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Mid Mod Remodel

Author: Della Hansmann | Mid Mod Midwest

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Do you live in a Mid-Century Ranch? Are you curious about an MCM house and wondering what it would take to renovate? Or are you just a fan of all things Mid-Century Modern? Mid Mod Remodel is the podcast where you learn how to match a mid-century home to your modern life. Your host, Della Hansmann is an architect who helps people remodel their Mid-century homes and mid mod homeowner fixing up1952 ranch. Learn what makes mid-century homes great, the common elements of MCM homes that nearly always need updating, and how any homeowner can plan the mid-century remodel of their dreams.
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Mid Mod Remodel, the podcast to help you match a mid-century home from your modern life starts November 14.  Join architect Della Hansmann, weekly.  Don't forget to subscribe!
Remodeling a ranch or other mid century home can be so rewarding but it IS a bit of a challenge.  Today, I introduce Mid Mod Remodel - the podcast.  We'll uncover why MCM remodels can be an up hill slog and end with a pep talk about why I find your mid-century ranch to be so darn lovable!Key takeawaysMid Mod remodeling is EVEN HARDER than regular old remodeling. But don't let that stop you. You're a champ for taking it on and I've got your back.The home remodeling industry, in general, is marching to a different drummer than we Mid Mod aficionados are (and than most homeowners, really) but with planning and preparation we CAN get achieve a dream remodel.Ranches, and other MCM homes, are the best! Ranches are the right size and so livable. They're often located in walkable near-center locations. They are well-built and easy to add onto. Plus, even the most modest ranch has some MCM charm we can build on. Let's get started!Find detailed show notes at midmod-midwest.com/001
This week, lets get into the history of mid-century ranches in the midwest. After all, it helps to know where we’re coming from before we plan where to go next.The main message here is that history happens in a context. The materials, style, choices, and culture that add up to a mid-century ranch all come from somewhere.We'll cover:Why MCM history matters to a Mid Mod RemodelerWhere the term "Mid-Century Modern" comes fromHow International Modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright set up the styleThe basics of the Post War Building BoomThe dark side of MCM history (it's racism)The culture war of modernist vs traditional designs in the Mid-Century mindCliff May and the California ranchThe basics of any early Mid Mod homeHow to learn the history of your home and regionKnowing the history, helps us recognize what’s still important about our homes (and what might not be). Knowing what’s important to you will help you streamline decisions about remodeling your house.Find full show notes and links to resources mentioned at midmod-midwest.com/002.
We aren't the same people our parents and grandparents were, so we need to tweak their homes a bit to make them facilitate a modern lifestyle.In today's episode you'll hear ...What some of my Mid Mod Instagram community has done to upgrade their mid mod homes. [02:31] Some people are more interested in preserving their mid-century homes and others want to update them. Learn more about where you fall on the preservation - update spectrum by taking the Mid-Century Style Quiz to find your personal style! [04:50] Kitchens! [06:21] Garages and mudrooms [10:00]Bathrooms [12:01]The secret weapon of a midwestern MCM home ... the unfinished basement. [13:44]Common hazards of older homes: Asbestos, Lead and older wiring [16:08]General building technology has also improved. Consider upgrading your windows and improving your insulation any time you are doing other work on an MCM home [17:39]Find full show notes and links to resources mentioned at midmod-midwest.com/003
Understanding what's unusual about some of those original features - and also the history and the reasoning behind how they were built - will help you identify what's rare, cool, quirky, or valuable about your home. And in other cases, it will help you know when something about your home isn't that important to its overall character and you can modify it with a clean conscience. In today's episode you'll hear ...The basic form of a ranch: garage, living space, and sleeping area all tucked under one continuous roofline. Plus, why the original MCM builders chose gable roofs over hip roofs and vice versa. [3:40]How to check your own neighborhood for interesting additions using google maps [4:45]Common cladding types: wood siding, brick and stone (spoiler alert: its mostly wood around here). [6:29]Window shapes [7:12]Mid-century front doors and what to do if yours has been replaced [9:05]Materials that tie in from outside to inside the house ... and why [10:37]WOOD ... structure, trim, flooring, panel and built ins [11:25]Built ins and privacy panels [12:55]Picking MCM appropriate paint colors [13:23]Why you might like to use my DIY Home Assessment Workbook to get to know the great features of your own MCM home and record all of it's key data points in one place. Become the expert in your own house! [14:53]Find full show notes and links to resources mentioned at midmod-midwest.com/104
