Mid Mod Remodel
Do you live in a mid-century house? Are you curious about mid-century homes and wonder 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. I'm your host, Della Hansmann, an architect and the owner of Mid Mod Midwest. I help people remodel their mid-century homes and I'm a mid mod homeowner fixing up my 1952 ranch. Learn what makes mid-century homes great, the common elements of MCM homes that nearly always need updating, and h...
Best of Mid Mod Remodel: Mid-Century Furniture You Can Aspire To
What makes mid-century furniture so great? And which pieces might you want to hunt down for your house? Whether you are looking for high quality comfort or something to your mid-century cool factor, your dream mid-century furniture piece is out there…no matter your budget.
In Today's Episode You'll Learn:
All about some classic MCM pieces. Where to find originals and licenced reproductions. How to get the right vibe with modern designs.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2223
Like and subscribe at Apple...
Best of Mid Mod Remodel: Furniture Placement in Your Mid-Century Home
Arranging furniture in a mid-century home is about more than just fitting pieces into a room. It’s about creating flow, function, and style.
In today's episode you'll learn:
Where furniture might solve your layout challenges. How to use furniture to create inviting spaces.Why (furniture) size matters in your mid-century home.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2222
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course, Ready to Remodel.
Best of Mid Mod Remodel: Mid-Century Light Fixtures
Let's talk mid-century light fixtures. Here’s my best advice on choosing great mid-century light fixtures, identifying classic mid-century lighting designs, and sourcing fixtures from estate sales, vintage shops, and modern reproduction stores.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why lighting is a key element of your style guide. How to choose the right fixtures for your home and style. Where to source vintage and new “old” light fixtures.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2221.
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-c...
Best Of Mid Mod Remodel: Lighting A Mid-Century Home
Lighting in a mid-century home was part of personalizing the house. Choosing your lights went along with choosing your furniture or art. Which means there are often few wired in lights in homes built in that era. So, what’s a modern mid-century homeowner to do about lighting?
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2220
Lik...
Mid Mod Remodel Gift Guide
I have to admit being a reluctant provider of gift guides. The “check your inbox”, “must have gift lists” and “buying guides” kind of give me the ick. Especially since we've just been hounded by all of this Black Friday Energy, all of this “buy right now energy”.
Today I'm going to take a slightly different approach to the nature of a gift guide, and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say, that you already know you can gift someone more than an object. But sometimes the “what” of it all is the challenge.
In...
Best of Mid Mod Remodel: Yes, You Can Use the Holidays to Plan Your Remodel
Thanksgiving is here! And while the holidays bring their fair share of chaos, they’re also the perfect opportunity to rethink how your home works for you. From design tips to thoughtful additions, here’s how to turn the hustle and bustle of the holidays into a launchpad for your dream mid-century home.
Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2218
Fall 2025 Masterclass Q & A
I love a good Q&A session!
During the masterclass and design clinics I make (and honor!) a promise to answer every attendee question. This last session lasted AS LONG AS THE CLASS. And everyone stayed up to the end. It was a great Q & A. So, I'm going to share it with you!
This episode is packed with answers to some of the most frequent questions I get, including:
Which tile patterns are appropriate in MCM kitchens? Which types of flooring work for mid-century homes? Where to source wood paneling?Catch the most r...
Your mid-century house is not up to code
Let's get the scary part out of the way first. Your mid-century house, the one you love for its charm and quirks, does not comply with the modern building code.
Now, no one is going to knock on your door tomorrow demanding you rewire every outlet in the house. Your home is currently grandfathered into every code statute written and approved after the day it was built. This status is a free pass for your house to just exist ... until you decide it's time to actually start remodeling.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why y...The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Where are all my history nerds? Raise your hands. This week is for you. I’m talking historic maps, digitized collections and crowd-sourced cartography projects. I KNOW! Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps are large-scale maps created to help fire insurance agents determine the risk associated with properties. They contain a surprising amount of detail about a building's size, shape, construction materials, and fire protection systems that might just help you plan a great remodel.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
What old insurance maps can tell you about your home and neighborhood. How old maps migh...Nightmare Mid-Century Remodel Scenarios
In honor of spooky season, let's talk nightmare mid-century remodel scenarios. Can you picture it?
You can file this under schadenfreude if none of it applies to your house. Or it can serve as a what not to do guide to help you avoid mistakes. If you're already living one of the nightmare mid-century remodel scenarios I'm about to describe, then let's focus on the fact that you're far from alone.
And I really believe that a good, solid master plan can bring any mid-century house back from the brink of horror.
