Real Life Design: Homes with Serious Mid-Century Style

published Apr 11, 2016
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(Image credit: Samara Vise)

Whether you lived through it (and loved it) the first time around or fell in love with it when Mad Men brought it back, the truth is that mid-century modern design elements have transcended trend and become a classic look that many people use in their decor, in doses big and small.

This post isn’t about mixing in MCM details with your existing decor to achieve an eclectic look. It’s a love letter to those who do more than just dabble in mid-century modern design—they fully embrace it.

A 1969 Deck House in Acton, Massachusetts


(Image credit: Anita Jeerage)

The “Cloister Lanai” house, a part of “a little enclave of mid-century homes in northwest Seattle, most of which were built by the same architect, Thomas Dunstan, in the late 1950s.”


(Image credit: Heather Keeling)

A 1950s house in Portland


(Image credit: Monique Larroux)

Mid-C vibes in Nashville, Tennessee


(Image credit: Bridget Pizzo)

“Kristina and Bill purchased their home from the original owner’s son, with the intention of preserving its character and integrity.” In California.


(Image credit: Tamara Gavin)

The home wasn’t built in the Mid-Century, but the furnishings are all perfectly in that era’s style by this vintage store-owning couple.


(Image credit: Kim Lucian)

This California home is an original Eichler.


(Image credit: Marcia Prentice)

A Mid-Century Modern home in California.


(Image credit: Anita Jeerage)

This Pennsylvania home was built in 1958, designed by Irwin Stein.


(Image credit: Natalie Jeffcott)

The owner of this Australian house kept many of the original 1950s features plus some of those added in the 1970s.


(Image credit: Adrienne Breaux)

A great MCM gem in Austin.


(Image credit: Katy Cartland)

David’s home sits in the Rice Lofts, a historic building in the heart of downtown Houston. The building was formerly the Rice Hotel, a famous spot from the early 1900s to the late 1970s; it underwent a major restoration/renovation in the late 1990s.


(Image credit: Julia Brenner)

The home itself, built in 1963, is a classic California ranch suffused with a mix of earth tones and gold, natural materials and moments of bold color.


(Image credit: Bethany Nauert)

Rachel and her husband live in an original atomic ranch home designed in the 60’s by architect Cliff May.