Cornerstones of Mid-Century Design - Asymmetry

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. 

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.

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

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.