Want to make sure you've thought of everything when you design a ranch remodel? This easy three part remodeling framework will make sure you are covering all the bases in your MCM home update! People remodel for many reasons.  Some homes need pressing maintenance, others just aren't working right for their owners and still others might need an aesthetic overhaul.  Whatever YOUR reason, it is easy to fixate on that initial impulse. Don't let that be the driver of the whole remodel project. If you're going to invest your time, money and enthusiasm into a remodel, you might as well get as much out of it as possible.  This simple framework will help you make sure you've covered all your bases before you get started!IN TODAY’S EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR …How the ideas of Roman architect Vitruvius still guide designers in our analysis of good buildings. The Vitruvian triad of firmitas, utilitas and venustas reminds us to consider buildings qualities of structure, usefulness and beauty. [2:59]Learn how this three part framework - structure, layout, and aesthetic - helps you plan your own perfect remodel [5:09]A side step into more theory with a great book recommendation: ABC of Architecture by John O'Gorman. Seriously its a favorite and its only 107 pages long! [6:01]STRUCTURE: make sure you're planning for nuts and bolts of your remodel, not just the shiny finish! [7:15]USEFULNESS: a remodel should be about more than instagram pictures - take the opportunity to design a house that improves your life [8:20]Check out three handy visualization exercises to help you make sure your remodel goes below the surface of things! [9:34]BEAUTY: and a remodeled home should also be stunning. Quick tips on how to search out and catalog the best design inspo for your remodel [12:38]Get detailed show notes (with pics and links) at midmod-midwest.com/105
Do you know your own ideal remodeling level? It’s important to figure out how involved of a renovation you really want to take on long before you start! Consider your home’s condition, your lifestyle needs, your budget, and your willingness to deal with chaos.Are you looking for a few bite-sized updates, a list of semi-involved DIY overhauls, or a gut remodel that changes the layout, reconfigures spaces and generally involves months of work by a general contractor and you evacuating the area for the duration?As always, there’s a spectrum, and you’re on at somewhere.Your preferred remodeling level is something you want to be aware of from a very early stage in your design thinking. Once you know how deep down the remodeling rabbit hole you plan to tunnel, you can start to tailor the kind of inspiration you’re looking for in the world and on the internet, the list of professionals you want to engage with, and the budget you’re keeping.So let’s figure out where you fit!IN TODAY’S EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR …Not all MCM updates work the same way. It depends on you and on your house. Being aware – right from the start – of how in depth you want to go with your mid-century house remodel will help you calibrate your whole design and remodel process! [1:09]Get access to a special offer – the newly improved Mid-Century Solutions design package available at the old price. Only until the end of 2019 [2:57]Level One remodels – what they are, why you might want to choose one and how to make this a strategic first step to later work! [4:07]Sometimes that’s all you need to make a vintage MCM house into your modern home. Or sometimes you want to take on some Level One work while you plan and prepare for more dramatic changes in the future. In that case your remodeling level might be either a Level Two or a Level Three update. [7:42]Get inspired by this great renovation documented by the instagram account @a_renovation_story! [12:10]Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/106
It is so easy to get overwhelmed at the start of a big, planned renovation, especially if you're a first time home buyer. Adding the stress of a home renovation can be a lot. You CAN do this, though. Sit down and plan a mid-century renovation that SUITS you. Your masterplan will clarify what you want, and steer the path to your ideal future home.Today's episode is devoted to walking you through the crucial elements you need to address when you plan a mid-century renovation. Do this ... and set yourself up for success.In today's episode you'll hear ...Why it is even more than usually essential to plan a mid-century renovation (hint: avoid making [3:02]What you need for a great mid mod master plan [4:42]Know your home [5:46]Develop a vision for the direction of your reno [8:33]Prioritize - before someone else does it for you [9:22]Gather ideas and inspiration from the world around you ... and the internet. Document and annotate like CRAZY [11:59]Start pulling together the design in rough floor plans and sketches [12:34]Boil it all down to a mantra you can repeat to keep yourself on track through the whole process. You'll need it! [13:12] Do you need help with more than an outline for your plan ... I'm here for you? Reach out with your design questions and lets see if you need a Mid-Century Master Plan from Mid Mod Midwest! At a reduced price through the end of 2019 [14:28] Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/107Learn about the Mid-Century Solutions Package at midmod-midwest.com/solutions
