Room Makeovers & Tours

House Tour: Zoning an Open-Concept MCM Living and Dining Room

The first time I walked into my 1958 ranch after we moved in, the “big room” felt equal parts exciting and baffling. I loved the light, the long sightlines, and the way the space begged for a walnut credenza and a proper conversation area. But open concept comes with a sneaky downside: if you do...

Entryway Makeover With a Slat Wood Divider

The entryway in my 1958 ranch used to be a classic nothing-space. A slice of wall, a too-small rug, and that awkward feeling of walking straight into the living room like you are interrupting your own house. I wanted an arrival moment, the kind my grandparents had in their 1960s home: a hint of...

A Galley Kitchen’s Mid-Century Modern Transformation

The first time I walked into this galley kitchen, it felt like the house was holding its breath. Two tight runs of cabinets. A narrow aisle. A lonely ceiling fixture that cast the kind of shadowy light that makes even a clean sink look guilty. But I have a soft spot for galley kitchens. They are...

Home Office Tour: 1960s Executive Style Meets Ergonomics

I fell for mid-century modern as a kid in my grandparents’ 1960s house. Their study had that calm, capable mood that only a good wood desk can create: warm walnut glow, tidy surfaces, and just enough brass to feel intentional. When I started working from my 1958 ranch house more often, I wanted...

Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Makeover: Keeping the Vintage Tile

The first time I walked into our primary bathroom, I had that split-second reaction every mid-century house person knows: delight, followed immediately by panic. Delight because the walls were wrapped in original glossy tile in the prettiest seafoam-and-ivory mix. Panic because the fixtures were...

Builder-Grade to Mid-Century Retreat

The living room in my 1958 ranch should have been a slam dunk for mid-century vibes. Instead, when we moved in, it had the classic builder-grade shrug: a flat white ceiling, skimpy baseboards, a basic dome light, and walls so beige they felt like an apology. It worked, technically. It just did not...