Mid century modern homes: the ultimate style guide

Table Of Content

• Bedroom Mid-Century Modern Single-Story Home with Open Concept Living and 3-Car Garage (Floor Plan)
• Mid-Century Designed by Edgar Tafel, Apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright!
• The antithesis of a San Francisco Victorian
• Defining characteristics and elements of midcentury-modern architecture
• Hilltop Mid-Century Modern by Donald R. Roark, Architect

Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House is extremely difficult to heat or cool, while Keck and Keck were pioneers in the incorporation of passive solar features in their houses to compensate for their large glass windows. In 2014, Nikolaus Kraemer and Heather van Haaften, a couple that's passionate about midcentury-modern architecture and furniture, purchased the Scott House, originally designed in 1954 by Pierre Koenig. They sensitively restored the iconic house in a way that would reflect the property’s roots. In Los Angeles’s Nichols Canyon, architect Dan Brunn was tasked with renovating a home rich in architectural history, but lacking in modern functionality.

Bedroom Mid-Century Modern Single-Story Home with Open Concept Living and 3-Car Garage (Floor Plan)

Low pool loungers, a stylish umbrella, and an oversized planter add understated decorative touches that complement the streamlined structure. At the time of the book’s publishing, 22 of the structures featured have been torn down, with another slated for demolition. More than 60 houses, however, have been designated as heritage sites, ensuring their survival. And with books like this atlas drumming up even more interest in the style, hopefully more structures will be preserved as crucial pieces of architectural history. Flat planes, clean lines, and little ornamentation characterize both the exteriors—which often feature monochromatic brickwork and pops of color—and the matching interiors of mid-century modern homes. Original mid century modern homes sell for millions of dollars in California – even for just a one-bedroom home.

Shag transforms a Midcentury Modern home in Palm Springs - Los Angeles Times

Shag transforms a Midcentury Modern home in Palm Springs.

Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Mid-Century Designed by Edgar Tafel, Apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright!

It was a bold statement of how humans once lived—among the trees, the rocks, perched atop a hill—and the architect stamped his thumbprint on it. During the 20th century, architects turned their attention from traditional designs to more original aesthetics. While many Modernist movements capture this interest in the experimental, mid-century modern architecture has resonated over decades to remain a popular style today.

The antithesis of a San Francisco Victorian

It features sparse lines and a streamlined natural look with beam ceiling and a neutral color scheme. Above is an example of an A-frame roof mid-century modern house. This particular house was designed by architect Charles DuBois in 1958. Below is our extensive guide all about mid-century modern design which features exterior and interior examples of this iconic architectural style. Flat planes and clean lines are hallmarks of this house style, with the roofline considered one of the most iconic features of the Mid-Century Modern home. To add character to a room, you’ll often see furniture, rugs, window treatments, and artwork with geometric patterns resembling starbursts, atomic, and boomerang features.

Across the country, other formats of mid century modern house design came to prominence, but using more winter-worthy materials like brick to construct their signature looks. A few hours north of New York City, for example, pupils of the legendary modernist architect Frank Lloyd Wright built an entire town of case study homes using mid century modern design, dubbed 'Usonia'. Mid century modern homes are residential, single-family homes built using modernist principles and design tactics like cantilevered walls, flat-facing surfaces, and simple lines. Midcentury’s clean lines and minimalist approach pair with bold colors, patterns, and unique materials for something that’s unique as well as practical. The open concept and purposeful rooms are designed to meet the needs of the modern family, which differed from that of generations past. The midcentury modern style also leaves lots of room for expression.

Hilltop Mid-Century Modern by Donald R. Roark, Architect

A residential experiment designed to inspire new ideas for affordable and efficient housing post-war in America, although most are predominately in Los Angelas. The house was designed by leading architects and designers who were at the helm of the mid-century era. Midcentury homes—built with simple materials and designed around open, flexible spaces with a strong connection to the outdoors—are highly sought after, but often need repairs and modern updates. To point, we’ve rounded up 50 best midcentury renovations that demonstrate how these treasured homes can be adapted for today. Whether you’re searching for inspiration for your own midcentury remodel or simply a midcentury enthusiast, this guide is sure to spark some ideas. An interior stylist with a soft spot for run-down homes brought this 1951 ranch in Monterey Hills back to life.