When we talk about if 2020 is going to be the year you remodel, let's start with WHY.   Because my answer is that if you have good reasons for wanting to tweak your house to better suit your lifestyle ...... you ARE ready.  Take a deep breath.  You've got this.  Stay tuned for more help on the question of how to PRE-plan your remodel in the next few weeks!In today's episode you'll hear ...The story of Joe and Jane First Time Homeowner - how they can make a really big mistake before they even start a remodel - and how you can be so much smarter! [1:30]What we can learn from Derek Zoolander [3:00]Four ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE REASONS to plan a remodel based on common wisdom from the home improvement industry.  Here's a hint: if you are renovating your house as an investment in its resale value, you're doing homeownership wrong.  [4:30]How to flip that advice on its head and choose to remodel for the right reasons - because the spirit moves you, because you want to make your house a home and take care of it, because you want your house to better suit your lifestyle, and because you want to add to its character.  [6:30]The shortest possible answer to the question of whether you are ready to remodel in 2020 ... its probably "yes." [11:15]Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/201Learn about the Mid-Century Solutions Package at midmod-midwest.com/solutions
I don't know about you, but when I get into a topic, I really go down the rabbit hole. So, of course, I love to stay up on my reading regarding Mid-Century Resources. Knowing the context of the time period and design thinking that created our favorite mid mod looks helps us figure out how to recreate them or update them for ourselves, but I'm not just sending you to visit Amazon or your local library. I mean ... yes, there will be books - there will be books on design and history and some are amazingly fun reads. However, if you're in the mood for something a little more skimmable or more basic how-to's, I've got you covered there as well. I'll even throw in two of my favorite sources for finding and making cool MCM stuff for your house. So, this is a list for shoppers as well. So strap in, and enjoy the ride. I've broken my recommendations down into five categories: quick overviews, best design books, best history books, remodeling, how to advice, and sources of cool MCM stuff. In today's Episode, you'll hear ...That the Mid Mod Remodel Podcast now has its own dedicated instagram account! (Check it out @midmodremodelpodcast) [2:20]My favorite introductions to MCM style [3:30]The best books to check out if you want to give yourself a thorough overview of mid-century design and the way to remodel a ranch [5:08]Plus a bonus ... if you're going to remodel ... ANYTHING ... you need to read Sarah Susanka's Not So Big Remodel. [7:24]Two really excellent MCM history books to let you broaden your expertise in the mid-century period [8:47]A pair of absolutely necessary online reference tools for anyone who wants to DIY their mid-century home update [11:20]And two (out of an easy dozen off the top of my head) super places to go look for tools and supplies to buy and use on your MCM house. Let's take your Mid-Century Cool Factor up several notches [13:17]Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/202
Remodeling a house isn’t your day job. So how do you get the energy to take on a huge project like a remodel in on top of all your other commitments? Set yourself up for SUCCESS by giving yourself the satisfaction of an early, easy win with the Mid-Century Room Upgrade recipe.Today, get the formula for an easy mid-century room upgrade for any space in your house.I’m going to focus on updating a living room as a handy example, but stick with me to the end and we’ll see how this recipe can be applied anywhere with a little creativity. After we talk about the living room specifically, I’ll extend the idea so you can find out how to go wild with it in your own home.If you want an easy PDF to walk you through this recipe as it applies to the Living room, PLUS two additional rooms, grab it from midmod-midwest.com/roomrecipe!IN TODAY’S EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR …Remodeling is a long haul endeavor. Here’s why you need to give yourself a couple of satisfying and easy “wins” at the start of the process. [0:45]The basic mid-century room upgrade recipe [3:38]Why I like to start with the coffee table. (Hint: its the focal point of the living room which is the focal point of your home) [3:51]A little digression into mid-century modern color history. Basically it means you get to cherry pick your favorite micro era! [5:15]How to pick a great conversation piece to round out your room [7:06]Apply this recipe to any space in your house with just a little tweaking. Once you have the basics in place, start to elaborate and grow it! [7:57]Takeaway: you don’t have to make a vocation out of remodeling to find it fun and satisfying. Use the mid-century room upgrade recipe to break the ice on any project! [9:44]Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/203!