In...
Winterizing Your Yard with Ginkgo Leaf Studio
Today, some more excellent advice on planning the landscape the yard of your mid-century home from Jim Drzewiecki of Ginkgo Leaf Studio.
I bet you're wondering why mid-October is a good time to talk more about landscaping. Aren't Jim and I in the Midwest? Isn't this the time of year when there's less to do and less beautiful growth happening outside? Well that's exactly today's subject. We are talking about how to winterize your mid-century yard, both what you can and should do outside in these weekends and late fall, and how to plan a yard that's l...
The Right Siding for Your Mid-Century House
So many of our sweet ranches were sadly re-wrapped in narrow strip beige vinyl during the 80s and 90s, when appreciation for MCM was at a low ebb, covering up their original colors and patterns.
If you've been dealing with that kind of generic cover-up, or if your siding is simply damaged or in poor repair, you might be considering a replacement. Before you call a contractor or pick a sample, let’s talk about what mid-century siding is and how to make good choices for your home.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why vin...A flipped house is not a final answer with Unflipping
We all know the story. You find an MCM ranch in your desired neighborhood, only to click further into the listing to discover a flipper has been there first. They’ve ripped out the character and replaced it with trendy, generic finishes. But what if I told you that it’s not impossible to reverse the damage done in a flip?
I was thrilled to chat with Dana Jenkins and Colin Davis of the Instagram account @un.flipping (who may have coined the phrase!) and have blown up online sharing their five-year journey to add the soul back...
Why does your house need a remodel...really, WHY?
You’re thinking about a remodel. You have a budget in mind, a Pinterest board full of perfect tile, and a list of things in your house that just aren’t working. But stop right there.
Before you hire a contractor or pick out a single fixture, I need you to answer the single most important question you will ask in this entire process.
Why does your house need a remodel? I mean, does it? Seriously?
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why your why is the most important element of your remodel. How to...How to Plan an MCM Remodel to Fit Your Life (and budget)
If you listen to the Mid Mod Remodel Podcast regularly, you hear lots about the tips and tools I recommend to help you plan and lead your perfect MCM remodel. And once or twice a year I boil down the most helpful of those tips and tools into a free masterclass that I offer live.
In the past that session was only available to the folks who signed up and attended the live event, but now you can listen on the go!
In Today's Episode You'll Learn:
The three biggest mistakes other homeowners are mak...Open Architect Office Hours
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.
At this week's open office hours I answered questions about:
How...Avoid the Kitchen Renovation Industrial Complex
You’ve heard of the military-industrial complex, and maybe even the wedding-industrial complex, but what about the kitchen renovation industrial complex? A truly timeless kitchen renovation isn't about creating a time capsule (unless that is your dream!). It’s about making choices that serve your family, your budget, and the unique character of your home.
So, how do you stay true to your home and your life when planning a kitchen renovation?
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
What I mean by the “kitchen renovation industrial complex”. How to set your priorities and a timeless style for y...Designing Accessibility into Your Mid-Century Home
Designing accessibility into your mid-century home is easier than you think. Mid-century houses have enormous potential to fit every stage of life. They make great first homes for young couples and singles, were built for and are adaptable to the needs of growing families, and serve owners who choose to age in place. Let’s talk about how to design accessibility into your mid-century home to fit your life and the lives of the people you love.
This week you’ll learn:
The difference between accessibility and universal design.Where big accessibility wins are easiest…if you pla...A DIY Guide to Landscaping Your Mid-Century Yard with Ginkgo Leaf Designs
I get asked about landscaping a lot and I always turn to our favorite mid-century landscaping expert, Jim Drzewiecki. Jim is an APLD, award-winning principal designer and the founder and owner of Ginkgo Leaf Studio where he and Hannah Paulson design beautiful landscapes for all kind of homes.
Now, not everyone can afford to hire a landscape designer for their project. Others just love gardening and planning for their own yard. And Ginkgo Leaf Studio usually has a waiting list.
So, this week Jim is back with his best tips for DIY landscape designers.
I...
Temperature and Moisture Control in Mid-Century Homes
Temperature and moisture control in mid-century houses is one of those topics that seems less exciting and relevant until suddenly…it is.
And while our mid-century houses have the potential be properly snug without being too sealed up. They also sometimes need a tune up. Plus a number of trendy, seemingly “esthetic” changes to your house - siding, soffit, or roof changes - can create problems that didn't exist before. We’ll definitely cover the moisture consequences (yes, that sounds icky) of painting brick and adding vinyl siding.
