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.

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.

Mid-Century Interior Remodel in El Segundo, CA.

Custom Design & Construction

Our homeowners approached us for design help shortly after purchasing a fixer upper. They wanted to redesign the home into an open concept plan. Their goal was something that would serve multiple functions: allow them to entertain small groups while accommodating their two small children not only now but into the future as they grow up and have social lives of their own. They wanted the kitchen opened up to the living room to create a Great Room. The living room was also in need of an update including the bulky, existing brick fireplace. They were interested in an aesthetic that would have a mid-century flair with a modern layout. We added built-in cabinetry on either side of the fireplace mimicking the wood and stain color true to the era. The adjacent Family Room, needed minor updates to carry the mid-century flavor throughout.

Reduced Heat and Glare

SOLARWORKS Glass Tinting

Modern Mid-Century home with floor to ceiling windows Maintains the view with natural light with reduced glare Photo Courtesy of Eastman
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury sunroom in Atlanta with concrete floors, no fireplace and a standard ceiling.

Napa Winery

Banner Day Interiors

Design ideas for a large midcentury enclosed living room in San Francisco with grey walls and concrete floors.

Eichler No. 2

User

Inspiration for a midcentury open concept living room in San Francisco with brown walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor, timber, vaulted and wood walls.

Berkeley Modern Condos

Visual Jill Inc.

Design ideas for a midcentury formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, no tv and grey floor.

Midcentury Living Room

Small midcentury open concept living room in Portland with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Menlo Mod

Mansfield + O'Neil

John Lum Architecture Paul Dyer Photography
This is an example of a midcentury family room in San Francisco with a home bar, concrete floors, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and a ribbon fireplace.

Mid Century Glam

John McClain Design

This is an example of a large midcentury formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with concrete floors, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

LS1 house

Hive Architects Inc.

Living Room with cross ventilation
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Tampa with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and white floor.

Mitchell House- Renovation / Addition

Lanefab Design/Build

Andrew Latreille
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury family room in Vancouver with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and a wall-mounted tv.

Vivid Store

Vivid Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace, no tv and white floor.

Grey Lynn

Rogan Nash Architects Ltd

Simon Devitt
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Auckland with white walls, concrete floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Tree House

Foursquare Builders

Red Pants Studios
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Austin with white walls, concrete floors and a wall-mounted tv.

Family room

Laidlaw Schultz architects

Family room looking out to pool
Design ideas for a large midcentury open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, concrete floors and grey floor.

Auburn Addition and Remodel

Atmosphere Design Build

Photo of a midcentury living room in Sacramento with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and grey floor.

Rodney Walker Ojai Remodel

Allen Construction

Designer: Allen Construction General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Jim Bartsch Photography
Photo of a midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Glenalbyn

ESV Prime Construction Specialists, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury open concept living room in Los Angeles with a home bar, white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

New Moon Rising

Synthesis Design Inc.

Design ideas for a large midcentury formal open concept living room in Vancouver with concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Midcentury Living Design Ideas with Concrete Floors

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.