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...
Yes, you can master plan storage solutions for your mid-century home.
Your mid-century home could probably use more storage. And it is completely reasonable to go from "I feel a frustration" straight to looking for solutions. This is what drives people directly to Pinterest first thing or causes them to rush out and buy storage furniture to cram things into without matching available resources to their actual needs.
But today I am going to ask you to slow down. Take a beat. And learn how my Master Plan Method might be the best way to solve your storage woes.
In today’s episode you’ll hear:
Why...✨ We are HIRING!
Mid Mod Midwest is hiring a designer.
We're looking for a creative, practical, and mcm-obsessed architect or architectural designer to join Mid Mod Midwest as we grow.
This is an asynchronous, fully remote, part time (to potentially future full time) position, perfect for someone who wants more flexibility than a traditional firm can offer but wants to leave their (Mid-Century Style) mark on the world.
If you think you know this person, PLEASE, forward them this email.
If you think you ARE this person, go right to our Careers pa...
My Must Have Mid-Century Bath Resources
Let's wrap up the bathroom season with all my best advice!
In today’s episode you’ll hear:
Where to find all my best bathroom related content. Which questions to answer before you begin a bath remodel. The three reasons to remodel a bathroom.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2507
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify
Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course, Ready to Remodel.
The light, the heat (and humidity) in your bath
Mid-Century bathrooms are pretty dramatic. They are complicated spaces with bunch needs jammed into a very small footprint. A bathroom has to have storage, work surfaces, multiple plumbing fixtures, a variety of lighting…and it all has to look beautiful. PLUS it has house all of that in a space with fluctuating levels of humidity and temperature changes.
Today I’m pulling back the curtain on how to create a comfortable, healthy, code compliant bathroom without sacrificing the character of your mid-century home.
In today’s episode you’ll hear:
Why you should k...The ideal number of bathrooms in a mid-century home
So, how many bathrooms does your mid-century house really need?
Let’s start with some history. (You knew that was coming, didn’t you?)
In today’s episode you’ll hear:
When did indoor bathrooms become a thing?How did we get to SO MANY BATHROOMS in new homes? Why mid-century houses are a perfect for a “less is more” bathroom philosophy.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2505
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify
Want us to create your mid-centur...
Practical Strategies for an Accessible Bathroom
Even if you are currently a hale and hearty person with zero mobility issues, planning for universal functionality in your bathroom is a massive win. Anyone can break a bone and age is coming for all of us.
Unfortunately, when most of us dream about updating a mid-century bathroom, we jump straight to gorgeous tile, sleek lighting, and the ultimate vintage aesthetic. And accessibility or other concerns about aging in place take a backseat…if they make it in at all.
In today’s episode you’ll hear:
The right time start thinking about accessib...The Highest Bathroom Remodel Compliment with un.flipping
Sometimes people yelling "DO NOT ruin that vintage bathroom" at you on the internet brings a smile to your face. Especially if, like Dana and Colin of un.flipping, you just finished remodeling that bathroom.
Listen in today for all the details on how they unflipped their teeny, tiny en suite and replaced it with a woodsy Usonian dream bath.
In today’s episode you’ll hear:
How to unlock hidden bathroom space by rethinking surrounding areas.The products you need to make wood work in wet spaces.Which affordable custom details can help create...The Bathroom Saga with Aletha VanderMaas
Even those of us who are now professional mid-century designers have skeletons in our closets (and in my case, basements). My fellow designer, Aletha Van der Mass of True Home Restorations, and I have both walked the design regret path.
And now we both spend our time helping others avoid making the same mistakes.
So today, in the interest of community (and laughter through tears) we are both sharing our shameful home renovation stories.
Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2502
Lik...
Why are you updating your bathroom?
Welcome to Season 25…all about bathrooms! If you’re craving a tactical, "do-this-then-that" checklist, hold tight. We’ll get there. But before I talk about materials, layouts, or fixtures, I want to start with something more fundamental. Philosophy.
Today I’m challenging you to stop asking how and start asking why.
In today’s episode you’ll hear:
Why asking the right questions about your bath remodel is so important. How to plan a regret-proof bath remodel.All the reasons you should slow roll your bath remodel.Get the full show notes with...
The OG open plan kitchen
Any Pinterest or web search on “mid-century kitchen” is going to yield a plethora of open plan kitchens featuring a central island. But as we learned a couple of weeks ago from friend of the pod (and mid-century houses everywhere), Atom Stevens, a mid-century kitchen is a room with four walls.
