Cindy’s midcentury modern porch remodel, including traditional random color slate
pam kueber - Updated: August 18, 2020
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
The amazing Cindy is at it again. We’ve seen her house, her bathroom remodel, her Amtico kitchen floor, and her new pinch pleat curtains, and now she shares the new, welcoming entry way to her 1963 home. I love the long, low lines, and the integration of a favorite mid century surface material, random multi-color slate tiles. She also helped design the custom made planters. Read on for more of Cindy’s vintage Sunset-inspired front porch makeover –>
Cindy writes:
The entrance to Cindy’s 1963 house “before”
I’ll start with before photo of the front of the house — wild overgrown yews that were surely original to the house.
Cindy’s new entry way “after” complete rebuilding
After all the work, above and below: The new front entry.
It was entirely rebult, the stoop area is slate – my favorite material and so appropriate to a mid century house. I then had a concrete slab poured around it. inspired by a photo I saw in a 1960s landscaping book from the library. I think it was one of those Sunset books….
The inspiration for the planters came from a restaurant I went to in the Azores last year. I searched your site, local garden centers and googled wooden planters numerous times, but found nothing that satisfied me.
So I had them made by a local cabinet maker friend. They add a bit of Asian feeling I wanted for this front area.
Great job, Cindy — I love the new expansiveness of the entry way. You can sit out, have a cocktail, and watch the neighborhood go by — but the landing still has a strong geometric feel that totally suits the modern design of your home. Interestingly, I have read that midcentury ranch homes were designed in a way that they would be “open to nature” — but that generally meant open at the back. I like that you have added this friendly touch to the front of your house, but in a way that is harmonious to the front facade. The landscaping looks “friendly”, too. I have several of those hydrangea trees — a very satisfying cultivar in our part of the world, it blooms all summer long.
I have a photo of Cindy on her old/original landing (above> from when I first visited several years ago. You can see that the random multi-color slate tiles were original to the era. Cindy has replaced them, including with a tidier squared-off design on two levels. Random multi-color slate tiles are abundant in Massachusetts – and they are relatively affordable. The concrete platform below, which Cindy designed, kind of “mirrors” the shape of the garage roof adjacent (nice touch, Cindy, you have “the eye” for sure!) and adds visual contrast. The concrete is also reduced her cost (compared to laying more tile), I assume. Be sure to work with professionals or to really know what you are doing if you attempt to do this kind of job yourself: Up her in northern climates, we can get cracks in concrete due to freeze/thaw heaving if the underlayment and binding (?) of the concrete is not done properly. You also will want to talk to a professional about the pros and cons of sealing concrete.
Oh wow, could I sell more homes if they owners work some of this magic! We have a ton of these brick gems in Columbus, Ohio. Mind if I share this link on my Facebook page for my real estate? Love it :0)
Elainesays
That looks beautiful! We are redoing our front entry also, which includes a screened enclosure that looks like an afterthought. Once it is all done, we need some plantings along the front of the house. Your yews were traditional, but I really prefer what you have done with the planters. Great inspiration!
We have tile on the porch and find it is slippery when wet. Is the slate like that too, and if so, what do you do to prevent accidents?
Michelle Hodginsays
there is a product call Invistread that you can put on your tile. This is an anti slip product. Follow directions – Use their cleaner and then the invisitread.
Marcsays
Very nice. Bravo!
Gavin Hastingssays
Congratulations!
It looks wonderful…very inviting and shows LOTS of thought. I especially like the safety of the 2 levels AND the safety of a clear view from both sides of the the entry. Smart!
Can I suggest that sometime around November…you stick a dowel or piece of plastic pipe at the point where the drive and concrete meet? It won’t look great, but it beats the look of concrete smacked by a shovel or snowblower. I have the same corner where my drive meets grass and walkway….It also gives you a reference point when everything is covered with 3ft of snow!
Between the draperies, floor and backsplash; you are thoughtfully making your house the home you want it to be. Best wishes.
Gavin Hastingssays
How odd that just yesterday I took a detour to avoid construction and was in the area.
For a minute I considered a “nosey neighbor driveby”, but it’s hard for someone to travel unoticed on your street….
No need now-Pam is keeping me abreast of the competition! You are winning!
pam kuebersays
Hey, this is not a competition!!! Ommmmmm
Gavin Hastingssays
You are right,,,”A Reason to Live” sounds much less threatening.
LOVE! What a terrific design. Huge fan of the multi coloured slate and this is just gorgeous. Congrats on a wonderful job!
