Family room - mid-sized mediterranean open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Other with a bar, brown walls and a wall-mounted tv

Kurt Johnson
Family room library - large traditional medium tone wood floor family room library idea in Omaha with brown walls, a standard fireplace and a media wall

Billiards Room
Large elegant enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room photo in Other with no fireplace, no tv and brown walls

Inspiration for a large craftsman carpeted game room remodel in Cleveland with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Overthinking a situation isn’t always a bad thing, particularly when the home in question is one in which the past is suddenly meeting the present. Originally designed by Finnish architect Olav Hammarstrom in 1952 for fellow architect Eero Saarinen, this unique home recently received its first transformation in decades. Still in its 1950s skin, it was completely gutted, inside and out. It was a serious undertaking, as the homeowner wanted modern upgrades, while keeping an eye toward retaining the home’s 1950s charm. She had a vision for her home, and she stuck to it from beginning to end. Perched on a rise of land and overlooking the tranquil Wellfleet Herring Pond, the home initially appears split, with the guest house on the left, and the main house of the right, but both ends are connected with a breezeway. The original home’s bones were in good shape, but many upgrades and replacements were necessary to bring the house up to date. New siding, roofing, gutters, insulation and mechanical systems were all replaced. Doors and windows with metal frames were custom made by a company in Long Island that fabricates doors for office buildings. Modern heating and cooling systems were added, and the three bathrooms were all updated. The footprint of the home remained unchanged. Inside, the only expansion was more closet space. The attention to detail in retaining the 50s-style look took a lot of online searching, from handles and knobs to lighting fixtures, with bits and pieces arriving from all over the world, including a doorstop from New Zealand. The homeowner selected many of the fixtures herself, while a very detail-oriented foreman exhaustively researched as well, looking for just the right piece for each and every location. High-end appliances were purchased to modernize the kitchen and all of the old cabinetry was removed, replaced and refaced with NUVACOR, a versatile surfacing material that not only provided a sleek, modern look, but added convenience and ease of use. Bare, wood-beamed ceilings throughout give a nod to the home’s natural surroundings, while the main living area (formerly a fisherman’s cabin), with a brick fireplace, was completely trimmed in walnut, while multiple windows of varying sizes welcome sunlight to brighten the home. Here, the sheetrock ceiling with faux rafters provides an interesting and room-brightening feature. Behind the house sits the serene pond, which can now be enjoyed from the stunning new deck. Here, decking material was not laid out side by side, as it typically is but, instead, meticulously laid out on edge, creating an unusual and eye-catching effect. A railing of tempered glass panels allows unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty, and keeps consistent with the open, airy feel of the place. A new outdoor shower is accessible via the deck and left open to the wilderness and the pond below, completing the bold yet sophisticated feeling of this retro-modern home.

Juila Lynn
Beach style family room photo in Charleston with brown walls and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic carpeted family room remodel in San Francisco with brown walls

Inspiration for a timeless carpeted and beige floor family room remodel in Louisville with brown walls

Peter Murdock
Example of a transitional light wood floor and brown floor family room design in New York with brown walls

Inspiration for a rustic medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Other with a music area, brown walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Example of a mid-sized mountain style open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Charlotte with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Ric Forest
Family room library - large rustic loft-style carpeted and beige floor family room library idea in Denver with brown walls, no fireplace and no tv

Bernie Grijalvo
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless enclosed dark wood floor family room remodel in Other with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown walls

Elegant game room photo in Atlanta with brown walls

Family room - mid-sized rustic dark wood floor family room idea in Denver with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Open Concept Family Room, Featuring a 20' long Custom Made Douglas Fir Wood Paneled Wall with 15' Overhang, 10' Bio-Ethenol Fireplace, LED Lighting and Built-In Speakers.

Inspiration for a large contemporary family room remodel in Miami with brown walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The floor to ceiling stone fireplace adds warmth and drama to this timber frame great room. Architecture by M.T.N Design, the in-house design firm of PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes. Photos by Heidi Long.

Family room - mid-sized transitional dark wood floor family room idea in Miami with brown walls and no fireplace