Highvale House sits amongst native gums on a sloping site. Perched on posts to disturb the land as little as possible, this raised position provides vistas through branches to the valley and hills beyond. Wrapped in metal cladding, the house speaks to rural Australian vernacular and reads as a singular element, both sculptural and responsive to the local climate. The plan’s program borrows from traditional Japanese elements, marrying the clients’ cultural heritage with a kind of local regionalism. The program includes a Genkan, Engawa and Washitsu. The plan has a distinct separation between living and sleeping areas linked with a continuous corridor providing light and ventilation throughout. The living areas are characterised by a rich palette of stone and timber offering warmth and richness to the interior. The generous glazed façade with high clerestory windows allows light deep into the width of the plan while providing opportunity to control daylight levels with floor to ceiling drapery offering a softness to the interior palette.

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in Brisbane with with privacy feature and tile.

The alteration and addition of this 1967 Pettit+Sevitt MKII preserves the spirit of the Ken Woolley design, while meeting the needs of modern-day family life and optimising sunlight, breeze and views. Sitting at the edge of expansive bushland, it engages and connects with the natural surroundings and complies with the rigorous requirements of BAL FZ. The rear addition was removed and rebuilt, with the new addition providing a fourth bedroom, second bathroom, larger laundry and a new family room. Extending the house longways is in keeping with the original built form, as is the split-level design, which maintains its flow and functionality. The skillion roof matches the existing profile and allows for a lofty skylight to bring light into the bathroom, and the distinctive Oregon beams have been retained and stained black. The west-facing deck off the family room was retained, and a roof added to temper the sunlight and heat and make indoor and outdoor living more comfortable.

Central courtyard forms the main secluded space, capturing northern sun while protecting from the south westerly windows off the ocean. Large sliding doors create visual links through the study and dining spaces from front to rear.

Midcentury deck in Adelaide.

This is an example of a midcentury living room in London with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Oriol Gómez
This is an example of a midcentury kitchen in Other.

Inspiration for a small midcentury master bathroom in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, a freestanding tub, a corner shower, a one-piece toilet, white tile, subway tile, white walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, black floor, a hinged shower door, white benchtops, a shower seat, a single vanity and a built-in vanity.

Ken & Erin Loechner
Inspiration for a small midcentury one-storey grey house exterior in Other with a shed roof and a shingle roof.

With no windows or natural light, we used a combination of artificial light, open space, and white walls to brighten this master bath remodel. Over the white, we layered a sophisticated palette of finishes that embrace color, pattern, and texture: 1) long hex accent tile in “lemongrass” gold from Walker Zanger (mounted vertically for a new take on mid-century aesthetics); 2) large format slate gray floor tile to ground the room; 3) textured 2X10 glossy white shower field tile (can’t resist touching it); 4) rich walnut wraps with heavy graining to define task areas; and 5) dirty blue accessories to provide contrast and interest. Photographer: Markert Photo, Inc.

To create enough room to add a dual vanity, Blackline integrated an adjacent closet and borrowed some square footage from an existing closet to the space. The new modern vanity includes stained walnut flat panel cabinets and is topped with white Quartz and matte black fixtures.

Deck Built Photo
Large midcentury backyard deck in Portland with no cover.

Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography
Design ideas for a large midcentury split-level grey exterior in DC Metro with mixed siding and a gable roof.

Our goal was to create an elegant current space that fit naturally into the architecture, utilizing tailored furniture and subtle tones and textures. We wanted to make the space feel lighter, open, and spacious both for entertaining and daily life. The fireplace received a face lift with a bright white paint job and a black honed slab hearth. We thoughtfully incorporated durable fabrics and materials as our client's home life includes dogs and children.

Mid-sized midcentury powder room in DC Metro with furniture-like cabinets, green cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green tile, porcelain tile, green walls, porcelain floors, an integrated sink, engineered quartz benchtops, green floor, white benchtops and a built-in vanity.

Photo of a midcentury living room in Other.

This Willow Glen Eichler had undergone an 80s renovation that sadly didn't take the midcentury modern architecture into consideration. We converted both bathrooms back to a midcentury modern style with an infusion of Japandi elements. We borrowed space from the master bedroom to make the master ensuite a luxurious curbless wet room with soaking tub and Japanese tiles.

Bathroom renovation included using a closet in the hall to make the room into a bigger space. Since there is a tub in the hall bath, clients opted for a large shower instead.

A period correct breeze block wall was built as a backdrop to the kitchen view and an industrial charcoal corrugated metal fence completes the leitmotif and creates privacy around the property.