So where did this “open mid-century kitchen” myth come from?
I’m wrapping up our kitchen season with a deep dive into one of my all-time favorite open kitchen plans - it’s also very likely THE OG island kitchen - The Stahl House (Case Study H...
The right choices for a timeless mid-century kitchen
Do you ever find yourself wishing that someone would just tell you the right choice for every finish in your remodel? Between the tile, the fixtures, and the endless cabinet options, the sheer volume of decisions is EXHAUSTING.
I tell my clients that there isn't one "right" answer. I tell my students that there isn’t one “right answer.
Because your perfect mid-century update depends on your taste, your house, and your budget.
But honestly? I have opinions.
Today, I’m putting aside the "it depends" caveats and giving yo...
A mid-century kitchen is a room with four walls with Atom Stevens
Does your garbage disposal give you a thrill? Maybe you take it for granted. But you know who did not? The folks writing ad copy to sell our grandparents their new build mid-century homes. That's just one weird, wonderful detail that came up in my kitchen conversation with Atom Stevens.
Atom is a Mid Mod Remodel regular and real estate agent who specializes in mid-century and modern homes in the Denver area.
Atom works with lots of time capsule loving clients. I've talked a lot about the time capsule kitchen, the original mid-century kitchen on th...
Small Kitchen Secrets
What’s a mid mod remodeler with a small kitchen to do? If you’re living in a home built in the early part of the era—or even a more "generous" late-60s ranch—you’ve likely realized that mid-century kitchens were designed for a different way of living.
But you don't always have to knock down walls or build a massive addition to find relief.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
How to organize a small kitchen.When to go low…and high.Where to find extra space when adding on is a no-go...Nancy Meyers vs the Invisible Kitchen ... and YOU
Join me on a journey through kitchen trend trends over the last 30 years, from the classic maximalist Nancy Meyers kitchen of yesteryear to the sleek, modern minimalism of today’s invisible kitchen.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Which kitchen trends we’re seeing right now. What pop culture kitchen are saying about culture. How (or if) trends might fit into your mid-century kitchen.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2403
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify
Want us to create your mid-centu...
Hands-On Kitchen Design with Aletha VanderMaas
Kitchen design is a hands-on endeavor.
That's why my friend mid-century Kitchen Designer Aletha VanderMaas takes every one of her clients on a field trip as part of her design process. And while my virtual process doesn't allow for IRL shopping trips, I encourage every client to collect physical samples and "meet" their finishes before choosing them.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why you need to experience your finishes as part of the design process. Which elements will ensure your kitchen feels “mid-century”.When, according to Aletha, bigger might be better in a kitchen.Get th...
Is the kitchen work triangle complete nonsense?
Do you need a better kitchen work triangle? Maybe…or maybe it's completely wrong for you and already the cause of your problems.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
How the kitchen work triangle became a thing. Why it could be the source of your kitchen flow woes. When a traditional kitchen work triangle might just solve your problems.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2401
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify
Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course...
Your (Yard's) Spring Cleaning Checklist with Ginkgo Leaf Studio
Spring is officially here, so you should be getting outside and right down to it with some yard tune ups!
Or, no, maybe you should not?
Jim Drzewiecki of Ginkgo Leaf Studio is going to walk us through what should happen when for a Midwestern landscape. And this news, as always, is what I can personally use.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why you should let nature guide your spring gardening activities. What to get an early start on (hint: it MIGHT be planning). When to give up on a stru...A Palm Springs Landscape in Spring Valley (WI)? With Ginkgo Leaf Studio
If you adore the yards that get featured on the cover of atomic Ranch, but you don't live in Palm Springs, are you just out of luck?
No, you can still have striking plant structures and beautifully composed outdoor spaces. Listen to my most recent conversation with Jim Drzewiecki of Ginkgo Leaf Studio for some great strategies.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why Jim doesn’t generally recommend Palm Springs landscapes in the Midwest. How to translate what you love from Atomic Ranch to your (not in California) yard. Which plants do as wel...Wall to Wall Carpet is back with Homes with Max
If you are not already a huge fan of the Instagram account, Homes with Max, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you that you've been doing your algorithm wrong. Let's fix it.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Which house(s) Max loves most.Why wall to wall carpet is going to make a comeback.How to find and tour great time capsule homes.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2311
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify
Want us to create your mid-century mas...
