“Mid-century Modest.” I coined this new term in 2009, recognizing that while there may have been 1 million “mid-century modern” homes built in postwar America, there were about 29 million “Mid-Century Modest” homes. And, while some observers today consider the vernacular mass-market postwar designs all too “kitsch” and pretty much discount “tract” houses and all they stood/stand for, I say: Let’s celebrate Mid-century Modest, too – because this era of American housing and all it encompassed were really quite fascinating and special. So, here is my “Mid-Century Modest Manifesto”:
The Mid-Century Modest Manifesto
NO QUESTION, we love Mid-Century Modern homes,
the high falutin’ designer kind.
BUT IN POSTWAR AMERICA, while we built
maybe 1 million mid-century moderns –
we built some 29 million Mid-Century Modest homes.
MID-CENTURY MODEST:
Mainstream. Main Street. Mass produced. Middle Class homes.
ROYAL BARRY WILLS Cape Cods at one end of the architectural spectrum.
CLIFF MAY Ranches on the other.
AND YES, a dose of Contemporary increasingly thrown in, too.
AND OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS –
a gazillion prosaic, vernacular melting-pot variations in between.
MID-CENTURY MODEST HOMES ARE: Small –
1,000 square feet for many years running.
“SMALL” TODAY– but to their owners starting in 1946,
they were the culmination of the American Dream.
Following years of economic Depression and WWII,
these little homes were an amazing gift.
HOW DO WE LOVE THEE, Mid-Century Modest homes?
Let us count the ways…
- Built with love and immense gratitude.
- Wonderful features – pastel bathrooms, fitted kitchens, livable layouts.
- Knotty pine paneling – installed by Gramps.
- Lots of ingenious Americana
like Nutone exhaust fans, Hall-Mack Tow’lscopes, and Dishmasters. - Wallpaper and pinch pleats and pull-down kitchen lights.
- Boomerang cabinet pulls and wagon wheel lights and braided rugs.
- Indoor plumbing.
- Unpretentious. Exuberant. The first taste of true material comfort
for many millions of people. - Our houses have stories…
Stories about the beginning of a new American era still playing out today. - Did I mention small? Yes. But small is — green.
- Small is quite often: “enough.”
THERE IS MUCH TO APPRECIATE in our Mid-Century Modest homes.
And certainly nothing to apologize for.
GRANITE countertops? Who needs ‘em, especially when they come with
a home equity loan that stresses our family finances beyond our limits.
What silliness. What Insanity.
SHHHH! Don’t tell anyone, but our Mid-Century Modest homes,
because they are so unpretentious by today’s standards,
can be much more affordable to buy and to renovate.
RETRO RENOVATION is very much about the “Re”:
Reduce. Re-Use. Recycle. Restore. Re-Store.
Returning to the source of “The American Dream”…
And in the process, re-thinking what we want it to mean for us today.
OH YEAH, and Retro style has a happiness-quotient that is off the charts.
WE LOVE our Mid-Century Modest homes
in all their glorious simplicity and optimism,
and cherish the opportunity to safeguard their history and heritage.
That’s the: Mid-Century Modest Manifesto.
Copyright © RetroRenovation.com 2009
Joetta Fort says
Hi – I enjoy your site very much. I am a real estate agent in Denver’s northwestern suburbs. I plan to use the term you coined in a blog post (maybe several), and will credit you. I plan to copy the entire first paragraph of this post. Is that OK?
pam kueber says
Yes, thank you for asking!
Jessica says
Just about to purchase a cute little 1949 house. Just CANNOT find a flooring for the kitchen. Everything in Sacramento is so Tuscan, I think even the people of Tuscany would be sick of this trend.
Any ideas? I want happy and cute, I love yellow and white checks, but cannot afford Marmoleum. Why do they make so much black and white checks but no other colors?
The cabinets are white, countertops charcoal laminate. I just want my yellow and white floor, but at this point would settle for anything upbeat, maybe blue? All the Armstrong vinyl looks so gross in the stores, haven’t even seen the Cushion Step in Sacramento yet. Come on flooring people, we don’t just want Tuscan!
pam kueber says
See my Kitchens/Flooring category for all my research. How about Armstrong VCT floor tiles in white and yellow? Also See Reader Kitchens button at top of the homepage for lots of ideas.
Jacques says
I just picked up a set of five ceramic switch plates a that are in the style of 1950’s ashtrays. I have never seen anything like these before. Anybody have any thoughts? They do look great in my mid-century modest home in San Lorenzo, CA. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wVlyw2VLF4I/UGnrIYXJ94I/AAAAAAAAAKg/HeqC7Pb9YFs/s1600/photo.JPG
carol says
WOW! You are soooooo lucky.