This catchall episode contains a number of lessons i...
Who is your master plan for?
Your master plan both a process and a document. Today, we're talking about how to use that document to navigate your remodel, from getting bids from contractors to working with the city. But when it comes down to it, your master plan is for YOU.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why a master plan is so much more than a bunch of pretty drawings. How to curate sections of a master plan for different pros. When to share your master plan.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2203
Planning Your Mid-Century Mudroom
We love our mid-century houses for many reasons - their enduring design, clean lines and great indoor/outdoor connections. But MANY mid-century homes, both modest and high end, share one glaring omission. They lack of a proper mudroom.
This design flaw often vexes my clients and students. Our families and pets come with a whole lot more "stuff" than they did in the 50s and 60s! Let’s explore how Mid Mod Midwest has solved the "garage to house” transition problem to offer options for a functional entry that truly works.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:<...
Should you convert your breezeway to a mudroom?
Mid-century homes often have a poor connection to the garage. This is largely due to early building codes and a very real fear of fire and chemicals, which led to a deliberate separation between the living space and the garage. Breezeways, covered but open-air spaces, were one solution to provide a covered path from house to garage. Today, however, our need for convenience and a dedicated space for daily clutter has made the breezeway to mudroom conversion a hugely popular project.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why your mid-century ranch was probably not originally...Let's Review: You're not done DEVELOPing a master plan till the house is done.
Documenting what you've designed is a key element to bringing a remodel to fruition. I could have called the last stage of the master plan method Document.
But I didn’t. I called it Develop. And that’s because your vision is subject to change until the last bit of construction dust has been cleaned away. I’m taking
July off from recording the podcast this summer but that doesn’t mean YOU have to. In fact, I’m actually pretty excited about what I’ve got planned for you. I took a dip through our deep archives ...
Let's Review: Distill your style then Draft options to for a Tailored Timeless update
If you don’t remember to plan a remodel that fits the mid-century era of your home … your too-trendy choices will rapidly become dated ones.
To help you plan a timeless remodel, This week I'm sharing two episodes that encapsulate some of my core beliefs and strategies around making a strong mid-century choices to update your mid-century house.
I’m taking July off from recording the podcast this summer but that doesn’t mean YOU have to. In fact, I’m actually pretty excited about what I’ve got planned for you. I took a dip through our...
Let's Review: Discover what's great about your home
I want you to become an expert in your home before your remodel. Note, I did not say that you need to become an expert in remodeling … just in your house. Taking a few of your own measurements, skimming an inspection report, or digging into some MCM history by chatting with elderly neighbors will set you up for clever design ideas for your remodel.
These activities will also make YOU feel like the expert in your house so you can confidently lead your remodel!
I’m taking July off from recording the podcast this summer but tha...
Let’s Review : Dream right for a great master plan
Let’s talk about starting your remodel plan from the right place - your own life. Your choices. Your priorities. If you start your remodel planning anywhere other than HERE it will take longer, feel more chaotic, be more stressful and likely end up more expensive.
I’m taking July off from recording the podcast this summer but that doesn’t mean YOU have to. In fact, I’m actually pretty excited about what I’ve got planned for you. I took a dip through our deep archives (did you know we have over 250 episodes recorded) and pulled togethe...
Remodeling a (mostly) Mid-Century Gem
Is your house a (mostly) mid-century gem? The “mostly means that your house that has some really great, intact mid-century features…and then an area or two where a maintenance failure or unfortunate remodel has wreaked havoc on the charm.
This week, I'm taking you for a spin through three recent Mid Mod Midwest master plan projects to share some fun history, common design challenges and my favorite approaches to upgrading mid-century homes that are in (mostly) great shape. With a big focus on putting back the appropriate mid-century materials in those not-so-great spots.
In Today...
Finding the right mid-century home for you with Susan Halla
Susan Halla, founder of Make It Mid-Century and mid-century enthusiast, joins me this week to dish about her own recent house hunt.
If anyone knows what they’re looking for in a mid-century home, it’s Susan who has spent the last decade making retro-focused DIY doable for mid-century lovers of all stripes. Her multi-city search was laser focused on finding a relatively untouched, not too high end mid-century home.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
What matters most when deciding which realtor to work with. How to recognize the value in “original charm”.Which compromises...The five mid-century cabinet questions you need to answer.
You’ll need to answer just five questions to make timeless choices that are right for you and your house when replacing mid-century kitchen cabinets. Easy peasy, right? Well...it will be after listening!
