Mid Mod Remodel (Della Hansmann | Mid Mod Midwest)

Here's the bottom line, my friend: No one else can tell you what's right for your home. It's yours and it's your families. So what I really want you to know here is that you can make right choices yourself. 

For example, you can choose mid-century tile that's perfect for YOU! 

Alright, let's talk about how to make that happen. 

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• Why the choices you make confidently will always be right for your home so you should choose mid-century tile YOU love.
• How to simplify the process of making finish choices by narrowing the list of possibilities
• Choose Mid-Century tile from some of my favorite tile sources
• About the easy three minute Mid-Century Style quiz.  Take it right now!

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/801

Undertaking a home remodel can be stressful, but dreaming and planning for one shouldn’t have to be.  Today let’s talk about some really fun ways to learn about Mid-Century design.  Dip your toe into our favorite era … and get home improvement ideas at the same time!

We all like to absorb new information in different ways.  You might learn about mid-century history best from a book or maybe you learn by seeing a building in person.  I’ve got a fun starting point for every learning style in my UPDATED Mid-Century Ranch Resources list.

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• A few of my favorite movies and TV shows for MCM design
• The Instagram accounts you SHOULD BE following to learn mid-century architecture history and get fun DIY tips
• Where to go on vacation to see the best of MCM all around you
• And how to spot and learn about mid-century buildings from your own neighborhood

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/802

Here’s the kicker.  I can’t tell you the right way to update your MCM kitchen;  the right choices you make in a mid-century kitchen update are going to be based on your life, your home, your needs. So … are you ready to make those calls for yourself?  

Today I’m sharing some quick background on mid-century kitchens and how they came to be the way they are and then my go to design strategies for improving the layout and functionality of this kind of kitchen for my one-to-one design clients. 

Listen in on this snippet of the Mid-Century Kitchen Clinic workshop recorded last month!

Wish you'd been there?  Get your name on the waitlist for Ready to Remodel ... reopening SOON!

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• The resource of the week: Sarah Archer’s The Mid-Century Kitchen.  Collect all 89 right here!
• What they were thinking when they built the kitchens we live in today (hint: it was “hurry, we have to get this one finished and do 15 million more just like it!”)
• Why it doesn’t really matter if the mom-focused mid-century kitchen is popular with contemporary thinking or out of fashion.  
• My go-to kitchen design tips rattled off so fast you’re going to want to take notes!

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/803

Once you’ve got your style plan in place, you’re ready to graduate to tracking the items you want for your home in a set of remodel planning spreadsheets.  These are going to make everything easier, and may even save you money!

There are so many moving parts in a home remodel.  The master plan method is all about taking your planning in the right order and putting the right level of detail into your thinking to avoid getting totally overwhelmed.  That’s why start by building a visual style guide rather than picking specific products.   If you want to dig into the style guide concept, you want to check out this episode.  

Episode: The Style Guide you Need to Keep your Remodel on Track 

Once you’ve got your style guide set, though … it’s time to take your planning to the next level with some key remodel planning spreadsheets.

I’ve got spreadsheets that track my business, log movies and shows I want to check out, record budget information for past travels, I once made a list of the chronological date the birth and death dates of all my favorite fictional characters so I could see if they overlapped.  I’m sorry, did you not know you were listening to a SUPER NERD?

Not everyone is a “spreadsheet person.”  I know this.  But even if you aren’t … your home update is one of the times it is worth it to make up a couple of essential remodel planning spreadsheets.  Let’s talk about what should go into them …

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• The resource of the week is a two for one:  The Idaho Modern Field Guide is a super helpful pdf resource that walks your though “the history, are and keeping of your mid-century home,” and is shared by my super followable friend and mcm realtor, TJ, over at Mid-Century Homes in Boise.  Grab the download and follow TJ using the links in my resources list!
• Why you need to START with your style guide before you graduate to planning spreadsheets (seriously, I’m not kidding.  The entire internet has too many options to pick from before you lock down your “look.”)
• How I use spreadsheets to compare apples to apples when looking at remodel bids, to log my contractor calls so I don’t forget who is asking me what, and to compare and track the prices and specifications of all the finishes, fixture and appliances I want to use in my remodel!
• Exactly what info to keep in your remodel finish tracking spreadsheet.

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/804

Don’t sit around waiting to be ready to plan the perfect remodel for your home … remodel right now now.  Meet yourself where you are and plan a home update that fits your life today! 

There’s a right scale for your remodel.  Let’s figure it out together! 

There are simple and fool-proof ideas you can use to make any mid-century home feel spiffier, brighter and more like the place you want to spend your days.  

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• Why its so important to start with a satisfying, SMALL, project to kickstart your remodel energy
• The three levels that all home remodels cover - and which one is most suited to your life
• How to update your front door a little, a bit more or a lot in ways that will change your whole relationship with your house.
• Why you need a big picture plan - a master plan - for your remodel no matter what level or scale you are ready for.

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/805

Baby steps, my friend.  Take your remodel one step at a time and just skip right past the classic remodel overwhelm - that moment when it all becomes too much.  Planning a whole remodel at once - deciding on every detail  - is crazy difficult.  But if you focus your planning on one step at a time, you can cut the crazy in half.  

Sign up now for the  “Plan an MCM Remodel to Fit your Life(and budget)” Masterclass! 

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• That you’re not alone - nearly all homeowners experience remodel overwhelm at some point but the Master Plan Method is designed to cut down on that chaos
• How planning “in the wrong order” can really turn up the volume on your stress
• Why I know that Dream, Discover, Distill is the right order for your home update plan and why all three of those phases come before you can start to Draft solutions to your home improvement challenges. 
• And one more time that THIS WEEKEND is the free “Plan an MCM Remodel to Fit your Life(and budget)” Masterclass.  I hope you’ll be there!!

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/806

Bonus Episode!

Keeping a home update on track from start to finish is no easy task.  It’s so personal, expensive, long term and generally overwhelming that you’re sure feel stressed about it from time to time.  But you can push back on those feelings if you are anchored to strong remodeling goals.

Let’s talk about how to set your mid-century remodel on the right course, right from the start with a simple remodeling goals planning exercise.  

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• This is it!  Your big chance to join the next cohort of Ready to Remodel!  Jump in now to get hands on help to streamline your remodel, access to a wonderful community of fellow home owners, oodles of bonus help like the indecision-busting Design-o-matic flow chart, super useful contractor management spreadsheets, and remodel budgeting advice, plus weekly support in live remodel coaching calls from yours truly, Della Hansmann, architect and mid-century enthusiast.  WILL I SEE YOU IN THE CLASS!?!
• How to set your remodeling goals the right way.  Simple and easy … listen up!
• And since the season is ending with this episode, take a spin through our back catalog with the mid mod remodel advice you need: broken down season by season!

