The rear elevation features horizontal planes of wood siding and ribbon windows. The restoration incorporated new Sky-Frame folding and sliding floor-to-ceiling doors to connect first floor indoor and outdoor spaces. Ipe hardwood; Sky-Frame sliding doors/windows via Dover Windows and Doors; Kolbe VistaLuxe fixed and casement windows via North American Windows and Doors; Hess Landscape Architects

Council Crest Remodel

Robert Miller FAIA Architects

The Council Crest Residence is a renovation and addition to an early 1950s house built for inventor Karl Kurz, whose work included stereoscopic cameras and projectors. Designed by prominent local architect Roscoe Hemenway, the house was built with a traditional ranch exterior and a mid-century modern interior. It became known as “The View-Master House,” alluding to both the inventions of its owner and the dramatic view through the glass entry. Approached from a small neighborhood park, the home was re-clad maintaining its welcoming scale, with privacy obtained through thoughtful placement of translucent glass, clerestory windows, and a stone screen wall. The original entry was maintained as a glass aperture, a threshold between the quiet residential neighborhood and the dramatic view over the city of Portland and landscape beyond. At the south terrace, an outdoor fireplace is integrated into the stone wall providing a comfortable space for the family and their guests. Within the existing footprint, the main floor living spaces were completely remodeled. Raised ceilings and new windows create open, light filled spaces. An upper floor was added within the original profile creating a master suite, study, and south facing deck. Space flows freely around a central core while continuous clerestory windows reinforce the sense of openness and expansion as the roof and wall planes extend to the exterior. Images By: Jeremy Bitterman, Photoraphy Portland OR

Kingston Street Extension

Ashworth Parkes Architects

Justin Paget
Design ideas for a small midcentury three-storey beige townhouse exterior in Cambridgeshire with mixed siding, a gable roof and a mixed roof.

Kastle

SHROYCO

Photo of an expansive midcentury three-storey brown house exterior in Austin with stone veneer and a mixed roof.

Major Renovation with Universal Design Elements

Irons Brothers Construction Inc

We remodeled this unassuming mid-century home from top to bottom. An entire third floor and two outdoor decks were added. As a bonus, we made the whole thing accessible with an elevator linking all three floors. The 3rd floor was designed to be built entirely above the existing roof level to preserve the vaulted ceilings in the main level living areas. Floor joists spanned the full width of the house to transfer new loads onto the existing foundation as much as possible. This minimized structural work required inside the existing footprint of the home. A portion of the new roof extends over the custom outdoor kitchen and deck on the north end, allowing year-round use of this space. Exterior finishes feature a combination of smooth painted horizontal panels, and pre-finished fiber-cement siding, that replicate a natural stained wood. Exposed beams and cedar soffits provide wooden accents around the exterior. Horizontal cable railings were used around the rooftop decks. Natural stone installed around the front entry enhances the porch. Metal roofing in natural forest green, tie the whole project together. On the main floor, the kitchen remodel included minimal footprint changes, but overhauling of the cabinets and function. A larger window brings in natural light, capturing views of the garden and new porch. The sleek kitchen now shines with two-toned cabinetry in stained maple and high-gloss white, white quartz countertops with hints of gold and purple, and a raised bubble-glass chiseled edge cocktail bar. The kitchen’s eye-catching mixed-metal backsplash is a fun update on a traditional penny tile. The dining room was revamped with new built-in lighted cabinetry, luxury vinyl flooring, and a contemporary-style chandelier. Throughout the main floor, the original hardwood flooring was refinished with dark stain, and the fireplace revamped in gray and with a copper-tile hearth and new insert. During demolition our team uncovered a hidden ceiling beam. The clients loved the look, so to meet the planned budget, the beam was turned into an architectural feature, wrapping it in wood paneling matching the entry hall. The entire day-light basement was also remodeled, and now includes a bright & colorful exercise studio and a larger laundry room. The redesign of the washroom includes a larger showering area built specifically for washing their large dog, as well as added storage and countertop space. This is a project our team is very honored to have been involved with, build our client’s dream home.