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Five questions any cabinet company (worth their salt) will ask.The only two door styles you need to know. How to decide on YOUR right answers for a kitchen you’ll love.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2111
Loving Your Remodel is the Real ROI
Adrian Kinney is back to talk all my latest obsessions - housing history, passive solar and planning YOUR perfect remodel. Adrian has joined me on the pod before. He’s a realtor, mid-century modern (MCM) guru and heads up Mid Mod Colorado.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
How post and beam construction is especially suited to Denver’s climate. When a “swamp cooler” is the ticket for comfort. Why renovating for how you live in your mid-century home is always better than focusing on ROI.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www...
Public Housing and Our Mid-Century Homes
Your mid-century house, and mine - just like 13 million solid ranches, tidy Levit cottages and charming post and beam homes built across the US between 1945 and 65 - might not strike you as "public housing." But they ARE our country’s solution to a housing crisis.
Post-war Britain, profoundly affected by the German Blitz and widespread destruction, embarked on a different path. Their "blitz spirit" of collective sacrifice led to a significant political shift and the creation of a robust welfare state, including a massive program of publicly subsidized housing (often called council housing). By 1977, nearly half of the Br...
Keep your mid-century house cool...with passive solar design.
Passive solar design has been around since forever. It just means that a builder makes siting and design choices that use the sun and shade to keep a building warm or cool.
What were these choices? In modern times, but pre-HVAC systems, they included locating windows for heat gain or cooling, creating opportunities for air flow, and using the natural environment to shade or shelter homes.
Our modern and mid-century homes rely heavily on heating and cooling systems that require power, but we can still incorporate passive solar strategies to reduce our enery use and i...
Getting into Mid-Century Design Details with Aletha VanderMaas
Do you remember the first person you encountered who validated that your mid-century house was great and that you should LEAN INTO its charm when updating it to suit your own life?
That’s such a magical feeling. To realize that you’re not alone in wanting to steer clear of the HGTV “paint it white” world. Today I want to introduce you to one of MY OWN first sources of great Mid Mod inspiration.: Aletha VanderMaas
I first “met” Aletha when I was a complete newcomer to the Mid-Century world.
Her home, her design proj...
Curb Appeal Clinic with Modern House Numbers
Did you catch the curb appeal clinic yesterday? If not, I've got you covered.
This free workshop had everything I believe about making smart, stylish, long, lasting update choices for your mid century home on the outside in bite sized, easy steps with a few key design principles and some common upgrade inspiration for mid century homes, you can transform your house without taking on a big remodel. You can do it one weekend, upgrade at a time, or one little handyman hire at a time.
I had such fun being hosted by Brandi McLean...
I Found The Barbican Estate (American Residential Architect Edition)
Field trip time! No permission slip needed.
This week I'm sharing my recent tour of the Barbican Estate in London. In this episode we're going to cover:
How the US and UK approach to housing supply differed during the mid-century. What that means for our national philosophies on homeownership. Why these differing approaches led to such vastly different landscapes, economic patterns, and modes of transit in each country.Find the full show notes plus all the bits and bobs at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2105.
You Will Need a Mid Remodel Mindset Reset
Real talk, Mid Mod Remodeler. There comes a point in any significant home renovation where the project feels like it's boiling over. You might be behind schedule…like waaaay behind. Or what seemed like straightforward work has suddenly become more expensive and complicated than you ever imagined.
If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone! This happens on literally.every.remodel.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why your remodel WILL NOT be different. How to keep your cool when your project feels like a dumpster fire. What can help you reset and finis...A Mid-Century Tile Tutorial
Let's talk about tile for a mid-century update. You've got options. You can go with bold custom color in your favorite shade or recreate a bathroom in powder blue or Mamie pink. You can get playful with shapes and even textures. But remember, tile choice also runs the risk of tipping into a trend that will ultimately put a timestamp on your whole remodel.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
How to read a tile you see out in the wild.Why to start from your style guide.Where to use different types of tile.Get t...
Can an open plan be too open?
Open floor plans are a hallmark of modern living. But do they always work in mid-century homes?
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why completely open may be less than ideal. How to decide how much to open up your floor plan. Where open floor plans work best.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2102.
How to Choose Window Treatments for Your Mid-Century Home
Choosing window treatments for your mid-century home can be a challenge. The good news is, when it comes to window coverings less is (usually) more. Let me help narrow down your options!
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
The history of pinch pleat curtains. Why there are only two right choices for window treatments in your mid-century home. How to create a great mid-century look with modern window treatments.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2101