Lawrence Billsays
I really like your house Cindy. The improvements you have made look spot on–the look is crisp and clean. Inspiring indeed.
dcgrlsays
very inspiring! I have a similar overgrown row of hedges that messes with the great lines of our house. I’ve been thinking about a redo. (My door’s the same color, too!)
The amazing Cindy is at it again. We’ve seen her house, her bathroom remodel, her Amtico kitchen floor, and her new pinch pleat curtains, and now she shares the new, welcoming entry way to her 1963 home. I love the long, low lines, and the integration of a favorite mid century surface material, random multi-color slate tiles. She also helped design the custom made planters. Read on for more of Cindy’s vintage Sunset-inspired front porch makeover –>It was entirely rebult, the stoop area is slate – my favorite material and so appropriate to a mid century house. I then had a concrete slab poured around it. inspired by a photo I saw in a 1960s landscaping book from the library. I think it was one of those Sunset books….
The inspiration for the planters came from a restaurant I went to in the Azores last year. I searched your site, local garden centers and googled wooden planters numerous times, but found nothing that satisfied me.
So I had them made by a local cabinet maker friend. They add a bit of Asian feeling I wanted for this front area.
I have a photo of Cindy on her old/original landing (above> from when I first visited several years ago. You can see that the random multi-color slate tiles were original to the era. Cindy has replaced them, including with a tidier squared-off design on two levels. Random multi-color slate tiles are abundant in Massachusetts – and they are relatively affordable. The concrete platform below, which Cindy designed, kind of “mirrors” the shape of the garage roof adjacent (nice touch, Cindy, you have “the eye” for sure!) and adds visual contrast. The concrete is also reduced her cost (compared to laying more tile), I assume. Be sure to work with professionals or to really know what you are doing if you attempt to do this kind of job yourself: Up her in northern climates, we can get cracks in concrete due to freeze/thaw heaving if the underlayment and binding (?) of the concrete is not done properly. You also will want to talk to a professional about the pros and cons of sealing concrete.
Ethan says
Way better! Nice job. Totally love it.
Joan Defenbaugh says
Oh wow, could I sell more homes if they owners work some of this magic! We have a ton of these brick gems in Columbus, Ohio. Mind if I share this link on my Facebook page for my real estate? Love it :0)
Elaine says
That looks beautiful! We are redoing our front entry also, which includes a screened enclosure that looks like an afterthought. Once it is all done, we need some plantings along the front of the house. Your yews were traditional, but I really prefer what you have done with the planters. Great inspiration!
We have tile on the porch and find it is slippery when wet. Is the slate like that too, and if so, what do you do to prevent accidents?
Michelle Hodgin says
there is a product call Invistread that you can put on your tile. This is an anti slip product. Follow directions – Use their cleaner and then the invisitread.
Marc says
Very nice. Bravo!
Gavin Hastings says
Congratulations!
It looks wonderful…very inviting and shows LOTS of thought. I especially like the safety of the 2 levels AND the safety of a clear view from both sides of the the entry. Smart!
Can I suggest that sometime around November…you stick a dowel or piece of plastic pipe at the point where the drive and concrete meet? It won’t look great, but it beats the look of concrete smacked by a shovel or snowblower. I have the same corner where my drive meets grass and walkway….It also gives you a reference point when everything is covered with 3ft of snow!
Between the draperies, floor and backsplash; you are thoughtfully making your house the home you want it to be. Best wishes.
Gavin Hastings says
How odd that just yesterday I took a detour to avoid construction and was in the area.
For a minute I considered a “nosey neighbor driveby”, but it’s hard for someone to travel unoticed on your street….
No need now-Pam is keeping me abreast of the competition! You are winning!
pam kueber says
Hey, this is not a competition!!! Ommmmmm
Gavin Hastings says
You are right,,,”A Reason to Live” sounds much less threatening.
Jenny says
That looks so good! I’d like to do something to our front stoop at some point and am totally inspired by your project.
Karen Dzendolet says
Great re-do of the front entry – so inviting!
Jane says
LOVE! What a terrific design. Huge fan of the multi coloured slate and this is just gorgeous. Congrats on a wonderful job!
Lawrence Bill says
I really like your house Cindy. The improvements you have made look spot on–the look is crisp and clean. Inspiring indeed.
dcgrl says
very inspiring! I have a similar overgrown row of hedges that messes with the great lines of our house. I’ve been thinking about a redo. (My door’s the same color, too!)