Sven

AHG Interiors

Thinking outside the box Perched on a hilltop in the Catskills, this sleek 1960s A-frame is right at home among pointed firs and mountain peaks. An unfussy, but elegant design with modern shapes, furnishings, and material finishes both softens and enhances the home’s architecture and natural surroundings, bringing light and airiness to every room. A clever peekaboo aesthetic enlivens many of the home’s new design elements―invisible touches of lucite, accented brass surfaces, oversized mirrors, and windows and glass partitions in the spa bathrooms, which give you all the comfort of a high-end hotel, and the feeling that you’re showering in nature. Downstairs ample seating and a wet bar―a nod to your parents’ 70s basement―make a perfect space for entertaining. Step outside onto the spacious deck, fire up the grill, and enjoy the gorgeous mountain views. Stonework, scattered like breadcrumbs around the 5-acre property, leads you to several lounging nooks, where you can stretch out with a book or take a soak in the hot tub. Every thoughtful detail adds softness and magic to this forest home.

Midcentury Modern to the Max

Eurodale Developments Inc

Rear view of the 3 storey addition and new walkout basement with muskoka room to a mid-century modern bloor-west village home.
Design ideas for a large midcentury three-storey grey house exterior in Toronto with stone veneer, a flat roof and a green roof.

West Vancouver, Lewis Post & Beam Renovation, Exterior

LCI Design

Close up of east elevation showing new board walk and glass and cedar guardrails. Photos by LCI Studio
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury three-storey grey exterior in Vancouver with wood siding and a flat roof.

Modern Revival

Made To Last Custom Homes Ltd.

Our client fell in love with the original 80s style of this house. However, no part of it had been updated since it was built in 1981. Both the style and structure of the home needed to be drastically updated to turn this house into our client’s dream modern home. We are also excited to announce that this renovation has transformed this 80s house into a multiple award-winning home, including a major award for Renovator of the Year from the Vancouver Island Building Excellence Awards. The original layout for this home was certainly unique. In addition, there was wall-to-wall carpeting (even in the bathroom!) and a poorly maintained exterior. There were several goals for the Modern Revival home. A new covered parking area, a more appropriate front entry, and a revised layout were all necessary. Therefore, it needed to have square footage added on as well as a complete interior renovation. One of the client’s key goals was to revive the modern 80s style that she grew up loving. Alfresco Living Design and A. Willie Design worked with Made to Last to help the client find creative solutions to their goals.

Cheyne Walk

Acreage

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury three-storey white exterior in Houston with mixed siding.

Sag Harbor, NY

ALEX KHACHATURIAN GENERAL CONTRACTOR LLC

This is an example of a large midcentury three-storey white house exterior in New York with vinyl siding.

Bangor Blue - Cultra, Holywood

Lagan Building Solutions Ltd

Paul Lindsay @ Christopher Hill
Photo of an expansive midcentury three-storey beige house exterior in Other with a hip roof and a mixed roof.

Broadway

Window And Door Pro

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury three-storey concrete brown apartment exterior in New York with a flat roof and a shingle roof.

New Home in Cleveland DC

AXIS ARCHITECTS

Photo of a large midcentury three-storey white house exterior in DC Metro with a gable roof, a metal roof and a black roof.

PORTE FENETRE ART DECO

Menuiserie Alain Marteau

Porte fenêtre isolantes en chêne. Fabrication en copie. Compris finition peinte en cabine de finition avant pose. Double vitrage, petits bois cintrés. Béquille double et rosace. Ensemble finition laiton patiné.

After rear view

Zuver Construction

Featured in the 2016 Tour of Remodeled Homes and featured on KGW news channel 8 (Portland's NBC affiliate), this mid-century home received a completely new second story. The existing roof of the home was removed to accommodate the new floor. Blending the charm of the original home and its neighboring architecture was paramount. This home utilized all new Milgard Essence series windows and Marvin patio doors in addition to new hardi lap siding and hard shakes on the gables. Now, when looking at the streetscape, it looks as if this home was always this height. After Rear Photo Courtesy Of: Real Estate Tours Photography

Old Sag Harbor Road

BMA Architects

Eric Prine
Photo of a midcentury three-storey brown house exterior in New York with wood siding and a flat roof.

Greek Revival Village House

Colonial Reproductions, Inc.

A beautiful outdoor pool complements this cozy backyard retreat, tucked away on the colonial streets of downtown Edgartown, MA. Greg Premru Photography

Front Exterior Elevation

SINGLEPOINT DESIGN BUILD INC.

Karin Larson
Photo of a large midcentury three-storey stucco grey exterior in San Francisco.

Drummond

Southland Homes of Texas

Design ideas for a large midcentury three-storey stucco yellow exterior in Houston.

Midcentury Three-storey Exterior Design Ideas

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall midcentury style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your midcentury house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the midcentury style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.