Open Architect Office Hours

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 less to do and less beautiful growth happening outside? Well that's exactly today's subject. We are talking about how to winterize your mid-century yard, both what you can and should do outside in these weekends and late fall, and how to plan a yard that's lovely in all seasons, including the winter.In Today's Episode You'll Hear:Why a critter friendly yard is also a winter friendly yard.  How worried you should be about drunk robins. Where to invest in the spring for an interesting garden year round. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2213Like 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 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 poor repair, you might be considering a replacement. Before you call a contractor or pick a sample, let’s talk about what mid-century siding is and how to make good choices for your home.In Today's Episode You'll Hear:Why vinyl siding is always a bad idea. Who to talk to before you decide to replace original wood siding.  How to pick a replacement siding with the most mid mod flavor.Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2212 Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 the damage done in a flip? I was thrilled to chat with Dana Jenkins and Colin Davis of the Instagram account @un.flipping (who may have coined the phrase!) and have blown up online sharing their five-year journey to add the soul back into their thoroughly flipped mid-century home.In Today's Episode You'll Hear:How to see past a flip to what might be your dream home. Why taking your time unflipping makes sense.Where you can add charm back on a budget before tackling bigger projects. Like 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’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 you will ask in this entire process.Why does your house need a remodel? I mean, does it? Seriously?In Today's Episode You'll Hear:Why your why is the most important element of your remodel. How to get from your surface level reasons to a deeper understanding of your why. Where to invest based on your why…and not where the remodeling industrial complex tells you to. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2210Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 session was only available to the folks who signed up and attended the live event, but now you can listen on the go! In Today's Episode You'll Learn:The three biggest mistakes other homeowners are making on their remodels (that ALWAYS result in a remodel that costs more, takes longer and … doesn’t do end up how they want)My five step process for planning a remodel YOU CAN LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE: one that will turn the house you have into a home you’ll loveHow to cut the chaos of remodeling in HALF with one simple maneuver (seriously, everyone should do this!)Learn more about my master plan process and Ready to Remodel right here!Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 (except throwbacks and nostalgia lovers). In fact, I do all my sketching on a tablet. But there is another thing we do all the time...We spend A LOT of time answering questions. At this week's open office hours I answered questions about: How to tune your remodel to a house built and expanded over eras. Ways to upgrade a fireplace facade. When to call an engineer. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2208Like 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’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 family, your budget, and the unique character of your home. So, how do you stay true to your home and your life when planning a kitchen renovation? In Today's Episode You'll Hear:What I mean by the “kitchen renovation industrial complex”. How to set your priorities and a timeless style for your kitchen. Where to include trends you love. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2207Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.

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 choose to age in place. Let’s talk about how to design accessibility into your mid-century home to fit your life and the lives of the people you love.This week you’ll learn:The difference between accessibility and universal design.Where big accessibility wins are easiest…if you plan for them. What makes mid-century homes great for aging in place. Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2206Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to 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/2205Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. 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/2204Like and subscribe at Apple | Spotify | YouTube. Want us to create your mid-century master plan? Apply here! Or get my course,  Ready to Remodel.