Loving and reviving MCM ranches is more than my job. It's a personal crusade. I'm on a mission to help as many new homeowners as I can with the process of moving into, and adapting, an existing mid-century ranch to suit their lifetime needs. The saddest thing that can happen to a recently sold MCM home is to be bulldozed to make way for something bigger, newer, and worse. But it's ALSO really tragic (to me) when ranches are viewed as nothing more than starter homes. After all, many ranch houses are still home to their ORIGINAL BUYERS. With a little love and careful updating, they can be the forever homes of the millennial generation too. The more mid-century ranches - and ranch owners - I can help, the more that impact resonates through American housing.Let's make it happen! In today's episode you'll hear ...How I moved backed to Madison, WI to reunite with my hometown ... and fell in love with the idea of reviving an MCM ranch. [1:58]What happened when I went looking for the book on how to update a modest mid-century ranch (spoiler alert: it didn't exist) [4:11]Why MCM ranches are are a key component of US housing stock [6:48] The story of how I came full circle from swearing off anything to do with suburban housing based on my youth in mcmansion central on the north side of Chicago to committing myself to a crusade on behalf of reviving MCM ranches. [8:24]The worst thing that can happen when a mid-century house is sold ... and the best [12:51]A tease for my new Digital Course: get ready to clarify your desires, analyze your house, find the resources you need, and put it all together into a laser-focused vision to help you get the remodel you want with the budget you have. Find the waiting list below [14:59]Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/204!
Today I want to share a really powerful organizing tool with you: the bullet journal method! Earlier this week I asked the Mid Mod Remodel Community how they stay organized and on track of their home updates. What I heard back is that mostly they feel like they don't.I get it.Planning a home remodel ... on top of everything else you have going on in your life ... can seem like a lot. Keeping track of your progress and moving forward consistently is even harder. I make this so much easier on myself with the bullet journal method. You can, too!In today's episode you'll hear ...When I asked my community of mid mod remodelers how they stay organized and on top of their home update projects ... they mostly said they don't. If that's you too, you're not alone! [0:55]Don't worry you do NOT need to be a great artist, or have infinite time to curate your work, in order to get the best out of a bullet journal ... stick to "minimalist bullet journal" for your inspo searches. [2:30] The basics of the system and philosophy, developed by Ryder Carroll [3:13]A quick overview of how to set up and use your bullet journal [4:31]How I plan my life (and home remodeling goals) with quarterly plans and daily/weekly "big three" lists a la Michael Hyatt's Full Focus Planner [7:24]How to get started planning any home update by taking a survey of your home. Use my DIY Home Assessment workbook to get all the important info in one place [9:25]A whole host of ideas for how to organize a remodel with a bullet journal [10:21]TEASER: I'll be including a mini training on exactly how to use a bullet journal as one component of my upcoming Ready to Remodel Course. If you want to be notified about all the updates ... get on the waiting list here!Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/205!