Marjie says
Thank you Pam for establishing this blog and validating all the owners of smaller (but solid) Mid century homes.We live in a ’58 storybook ranch in MN on the edge of a McMansion development,in a very nice school district.This little house has weathered numerous tornado seasons;only needing one roof replacement for hail damage( in 20+ yrs) while those large houses across the way seem to require repeated roof replacement.Almost a sign of Spring, when you see all the OSB sprinkled out on the rooftops like dandelions on a lawn.I confess we’re not purists w/ regard to maintaining our home (which hadn’t been cared for in decades w/ minimal,idiotic repair work), but our repairs have been solid and subtle to the neighborhood even though we haven’t sought out vintage products.I ‘d like to share our current project.Having lived w/ the original kitchen for the last 23 years complete w/ gold splatter formica,we are opening up the 85 sq ft corridor kitchen (also w/ stairwell) into part of the dining area of our L shaped living room.I suppose that’s considered a no-no to many people, but we aren’t building out w/ an addition-only making the existing footage more usable.The original kitchen door(pocket door) was only 29 inches wide-it will now be 40″ +/- ( we are making “aging in place” adaptations to the home) & the pocket door wall to the dining area was removed so that replacing large appliances won’t be such a challenge to fit into the space or to the pocketbook(since we won’t be forced to pay thru the nose for a counter depth frig.) I’m looking forward to finally having an “eat in” kitchen albeit only counter seating (sorry, Pam, not quite enough space for table & chairs). But a traditional(art deco style) oval table w/ chairs will be in the adjacent front area…The changes have created a mid century flow in the space and a functional 140+ sq ft kitchen is on it’s way.Code required additional lighting(thankfully);moderate retro flavor fixtures are going in (6 white flush mounts in the prep area , 2 pendants w/ cake cover shaped globes for the eating counter, 1 cake cover chandelier for the dining table).We’re using marmoleum on the floor in a light grey & drab beige checkerboard w/ accent tiles in dark slate.The cabinets are mid-tone wood – a rift cut oak w/ slab doors and European/box construction (I am thrilled).We put the old cabinets on the curb for free,installed a new low e window in the kitchen and one in the front room.Since the walls opened up for new plumbing and electrical, new insulation went in – I used to just keep the butter out by that north wall of the kitchen and it would stay solid all winter!….So, far the subfloor is in and next week the lower cabinets get installed..We did hire professionals for this but after saving and investing our own sweat equity for 23 years on the rest of the house , I felt the kitchen warranted professionals since it involved ADA changes….Thanks again Pam….Best of luck to you
susan says
I love this blog.I live in a 1950 ranch style home and I absolutly agree with everything you say about these wonderful homes.While the trend in the past few years have been for big homes with master suites, bonus rooms and the like, these homes just don’t have the character and history as the midcentury ones do. And not to mention that they are built so well and sturdy Small like you said but very econominol and not so small that you get clostrophobic depending of course on the size of ones family.BUThey Ilove these little houses and it”s time they get reconized for being apart of amrecian history.
Steve says
I love Mid Century, the house I own is 1908 craftsman style but I was able to use a lot mid century furniture to create the look I was hoping for. I found this really cool eames chair that someone had turned into a salon chair with the foot pump to raise and lower for hair cuts. Hilarious. Some furnishings that I want were too expensive for me, I did find a couple things on ebay that I liked and a sofa on kardiel.com thats really nice. So even if you don’t have a mid century house, you can still fill it with your favorite things! Oh has anyone seen the new eames movie, its on netflicks on demand for free!
Veronika says
And I am totally all over “Save the Pink Bathroom.”
Veronika says
I have been living in my mid century modest ranch complete with 1/2 acre of horse property in a rural part of New Mexico where the suburbs multiplied during the housing bubble. My little neighborhood did not get touched and after losing my “big house”, I came across my little ranchita built in 1955 where I can have my two horses in my back yard. I installed a Mr. Ed dutch door where the boys can stick their head into my sunken back screened in porch where my lovebirds live in the summer. I have a sunken living room and teeny tiny bedrooms and 1 bath and my gas and electric bills are all under $100 a month! I also have a woodburning stove installed in my fireplace. My little ranchita had been severly neglected, so there is lots of work to do. I recently acquired authentic 50’s pink bathroom toilet, sink and medicine cabinet. Thank god, my roommate is a plumber. I adore my little ranch, and am planting rose bushes all along the front. I am so excited about this blog and can’t wait to spend many wonderful hours devoted to retro renovation.
pam kueber says
What a lovely sounding place you have landed, Veronika. Welcome! Send me some photos!!!!!
Tracy Bristol says
Pam, I’ve found my people! I’m 53 and have lived in my 1964 Texas ranch house for 22 years. I’ve been collecting for many years and I love my 1700 square foot house. You inspire me!
I’m a newbie, so you may already know about the Wilsonart Wilson House in Temple, Texas. If not, enjoy!
http://www.wilsonart.com/wilsonhouse/
Best,
Tracy
Chris says
Hi Pam! Like you, I spend hours combing the Internet looking for MCM finds and inspiration. In fact, that’s how I came across your blog! I love it! I get so excited to find others who have a passion for all things mid-century.
My partner and I bought a house (William Krisel) in Palm Springs last year and were lucky enough not to have to search for authentic kitchen cabinets…they are still installed. They are white formica with woodgrain formica fronts and I love them. Our kitchen also has the original terrazzo floor and an Imperial 900 double oven (in great working condition).
Anyway, love your blog. You are an inspiration!
Chris