Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

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Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

This one is close to my heart – I live in a house built in 1954 in one of the most famous neighborhoods in Orlando for Mid-Century Modern Style Curb Appeal. So I see this style everyday!

Guide To Mid Century Modern Architecture

But it can be hard to tell what you’re doing when you first buy a mid-century home. So today I’m going to break it down for you step by step. Then I will give you ideas for mid-century modern style and accents for your home project.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

CONCEPT ARCHITECTURE VINTAGE CURB APPEAL LIGHT WIT CURB APPEAL COOL GRAY CURB APPEAL ALL BLACK CURB APPEAL

Mid-Century Modern houses consist of two parts: the architecture and the details. So the first step is to research what architecture you are dealing with and find out why it is made the way it is. What year was your house built? Who built it? Why was it built?

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Mid Century Modern Exterior Renovation Ideas

Each region has different catalysts for building neighborhoods, and each neighborhood has different styles. Each region uses different materials for its climate. Knowing what you have architecturally drives every decision you make from start to finish.

The local property tax registry is a perfect place to start with this, but your city should also have neighborhood history if the registry isn’t available. You can also get important information from your general condition history. Go to the historical society and ask questions. Talk to your neighbors; if you’re lucky, you’ll have an original owner nearby who can tell you its story.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

And I think it is important to be true to the history of the house – these are vintage houses with all the characteristics of antiques. And once they’re gone, there’s no way to replace them—many of these techniques aren’t done anymore because they’re too labor intensive.

Mid Century Modern — Reside Realty

This is the next thing to figure out, and it’s a big one. Modern or Ranch? Not all mid-century homes are modern. Not all ranches are mid-century.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

The easiest way to find this out is to stand across the street, right in front of your house, and take a long look.

Is it a single story or does it have a walk-out basement in the back that you can’t see from the street? You may have a modern! If it’s two stories, or a split or tri-level, it’s probably more ranch than any other type of architecture at all.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Newtechwood’s Fluted Wood Siding Showcases New Possibilities In Composite Wood

Look at the ceiling. What shape does it have? Can you see snow? If so, you probably have a ranch. If not, or very few, you probably have a modern.

Here’s a quick chart to help you decide which mid-century style you’re going with; although it is not perfect, it can be absolutely narrow for you:

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

If you have a ranch, you can read more about my ideas for ranch house curb appeal HERE

Mid Century Modern Design — Jrich Atlanta

So you have decided that you have a house from the Middle Ages, and you think it has modern architecture. Now it’s time to talk about the details.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

If it doesn’t have these things, we know where to start to restore your mid-century home!

When you first buy a mid-century house, much of what you will do is restore it. Due to their age, most mid-modern houses underwent deep, sad renovations in the 1980s and 1990s. So many vinyl windows! This is especially true when it comes to the roof days – so many added pork chops when the roof was closed! And so many crazy downspout designs!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Black Mid Century Modern House Reveal — Swatts & Co Design Studio

So your mid-mod may not look so brave. But before you start ripping out that trim and pulling back the vinyl siding, let’s get some inspiration.

When in doubt, check out the original! There are so many books and websites dedicated to mid-century homes, and they can have some really inspiring yet contemporary designs.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

If you look at the references, everywhere, every scheme uses a significant amount of painted siding, or shingle, batten or board and batten. They are all painted with some wall details, either in the chimney, walls or retaining walls. White details draw your eye to the large windows, and the door is the definitive accent, either with the shape of the door lights or a clear color. And such fun and powerful color combinations!

This Remodeled Mid Century Modern Home Has A Gray Exterior And Welcoming Interior

I would definitely work these patterns literally for a client who wanted an authentic look. 100% They are so cute, but also timeless!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

First, start by choosing a fun color to paint the structural siding you have on most of your home.

Next, if you haven’t already, add some small masonry in places where it makes sense, such as the fireplace, the foundation or the entry steps.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Mid Century Modern Atomic Indy: Mid Century Modern Exterior Painting

Then lie in the trim color, probably white, especially around the doors and windows. If you’ve already covered the deck, keep the gutters and downspouts white as well to help them blend in.

Finally, complete the design with bright accents on the front door and mailbox, along with fun mid-century details on the lighting and entry hardware. Loose boxwood completes the look!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

This is one of the most popular mid-century modern color schemes. It’s a style that’s famous on Instagram because of the colorful doors in Palm Springs, California.

Defining Lines — Mid Century Maurer

White houses do well in warmer climates and look fantastic with a vibrant door color in front gardens. The large surface of white walls also lends itself to artistic additions such as garden sculptures or an interesting privacy screen. Make sure you have plenty of texture in the wall finish to keep it interesting!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

First, start by choosing a clean white color for the smooth stucco or brick siding you have on most of your home. Try at least 3 different whites, you may want to look at off white to reduce glare if you live in a climate with very strong sun. Add a contrast with dark trim color on the fascia.

Then choose a colorful color for the front door. Really go for this! It doesn’t matter what color you choose, as long as it’s nice and bright!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Mid Century Modern Homes That Inspired My Custom Build

Then add some texture where you can, again, probably on the fireplace or around the entryway. You can also do this with a nice privacy screen or other half wall detail.

Finally, complete the design with very modern hardware on the front door and a sweet mailbox. And this is the perfect scheme for a xeriscape garden and hardscape scheme!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Now we are starting to move into more and more modern territory. This is very current – almost to the point of saturation. It seems like every other house in my neighborhood is painted dark gray (including mine, sigh…). However, it can be a good scheme to give a taste of mid-century modern style to a house that has not been completely renovated back to the original or that is not a completely modern house. This is a really versatile scheme that fits well in any home with extremely simple lines.

Mid Century Modern Style House Floor Plans

This is what I would do if I wanted a taste of retro mid-mod but didn’t feel the need to go all out. This is a scheme that requires several swatches on the side of your house to make sure you get a gray color that is dark and neutral without looking like a primer.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

Start with dark gray walls first, no matter what siding you have siding, siding, brick or stucco. Again, this will need multiple swatches to get the right amount of undertones in it for the lighting of your area. Avoid primer gray!

Then accent the page with a crisp white border in an undertone that matches your gray and add a bright and cheerful door color. Choose the brightest, juiciest color you can find for the door!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

A St. Louis Vintage Store Owner Transforms Her Own Mid Century Modern House

Then warm up the scheme with composite wood siding, but keep it simple and balanced. A wooden or wood-look garage door is also a good way to do this!

Finally, complement your modern curb wheels with bold hardware and lighting in a black metallic finish. Play with scale here, this scheme can handle a bigger statement light and numbers!

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

I love love love this scheme. It’s such a dramatic statement, especially if your home is surrounded by landscaping on the lush side – it looks great with big trees in every area. It needs a little warmth, which teak cladding, facade or soffits add with conviction.

Mid Century Modern Curb Appeal: 18 Ways To Transform Your Front Yard

Going all black brings instant modern flair to any home – but especially a mid-century modern house to boot. It’s also a great way to connect any parts of a home that haven’t necessarily been transparently renovated – like an extra sunroom or a 90s bedroom. Everything blends together if it is the same dark shade.

Mid Century Modern Exterior Siding

First, GO FOR IT! Colors

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