Mid Mod Remodel

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. 

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why a plan is a must.  
• How to let your house tell you how to design your landscape. 
• When starting small is smart.

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2205

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 in building technology and the broader concept of thermodynamics that have me both reaching back to my graduate school architecture education and sharing some of the most important considerations about moisture control in mid-century homes.

In Today's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why you should be on the lookout for evidence of moisture issues.  
• How to tell if you have a “warm” or “cold” roof. 
• Who to call for testing and answers related to temperature and moisture control. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2204

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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:

• Which entry spot is always the WORST…and is super common in mid-century ranch homes.  
• How to tuck the storage you need into a modest footprint. 
• When you might want more than one mini-mudroom. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2202

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 connected to your garage. 
• What to consider before you decide to convert your breezeway into a mudroom.  
• How to determine which type of breezeway conversion could work best for you.  

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2201

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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  (did you know we have over 250 episodes recorded) and pulled together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2123

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 deep archives  (did you know we have over 250 episodes recorded) and pulled together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 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 together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2121

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 together some throwback episodes that have great content but may be SO FAR BACK in your podcast feed that you’re unlikely ever to hit them. For these four weeks  I’ve chosen some fun episode pairings from the past that will take us on a little spin through the master plan method. So sit back and relax and get read to get inspired to do little more for your home and for yourself. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2120

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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's Episode You'll Hear:

• Why homes with just a few problem areas need a master plan, too.  
• How to approach right sizing a space post remuddle. 
• Where to consider if “decorative” mcm elements might be much more. 

Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2113

Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify 

Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.