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/807

The right color isn’t one that’s specific to the period or style of your house. It isn’t the color that looks so great on the house down the street. It’s the color that expresses the feeling you want your home to create in you and in others. 

Choosing a color scheme for your home is one of the most effective ways to put your stamp on a house and start the process of making it your home. But before you “pick” the “right” color for your home … I want you to ask yourself a few more questions about what you’re trying to make happen here.

Don’t panic. This is part of the fun, I promise! Because today we’re going to talk about how to apply the Master Plan Method to help you confidently update your mid-century house color scheme.

IN TODAY’S EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR:

• Why the right color for MY mid-century house isn’t necessarily the right color for YOUR mid-century house.
• Strategies for using color to highlight the elements you love about your house. 
• How to apply the Master Plan Method to choose an exterior palette that’s a perfect fit for your style and your home.  

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/901

How can you start the remodel process without getting in completely over your head?

Today, let’s talk about how to stick your toe into the kidney-shaped pool of mid-century home updates.

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• How to get started on making your mid-century house into your home EVEN if you don’t know where to start.
• What levels of a home update might be right for you (now and in the future).
• How to tackle a curb appeal upgrade or an indoor tune-up project THIS WEEKEND and break your deadlock.
• The benefits of a slow start - and the risks of jumping in too hard too fast.
• And a tease of next week’s episode aimed to keep your remodel on its mid-century path no matter how fast you want to take it!

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/902

Last week was all about starting small. This week we’re talking about how you can plan dramatic changes for your home without erasing its mid-century character. This episode is for people asking, how do I keep my BIG remodel Mid-Century while I tweak ... or transform? My friends, I've got the answer for you

Today, I'm introducing a new framework I've been working on for a while: the four cornerstones of mid-century design.  Grab the Cornerstones Workbook here! 

These are design principles that were common in the mid-century era and are found in virtually every home built in that era - even the most modest ranch.  

We’re going to talk about how to incorporate these design cornerstones throughout the remodel process to help you maintain, replace, or improve on the mid-century features of your home. 

These design principles can help guide decisions as you go through the steps of dreaming, discovering, distilling, drafting, and developing your master plan. They will help you create your very own mid-century masterpiece, that both reflects its roots and is perfectly suited to your modern life!

Plus ... you can now sign up for the August 6th Mid-Century Design Clinic!  Get your ticket right here to save your seat!

In Today’s Episode You’ll Hear:

• How to make the most of (or revive) your home’s mid-century charm, even if someone has already erased it. 
• A bit about each of the four cornerstone concepts of mid-century design.
• How to incorporate these design concepts into your remodel Master Plan. 

 Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/903

Make sure you sign up for the Mid-Century Design Clinic by July 31st to grab the early bird pricing!  See you there!

Today’s question is actually one I don’t get asked often enough. Here it goes: How can I get started now on my fun mid-century home update plans when I have this feeling I should do maintenance before I remodel?

I don’t get asked because  way too many people assume it’s the wrong question to ask!  Is this you?  Do you think you have to take care of some maintenance and repair work first.  You should replace the furnace, get a new roof on, repair that rotted deck – before you  can do the fun things. Before you can start making your house into your home.

I understand the logic of this.  And if you are someone who likes to work before they play, eat a good dinner before desert or just generally earn their fun … I get it.  It sounds adulting and responsible home-owning 101.  

But it this case, it’s the absolutely wrong idea. 

Here’s the short version of today’s episode: Don’t let your maintenance to do list stop you from dreaming big dreams for your home.  All those inspection check list items are design opportunities in disguise!

Grab the show notes for the episode at www.midmod-midwest.com/904/

Here’s how you can get the best value in a remodel … you can supercharge any remodel using adjustments to your home’s layout. 

By the way ... this episode is the PERFECT preamble to this weekend's Mid-Century Design Clinic. Listen up here and then go save your seat for the Workshop!

Look, beautiful finishes can make your life so shiny and pretty. 

• You can wake up in the morning and smile because of the color of your bedroom wall. 
• Touching the surfaces of your kitchen cabinets can bring you genuine joy multiple times a day.
• The perfect paver stones under your feet on the patio can be warm, smooth, and classy.

 But just changing the surfaces of things doesn’t have a power to change your life the way adjusting your layout can-do. 

Grab the show notes and find links here.

Do you worry that you could never cut a hole in your house or expand an opening without consulting a design expert?  Today’s episode is for you! 

If you’re afraid to move a wall in your home … or to put a new hole in one, I hope you’ll feel less so at the end of this episode!

True, there are some areas of your house you don’t want to carelessly change - for fear of bringing down the whole house!  You sure do need to know where your bearing walls are.  

But once you know where your home’s structure is … and isn’t … you’ll be better able to “see through the walls” and open up some great flow in your home!  

Tune in for some rules of thumb for identifying structure AND some easy design cheats to open up space in the structure you have without costly re-engineering! 

Grab the show notes and find links here.

First, are you signed up for the Free Mid-Century Master Planning Masterclass on August 27th?  If not?  Why not!?  Hope to see you there!

When HGTV Home Depot every contractor you’ve spoken to so far and some of your friends and family are all questioning why you like that feature of your mid-century house, it can feel like maybe they’re right and you’re not. You can ask yourself,  am I wrong to love mid-century?

No, of course not!  Your mid-mod home is great!

How can you find other people besides me to support you in your love of mid-century design. You need a community of people who can share war stories, advice, and wins from their experience and updating, repairing, and maintaining mid-century homes. 

So today we’re going to talk about how to make that happen!

You can find the show notes and all the resources at www.midmod-midwest.com/907.

What should you do when you can’t make up your mind?  When finding a mid-century faucet seems impossible?

The abundance of choice is a HUGE factor in getting in over your head when you are trying to choose finishes for your home update.  With the entire internet at your fingertips … or even the plumbing supply showroom that your plumber directed you to … you can feel like anything is possible and nothing is certain. 

Let's talk about how to set up a process for making all of those choices, decisively!  That's great …  but this is just one step of the master plan method.  

If you want to learn ALL  the steps to plan a regret-proof remodel then show up on Saturday for my Masterclass, “Planning an MCM Remodel to Fit Your Life(and Budget)” and I’ll show you how to plan a regret-proof remodel for your mid-century home!

Get the show notes at midmod-midwest.com/908/

This episode goes out to all the homeowners waiting to plan, or dream about home improvement projects until you’ve saved up the home remodel budget.  I hope you’ll take this the right way when I tell you … you’re doing it wrong.