Someone once said that a really good declutter of your life is as good as a remodel (and so much easier and cheaper). Now as an architect, I don't know that I totally agree with that. A remodel can improve your layout, add natural light, introduce in beautiful new surfaces and generally custom fit your home to your life. A solid decluttering job can't do any of those things. However, sometimes a serious declutter is as good as an addition. Pare down your stuff BEFORE you plan your remodel so you don't waste valuable time, effort, and MONEY making more room for your things instead of creating a home you love.In Today's Episode you'll hear ...Real talk: you're going to need to declutter before your remodel anyway ... you'll have to get ALL of your stuff out of the way before you can start swinging a hammer for demolition! [1:45]Two fun stories of my rolling stone past: that time I lived in a tent for five months, AND that time I lived in hostels along the Mediterranean coast for five months ... and what both adventures taught me about living with less [2:37]Parkinson's Law applied to stuff in your house [4:45]Two quick tips to make your kitchen bigger ... overnight! [6:31]A little shout out to all our friend, Marie Kondo, with my thoughts on why her methods don't always work for Americans [9:17]My personal decluttering hero: Marla Cilley, aka FlyLady and her magical 15 minute burst theory of doing everything [9:53]Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/206!
Wait. You do use Pinterest to strategize your remodel plans, right?Here's the thing: Pinterest can be your best friend, or your most stressful frenemy when you are planning a remodel. It all depends on how you use it. Here are some quick and easy tips for how (and when) to use Pinterest to plan your mid-century home update the right way!In today's episode you'll hear ...Pinterest is more than a fun way to kill time on your phone ... it is serious business for professional designers. Learn from the pros and use Pinterest to mastermind your remodel [3:29]Use the smart feed to your advantage and teach Pinterest to go find you great inspiration around the internet by following accounts that pin things you want to see more of [5:33]Don't forget to ORGANIZE your boards. Putting anything you like into a rando board called "house ideas" is a recipe to never remember that good idea again! [7:16]Don't get ahead of yourself. It's fine to de-stress by pinning kitchen backsplash tile while you wait in line but keep your eye on the ball and START the remodel process by looking at the big picture - your "why" - Pinterest will remember your good detail ideas for you until its time to really get into the nitty gritty! [10:38]WAIT, ONE MORE THING!READY TO REMODEL is about to be a real, live boy/course. I invite every single one of you to get the goods by coming to a free, hour-long masterclass next weekend to learn my step-by-step formula for planning a winning MCM home update. Sign up to get the (four) time slots as soon as they are nailed down!Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/207!
In all my years of helping homeowners plan remodels, I've seen two factors that really determine whether someone will feel happy with a remodel during and after it's done. You need  a can-do, positive attitude, and you need real clarity about  what you want to get out of your remodel.  Today, I'm telling the tales of two clients. One couple who was (in my opinion) not really ready to remodel, because they just couldn't agree about what their future home should be. The other is a couple who had one of the best remodel design processes I've helped with ... because they knew what they wanted - and what the house would need - right from the start.Which remodel story would you rather be?This wrap up season two of Mid Mod Remodel.  But I'm not leaving you hanging!  Don't miss the free, hour-long masterclass THIS WEEK to learn my step-by-step formula for planning a winning MCM home update. Sign up for your time slot here!Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/208!
Whether you are sheltering in place, safer at home, or just staying home, you might be starting (continuing) to feel little stir crazy. I have too. Here are some prompts to help you imagine improvements to your MCM house and some ideas for manageable DIY while you #stayhome!I want to make this clear.  I am NOT trying to productivity shame you right now.  But if you're looking for some non-scary ways to keep your mind and hands occupied right now, Season 3 of the Mid Mod Remodel podcast is for you.  Jump straight to the three step MCM Room Recipe cheat sheet right here.In today's episode you'll hear ...Why this season is going to be all about what you can contemplate or DO to improve your MCM home while you stay put [1:19]Disclaimer: this is not about productivity shaming you! I'm just offering some pleasant MCM remodel distractions ... if you happen to be in need of such a thing [3:34]How to use this time to think about your big picture goals for your home - you'll never have more insight into if your house can fulfill all your needs than right now! [5:18]The Mid Mod hack DIY project I'm working on right now [7:38]An overview of this coming season and what you can expect: advice on making space in your house for togetherness and apartness; design with and for your kids; Office spaces and Mudrooms in MCM homes; DIY projects to tackle in this #stayhome season and how to pick your next project! [9:32]Some bonus resources for navigating your new at-home life. It includes [12:20]Find links and complete show notes at midmod-midwest.com/301!
