Most Mid-Century modern homes showcase three predominant characteristics: a clean, minimalist aesthetic, an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in, and the presence of angular structures. Before the final sketches were submitted for approval, the architects invited the local conservation and council planning officers to the site and showed them around the historic estate. It’s so important to work closely with the people who design your home if you want to create something really special. Every window dressing in the property has been specifically matched to its surrounding wall. These include interior, product, industrial, and graphic design, as well as urban planning and architecture, which remains the most well-known Mid-Century Modern example. There are also lectures, retro cocktail parties (costumes highly encouraged), antique furniture and car sales—even a Kodachrome slide-assisted humorist—all celebrating the designs of the mid-’40s to the late ’60s. One January day, the couple decided to cross over and take a closer look at the properties that lined the riverfront. Inspired by the American Case Study Houses, getting this feature right was crucial the overall finish.The challenges were brought into sharp focus when it came to the corner glazing. One area that caused a few headaches was the glazing. The retired couple were also after a forever home that would suit their social lifestyle and provide plenty of space to accommodate and entertain guests. The latter are constructed of ply fins that are bolted to large strips of steel above the glazing. These were insulated beyond standard Building Regulations’ minimum requirements to ensure a comfortable internal living environment. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The hillside 23,366-square-foot manse was designed to resemble a volcano, though to many it looks more like a spaceship or a giant mushroom. Though there are more than 20 free events, the average activity costs $25. Not long after seeing the white wall, Imber will stop the van in front of a similar brown wall. Stunning Mid Century Modern Home. “Everywhere you go is something quite amazing,” he says. This house in particular belongs to one Leonardo DiCaprio, who, much to Imber’s delight, has restored that brown wall with adobe bricks matching the originals used in 1964, when the house was built for Dinah Shore. “The river flows between fields and houses, but we’d never explored the developed side.”. With the help of iPad photos and the gusto of a magician performing sleight of hand, Imber reveals the walls are not in fact just walls; they are an expertly planned architectural element concealing two of the world’s most exquisite midcentury modern homes. “The existing house just wasn’t suitable for extending, so we decided to knock it down and start from scratch,” says Alison. Self building can be a long process, so you need to be able to maintain a harmonious relationship. Bob Hope’s John Lautner-designed estate is perhaps one of the best examples of star money creating something spectacular. That was Max Palevsky’s, the late billionaire tech pioneer. For instance, they had originally intended on reusing the yellow brick of the existing building for the new facade, but were advised to instead switch to a local red brick, which would be far more in keeping with the surrounding aesthetic. There’s just nothing quite like Palm Springs, Imber says, from its friendly locals to the dramatic landscape to, of course, the special party-slash-architectural education that is Modernism Week. “It was an adjustment, because we had to think about things in a completely different way,” says Alison. Perhaps the biggest issue for the contractors was getting the detail right for the window install. FIND AN ARCHITECT who understands your vision. “Some of the big stars—and there were hundreds of them, some big names— they had a 100-mile clause in their contract; they weren’t to be more than about 100 miles from Hollywood,” Imber says. Once the sale was finalised, the duo turned their attention to the redesign. “The house dated back to the 1960s and wasn’t anything special, but we knew that we had the opportunity to create a wonderful home that really made the most of its surroundings.”. Despite being stripped down, prairie homes still tend to be slightly ornate and include upscale details such as stained-glass windows an… Photo: Grant Rimbey (Own work) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons. “The process needed time and patience, and they really listened to feedback.” This collaborative approach meant the team were able to secure consent for the design first time, in just four months. “Kate and Mathew worked really closely with the authorities on every aspect of the design,” says Alison. Inside the Most Iconic Midcentury Modern Homes Robert Imber slows his silver Honda Odyssey to a stop in front of a one-story white slump stone wall perched in the foothills of Palm Springs. The planners’ constructive guidance also aided the architects with certain aspects of the design. The city is now home to the world’s highest concentration of midcentury modern architecture, a veritable treasure trove rediscovered—and restored—over the past decade. For the Jacksons, one of the biggest challenges was making the move from a traditional home to something far more cutting edge. Another key characteristic of the Mid-Century Modern house is a relationship with nature. The house features numerous bespoke features, all cleverly designed by Kate. The plot is also within a flood zone 3, indicating a high risk of flooding, so local guidance required the couple to raise the building off the ground by 700mm. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. “I’d been having second thoughts, as the frames would have been very thick,” says Alison. There's still time to read it online, Estimate your project costs instantly with Build It's interactive self-build cost calculator, Get an accurate, detailed cost breakdown of your project. Characterized by a contemporary, seemingly futuristic aesthetic and an emphasis on function, the Mid-Century Modern movement influenced many types of design. Yet the completed look is far from conservative. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. “I didn’t even need to look inside, to be honest. “But we know how lucky we are to have such a beautiful home that’s tailored exactly to our needs and built around stunning views.”, As for the idea of taking on another scheme in the future, the couple haven’t completely ruled it out. “For 20 years we’d walked our dogs along the Thames Path in Buckinghamshire, some 15 miles from where we lived,” says Alison. All products and services offered by Inspirato® are provided solely by Inspirato LLC or its agents and affiliates. Exuding mid-century modern charm, the characterful red-brick facade helps the house to blend effectively with the surrounding Arts & Crafts architecture. Advertisement So many people are dreaming of a mid century modern home and there is a good reason why. The laid-back attitude, Miami-based collectible designer Lina Hargrett adds, is another big draw. This style has influenced so many areas like design, fashion, and architecture. “Someone was in control from the moment the first spade went into the ground, until the final lick of paint coated the walls, although we were on site regularly to ask questions and make decisions,” says Alison. Retired couple Alison and Tony Jackson have undertaken several extension projects over the years, but they’d never really thought about building from scratch. need to build up rather than out. “It’s people who are having a good time and love to revel in all of the classic design,” says Daniel Salzman, a Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based green home builder and Modernism Week devotee of the past six years. It still houses what’s left of his storied art collection. “People have been living the midcentury modern lifestyle for a long time,” Salzman says; “clean lines never really go out of style.” But since Mad Men, AMC’s show set in the 1960s advertising world, came out in 2007, “it’s just pervasive.” Furniture store Design Within Reach began reissuing classic modern designs, like the famous Eames chair, making the look more attainable for the masses, while baby boomer nostalgia, Imber says, also played a role in modernism’s resurgence. We kick off our epic guide showcasing 15 fabulous historic mid-century modern houses (exterior and interior photos). This is the person who will bring your dream home design to fruition, so you need to know that they’ll do your project justice. 3rd June 2020. “The early modernists are the original green builders,” Salzman says. With this selection of iconic homes built across the globe, United States, Australia, Europe and South America, we aim to bring you the most refined mid-century homes and architecture, that contributed to make mid-century modern and modernist architecture so popular and loved across the 20th century up to today. Slimline sliding doors in the main family room create a seamless flow between the interior space and the stunning garden beyond. “This is minimalism at its finest,” Imber says. I would’ve bought it then and there, but Tony needed to agree first!”, Luckily, Tony shared her passion for the plot and the pair placed a successful offer to purchase it. It’s also an opportunity to give back to the city and the people working to preserve its unique features. While the week is certainly an open, fun celebration for all ages, it’s not all parties and tours and costumes and hanging out at base CAMP (Community and Meeting Place), the hub of all daily activities. In the middle of the 20th century, many artists began working in an abstract style, re-imagining traditional art and pioneering a new aesthetic. He’s been hosting this three-hour, 35-mile minivan tour since 2001. “We’re on green belt land, so policy restricted the size and position of the new house compared to the original footprint,” says Alison. © Copyright 2016 Inspirato LLC All rights reserved. “The topography and weather necessitated a totally different approach to home building.” The 15 or so architects now called the “desert modernists” championed the idea of incorporating the local landscape and bringing the outside in, whether by designing homes around trees and boulders, or crafting disappearing walls for unobstructed views. Minimalist Aesthetic. We’re also on Pinterest, Tumblr, and Flipboard. People seeking larger, more opulent homes in those decades began building in less developed Coachella Valley cities. “We feel like we’re always on holiday. They also promoted energy efficiency through proper positioning of windows, walls and brise-soleils. The non- profit organization also awards scholarships to high school graduates going on to study architecture and design.