A Conversation with Kerf Design

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. The seven design essentials of a great mid-century bath update. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at http://www.midmod-midwest.com/2310Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 ideas. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2309Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 best time to start on design (hint…it’s early!)Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2308Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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, we can tell you that up front.)When we’ll need you to move the process forward - and how much time that will take. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2307Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 instead of a commodity. - Which investments really matter when you remodel.  Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2306Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 BuzzsproutGet the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2305Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2304Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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-century? Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2303Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 Farms, and neighborhoods like it, great.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2302Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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. They were meant to be repaired and maintained for long periods of time. As far as Scott and I are concerned, this is where historic and mid-century are perfectly aligned. I wasn't halfway through this conversation before I started to wonder to myself, did we just become best friends?In Today's Episode You'll Hear:How Scott went from Disney performer to historic window wizard. Why your windows might be experimental rather than historic. Where to find the right methods and materials to keep your original windows in service for years to come. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2301Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.