Mid Mod Midwest has a LOT of news to share! From format changes to new faces, we’ll cover everything you need to know in this tiny but mighty mini-sode!

First up - our team is growing! Mid Mod Midwest is hiring a designer to create amazing schematic designs for mid-century remodels. 

This was going to be Mid Mod Remodel Season 10 (!) but instead, we've decided to be all podcast all the time, and no more waiting between seasons. 

As we transition to a weekly podcast format, we're eager to hear your thoughts on the "new" show.  Let us know if there are topics you'd like to hear!  Would you like the episode to be shorter, or longer?  Would you like more interviews (I have a few planned!)?  What topics have you been waiting for me to dig into?

Finally, we take a quick trip through our Masterplan Process from two perspectives - client and designer! Whether you’re curious about working at Mid Mod Midwest or with our team as you plan your remodel, this episode includes all the must-have deets on how we create a Masterplan!

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest/1001.

This week, I've been talking about style guides inside the Ready to Remodel program. On our architect office hours call on Monday, I talked this cohort of homeowners through the value of distilling your personal style. 

Everyone starts with a fuzzy big picture concept like time capsule cute versus mid-mod contemporary, and then we gather ideas through the process of collecting design inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, and the real world. Talking to the Ready to Remodel community about this made me remember that I needed to tell you about it too! 

The rest of today's episode is a throwback to season four of Mid Mod Remodel. 

I recorded this nearly exactly two years ago and it is just as true today as it was then. So sit back or carry on running errands, walking the dog, or doing the dishes and get inspired to start creating a style guide for your remodel… 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How a Style Guide is really just a masterplan for all the little details of your home remodel project (and just as useful) [2:05]
• Why brushed nickel handles are a Mid Mod no-no and how to avoid using them and instantly dating your home update! [4:15]
• The difference between a fully bespoke custom designed remodel led by an architect and one managed by Joe Contractor ... but how you can get the best of both worlds (hint it involves a Style Guide) [5:05]
• How to get started [9:05]
• Metals for your Mid-Century home [9:55]
• How to make sure all the wood in your floors, cabinets, walls, trim, and furniture plays nicely together [12:10]
• How to have fun with color in an MCM update [15:25]

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1002

Stress-free is a big promise. 

Of course, there will be some stress in a remodel.  You can worry about labor and material costs. You will feel the pressure of timing. You might rack yourself over design details. 

But you can cut stress out of the remodeling process in as many places as possible!

Today we're talking about the value of the (often overlooked) pre-design phases to help you avoid the stress of remodeler's regret.  Ask yourself the right questions at the start of the design process to get the right answers ... for you.  

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• What I mean by "remodeler's regret".
• How to identify your remodel leadership style.
• And methods for leading all the folks involved through your remodel unscathed... including you!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1003

Today’s podcast is a chat with Denver Area mid-century Realtor, designer and advocate, Adrian Kinney, on what he’s learned restoring SEVEN Cliff May Homes and helping match mcm homeowners to so many more. 

Adrian shares his mcm origin story, all the deets on his favorite projects and some surprising insights from a decade of mcm remodeling.

Listen along as two true mid-century super fans dish about the value of design, detail the features that make mid century homes a great fit for modern lives, and get real about square footage. Adrian also shares insights about a hot housing market and why today’s pickier buyers are excited about mid century homes (hint: they want to make sure they are buying something that is worth the $$$).

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1004. 

In just one hour you really can make big or small decisions that put your remodel on the path for success. 

Taking a whole remodel from start to finish is a big undertaking. Just planning to start your remodel sometimes feels like it's taking forever…and it really can be a black hole that seems to absorb as much time and energy as you have to put into it. 

However, it is possible to set yourself up for one hour of decision-making that shifts the momentum in your process. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to focus an hour of decision-making by applying a mini-master plan process to a question or problem. 
• What kinds of questions a one hour design consult call can help you answer.
• Which tools can help you gather insight and information to make the most of your remodel planning power hour. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1005 

This week's episode is a classic from the Mid Mod Remodel archive. 

The common wisdom is that you should save up money for a remodel and then plan one that fits your budget.  Wrong.

I want to pitch an alternate plan. It os better to let the design drive the budget, rather than the other way around. Let's talk about diving into your master plan before you decide what your home update should cost.

Look, your Home Remodel can be:

• Fast
• Cheap 
• Good

You may pick two.  Seriously. 

And while I totally appreciate the desire to keep costs down, I never want to encourage anyone to pick Fast and Cheap as their priorities over GOOD. I’m not saying you should make a Sky’s the Limit design and then wonder what it will cost you.  I like a hybrid approach.  Keep your ballpark budget in mind.  But rather than asking “How much kitchen can I get for $XXX?", spend the time to think about what you really want from your home. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1006

I want you to use your holiday prep time to plan your remodel. 

Okay, Before you tell me, Della, that's crazy. The holidays are when I'm busiest. I can't be picking out tiles and solving problems and calling contractors during this period. You're right. Of course you can't. You know me. I wouldn't ask you to make your life harder when it's already full. Instead, make your future life easier by harnessing all of the satisfactions (and frustrations) that are part and parcel of the celebratory times in your house during this season of madness and fun.

Get the episode and show notes with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/1009

Buying from small businesses is about more than just making yourself feel good about yourself to support small businesses, to keep jobs and dollars local. 

It’s straight up fun, but it also comes with the real benefit of building your community of design resources. 

So while you’re hunting for great reproductions from modern craftsmen who care or amazing vintage pieces that come with a story, the support you get out of those purchases is becoming a greater part of the community of mid-century obsessives. 

Check out some of my favorite Mid Mod Small Businesses to seek out great pieces for your MCM home update! Listen to the episode to hear me sing their praises ... or just click through to their charming websites and see what's on offer!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1007

⁠⁠✨ BIG NEWS: You can now jump into Ready to Remodel whenever you, yourself, are ready.  If you join us before Cyber Monday ends, you'll get a super bonus (two free design calls with Della! ✨✨✨The Ready to Remodel program pulls together EVERYTHING YOU NEED to plan a remodel that will perfectly suit your life … and then lead it with confidence. ⁠⁠ ✨  Find out all the details right here!

Design used properly can double your remodel dollar. Focusing on design can make every purchase more effective and every change more magical.

Using design means considering everything you could do as part of an update or project that might improve your home down the line, bring it back to into alignment with its original style, or provide economies of scale for layout tweaks or other changes.  Whether you're hiring design help or just taking the time to think through updates a little more carefully, give yourself (and your home) the gift of design.

Get the full show notes for today's episode with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/1008

This week we’re revisiting the best of our 25 days of design in hopes of sparking your sense of wonder about your home, boosting your remodel confidence and providing concrete advice on making your 2023 remodeling dreams come true.  

