyard that boasts an enormous two-story playhouse. Meridith says, "The split level really gives you a unique view of the world."

Subtle color keeps the decor fresh and youthful. Meridith found the turquoise chair, seen in the far left corner, during curbside trash pickup. She repaired a broken leg, painted it a cheery aqua color and re-covered the seat in an Amy Butler fabric.

Credenza: Mid2Mod; club chair upholstery: Fabric Factory; wall paint: Passive Gray, Sherwin-Williams

Thin countertops, a modern-style hood and a sugar cube tile backsplash keep this sleek kitchen grounded in its 1960s roots.

Bar stools: Wayfair; countertops: 2-centimeter quartz, Cambria

Meridith enjoys cooking while keeping an eye on her busy three-year-old. "Asher thinks it is great fun to spin on the kitchen bar stools or drag one over to help me cook," she says.

Air plants and mounted vases: West Elm; backsplash tile: Home Depot; pendant lights: Overstock.com

A very strict remodeling budget meant the couple had to scale back their material choices. "We shopped open-box sales, Craigslist and junkyards to find exactly what we wanted at a price that we could afford," Meridith says. The wine fridge, stove range, hood and dishwasher were all purchased secondhand.

The couple replaced worn tile floors with reclaimed knotty heart pine flooring from a Fort Worth brewery built in the 1800s. "You can still see the nail holes and scuff marks where brewing equipment was fastened to the wood and time has left its patina," says Meridith. "As a bonus, it is a green product that reuses old lumber, preventing the consumption of more trees and reducing landfill volume."

Floors: Old Texas Wood Flooring

The preexisting playhouse looks like fun but feels unstable right now. "We need to work on it a bit before I'll let Asher climb up inside," Meridith says.

The original living room has a small fireplace topped by an oblong midcentury mirror. The couple doesn't want to hurry to furnish their home. Adding one piece at a time allows them to save money and find just the right furniture for their space.

Settee: Retro Revival in Lewisville, with Fabric Factory upholstery; pouf: World Market

A midcentury settee upholstered in a peacock print, a triangular coffee table and a crocheted pouf make up this sitting area. The upholstery pays homage to the peacocks that run wild through the neighborhood. "Our roof is a landing strip," says Meridith. "They roost in our trees at night, and we can hear them in the mornings not so gracefully flying from their perch to our rooftop, then to the ground."

Re-covering of settee, sofa, chair: Matthew Ybarra

A bright and simple dining room overlooks the front of the house. Meridith loves the work of Jonathan Adler, who designed the turkey centerpiece. "His fun, fresh and cheeky spaces always give me a new source of inspiration," she says.

Dining table, chairs: White Elephant Antiques in Dallas; chandelier: Lamps Plus

A small but well-appointed butler's pantry connects the dining room with the kitchen. A closet-style pantry lies directly opposite the built-ins.

Asher's bedroom, part of the new construction, sits directly below the upstairs living room addition. Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar decor fills the cheerful space. The Ikea bed allows for easily accessible storage of things like nighttime stories.

Meridith loves the vintage green leather rocker tucked in the corner of Asher's bedroom. Both the chair and the white dresser were scored at local garage sales.

Chair: Ikea

Three-year-old Asher pokes his head outside to look for peacocks. The house's charming facade is somewhat understated, given the expansive family rooms that lie beyond the front door.

Homeowner and expectant mother Meridith in front of her fig tree. She offers this advice to other homeowners: "Your home will feel more fluid and settled if you allow the original design and intents of your home to influence your design elements."

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