Mid Mod Remodel, the podcast to help you match a mid-century home from your modern life starts November 14. Join architect Della Hansmann, weekly. Don't forget to subscribe!

Remodeling a ranch or other mid century home can be so rewarding but it IS a bit of a challenge.

Today, I introduce Mid Mod Remodel - the podcast. We'll uncover why MCM remodels can be an up hill slog and end with a pep talk about why I find your mid-century ranch to be so darn lovable!

Key takeaways

• Mid Mod remodeling is EVEN HARDER than regular old remodeling. But don't let that stop you. You're a champ for taking it on and I've got your back.
• The home remodeling industry, in general, is marching to a different drummer than we Mid Mod aficionados are (and than most homeowners, really) but with planning and preparation we CAN get achieve a dream remodel.
• Ranches, and other MCM homes, are the best! Ranches are the right size and so livable. They're often located in walkable near-center locations. They are well-built and easy to add onto. Plus, even the most modest ranch has some MCM charm we can build on. Let's get started!

Find detailed show notes at midmod-midwest.com/001

This week, lets get into the history of mid-century ranches in the midwest. After all, it helps to know where we’re coming from before we plan where to go next.

The main message here is that history happens in a context. The materials, style, choices, and culture that add up to a mid-century ranch all come from somewhere.

We'll cover:

• Why MCM history matters to a Mid Mod Remodeler
• Where the term "Mid-Century Modern" comes from
• How International Modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright set up the style
• The basics of the Post War Building Boom
• The dark side of MCM history (it's racism)
• The culture war of modernist vs traditional designs in the Mid-Century mind
• Cliff May and the California ranch
• The basics of any early Mid Mod home
• How to learn the history of your home and region

Knowing the history, helps us recognize what’s still important about our homes (and what might not be). Knowing what’s important to you will help you streamline decisions about remodeling your house.

Find full show notes and links to resources mentioned at midmod-midwest.com/002.