This week's episode gets into the why of our homes' need for places to gather and places to spread out and get away from each other.  Typical American homes were designed around the idea that we'd leave them for part of every day to go to work and to meet our social needs in the community at large.  Right now ... we can't.  So the house needs to do all the work that we typically outsource.  Tune in to learn about how to make an open concept home work for you, why we need "away" rooms to keep certain activities separate from the whole household and how you can find or make places like that in your home right now!  In today's episode you'll hear ...How everyone loves to hate on the open plan concept for houses - but they're actually way less common than we think [1:58]The importance of the Third Place in our lives - somewhere that is neither home nor work - and how our houses have to fill in that gap right now. [4:58]Some cool MCM and African American history - Learn the background on Collier Heights, a historically black neighborhood of super cool modernist homes outside Atlanta, Georgia [6:08]What Sarah Susanka can teach us about having not so much more space but the RIGHT space in our homes, especially an away room! [8:33]How to create an Away Room as part of your remodeling masterplan OR just make one out of the spaces you already have in your home! [10:32]Plus, I'M GOING TO BE ON THE RADIO NEXT WEEK. Details at [18:15]Find show notes at www.midmod-midwest.com/302
One of the many weird side effects of our collective corona virus precautions is that almost every kid in the country is home from school right now.  Families are having to come up with new routines, creative kid spaces, and fresh inspiration to keep everyone active, happy and stimulated (and hang on to parental sanity if possible).  This week I share some kid-focused advice that could come in handy for parents who are working to keep their kids happy and engaged right now.  Your kids needs have likely changed during the Covid-19 quarantine. Working parents with kids in school may have had a smooth nightly parade of dinner, baths, reading and bed time. But when you have all day every day with your kids in the house you need to rethink the routine.  It can help to have multiple areas or stations around the house to move to during the course of the day.Grab my Free Download: How to Make Extra Space in your house Right Now with Nooks Right Here!In today's episode you'll hear ...What we can learn from Montessori classrooms about setting up great spaces for child exploration and self directed learning in our homes [3:14]By the way this totally ties in with my episode of last week - how our home need more "away spaces" or "nooks" in each room to allow for plenty of together time and apart time. Gather some ideas for how to surprise and delight your stay home kids. They love ideas that are outrageous or subversive like breakfast for dinner and camping in the living room! [4:56]Learn how you can help your child set up a "feel good place" for positive discipline time outs that can help sooth high tempers or overtired outbursts [6:53]Age appropriate design thinking activities for your kids ranging from toddler to teenager [9:08]Use the Design Thinking framework created by the Stanford D-School to help your child go through a great design process from start to finish [13:15]How to involve your whole family in a good home improvement project [14:04]Don't miss my interview with Wisconsin Public Radio!  Check out the podcast re-broadcast here!Find show notes at www.midmod-midwest.com/303
Today, we talk about how to plan for a remodel that can grow with your family.  One of the things we can still do while we all #stayhome to flatten the curve is dream about and plan for the future.  So let's get into the details of planning a great remodel for (and with) your kids!  Grab my Free Download: How to Make Extra Space in your house Right Now with Nooks Right Here!In today's episode you'll hear ...The three best ways we can engage with design while we are all stuck at home  during #shelterinplace [1:19]What makes designing for families with kids different than designing for anyone else (hint: its that parent's are working harder than the rest of us and need their homes to pull serious weight) [2:59]My little rant about how you don't need a formal living room (ever) but you might want a living room and a den in a household with kids or teen [5:05]How ... and why ... to plan for change when you design a remodel for a household with children [7:36]The ideal bedroom to kid ratio for your lifestyle.  This might surprise you [9:05]How having your kids help you with design uses one of my favorite green remodeling principles (go bold with the easily changed things) [15:40]Why painting is the best DIY remodeling activity to get your kids engaged with ... or try yourself ... and how it may have turned me into an architect! [16:35]Don't miss my interview with Wisconsin Public Radio!  Check out the podcast re-broadcast here!Find show notes at www.midmod-midwest.com/304
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