'Tis the season! Around the holidays, everyone likes to add a little charm to their home. Shortening daylight makes us think about how to maximize the comfort and joy inside. Bringing out seasonal decorations makes us take a fresh look at the space where we spend our days and share holiday traditions. As well it should – we need a recurring chance to reevaluate how well our homes suit our lives!

This season of revelry and reflection is a great opportunity to dream a little bigger than holiday decor. While you’re thinking about how to make your house merry and bright for the season, let’s also think about how to improve it in the medium and long term!

Get the full episode with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest/1010

Find a new, lazier remodel philosophy in 2023. One that understands perfectionism is a perfect way to prevent yourself from making remodel progress. Real talk folks…it's more important to begin than to do it perfectly. 

Today’s episode is an end-of-year pep talk about setting yourself up for success with reasonable and realistic expectations for yourself around remodel planning. All of the pressure of the holidays and the new year can add up to stress and overwhelm instead of comfort and joy.

Find the full episode with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/1011.

The five Mid Mod Kitchen Update Essentials are key to creating a fabulous and functional kitchen regardless of style, but are extra important when updating a mid century kitchen. 

We love mid century homes for many reasons - they are right sized, they were made with quality materials, they tend to have a simple beauty, and they still function pretty well for modern families. 

But often mid century kitchens are missing important design elements necessary for a functional modern kitchen. Understanding and incorporating these elements into your kitchen remodel will transform your space and ensure you end up with a mid mod kitchen you love.

Find the full episode with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/1012.

In her fantastic new book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, Kendra Adachi lays out a system for creating a kitchen that has and does everything you need. The lazy genius kitchen isn't really a book about remodeling. Nor is it explicitly a cookbook or an organizing book or a lifestyle guide. It's some of all of those things. And, perhaps, it's better than any of them could be on their own. 

Adachi's advice is to think about the way you want to live in your home.  And if you know me at all, you know this is absolutely where I believe every project in architecture should begin. So, let's talk about how you can be a lazy genius about your kitchen update. And create the kitchen that's perfect for YOU. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1101

And sign up RIGHT NOW for the Mid-Century Kitchen Clinic to get the early bird price on the live, two hour workshop happening January 14th at 2pm central!

My masterplan process was created as a path to managing a full house (or at least very significant) remodel. You begin by dreaming about your ideal home and the life you envision in it and move through each step until you have a full vision for your home. The five steps follow in order and you are able to plan until you feel ready to tackle your renovation. Sounds just like real life, right?

At this point, I’m sure you are laughing hysterically and wiping away tears as you try to close that stuck drawer AGAIN or assess how much longer your family can survive without a microwave. You need to get your kitchen reno moving…and fast. Too fast to masterplan!

But wait! You can still use the five D’s - dream, discover, distill, draft, and develop to micro-masterplan your kitchen (or bath or basement or…well you get the picture). The Master Plan Framework is scalable and can help you feel ready for and in control of any size project.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1102

Della chats with Denver area mid-century realtor, photographer, designer, and advocate Atom Stevens about becoming an enthusiast and then an expert on Cliff May homes in Denver ... and across the country. 

When Atom Stevens bought his house in Harvey Park, he had no idea it would lead him on a journey to becoming a local Cliff May historian and advocate for mid-century preservation. Stevens spent years researching the origins of his and his neighborhood’s mid-century modern homes, discovering famous California designer Cliff May.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/1103

Every home has a story and every homeowner can benefit from becoming their home’s resident expert! When Atom Stevens bought his house in Harvey Park, he had no idea it would lead him on a journey to becoming a local Cliff May historian and advocate for mid-century preservation. Not only did Atom find a vocation, he also found a great value!

Part 2 of Della’s conversation with Denver area mid-century Realtor, photographer, designer, and advocate Atom Stevens about how to become your own home’s historian. 

What secrets does your house hold and how can you go about uncovering them? Learning about your home’s history may lead you to information about structure, mechanicals, and materials that can help you as you remodel plan. So, where do you start? 

Atom shares his expert tips on uncovering your home’s history and a lot more fascinating history of Cliff May and the homes he designed!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://midmod-midwest.com/1104

What is a mid mod ReMod Squad and what can it do for you? 

Your ReMod Squad is the team you rely on to give you advice specific to your love of mid century style.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why it’s so important to find you mid mod folks. 
• How big a difference finding the right experts can make for your mid century home and remodeling experience.  
• How a mid mod ReMod Squad can support your remodel planning. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at midmod-midwest.com/1105.

Want to join the squad that's about to start inside of Ready to Remodel NEXT MONDAY?  Watch my FREE masterclass: "How to Plan a Mid-Century Remodel to Fit your Life (and budget)" to get started

Brick has been used as a building material since long before the three little pigs. But mid-century brick is particularly well suited to the ethos of modernist designers: it is humble, honest, tactile and capable of both great simplicity and great variety. 

There are a number of problems with painting mid-century brick, including aesthetics, technical issues and maintenance headaches. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1106

Where are you supposed to fit your flat screen TV in a mid-century living room? Especially is you also have a lovely fireplace! Here's what the internet generally recommends: that you plop your TV on the wall right over the fireplace opening. 

And here's what I have to say to that ... nope. 

Instead follow the key principles in today's episode for a well placed TV in a mid-century living room. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1107

This week we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes!

Choosing a color scheme for your home is one of the most effective ways to put your stamp on a house and start the process of making it your home. But before you “pick” the “right” color for your home … I want you to ask yourself a few more questions about what you’re trying to make happen here.

Don’t panic. This is part of the fun, I promise! Because today we’re going to talk about how to apply the Master Plan Method to help you confidently update your mid-century house color scheme.

IN TODAY’S EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR:

• Why the right color for MY mid-century house isn’t necessarily the right color for YOUR mid-century house.
• Strategies for using color to highlight the elements you love about your house. 
• How to apply the Master Plan Method to choose an exterior palette that’s a perfect fit for your style and your home.  

Get the show notes with all the extras at www.midmod-midwest.com/1108

One thing most mid century homes lack is a modern mudroom…or any practical dedicated entry/exit space designed to catch those things that belong to the outside edge of your life. If this sounds like your home, you're not alone! 

