Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Surrey Hills

Yarrabank Builders

Midcentury living room in Melbourne.

Pettit+Sevitt MKII – 1967

Ironbark Architecture + Design

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.

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Macpherson St BRONTE

Denby Dowling Interiors

Midcentury living room in Sydney.

New build

Arch Design Space

This is an example of a midcentury living room in Other.

Ivanhoe East

Joseph Koprek Commercial

This is an example of a midcentury living room in Melbourne.

OUR 1st METRO SHACK! ~ 04 McGunnigle Shack ~

mishack.

Inspiration for a midcentury family room in Perth.

Blackheath Residence

Rocco Revolution

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Sydney with brown floor, beige walls and medium hardwood floors.

Point Lonsdale II

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Concrete block walls provide thermal mass for heating and defence agains hot summer. The subdued colours create a quiet and cosy space focussed around the fire. Timber joinery adds warmth and texture , framing the collections of books and collected objects.

Crisp Alterations & Additions

Sketch Building Design

Inspiration for a midcentury living room in Melbourne.

Braeside

Lush Interiors Inc.

Photo of a small midcentury enclosed living room in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, wallpaper, white walls, dark hardwood floors, no tv and brown floor.

By the Bay Home Build

KNC Design Group

Design ideas for a midcentury living room in San Diego.

Jasmine Street Residence Project

Truss Interiors & Renovations

A living green wall steals the show in this living room remodel. The walls are covered in a green grasscloth wallpaper. 2 brass wall sconces flank the thick wooden shelving. Centered on the wall is a vintage wooden console that holds the owner's record collection and a vintage record player.

Maywood

Flitch

Photography, Casey Dunn
Large midcentury open concept family room in Austin with a library, carpet and brown floor.

Bouldin Creek Bachelor Pad

Christen Ales Interior Design

Merrick Ales Photography
This is an example of a midcentury living room in Austin with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Indoor-Outdoor Family Oasis in Costa Mesa

Craig O'Connell Architecture

We transformed this formerly dated 1960s ranch home into an indoor-outdoor oasis for a young family with a luxurious primary suite addition and down-to-the-studs remodel. A glass breezeway - which can be completely open on either side – connects the new addition to the main living areas and provides seamless flow to the yard and edible garden. With vaulted ceilings and a new light-filled and open floor plan, the home meets the functional and lifestyle needs of the family, including cohesive entertaining, two dogs and young kids. We simplified and modernized the exterior with new siding painted a dark, moody color and for balance added warm wood decking, organic stone elements and a charming dutch door. The project - a synergistic collaboration between Craig and the homeowners, founders of landscape design business Koheid Design - also included a complete landscape overhaul.

Mount Vernon

Jubilee Interiors

This full home mid-century remodel project is in an affluent community perched on the hills known for its spectacular views of Los Angeles. Our retired clients were returning to sunny Los Angeles from South Carolina. Amidst the pandemic, they embarked on a two-year-long remodel with us - a heartfelt journey to transform their residence into a personalized sanctuary. Opting for a crisp white interior, we provided the perfect canvas to showcase the couple's legacy art pieces throughout the home. Carefully curating furnishings that complemented rather than competed with their remarkable collection. It's minimalistic and inviting. We created a space where every element resonated with their story, infusing warmth and character into their newly revitalized soulful home.

Jarunas

Black Forest Design and Build

This is an example of a midcentury living room in Other.

Kenilworth Project - Mid Century Modern Whole House Remodel

Haven Design and Construction

The mid century living room is punctuated with deep blue accents that coordinate with the deep blue and walnut kitchen cabinets in the open living space. A mid century sofa with wood sides and back grounds the space, while a sunburst mirror and modern art provide additional character.

Midcentury Living Design Ideas

The best room for gathering with your family and friends in a cosy environment is your living room or family room. You want to hang out where the lounge furniture is the most comfortable and sofas or chairs create a sense of homeliness. Filling this important space with cheap furniture is unlikely to bring you the same long-lasting comfort as a quality chaise lounge or a couch. These choices will directly affect the quality of your evenings as you wind down from the daily grind. While planning a renovation or redesign, weigh up the priorities of seating, heating, an entertainment unit and bookcases. Identify your main activity in the room and and design around that. Many midcentury living rooms aren't complete without a fireplace, but if you can't accommodate that, invest in built-in or furniture that suits your home. Common trends include Danish furniture and other kinds of Scandinavian furniture. Plush sofas, recliner chairs and sofa beds will always be popular. Finally, when the big components are planned out, think about what colour scheme and decor will best suit you and your family. If needed, an interior designer can help here.

Should I include a fireplace in my living room or family room?

Depending on your climate, a fireplace might be a great way to add warmth and interest to your living space. Even if your location is warm year-round, you can always add a faux fireplace or nonfunctioning fireplace as part of your decor. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to check them out. A wood-burning fireplace gives an authentic experience, though a gas one still emits heat without the mess. A double-sided or corner unit strays from the ordinary, or you can go with a wood stove fireplace if you're looking for a piece of art. If you want a contemporary touch, veer away from the traditional wood or tile mantel by going with stone, concrete or metal instead.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Although it might not seem glamorous, having enough storage is instrumental when it comes to keeping the room organised and practical. Built-in bookcases, shelves and cabinets are a great way to add hidden, functional storage for all the knickknacks you accumulate. Movie and gaming buffs will love a custom entertainment centre, with enough cabinets for movies, speakers and electronic accessories; you can even create a media room with a projector and lounge chairs! If you still have room to spare, include a booth for homework or craft projects.

How do I decorate my home interiors?

When it comes to decorating, neutrals are always the safe option because they look good and never go out of style. They also give any artwork you hang enough breathing space. If you do want to try out a bolder colour scheme, add colour with walls and midcentury accessories. That way, if you get sick of a colour, you can quickly repaint the walls and find new knickknacks, instead of having to replace your sofas every time trends change. Popular colours include blue, green and grey, but don't be afraid to try bright colours like red or yellow, even if it's just on an accent wall. Finally, make sure there is plenty of light. Recessed or track lighting are great ways to hit every corner — better yet, add more natural light by installing additional windows or a skylight.

Mid Century Modern Bohemian Living Room

Joselyn Rendon Interiors

Mid Century Modern Bohemian Living Room Interior Design Project
Inspiration for a midcentury family room in Los Angeles.