02/03/2021
What can you do if you Love MidCentury style, but the house you have looks like the first Picture? Even if what you're starting with is basically a shoebox, you can transform it without spending a fortune.
In this case-study, the home has zero cool architectural lines. The only existing feature in the box shape is the chimney stack, so Start with that. Using the concept of color-blocking, we break up the shoebox shape by painting the chimney a contrasting (dark) neutral color. The other inexpensive change is to widen and paint the fascia (roofline) the same dark neutral. Instantly there are horizontal against vertical strong lines which makes the whole house shape more interesting (base whitish color didn't change).
Next step to MIdCentury style is the right windows. 2 basic rules here are either Long rectangles up high near the roofline, or Big sheets of glass that go down to ground or a foot above ground level. Here long rectangles are used on Left, with a big low window on Right (Big windows wrapping around a corner are even better). Yes, window changes are more expensive, but so worth it.
Third step is Ornamental Lines. To MidCentury ornament the face of your home, choose a place to one side of, and near the entry door. In this makeover, simple 2by4s create a feature and are fixed to the face of the house. This geometric pattern is painted dark so the pattern shows against the white. Geometric line play is a key part of good MidCentury styling.
Fourth, is the standard accent 'Look' of a bright colored door. The color should be bright and playful. Here I used periwinke blue. It's great if you can find some doorknob mount with an Asian flair.
Finally, a classic way to finish the look on the cheap is with an entry path of wide rectangles that echo the basic rectangles found in the architecture of the home. Use lines and bold shaped plants, and leave empty spaces so the LINES don't get clouded.
Always remember that Asymmetry is very important to the nature of MidCentury style in the architecture and the landscape features. The original home is symmetrical with the chimney smack in the middle of 2 bland rectangles. In the Make-over, only the basic T-shape remains balanced, Color accent, window shape and ornament are All purposefully not balanced side to side. That asymmetry makes it better and creates interesting style. Even though it's still a shoebox and all the changes cost almost nothing.