Helping our one-to-one design clients to solve this challenge is part of nearly every mid century master plan here at Mid Mod Midwest. And solving this problem doesn't have to be that complicated! So today, we’re talking about what your entry areas need and how to make that happen for your home.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1109

Mid-century modern is so in right now, people are popping neutra type house numbers and modbox mailboxes onto just about any house type.  You are in luck, Ranch Owner, because the mid-century front door was made for your house.  I'll break down how you can get or make your own perfect mid century front door. This works whether you are simply aiming for a spin through Etsy or planning major renovation.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to take your door from drab to dramatic in a weekend. 
• The trick to determining which remodeling level is right for you.
• Which products will help bring out the mid mod in your mid century ranch.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1110

One of the easiest ways to make your front door shine is to upgrade your house numbers. I've been a big fan of one particular company,  Modern House Numbers, for quite a while. I've got their numbers on my house, and I recommend them to a lot of my clients. But I didn't even know how much I love this company until I sat down with owner, Brandy McLain, recently.

Brandy and I talk about how one comes to run a house number company (hint - a DIY project taken to the max) and review some exterior design tips. We also cover curb appeal trends and the quickest ways to add some panache to your home.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1111

What's your mid century remodel era? Do you love 40's fab or 50's sputnik-space-race or sunny, earthy late 60's vibes? 

Today's episode is all about naming your favorite mid century era, then using that information to create the perfect style guide for your remodel!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1201

Today let’s talk about the right way to steal mid-century style ideas. There is actually a right way and a wrong way to find your mid mod home improvement inspiration.  Done right, you can light up your mind with great ideas. You can connect with mid-century homeowners who have walked the path you’re on to find out what they learned.  But done wrong, your search for ideas can lead you into overwhelm. Or terminal house envy.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1202

You don’t need a mid century mood board…but feel free to make one, if it feels like fun to you. It's just not the tool that is going to destress and simplify your remodel decision making. For that, you’re gonna need a style guide. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why a mid century mood board won’t cut it for your remodel.
• How a style guide is different and better (for our purposes) than a mood board.
• Tips for creating a style guide that will simplify all your remodeling decisions. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1203

You need a masterplan approach to be able to a) get started in the first place , b) keep going with a minimum of unpleasant expensive surprises and c) end up with a home that looks and works the way you want and need it to.  Making changes to your home’s layout and flow is how you make sure it is going to work the way you want. The style guide is the lever by which you can easily control the way your home looks.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How using the style guide is like using a dishwasher
• Why the style guide system make your whole life easier AND…
• Will help make your home feel cohesive and snazzy, as if it were planned by a professional.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1204

What is a micro space? 

A micro space (also know as a "nook") is an area within a room that does one specific job. A few examples: a reading chair in the corner of a larger living room, an eat in area in the kitchen, a closet repurposed as an office or crafting space. 

Today I’m going to teach you to capitalize on the micro space idea to improve on your home…without moving a single wall. And, great news! This works for both large and small spaces. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1205.

Movies love to show architects creating away at a drafting table or sitting picturesquely at a cafe, sketchbook in hand. It’s romantic, this vision of a endlessly creative mind conjuring beautiful buildings from some eternal, internal well.  But *SPOILER ALERT* no one uses a drafting table anymore (except throwbacks and nostalgia lovers). In fact, I do all my sketching on a tablet. But there is another thing we do all the time...

We spend A LOT of time answering questions. And that's why the next three episodes are going to focus on the questions I answer for clients, Ready to Remodel students…and you!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1206

We created the Mid-Century Master Plan Package to get you from “I want to remodel” to “let’s call up contractors.” 

The masterplans we create for our clients include floor plans and images to help clients visualize the remodeling possibilities. We also share a style guide with project specific recommendations and our general design guidance. One they review these documents, we integrate their feedback into a set of final schematic designs they can use to  guide their remodel.

But what if you have a question after the master plan?  We're always here to help! Listen in to hear more about how that works.


Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1207

How can you make sure the choices you make for your mid-century home RIGHT NOW will be ones you don’t regret in the future?  Ask the right questions!

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to roll back remodeling choices you made in the past to get a home you’ll love for decades to come. 
• Plus, can a mid-century door that’s been languishing in a shed for 16 years be salvaged?
• How to make sure replacement windows (or more) fit in well with the character of a mid-century house.
• Whether SolaTube lights are appropriate for MCM homes. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1208

I'm often asked, "What does it cost to remodel a kitchen right now?"

Wow! That depends on so many factors. 

I might as well ask you, "What does it cost to go on vacation?"

There are as many types of home remodels, as there are different ways to travel away from home! But there are shortcuts and ways to simplify planning a remodel…just as there are ways to plan an easier vacation. You can make it simple when you go in the right order.  So, grab your Mai Thai and let’s break it down!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1209

What feels like the true beginning of summer to you? Memorial Day weekend? The first lightning bugs of the year? The last day of school?  For me, my birthday in early June is the real start of summer!

It kind of feels like we just dived into the middle of summer in the last week or two and I have a feeling you might be in exactly the right headspace to take on some easy summer projects to make your mid-century home a little more your own. 

So, grab your lemonade and a lawn chair and listen in for a few fun (and, okay some less fun but more necessary) summer projects you can tackle right now to kick off your mid-century home improvement season!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1211. 

I LOVE updates from our homeowners, both design clients and Ready to Remodel students! Photos in the Facebook group are great. Emails with project pictures? A delight!

I bet YOU like to peek inside other people's remodeling process, too!

I recently reached out to see if some of my Ready to Remodel students had a few minutes to spend catching me up on their remodels and their experience in the program. We chatted on Zoom and edited those convos into a podcast for you!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1210. 

Sketching is the most important visual thinking tool you can use to plan your remodel. Sketches help you generate ideas quickly, explore alternatives without risk and avoid getting bogged down in the details too soon. And YOU CAN Sketch…even if you have kindergarten-level drawing skills.


Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1212

Does the primary bed/bed configuration in your modest ranch leave a lot to be desired? You may just have one hall bath. Or (upgrade alert!!!) a sort-of-sad powder room off the owners’ bedroom.

An owners’ suite has become a must have in modern homes, but less than a generation ago almost half of U.S. homes were still without indoor plumbing. So how did our bathroom expectations change so drastically in such a short time? And more importantly, how the heck do you fit an owners’ suite into a modest mid-century ranch?

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How the 1918 flu pandemic made subway tile happen. 
• When owners’ suites started popping up in US homes. 
• Why you shouldn’t compromise on your bathroom!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1301

Discover how being prepared to pivot can save your remodel and your sanity. 

Every remodeling project gets stuck at some point. Life is chock-full of surprises, setbacks, and unexpected twists - work or family obligations change, supply chain snags mean choosing different materials, shifts in the economy make scope or schedule changes a must.  

