Advice on 1970’s / mid century modern renovation

last month

Hi, I’m looking for some ideas on how to turn my ‘ugly house to a lovely house‘.

We have recently moved into a 1960’s / 1970’s probate house that has some amazing original mid century features inside such as wood panelled walls, huge wooden windows etc (and some not so good ones like LOTS of avocado tiles). The house is east facing and very dark at the moment, so the architects spec was to open it up and bring lots of light in. I love his idea of a double height glass extension at the front but with the peak and the white render it doesn’t feel very mid century. I would love to hear any ideas or suggestions on how we could do this better.. if we can at all with what we have?

Many thanks for reading!

Featured Answer

Carolina

last month

If you post a floorplan, it will make more sense to us and we can perhaps see how a reconfiguration will make your house brighter. I too am wondering how much light that extension will bring into your house. And it looks a bit like someone put a small house on your flat roof. It looks a bit odd to me.

I agree with Jonathan, although those triangular windows look amazing, they are a nightmare to clean and to get window treatments for (speaking from experience). Architects love them, but they aren't necessarily terribly practical.

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Comments (13)

Jonathan
last month
I’m personally not keen on these vaulted rooms- for one on this house it likely makes the landing bigger but doesn’t increase the numbers of rooms. And there is a cost implication because it requires reworking the existing roof- personally I think this kings of space has more bang for your buck as a ground floor extension. And there is a privacy issue with putting this much glass on the front near your bedrooms. And there are difficulties with window treatments too.

Think about what it does get you- if it is just a lighter landing then perhaps there are other solutions such as the decorating palate or lighting, or roof windows. If it is about creating a more impressive entrance then there are ways to achieve this..... for instance this type of house typically has a staircase running from side to side but moving is could give you a long sight line from the front door straight through the house.
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I would also definitely go white if the windows are on the green wall. Will be much more natural to tie the accent wall with the stark wht contrasting walls. Always a very chic contemporary look. Also very relaxing as opposed to the treatments standing out when you already have your standout feature- the green accent wall. Great white bed you ordered! Then I love all the blue/green/ silver accent advice. I did a similar room in purples/greys/ whites and we used great posted prints of florals with a little oriental flair in nice big mats w frames. You could do florals or nice big botanicals in greens would be very fresh and modern!! White or silver frames or maybe even the shock of black would be cool.
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Hi, you have a lovely home! I read through your thread, and I like Dar Eckarts suggestion above the best. I think because of the symmetry of it as an H shaped house is symmetrical, and it would also keep the space looking decorated but still open and uncluttered which is what an entrance should be. Sorry, but I don't care for the bookcase idea in an entrance. I also noticed the masks you have, and think it would be great to decorate the space using them as inspiration. Here is a photo to show you the kind of rug I think would work here.
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Thanks, is the light bouncing off it? I would go with the yellow as your accent in small doses. Bright yellow is obviously in fashion at the moment but could be expensive to replace when out of fashion so stick to cushions etc. you could do the walls in a light grey as it looks as if they could take it and choose navy or purple as your secondary colour (or turquoise/teal would work as above) for cushions, rug, accessories etc or even try a feature wallpaper. These are fairly classical colours so won't date. Try lamps etc in classical shapes (urns, ginger jars etc) so you can just change the shade when needed
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Thanks Decoenthusiaste! Yes that sofa is unavailable here and hard to find anything similar in local stores, but I may have one made up! So yes I’m using the images you post as inspiration and hope to find similar items here, I also love the grey Scandanavian sofa ideas you had earlier, and will use them as inspiration to get a lighter replacement. The blind on my window is screwed in place, but I could easily replace it with something that would let in more light, like the top down blinds (which are new to me!). I’m really glad no one has thought the absence of curtains an issue, as light is scarce here & I prefer the no curtains look. I do agree we should move the car to another part of our drive to get a nicer view out. A radiator cover that could double as a shelf would work well I think, I love the bespoke one, how cool! Also good to find out that you can get ones that allow the heat to rise. Re the music centre, I might replace with an iPod doc with speakers as Glo kindly suggested, In meantime I might cover it (and the dreaded TV!) with a piece of framed art leaning from the floor, aware that’ll be another competing focal point, but hopefully a nicer one! Thanks a lot for the tip re dimensions for a piece of art over the sofa and a coffee table, both of which are on my list to get, I would’ve had no clue re this and it’s fantastic to discover that there are certain rules which, if you apply them, can make your room work visually! Thanks again for the brilliant advice, I really appreciate it.
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last month
last modified: last month
I like double height entrances (if practicable) and I quite like the look of your architect’s proposal but am not sure of the function of the vaulted part.

No expert so have no idea wether how or if you can achieve a more midcentury look externally with your house but if you you like your internal features I would try and preserve (some of) them, if feasible.
bekxlockwood1
Original Author
last month
Thank you, his aim with the vaulted entrance is to give some afternoon / evening light to the rest of the house. I think it’s a great idea but looking at images of other mid century houses they seem to go for flat roofs and clean lines. The problem I have with the house is that it was originally built as a bungalow in 1958 and added on and added on over the years so it has multiple personalities.. Hopefully I can figure out a way to blend them nicely into one :-)
bekxlockwood1
Original Author
last month
Thanks Carolina, I hadn’t thought about the practicalities of cleaning the windows at the top! Posting a pic of the proposed floor now..
bekxlockwood1
Original Author
last month
Proposed floor plan
bekxlockwood1
Original Author
last month
Existing floor plan
bekxlockwood1
Original Author
last month
Thanks Jonathon, the existing hallway is underwhelming, dark and bitty from several previous addons / extensions. I haven’t had any quotes from builders yet as this is the first draft so not sure if the costs but do appreciate that the maintenance will be tough! I’ve just posted the plans and like you suggested the architect has moved the stairs so it will be much lighter, but I don’t think this would be possible if we didn’t go double height to get the head room?
bekxlockwood1
Original Author
last month
Ps I’m also thinking of asking to move the downstairs toilet from besides the stairs to the storage area by the utility which could free more space up in the hallway
PRO
Nest Estimating Ltd
last month
Hi Bek, once you have decided on a layout, we can provide you with a budget cost estimate. The budget cost estimate provides a detailed breakdown of works and expenses as well as highlighting potential areas where you can save money. If this is something of interest please send the plans and photos to hello@nestestimating.co.uk and we can provide you with a quote
E D
last month
Nest, is that your advice?
minnie101
last month
Hi, do you mean the back garden is east facing or the front of the house? I may well be wrong but if it’s the front won’t that get the morning sun? I like double height porches (practicalities aside) but to my eye it feels a little uncomfortable sat on the existing part? Is there a house or whatever to the left?

Are you tied into this architect? I only ask if you’ve asked for something sympathetic to the period rather than modernised
bekxlockwood1
Original Author
last month
The front of the house is west facing, there is a park to left side of the house and to the other an Edwardian house. I would have to pay the architect for the work he has done so far but I am not necessarily tied.. I feel like I need to guide him but just not sure which way to point him as it is such an unusual house that has been added on over the years. What would you do instead of the peak?xx

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Advice on 1970’s / mid century modern renovation

Carolina

Comments (13)

Jonathan

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