What a transformation! “My poor little house wasn’t an ugly duckling,” reader Scott said, “it was just suffering from a total beige-out.” Yup: What a difference that some color and applied decorationg — on new awnings, a new front door, porch pillars, roof and landscaping — make in brightening up this beautiful midcentury modest house. It’s like Dorothy stepping out into Oz.
Scott writes:
Hi Pam,
Attached below are some photos of my little modest makeover.
I’d still be floundering over what to do with the place if it weren’t for Retro Renovation having opened my mind with the concept of the Mid-Century Modest. Before, I was focusing on details like peaked glass, swoopy attached carports, and other super modern features that I loved but just couldn’t be added to my house without major construction. But once I started concentrating on other houses similar to mine, the decisions all started coming quite easily.
One thing I quickly noticed in vintage photos and advertisements that was different from my house compared to the originals was the complete lack of color on my house. My poor little house wasn’t an ugly duckling, it was just suffering from a total beige-out. To make things right I added a green roof, green awnings, and a bright red door. When the new roof was installed I was thrilled to find the original roof was in place, a bright brick red speckle design. The hours I spent pouring over vintage magazines and concentrating on Modests helped me develop a gut instinct that color would make all the difference for my house and it did.
Here are the details on what I did:
- New roof — Owens Corning Traditional 3-tab shingles in Chateau Green. My neighbors across the street are professional roofers, how lucky can you get?
- New awnings — built and installed by Style-Rite of Columbus, in business since 1952. The original awnings were awesomely solid but badly banged and dented from carelessness over the years plus my stone front house needed something bolder than the Ivory. The color combo I went with was Fern Green (which is lighter than Ivy and has a slightly blue cast) and Polar White. New awnings are much lighter weight than the original awnings were and not quite as weather-proof. However I still highly recommend them as fresh new awnings add instant rejuvenation, look authentic, and you get to decide all the important details like size and placement.
- Editor’s note: Read our story, 12 places to buy aluminum awnings
- New railing & patio posts — Style-Rite also added the aluminum railing and patio posts with the oak and acorn inserts which are just like my Grandparents added to their house when it was updated in 1958! The fancy inserts ratcheted up the price quite a bit but the awnings themselves were actually priced lower than I had imagined.
- Yup, RR has researched this too — 3 places to buy decorative porch pillars like Scott’s
- Therma-Tru Front Door — The is the Pulse Echo 5-Lite Centered, factory finished in Sherwin-Williams Stop Red. The quality and function of the door is amazing. I wasn’t happy with the factory watermarks on the glass so a local shop, Echo Glass, replaced the panes with automotive thermal glass, and now I love the door 100%. Lowe’s did a great job on the installation.
- New hardware — Hardware is Schlage “Orbit” knob from Build.com paired with a vintage NuTone Mount Vernon lighted doorbell I found NOS on eBay complete with the chimes, box, instruction sheet, and transformer.
- Rebuild steps — The crumbling concrete porch and steps were rebuilt with resin by Ohio Concrete, who did an amazing job for less than a third of the price of my lowest concrete estimate. Not tearing out the old concrete in this case was actually a safer prospect for my house, as it eliminated the risk of damaging the original stone, which is integral to the porch. I’m very pleased with the appearance and best of all, the resin doesn’t seem to freeze over as bad as concrete in the winter. To make it look older, I painted it with Home Depot’s Behr “DeckOver” in a warm gray, which I matched to my concrete then went a few shades deeper so the porch felt more visually weighted.
- New windows — The replacement windows that came with the house when I bought it had warped badly and were leaking air and water. To completely side-step trying to figure out how to get a new window to look vintage I turned both street-facing windows into picture windows. The window on the left is an Andersen, the window on the right is a Lowe’s Reliabilt. Both look great, had top notch installers, and do an amazing job reducing solar gain, heat leakage, and noise. Going forward any other windows I replace will be Reliabilts, as the quality is great and the pricing is substantially lower.
At the door is my dog Lancer. Lancer and Daisy both demonstrate why dog owners will probably want the clear glass when they select a new door, as it will provide hours and hours of entertainment for the four-legged members of your household.
A big heartfelt thanks for everything you and Kate do. As you can see it is really having a big impact.