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• All about the ideal architect-lead home remodel…and why you (or I) probably won’t be doing that, tysm!
• Why the best plans are the plans with a smaller chance of not working. 
• How to plan a remodel that’s ready to pivot on a dime when something changes.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1302

If you are stuck in neutral on your remodel, the best way kickstart the work is to find a perfect first project. I hear you out there yelling, “Della! I don’t know which project is the perfect first project!!! If I knew, I’d start already.”  I have good news for you. I know exactly which project is your perfect first project. In fact, it’s the perfect first project for almost any remodeler. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why the “perfect first project” is a small bathroom update. 
• The tale of my bathroom remodel regret! 
• How to make your small bathroom the perfect first project - no regret required. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1303

Looking for clever bedroom storage solutions designed to fit into to your (modest) mid-century bedroom? These bedroom storage secrets will help you create a mid mod inspired space that meets your modern storage needs. 

In today's episode you'll hear:

• How to maximize storage in a mini mid-century bedroom.
• Why you don't want a walk-in closet.
• The power of personalized  storage. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest/1304

Don't have an owners’ suite in your modest mid-century home? Want one? Let's talk about how to make that happen. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Where to snag the space you need for the owners’ suite you want. 
• How to design a cost conscious addition. 
• Some surprising ways to find space in even the snuggest homes.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1305

Most mid-century bathrooms are pretty modest by modern standards. They tend to be small and there often are too few of them in the house. Upgrading or restoring the mid-century charm in a bathroom while making it work better is one of the most consistent requests from both design clients and Ready to Remodel students.

So, how can you give yourself a serious bathroom upgrade while remaining true to the mcm feel of you home? The right choices for you are going to depend on your family and your taste and the home you’re working with. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why you should kick-off your mid-century bath design using the master plan framework.
• How to plan a timeless, not trendy, update that’s perfect for your mid-century bath. 
• The seven design essentials of a great mid-century bath update. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/1306

Do you ever wish you could just sit down and chat with an experienced friend about how to make the right choices for your mid-century home? 

Well, that's what Sarah Yearout, a realtor with Mid-Century Homes in Boise, and I do every week over on Instagram. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why Della encourages caution if you’re considering wallpaper in a bathroom. 
• How Sarah made a barn door work in her mcm bedroom.
• One of the best tile resources around for vintage mid-century lovers…as well as a few for you folks who lean more mod. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/1307

Could you be overlooking the perfect spot for your dream owners’ suite? If your mcm home has a basement you might be! 

Adding a dreamy bedroom with an amazing en suite in the basement (or on a lower level) offers some real advantages…even if your only views are of the other adorable mid-century homes in your neighborhood.  

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why your basement might just be the perfect spot for your owners’ suite.
• How to ensure your basement bedroom is up to code.
• The true story of one of our favorite upside down floorplans!

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://midmod-midwest.com/1308

Mid-century homes aren't just livable, cute and in style right now. They were actually built in a way that is easier to document, measure and understand. Which means measuring for any remodeling project is (almost) a breeze for a remote design team like Mid Mod Midwest or a homeowner like you! 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why mid-century homes are a dream for DIY documenters. 
• How to measure your house as you plan your renovation.
• Some tools of the trade and documentation tips. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1309

This best of episode is essential listenting!

You need a masterplan approach to be able to a) get started in the first place , b) keep going with a minimum of unpleasant expensive surprises and c) end up with a home that looks and works the way you want and need it to.  Making changes to your home’s layout and flow is how you make sure it is going to work the way you want. The style guide is the lever by which you can easily control the way your home looks.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How using the style guide is like using a dishwasher
• Why the style guide system make your whole life easier AND…
• Will help make your home feel cohesive and snazzy, as if it were planned by a professional.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at www.midmod-midwest.com/1312

Are you hoping to make your remodel more expensive? I bet you aren't. 

But so.many.people make the same remodel planning mistakes that are pretty much guaranteed to make your remodel more expensive than it needs to be! Plus they won’t add any value to the remodeling process, the life you'll lead in the house when it's done, or how much you like the look of your finished project.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• The four choices you can make to guarantee a MORE expensive remodel.
• How to avoid adding expense to you project.
• Why some standard money saving advice might actually add cost to your remodel. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1310

Basements are the best. Bonus space for creating cozy guest suites, great game rooms or awesome home offices without the expense of an addition right under your feet. So, if you’re lucky enough to have a basement go ahead and make the most of it!

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Strategies for maximizing natural light, even if you don’t have a walkout. 
• How to reimagine layout and flow down below. 
• When a basement is like a bathtub. (And what to do if this is you!) 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1313

I bet you can’t wait to tuck into your new banquette with your morning coffee or to slip into your Onsen tub…once your remodel is finished. 

But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to wait until everything is finished to enjoy your remodel. You can enjoy every phase of your remodel, from planning to leading to living in your finished home! 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• The Remodel Serenity Prayer…well, sort of. 
• How to approach your remodel like an adventure!
• Where to focus to make sure you accomplish what matters most.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1401

How did I become so invested in empowering women to be strong leaders in their own home improvement projects? 

As a young female architect, I've faced skepticism and dismissal from male colleagues and contractors throughout my career. But over many years and many projects I've learned to push back confidently and achieve the results I believe in. Not everyone has the luxury of building this confidence over time, especially women homeowners who may only go through one or two remodels in their lifetime.

I created the Master Plan method as a direct response to my experience in residential architecture. The process is designed to help anyone, but especially women, quickly build the confidence and clarity needed to lead their remodeling projects effectively.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1402

Do you ever think of your home as destined for the landfill? This is dark, I know. But all things are…eventually. Every part and piece of your home has a useful life, a finite number of years to serve as a dwelling.

So how can you plan an upgrade for your house that will keep it out of the landfill for as long as possible? I’m so glad you asked! 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why gutters may be the greenest technology around. 
• Making sure your modern materials will be in it for the long haul. 
• How we design to avoid waste. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1403

Did you know that average cost to hire a residential architect to design a remodel is $47,000. 

Isn’t that crazy?

I used to work on projects with price tags just like that and … now I don’t.  But I do still believe that design makes all the difference! 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• A summary of the “usual” residential architecture process.
• Which pieces of this process are must haves for any mid-century homeowner planning a remodel.
• How to get just the “architecture” you need for a remodel you’ll love! 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1404

Are you preoccupied with space? Obsessing about vast expanses and endless horizons? 

Do you just need a little more room? Or maybe just another little room?  

Mid-century homes are often the right size for modern living. Until they aren’t. An addition may be just what you need to fit your modern life into you mid-century home. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to decide if an addition is the right solution for your home. 
• What you need to know BEFORE you start planning. 
• Tricks to simplify construction and save you money on an addition. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1405

So, you are ready to kick off your remodel. (are you, though?) 

The last big question (is it, though?)...how to find an experienced, qualified mid-century contractor. 