Mid-Century Bathroom Advice Roundup
Planning the right update for a mid-century bathroom is about space planning and the right product picks, sure. But it's also about your lifestyle, your morning routine and your five-year plan.
So let's talk through some of the most pressing issues you can nail down to create a good mid-century bath update for you and for your house and for your style.
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...Rolling Back a 90's Remodel (with my recent client Michelle)
As a designer, it's so hard to pick a favorite project, but one I'm talking about today has certainly got to be at the top of my list. I recently covered this house on the YouTube channel, because it's a perfect case study of getting the 90s out of a perfectly nice mid-century home.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why a master plan was the right choice for Michelle. How a house can be both in great shape…and in need of an update. Where we were able to integrate Michelle’s original vision with complementary design...A Conversation with Kerf Design
Are you familiar with Kerf Design kitchens or bathrooms or wall mounted shelving units? If you've ever been on mid-century Pinterest, the odds are that you are. And if not, close your eyes and imagine the world's most elegant and simple, yet playful modern plywood box built-ins.
To quote Kerf’s website, “Good joints should be admired. Construction should be simple and honest. We tinker, we improve, and we consider every detail. We love plywood.” Well, I do too.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
What a “kerf” is exactly. How Nathan got his start. When is the be...Master Plan FAQ
A bit about me.
I love answering questions and I truly don’t mind answering the same questions a bunch of times. BUT I’d much rather talk about your mid-century house. And your life. And your hopes for your remodel. I hate going into a conversation about a significant purchase without enough information to feel prepared.
And I suspect many of you are like, “Yes. Same.” This one is for you.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why it’s never too early to start designing. How much your Mid-Century Master Plan will cost. (Yes...You don't need to keep a tub for resale value.
So much of the advice out there about home improvements is focused on the bottom line, treating your home as a commodity. And sure, remodeling always has a cost. There are financial factors involved.
But I firmly believe that return on investment and resale value are the absolute last things you should be thinking about when you plan a change to your home. Hear me out.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
- Why you should remove the tub…if you want to!
- How to treat your house like a home ins...
INVISIBLE benefits of design: it's more than tips and tricks
How a master plan can help you plan your remodel depends on your house. And how you want to live in it. But there are some common benefits that I see over and over.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why doing the most won’t always get you the best outcome. When to dream big in order to right size your choices. How the process of design can get everyone on the same page.For Buzzsprout
Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2305
Like and su...
AI is NOT Your Mid-Century Design Friend
You may be already using AI to get input on many areas of your life. And you may feel like the convenience outweigh its many negatives. Maybe. But here on this podcast where we talk about making right choices for your home, let me assure you, you will not get good advice or even peace of mind about your options by asking AI.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why I’m so irked with AI.How AI will lead you astray on your remodeling journey. Where to find better answers for your home and your life.The Mid Modness of a Neo-Mansard Roof with Atom Stevens
The neo-mansard roof is as polarizing as an architectural feature can be. Mansard roofs belong along a street in Paris or maybe on an 80’s vintage Burger King, right? Yet, a slew of mid-century architects seemed to independently decide to give them a try in residential design during our favorite decades. Why, though? Why?
Today, I'm talking that over with our favorite mid mod house historian, Atom Stevens.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
What exactly IS a neo-mansard roof? Who made the mansard roof a thing?Why was there a neo-mansard moment in the mid...University Hill Farms Historic District
The University Hill Farms neighborhood is one of my favorite parts of my home town and in today’s episode I’ll be your tour guide!
It's on the national historic register and boasts a concentration of great mid-century including one designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. And, while I love the homes, there are a whole bunch of elements that make the neighborhood great.
In Today's Episode You'll Hear:
Why mid-century neighborhoods are sometimes less great than the houses located there. How University Hill Farms has stayed great over time. Which elements make University Hill Far...Yes, your mid-century house is historic! With Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog
Do you think of your mid-century home as historic? Maybe you don't. After all, MCM stands for mid-century MODERN.
But these houses are all 50 to 75 years old at this point. That's getting up there!
Because of that, I am bringing you a conversation with my favorite expert on caring for historic homes, Scott Sidler, the historic window whisperer. In his opinion, mid-century homes and our original windows may or may not be obviously historic.
And we are really on the same page about the intended permanence of mid-century houses and everything built before. Th...
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
Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course, Ready to Remode
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
Want us to create your...
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
Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify
Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course, Ready to Remodel.
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...
