Throwback Month

A 1957 Mid-Century Modern House Is Bursting with Plants, MCM Pieces, and Cute Pets

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: Madison Behny
Exterior. Untouched - no renovations yet.

Name: Madison Behny and fiancé
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Type of home: Mid-Century Modern
Size: 2000 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years, owned

House tour cover

Can't-Miss House Tours Straight to Your Inbox

Keep up with our latest house tours each weekday with our House Tour of the Day newsletter

Credit: Madison Behny
Over view from the loft

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My home was built in 1957 by one architect, who built our street of houses and one block of houses in a neighboring town and that was it. I’ve been trying to obtain blueprints for a while now (no luck yet). We originally began our housing search for a quick flip for a rental, when my fiancé, Chris, stumbled across this house and wanted to see it. When we first saw it, it was in rough shape aesthetically. Damaged from pets, lack of TLC, and unfortunately not a lot of vision design wise. We instantly fell in love and put an offer on it.

Credit: Madison Behny
Shot from the front entry way

We’ve been trying to restore the home’s authenticity and also modernize it with MCM pieces and MCM-inspired pieces. I’ve really prided myself in the ability to make my home stand out without making it a time capsule for everything mid-century. We have three dogs and a cat. My fiancé works as an engineer (which comes in handy) as he has built custom pieces for our home — including the rack hanging from our center beam. He also built me a small terrarium in the kitchen. We have loads of ideas to bring this home to life and give it more flair than it had before!

Credit: Madison Behny
Other corner of loft.

I love that everyone knows I appreciate local businesses and artists to feature in my house. I’ve partnered with Ruggable twice and more recently to showcase the Keith Haring line of rugs. If you ask anyone who has met me, they’ll tell you my house is eclectic and warm from the pops of color and constant jazz music playing.

Credit: Madison Behny
1 Corner of the loft.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Vintage/Eclectic mid-century modern

Credit: Madison Behny
Main room

What is your favorite room and why? My living room. It’s full of plants and it’s a space I enjoy gathering people in. It has art, pops of color, conversational pieces, and thrifts galore!

Credit: Madison Behny
View from the couch

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I bought a 1960s tiered plant stand from Germany!!

Credit: Madison Behny
Master bedroom

Any advice for creating a home you love? Make it YOUR space. You are the one living in it. And as always “buy that furniture and buy that art you’re unsure of, because you have to LIVE in it to know if you LOVE it.”

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

This piece is part of Throwback Month, where we’re revisiting vintage styles, homes, and all kinds of groovy, retro home ideas. Boogie on over here to read more!