Don't worry! In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• What makes for a great mid-century contractor. 
• How to find the best contractor for you!
• The secret to making sure your contractor keeps mid-century in mind.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1406

Let's celebrate spooky season with a pair of episodes covering some common mid-century house hazards to be aware of. 

Part one? Lead paint and other panic-producing paint by products...vile VOC's.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• All about the USA’s weird relationship with lead. 
• When to worry about the potential for lead exposure.
• How to stay calm and remodel on SAFELY if you find some lead lurking in your mid-century home. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1407

Last week I dove deep into risks related to lead lurking in your mid-century home and talked a bit about vile VOC’s off-gassing into the air. This week I’m exploring other common hazards that you may come across in your mid century home. 

In Today's Episode You'll Learn:

• All about some scary stuff that could be hiding in you mid-century charmer!
• The history of an (almost) undetectable basement lurker…and why you might want to test your home. 
• Why it’s important to check your closets and corners for a common menace. 

Get the full show notes, plus all the gory details at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1408

Think your remodeling timeline is too tight for a master plan? Think again! You can get (most of) the benefits of a master plan in just 30 days of planning. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why some things are worth half-assing. 
• The one thing that is sure to slow you down…and fast!
• Why you don’t have to pick no planning or all the planning. 

I know you've been daydreaming about your perfect mid-century remodel for months (years?), but somehow reality just hasn’t caught up to your Pinterest board. Sometimes it can feel like your remodel planning has gone completely off the rails. Or at least dropped off your radar.

So, how do you get your remodel on track once it feels off? 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• When the fluffy fun part of a process is also the most valuable. 
• Why the secret to getting your remodel back on track is simple. 
• How to stay calm in the face of rapid-fire decision making. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1410. 

In the chat you've all been waiting for...Susan Halla of Make It Mid-Century and Della dish on mid-century design. 

Listen in as the creator of the Master Plan Method meets the creator of Sparkle Lam to talk about architecture, how to listen to your house and why you should NEVER paint your brick. It's a meeting of similar, mid-century loving minds full of great advice, retro and modern resources, and holiday gift ideas. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• About the crime lab/mid-century kitchen connection.
• How to deck out your door for all seasons.
• Sources for great gifts for the mid-century stans in your life. (Yes, that includes yourself!)

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1411

This episode originally aired on December 8, 2022. 

I want you to use your holiday prep time to plan your remodel. 

Okay, Before you tell me, Della, that's crazy. The holidays are when I'm busiest. I can't be picking out tiles and solving problems and calling contractors during this period. You're right. Of course you can't. You know me. I wouldn't ask you to make your life harder when it's already full. Instead, make your future life easier by harnessing all of the satisfactions (and frustrations) that are part and parcel of the celebratory times in your house during this season of madness and fun.

Get the episode and show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1412

Let’s talk about a revelation I recently had about planning  your remodel - the importance of the cycles in your life as you tailor your home to match your lifestyle.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why laundry may be the best allegory for cycles of life. 
• How to plan for now and also make great choices for future you. 
• And why catering to the messy, chaos-ridden parts of your life might make your remodel better than you could have imagined.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1413

Asymmetry, in a nutshell, is about balance...instead of matching. 

In previous eras, impressive home design showed its classiness with repeating, matching elements along a central line. These elements feel formal, weighty and grand.   
The mid-century aesthetic challenged this formality. Mid-century design is about being off-center and less structured, but still balanced. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why asymmetry is a cornerstone of mid mod design. 
• How balance can be more inviting than uniformity. 
• Where symmetry makes sense. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1501

You'll find simple shapes everywhere in a mid-mod design - from the basic triangle of a gable roof  to the gentle curve of a kidney shaped swimming pool. The simple playful shapes of mid-century design put the focus back on the materials they're made from and the overall balance (the asymmetry) of the design. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why simple shapes became possible in the mid 20th century. 
• How simple shapes actually make life easier.
• When using shapes that date your house is a big yes, instead of a no-no. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1502

Your material and finish choices can make or break a mid mod remodel. Choose correctly and you'll enhance your home with lovely, long-lasting materials that feel period-appropriate and yet somehow timeless…and don't break your budget. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• When to save original materials. 
• How to combine mid-century and modern materials in your remodel. 
• The secret to making every material choice easier. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1503

When we think about gorgeous mid-century homes, many of us picture a glass wall separating the living room from a patio and lush backyard. Or a sunken living room that flows from the formal entry. Glass. Open spaces with exposed structure. Screens that allow a peek through to the next space. Stone that seems to continue seamlessly from the exterior through to the central fireplace.  

This amazing flow from one space to the next and out into the yard is definitely a feature of high-end mid-century homes. But it can also be a feature of your (and my!) simple, builder-grade ranch. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to improve flow without blowing out a wall. 
• Why it’s important to bring the outside in. 
• Where materials can make the difference. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1504

If you've been following along this month you know the four cornerstones of a great Mid Mod design ... but how do you make sure that you're going to bake them into your own home and plans?  Before you start calling contractors and deciding what to do first ... I want you to hit pause for just a moment.  

The best way to make the most of your mid-century remodel is to use the Master Plan method! 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1505.

This season, I'm pushing back on the default remodeling advice that we all encounter on television and in online magazines, see manifested in big box home improvement stores and hear echoed in the mouths of run-of-the-mill general contractors. 

But you know I'm not about negativity! 

Instead, you are going to get all the positive, encouraging, actionable advice to help you make timeless choices tailored to your home. 

In short, this season's theme is "The remodel advice you will never get from HGTV." 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why HGTV’s universal advice isn’t for us (mid-century homeowners). 
• The motivations behind many HGTV design recommendations. 
• How to forgive ourselves for past HGTV influenced design choices.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1601

Want the most reliably biased remodeling advice around? Head for HGTV. In fact, pick up or turn on any mainstream piece of home and garden media. Now, try to separate expert advice from paid content.

What you’ll find is a strong push toward well funded trends that dominate the industry. Certain elements seem to make it into every renovation. Think gas stoves, stainless steel finishes, professional grade appliances, countertop materials like granite and marble, luxury vinyl flooring. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How gas (and granite and stainless steel) came to seem like our only options.
• The question to ask every time someone shares THE solution for your remodel.
• Tips for bucking trends and designing a timeless remodel.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1602

Aspirational mid-century kitchens influenced the kitchens we live in and love today. The kitchens that served as backdrops for our favorite mid-century TV families often included features missing for the builder basic kitchens of the time (and still missing in many of our ranches!). 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• When the kitchen shifted from work zone to social space. 
• All about features of some of the OG aspirational mid-century kitchens.
• How aspirational kitchens of the past can inform your kitchen remodel. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1603

The modern mid-century dream kitchen isn’t the kitchen that Lucy Arnez or Donna Reed or Carol Brady had. It also isn’t the kitchen you might find in vintage kitchen ads. And it certainly isn’t the kitchen you’ll find in most builder grade ranches. 

