10 Midcentury Qualities to Treasure

Whoever thinks time travel is not possible if come work with me sometime. I recently had a fantastic blast from the past once I was called by new owners to look at a house they’d just bought. On the phone the house was called a “fixer,” and the owners were stumped about where to start.

It ends up the fixer was a keeper. The house was a midcentury timeless unusual for the area in which it was located. The previous owner had the property for 40 years, and several of the original details were there. This sort of thing consistently causes heart palpitations for me, so that you can imagine my delight as I thought about sharing my observations with midcentury lovers on .

It was quite interesting to see real details of the iconic design versus translated details that have been watered down. I noticed some of my favorite details as I walked through the house.

These details in different houses specify a midcentury aesthetic to your own attention.

Swatt | Miers Architects

Textured exterior wall. As I walked up the driveway, I noticed a horizontal rock accent wall just near front door, quite similar to this one. There is nothing like rock to provide a textured layer of detail.

Falling Waters Landscape

Double-wide entry doors. “This will be good,” I thought to myself as I approached the double-wide front door with an enjoyable colour painted on the exterior. It welcomes guests using a “Hey, I’m hip” attitude.

H3K Layout

Entry water feature. I looked around after I rang the doorbell and noticed that an original water feature only to the side of the front door. The water feature was geometric and low and reminded me of The Rat Pack at the ’60s.

Three Legged Pig Design

Terrazzo floors. Once I was welcomed inside, I stumbled onto the most lovely white terrazzo floors. Oh, only pinch me! The terrazzo floors ran through the large entry and the main hallways of the U-shaped residence.

Design Within Reach

Wood-panel accent wall. Just beyond the entry, there was one wall of vertical-grain timber paneling in the living area. The timber was a natural equilibrium to the tall ceilings and oversized windows that revealed an incredible hilltop view.

Vintage pendants. In the living area in a corner were those kooky pendant lighting. I imagined a game table where guys with cigars would sit and play poker while listening to Marvin Gaye.

Sixties wallpaper. On an accent wall in the living area was a kitchy background in a fun colour. The pattern was disappeared but 1960s.

JayJeffers

Oversize windows. The living area was oversized and behaved as living area and family room. The ceilings were pitched out toward the opinion. The ceiling extended beyond the sliders and continued outdoors, which made the gables look endless.

Daniel Sheehan Photography

Transom windows. The next room was a dining area. There was a wall that separated it from the kitchen. The wall had transom windows on top, which let beautiful light to the kitchen. The long and low windows added into the contemporary aesthetic.

Barker O’Donoghue Master Builders

Retro tile. Just as I was thinking about all of the fantastic midcentury details, I turned the corner of the main hall and discovered ’60s-inspired tile in a small powder room. “That’s definitely staying,” I thought. The colours were green and blue and so charming. What a blast! Turns out the little “fixer” just needed some new paint and new furniture. Wow, do I love my job!

Inform us about your midcentury home. Does it have some original specifics?

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