Scott, fantastic job! It is amazing what selecting the right finishing details and adding some color can do for a house. Thanks so much for sharing your story: We really appreciate it when readers like you take the time to send us write ups like, with all the details on the resources you used, and sharing your decision-making experience and lessons learned. And of course, the photos are crucial — and when they include cute pups, well, all the better! Finally, Pam wants to extend a special thanks because we know you are such an active commenter on the blog. Such a wonderful group we have here! It’s just so darn nice.
Molly Evans says
Oh MY! Such a fantastic job! You really REALLY pulled this off well — the transformation is so dramatic. Love it! I’m sure your neighbors are loving it too. Nice work, Scott.
Karin Jeffrey says
Scott your gorgeous house and your cute dogs made my day. I don’t know where you live, but there are dozens of nearly identical houses in my neighborhood in Toronto, Canada! Do you live there by any chance? You brought out the charm of these houses-I see them with new eyes now.
We are fixing up my late mother’s house for resale, and you’ve given us a ton of ideas. Thank you.
Scott says
I am in Ohio but I have always had a theory that there are probably identical twins to my house scattered about. At first glance the house looks pretty cookie-cutter but the strange way the windows are pushed to the extreme edges of the walls in all the rooms seems a little too adventurous to be a local builder’s idea, as if perhaps the owners sent away for some mail-order plans.
Patty says
Depending on how many steps you have, the building code may require a hand railing. If you need to sell the house, you may need to add one.
Looks great!
Eartha Kitsch says
Ah! That looks sooooo good! Just perfect. It really brought out the sweetness of the house. I love the addition of the awnings and the new ironwork is just perfect. Well done!
And those pups are ah-dorable!
Ashley says
I love this! I have a midcentury modest house myself, and we’re in desperate need of ideas to add to its curb appeal. The front door here is so great! I also love the way the new roof ties in with the awnings – great job!
Scott says
Thanks everyone, I’m truly overwhelmed by the kind comments.
Carol says
They aren’t just kind comments. We truly love your house and you did such a wonderful job with every change you made. I would love to walk up to the front door every day and turn the key and be “home”. I think your house is the poster child for post WWII America. It represents everything good that was going on then and certainly shows pride of ownership. Thank you for sharing.
pam kueber says
I totally agree, Carol!!!
Carol says
I ran across Scott’s house again looking at the exteriors section of this website. I just have to say this: When I first saw this article, all I could think of was buying a new tube of coral lipstick, a white vintage style sundress with flowers, and yellow pumps. Same thought when looking at this post a second time. Some houses just have personality, no matter what the size or era, and Scott’s house has personality. Just saw the final post from Mike and Lindsay’s House of Good Taste. I had the same instant reaction. Rob and Laura from the Dick Van Dyke show. First thought, my black silk cocktail dress and pearls. I suppose that I LOVE both houses and could see myself living happily in either. They are very far apart in design, but both have “personality”. Oh, and Sarah’s Roundhouse hallway with recessed lighting, hot chocolate and pj’s at night. Call me crazy, but some of you guys have the BEST houses! And Pam’s kitchen: I would actually become a baker.
pam kueber says
awwwww, we do have some fun here!
Joe Felice says
Pam’s kitchen–now there’s the color from the ’50s that I remember!
tammyCA says
What a charming house! Great job with adding color and details like the porch posts. And cutie “doggies in the windows.”
jay says
Wow! Looks great – I hope your neighbors are complimenting you on a job well done. I had no idea how extensive your project was, I thought it was just a new front door. It’s all new but it sure looks like it could have been there when the house was built. The resin is an intriguiging concept that I was not aware of, I need to improve the appearance of my back steps. You should be very proud of the new “old” facade as you and your little doggies enjoy it – the door – for many years.
jay says
Oh yes, I forgot to mention the sharp looking door chimes in the niche. Great score!
Lisa Summerlin says
Where did you get the porch lights?
Scott says
They are Portfolio brand from Lowe’s and only $10.99 each. 🙂
Joan Becich says
thanks so much, Scott! I came across your fantastic remodel last night at midnight and then couldn’t sleep till 2 AM. You did such a beautiful job… so tasteful and yet true to the era! I am also the owner of a Mid century modest house… a bit bigger than yours, in Ashland Oregon.
May says
The after photos of your house make me happy! Great job!