In the middle of the 20th century, many artists began working in an abstract style, re-imagining traditional art and pioneering a new aesthetic. This interest in abstract forms is also present in the architecture of the time, as demonstrated by mid-century modern's minimalist appearance. The resurgence of the period wouldn’t be relegated to wealthy collectors, however. By the 90s, most of the original midcentury pieces were out of production and only within reach of the affluent. Even the pieces that were still being produced weren’t available to the average Joe but to designers and architects. Many people find that adding a few midcentury pieces to another style keeps the decor looking modern without feeling dated.

Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood

In Rancho Mirage, California, a tired 1960s house is completely transformed with new features and materials that blend midcentury charm with contemporary taste. Michael Hennessey explains, "We struck a balance between the positive, inherent qualities of an Eichler structure with modern improvements that enhance rather than compete with the existing building." Follow us for a daily dose of outstanding homes, intelligent architecture & beautiful design. When comedian Adam Carolla purchased his midcentury home three years ago, he did so with the intention of doing major renovations on the 1963 gem.

Architecture

Window film and window treatments can reduce glare and both winter heat loss and summer heat gain. In the parts of the United States where Mid-Century Modern houses are especially common, such as Southern California, Arizona, and Texas, most homes built in this style do not have basements. But basements with outdoor access are a great feature for Mid-Century Modern homes built on a sloping lot.

Built in 1956, this carefully updated 2,032-square-foot home with sweeping views of downtown L.A. Is a true California dream, with three bedrooms, two baths, and light-filled living areas that seamlessly flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Vertical paneling and tall, narrow windows give this home a quintessential midcentury look. A fresh coat of black paint instantly updates the facade, while dormers add height, linear detail, and natural light inside this ranch-style home. A concrete slab in the entry alcove adds an unexpected angle to the front of the home and balances out the dark paint color. An A-frame is a triangular-shaped structure with steeply sloped sides; these structures have been a popular cabin choice for decades.

Out of respect for the home, Thomas tread carefully with her updates, even keeping the old drapes and using the original paint colors as a jumping-off point in researching color palettes of the era. Her approach was to "celebrate and preserve, rather than rip out and change." After all, he’s one third of Blink-182, the pop-punk band which exploded in 1999 with hits like “What’s My Age Again? ” and “All the Small Things,” and that—despite breakups, makeups, and member shake-ups—remains a prominent part of the millennial cultural lexicon. The bassist and singer did not know anything about the architect Harold “Hal” Levitt when shopping for a home in Los Angeles with his wife Skye Hoppus back in 2004. It was only after the couple fell in love with and purchased a midcentury-modern house by Levitt that they learned about his legacy.

In fact, much of the design is reminiscent of the work of midcentury luminaries like Ludwig Mies van Der Rohe and Philip Johnson. Quincy Jones house in Los Angeles, architect Bruce Norelius and his partner, Landis Green, retained and restored core elements, such as the living room’s redwood paneling and concrete-block wall. In 1964 architect Rufus Turner restored the rear after a fire damaged the living room. Rudolph M. Schindler’s Kallis House, recently restored by homeowners Susan Orlean and John Gillespie, is often referred to as the Austrian-born architect’s late-period masterpiece.

Mixed sidings and flat rooflines with varying heights embellish this 5-bedroom modern mid-century home. A spacious courtyard with a designated spa along with a foyer separates the home’s two wings. This 3-bedroom mid-century home features an impeccable facade with modern touches showcasing vertical wood and horizontal siding, stone accents, metal trims, and shed rooflines. The architect’s own longtime family residence, it’s a symphony of wood, glass, and stone. In the mid-'50s, modern residential architecture was suspect in the Eastern San Gabriel Valley.

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Another key characteristic of the mid-century modern house is its relationship with nature. Architects working in this style often incorporated large windows and open floor plans into their designs, which provided scenic views and let in lots of light. Additionally, sliding glass doors enticed and encouraged residents to go outside and explore their surroundings. From their furniture with Herman Miller to designing for IBM, the influence of Charles and Ray Eames over our contemporary understanding of midcentury-modern style cannot be overstated. At the center of it all is the Pacific Palisades home they designed and built in 1949.