So what exactly is it then?

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why you are the most important design element of your dream kitchen. 
• The (very few) universals of good kitchen design. 
• Quick kitchen fixes to try if your big remodel is still a ways off. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1604

Want to know how to have a BIG fight with your partner about your remodel? Or even a series of many smaller fights that blur into each other and become frustration and resentment? 

Welcome to the Valentine’s Day episode of Mid Mod Remodel!

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why all those couples on HGTV seem so MAD.
• How to design your drama free dream remodel.
• Which tools will help you create the most remodeling harmony along with the best results. 

 Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1605. 

Today I am future you’s best friend. 

Do you know who is not future you’s best friend? HGTV. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why trendy remodels mean more waste and less joy. 
• How to stand strong in the face of before and after photos. 
• Where to embrace trends you love for a remodel that will stand the test of time.   

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1606

A surprise reveal is a mainstay of remodeling TV shows and it's basically a jumpscare. Your ideal remodel should include few to no surprises. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why a surprise remodel reveal is worse than your average jumpscare. 
• When remodeling related surprises are a GOOD thing (hint, it’s way before construction begins)!
• How to avoid remodeling surprises and love everything about your remodel.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1607

Do you have objects in your life in your house that you would categorize as clutter? Probably you do. I know I do. Decluttering sometimes feels like our national pastime, or problem. And HGTV has multiple shows devoted to the topic. Or if you prefer your Marie Kondo straight from the source her show is on Netflix.

I've talked in the past about how to manage clutter in your life with design. And that's all well and good. But today, I want to talk about this from another angle. First, is the so-called clutter in your life, actually a problem you want to solve? And if and only if it is, what is step one, to solving it?

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why we feel so bad about our clutter. 
• How to reframe decluttering and the items that fill your life and home. 
• Ways to apply master plan thinking to almost any project…even decluttering.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1608.

The culture we live in is selling us doublespeak that you must remodel your home to make it your home. You can't just take a house as it is. And there's only one right way to improve your home. 

Let's interrogate this modern urge to change your life by changing your home.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• When a tiny tweak can feel transformative. 
• Why you and your house are great, as you are. 
• How to plan a remodel that can actually change your life. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1609. 

There are key difference between cottages and mid-century ranch homes. Your ranch is not a cottage, so steer clear of cottage style updates.

In many ways American homes changed more between 1930 and 1950 than they have since.  Part of the reason I find ranches so interesting is how modern they are in their essential nature.  Dated fixtures and finishes aside, a ranch built in 1952 is essentially a modern home. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How ranches and cottages are related. 
• Where the two styles came from.
• The hallmarks of cottage design that do not belong in your mid-century ranch.   

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1610

Today let's talk about why slapping a coat of white paint on your mid-century brick, stone or concrete block is never the right answer.

Even if your house is entirely brick or entirely stone, there are still meaningful things you can do to change the feeling of your house without large quantities of white paint.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why painting it white is so tempting. 
• Who that white paint is for. (*hint*, it's not for the homeowner) 
• The first three materials you should NEVER paint.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1611 

White paint on wood? Well, that depends. 

Today's episode is going to be a love story to the wooden elements of a mid-century home. The main takeaway? Leave your original mid-century wood alone. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why paneling is not the place for paint - white or otherwise.  
• How mid-century hollow core doors are different than their modern cousins. 
• Where paint can be great! 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1612.

In the last episode of our HGTV season we’re talking about what we can learn from looking at other people’s houses.  Despite its shortcomings, HGTV offers glimpses into remodeling and design processes and practical lessons for would-be remodelers.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why HGTV might not be all bad. 
• How to use HGTV and mainstream shelter media to your advantage. 
• Where to find more mid-century friendly inspiration. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1613

How long will your remodel take? Well that depends on you, my friend. 

This week's episode kicks of a full season of listener questions. First up? Timelines. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• All about the remodel schedule venn diagram. 
• Where it is easiest to exert some control over your remodel timeline. 
• How to get ready to create the remodel schedule you want for your project.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1701

What is the best mid-century flooring for your house?

My answer to you, to my clients, to my students and to everybody who asks me this is, it depends. Now, when I answer this way, I'm not hedging or hesitating. 

I do have opinions about and experience with many types of flooring in all sorts of applications. And strong personal preferences of my own! But when people ask “What's the best mid-century flooring?”, what they actually mean to ask is, “What's the best mid-century flooring for me and for my house?” And that's where it really does depend. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:  

• Which homeowners are most likely to strike MCM flooring gold in the form of original hardwood. 
• Why luxury vinyl plank flooring is anything but luxurious and never The Best Flooring choice.
• Which materials might just be The Best Flooring choice for your home and how decided what to install.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1702

So glad you asked! Let's talk landscaping with a certified mid-century landscaping expert - Jim Drzewiecki of Ginkgo Leaf Studio. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to let your house tell you how to design your landscape. 
• Why hardscapes are the hardest (and most important) to get right. 
• Tips for getting started on design. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1703

Here's a question I get all the time from people who live in mid-century homes. "Hey, Della, I love my mid mod house. BUT I also like Frank Lloyd Wright...the Prairie School...this amazing Usonian place I visited one time. Am I wrong to want to add some Wright to my ranch?"

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How Prairie Style and Mid-Century style relate to each other. 
• Why Usonian houses feel so much like your ranch. 
• When to tune your homes vibe toward (or away) from Wrightian hallmarks.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1704

As you plan your ranch remodel, you can absolutely dip into Wright design ideas. Your house is actually already full of them!

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• How to make material choices for a Wright-infused remodel. 
• Which colors to choose to shout about your combined love of mid mod and Prairie style. 
• The simple shape secrets to get the Wright feel. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1705. 

30-ish minutes to learn to plan a remodel in 30 days? Believe it!  You can check off maintenance, meet a deadline and still get a remodel that enhances your home's MCM charm and suits your life and family!⁠⁠ Listen to my new workshop for all the speedy remodel planning skills. 

In today's episode you'll learn:

• That it is 100% possible to create a remodel plan in just 30 days. 
• What you MUST DO before reaching out to a professional so that you can work efficiently with any designer or contractor  
• How to get on the same page as your partner and stay there while you plan FAST. 
• How to cut analysis paralysis OUT OF your remodel planning for good (everyone should do this!)
• Where to focus FIRST, NEXT, and LAST when you're facing a time crunch.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/1706