Midcentury Brown Home Design Photos


The primary intent of the project was to bring the property up to a modern standard of living, with additional space at the rear to provide kitchen, dining and living space for a couple who would become a family over the course of the build, with the arrival of twins in a very Grand Designs manner.
The project was relatively cost effective, and it was decided early on to draw upon the existing 1930’s design aesthetic of the existing house. A white painted render finish to the extension was combined with the curved corner which drew influence from the beautiful curved bay window at the front of the house. Green glazed ceramic tile details were a response to the painted tile window cills, each a different colour on the development of 6 houses located just outside the Wandsworth Common Conservation Area. The tiles came to define planting zones as part of the landscaping at the rear of the extension.
Further up the house, a new softwood staircase with circular balusters lead to the new loft conversion, where the master bedroom and en-suite are located. The playful design aesthetic continues, with vintage inspired elements such as a T&G timber clad headboard ledge and the mid-century sideboard vanity unit that the clients sourced for the bathroom.
Internally, the spaces were designed to incorporate a large self-contained study at the front of the house, which could be opened to the rest of the space with salvaged pocket doors. Interior designer Sarah Ashworth put together a 1930’s inspired colour scheme, which is at it’s boldest in this study space, with a golden yellow paint offsetting the clients vast collection of vintage furniture.
A utility and downstairs loo are incorporated in the original small kitchen space, with a free flowing sequence of spaces for living opening up to the garden at the rear. A slot rooflight provides light for the kitchen set in the centre of the plan.


A wall of iroko cladding in the hall mirrors the iroko cladding used for the exterior of the building. It also serves the purpose of concealing the entrance to a guest cloakroom.
A matte finish, bespoke designed terrazzo style poured
resin floor continues from this area into the living spaces. With a background of pale agate grey, flecked with soft brown, black and chalky white it compliments the chestnut tones in the exterior iroko overhangs.


We were commissioned to design and build a new kitchen for this terraced side extension. The clients were quite specific about their style and ideas. After a few variations they fell in love with the floating island idea with fluted solid Utile. The Island top is 100% rubber and the main kitchen run work top is recycled resin and plastic. The cut out handles are replicas of an existing midcentury sideboard.
MATERIALS – Sapele wood doors and slats / birch ply doors with Forbo / Krion work tops / Flute glass.


The kitchen in this Mid Century Modern home is a true showstopper. The designer expanded the original kitchen footprint and doubled the kitchen in size. The walnut dividing wall and walnut cabinets are hallmarks of the original mid century design, while a mix of deep blue cabinets provide a more modern punch. The triangle shape is repeated throughout the kitchen in the backs of the counter stools, the ends of the waterfall island, the light fixtures, the clerestory windows, and the walnut dividing wall.


Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces.
We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem.
Extensive alterations include:
- a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout
- vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness
- redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage
- the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other
- added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space
- drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan
- placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel
- incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed
- moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic
- mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences
- custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting
- development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker
- energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain


This bathroom is the perfect example of how warm woods won't darken your space! With white and blue accents, this master bath is both light and airy.
Scott Amundson Photography, LLC


Our clients wanted to replace an existing suburban home with a modern house at the same Lexington address where they had lived for years. The structure the clients envisioned would complement their lives and integrate the interior of the home with the natural environment of their generous property. The sleek, angular home is still a respectful neighbor, especially in the evening, when warm light emanates from the expansive transparencies used to open the house to its surroundings. The home re-envisions the suburban neighborhood in which it stands, balancing relationship to the neighborhood with an updated aesthetic.
The floor plan is arranged in a “T” shape which includes a two-story wing consisting of individual studies and bedrooms and a single-story common area. The two-story section is arranged with great fluidity between interior and exterior spaces and features generous exterior balconies. A staircase beautifully encased in glass stands as the linchpin between the two areas. The spacious, single-story common area extends from the stairwell and includes a living room and kitchen. A recessed wooden ceiling defines the living room area within the open plan space.
Separating common from private spaces has served our clients well. As luck would have it, construction on the house was just finishing up as we entered the Covid lockdown of 2020. Since the studies in the two-story wing were physically and acoustically separate, zoom calls for work could carry on uninterrupted while life happened in the kitchen and living room spaces. The expansive panes of glass, outdoor balconies, and a broad deck along the living room provided our clients with a structured sense of continuity in their lives without compromising their commitment to aesthetically smart and beautiful design.


Staging: Jaqueline with Tweaked Style
Photography: Tony Diaz
General Contracting: Big Brothers Development


Here is an architecturally built house from the early 1970's which was brought into the new century during this complete home remodel by opening up the main living space with two small additions off the back of the house creating a seamless exterior wall, dropping the floor to one level throughout, exposing the post an beam supports, creating main level on-suite, den/office space, refurbishing the existing powder room, adding a butlers pantry, creating an over sized kitchen with 17' island, refurbishing the existing bedrooms and creating a new master bedroom floor plan with walk in closet, adding an upstairs bonus room off an existing porch, remodeling the existing guest bathroom, and creating an in-law suite out of the existing workshop and garden tool room.
Midcentury Brown Home Design Photos
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