In the early 50s, Herbert and Ruth Weiss attended a lecture by Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius hosted by MIT. They were fascinated by Gropius’ description of the ‘Five Fields’ community of 60 houses he and his firm, The Architect’s Collaborative (TAC), were designing in Lexington, MA. The Weiss’ fell in love with Gropius’ vision for a grouping of 60 modern houses to be arrayed around eight acres of common land that would include a community pool and playground. They soon had one of their own.The original, TAC-designed house was a single-slope design with a modest footprint of 800 square feet. Several years later, the Weiss’ commissioned modernist architect Henry Hoover to add a living room wing and new entry to the house. Hoover’s design included a wall of glass which opens to a charming pond carved into the outcropping of granite ledge. After living in the house for 65 years, the Weiss’ sold the house to our client, who asked us to design a renovation that would respect the integrity of the vintage modern architecture. Our design focused on reorienting the kitchen, opening it up to the family room. The bedroom wing was redesigned to create a principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Interior finishes were edited to create a more fluid relationship between the original TAC home and Hoover’s addition. We worked closely with the builder, Patriot Custom Homes, to install Solar electric panels married to an efficient heat pump heating and cooling system. These updates integrate modern touches and high efficiency into a striking piece of architectural history.

上星川のリノベーション

一級建築士事務所秋山立花

Wohnbereich

Dani Schneider Interiors

Stunning Mid-Century Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

The epitome of indoor-outdoor living, not just one but *two* walls of this home consist primarily of accordion doors which fully open the public areas of the house to the back yard. A flush transition ensures steady footing while walking in and out of the house.

Amazing Mid-Century

Judith Wright Design

Fantastic floor defines the playful character of the MidCentury Modern Dining Room.

North London renovation 01

Neil Perry Photography

Jonah and Lila

AHG Interiors

Novella Collection, Hawthorne Oak | Wexford, PA

Hallmark Floors

Hawthorne Oak – The Novella Hardwood Collection feature our slice-cut style, with boards that have been lightly sculpted by hand, with detailed coloring. This versatile collection was designed to fit any design scheme and compliment any lifestyle.

上星川のリノベーション

一級建築士事務所秋山立花

East Vancouver Fireplace & Living Room

Construct by Nuthatch

Custom dining room fireplace surround featuring authentic Moroccan zellige tiles. The fireplace is accented by a custom bench seat for the dining room. The surround expands to the wall to create a step which creates the new location for a home bar.

Mid-Century Modern Vancouver Special

PlaidFox Studio

This terracotta feature wall is one of our favourite areas in the home. To create interest in this special area between the kitchen and open living area, we installed wood pieces on the wall and painted them this gorgeous terracotta colour. The furniture is an eclectic mix of retro and nostalgic pieces which are playful, yet sophisticated for the young family who likes to entertain.

The Meditation Destination: Play Mor Vintage Trailer

Wood & Locks

Our client, a life coach and meditation practitioner, came to Wood & Locks with a request: to transform the forgotten vintage Play Mor trailer into a back yard home office and meditation space. Working within the client's functional requests, we designed a space where nostalgia meets modern tranquility. Breathing new life into this more shabby-than-chic vintage gem, thoughtful design choices went into creating a space that seamlessly bridges the gap between a home office for one and a multi-person meditation alcove. The trailer was carefully stripped down to its bare essentials. This involved removing the interior fittings, appliances, and any elements that were no longer usable or not aligned with the new design concept. Structural repairs were a critical part of the process. Any rust or damage to the frame was addressed, ensuring the trailer's integrity. This step was essential to make the trailer both safe and sturdy for its new purpose. The interior design was a fusion of vintage charm and modern functionality — reclaimed wood was used to create warm, rustic accents, and the layout was optimized for the new functions of a multi-purpose space. The interior was insulated for climate control, and new electrical and lighting systems were installed for practicality and ambiance. The color palette and decor choices were designed to create a calming and meditative atmosphere. Soft, soothing colors, such as blues and greens, were used to foster a sense of tranquility. The choice of furnishings, including modular office furniture and sleeping quarters, were curated for both comfort and style. The restoration process was a careful blend of preserving the trailer's vintage charm and adapting it to a modern purpose. The result was a unique, inviting, and functional backyard office and meditation destination that celebrated the best of both worlds – the past and the present.

Hi-Hat House

Kimball Modern Design + Interiors

Mobiliario a medida / Lisboa

Liff.space - by Filipa Marques

Ремонт старинного деревянного дома на Валдае

Ирина Шикина

Annette Court

Donna DuFresne Interior Design

Located in the Cedar Mill area of Portland, this modern Mansard home was originally built in 1977. This project is a wonderful example of the amazing collaboration between Donna Dufresne Design and our clients. When we became involved the house had been taken down to the studs, with only a loose cabinetry plan and wallpaper selection from the client. With Donna's support through-out the remodeling process, she gave new life to this polished yet warm Pacific Northwest single-family home. (Photos by Maria Orlova)

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony in this modern dining room, both in the ivory keys of the black baby grand piano and in the delicious contrast of the dining chairs and ivory walls and ceiling. The chairs are upholstered in a tone on tone light chocolate fabric with orange contrast piping. Orange appears again paired with soft green in the ombre wool rug covering the stained oak floors. The room’s alder trim is stained to match the honey tone of the wood paneled wall. The color palette is carried forth with a contemporary piece of artwork in the hallway and in a trio of plates hanging just inside the front door. A modern light fixture, composed of hand-blown clear glass globes, illuminates the espresso stained dining table.

Little River Cabin in Eldred

Kelsey Ann Rose

Little River Cabin Airbnb

West Vancouver Mid-Century Home

PlaidFox Studio

Midcentury Dining Room Design Ideas with Wood Walls

A midcentury dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your midcentury dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your midcentury dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for midcentury dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!