Mid Mod Remodel
by Della Hansmann | Mid-Century Design Expert and owner of Mid Mod Midwest
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 how any homeowner can plan the mid-century renovation of their dreams.
Episodes
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Let's plan your entry storage.
How do you feel walking into your mid-century house? Is there a place at the entry for everything you need to set down? Is there an obvious organization that encourages you to leave things in their proper places, making you sigh in satisfaction and think, Home? Or is it a little slice of...
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Vintage vs Modern Storage Style
Before you try to start solving any storage problem, I’m going to recommend that you make things easier on yourself and set your storage style. Because planning new storage solutions might be part of your remodel, but planning some storage improvements does not have to mean taking on a whole...
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Decluttering doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
This decluttering episode is not about perfectionism. It is about best fit storage solutions. About planning realistic storage with a little bit of squish. Real-world answers that fit you and your approach to the stuff in your life. In today’s episode you’ll hear: When keeping your clutter is…
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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...
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✨ 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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
About this show
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 how any homeowner can plan the mid-century renovation of their dreams.
Hosted by
Della Hansmann | Mid-Century Design Expert and owner of Mid Mod Midwest