“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
Marlis Wilcox says
Fascinating look through the kitchens of my childhood!..AND, to pursue the reason I selected this website, my slant-mount kitchen sink console has faucets which have finally given up. I ran through your images of 1950’s kitchens and #95 appears to be the twin of mine. Console still in good shape, I am needing the back panel and fixtures for TWO! I am sure Dad bought them about 1951, likely from Sears… one for the down, one for upstairs. How – where do I go? Have searched all over!! Thanks, Marlis
pam kueber says
Hi Marlis, see our Kitchen Help / Faucets category. You might have the American brand — you can also look this up in the Search box. Not sure if it’s still available but per my memory, Locke Plumbing was the source. Again – check our categories. Good luck.
Edward Howard says
Hi Pam,
Thanks for writing your inspiring MC Modest Manifesto.
You really nailed it. Words like, “Unpretentious. Exuberant. The first taste of true material comfort for many millions of people.” My parent’s generation would certainly tell us of the hardships of the Great Depression, followed by the War effort and the War itself. Theat 1000 Sq feet of MC Modest or Modern was more than enough! It was their McMansion.
But there is one nugget that describes the legacy of it all: “The beginning of a new American era”
pam kueber says
You’re welcome!
chris says
Midcentury Modest is something I actually use to define my little cinderblock home in Sacramento, California built in 1950. Not an Eichler by any stretch, no expansive window walls, no cantilevered roof, Shulman would have laughed if he was asked to photograph it. But for me, it is a slice of heaven. Modest, but squarely Midcentury. The trick for me has been not to dress it up in period (or “period-like”) accessories that reach too high. I think a George Nelson bubble pendant light fixture would be a bit overachieving for this house. Maybe a smaller knockoff would be more appropriate. Boomerang drawer pulls? Sure…fits right in. Anyhow, I really appreciate your nod to these solid, and solidly-built smaller homes and what they really represent in terms of who they were constructed for and why. Thanks and keep those articles coming. I am still waiting for the book-sized publication on this less showy stepchild of the MCM ethos.
Chris
Tracy says
Wow, I just found this blog, but I love it already! The Manifesto alone just about brought me to tears. Mid-century modest homes aren’t unique to the U.S.; the Canadian prairies are covered with them. However, they are often poo-poohed in favour of new two storey, front attached garage homes that are sprawling in the suburbs of many Canadian cities. I always thought my 1956 bungalow had a lot of character (it hasn’t been changed much) – steel kitchen cupboards, blue tub, sink and 13 litre toilet. I’m so happy to find a blog where these homes are appreciated. Thank you!
Maureen Bajeyt says
I’ve been searching for the name of my home style. There are tons of them built in Southern California, but I just discovered what it is through looking at pictures on this site. It is a Cape Cod “ranch” style home. Wow, that’s a mouthful for a 999 square foot house! I threw in “ranch” style because it’s always associated with California,and the main living area of the house is one big L-shape. I grew up in a true ranch style home near Palm Springs. I never knew Cape Cod style went beyond New England! I guess I learn something new every day!
pam kueber says
I call them coolonials, too!
Elisha says
Hi Pam. Not sure if I’m doing this correctly. I am not technology savvy
at all. So pls bare with me. I have been following your blog for almost
a month now. I grew up in a mid century modest home. I currently live
in a mid century modest home. Both are so so close to would you
describe as mcm homes…small brick ranch homes built in 50’s and
60’s. Things like wagon wheel lights…knotty line walls…pink tile bathrooms…the list goes on. Also the stories behind my home I grew
up in I carry wonderful memories with me, and when I got married
and moved into my home now…is dead on the nail with what I read on
this blog. Think I will stop now…don’t want to write a book…but much
more I would love to share! let me just see if you get this before I
continue…lol!! I have lots I want to share and lots I want to be a part
of on this blog. If you get this message will you pls let me know…thank
you so much. By the way I live 50 mi. South of Atlanta Ga.
Katrina high says
If anyone is familiar with ranch mode furniture please advise I can post photos if needed. Thanks katrina
Katrina high says
I have been researching some 1950s furniture that belonged to my parents and come up empty. I love the stuff and suspect that it may be pretty rare it was produced by Sears and Roebuck it’s called ranch mode it’s solid oak but with the lines of mid century, and is decorated with leather strips and solid brass nailhead on the drawer handles. My family had a whole hues full of the stuff.
Matt says
How do you upload a pic,
pam kueber says
Uploading is not possible unless I run an uploader…
RoB says
Pam,
My partner & I just found a ‘relic’ of mid century that has come on the market. It’s has great bones, 1500 sq. feet and could ‘shine’ with the right renovation and improvement. Built in 61, it’s pretty clear the owners didn’t ‘get it’ and have not preserved this property well. If our offer’s accepted we want to dive right in to renovation mode.
We’re located in West Palm Beach, FL. We are fishing for reno specialists referrals. If over the years you have head of a strong reno contractor in SoFla that specializes in MCM architecture we would great ly appreciate your feedback.
Thank you!
RoB
West Palm Beach, FL.