Mid-century homes don’t seem that old to me, but they feel that way to most of the people who own them! Even 60+ years ago different construction methods existed than those we use today. And, most likely those homes have seen multiple previous renovations, leaving lots of surprises behind the walls and under the floors. The ability to problem-solve and develop creative solutions is why hiring a custom craftsman is a smart choice. My clients asked me to help with their mid-century home renovation for exactly that reason.

The homeowners were looking to add custom storage options to their 1950s home. The first project consisted of a built-in bookcase, which is usually pretty straight-forward for me. However, my clients wanted fixed shelves that did not form a straight line across the unit. Creating the design involved exact specifications to ensure they got the look they wanted. They showed me a picture of a similar design and I used the proportions from that image fitted to their space. I worked closely with my clients to create the final design. Add to that unique design an existing ceiling that had been dropped during a previous renovation. Instead of repairing the original ceiling, former owners had built a new ceiling over it, making the height of the space a bit shorter than normal. It was also warped – another reason a custom-built solution was needed.

I crafted the unit on top of the existing carpet – something I always suggest to my clients. Cutting the carpet would require re-stretching the remainder, adding another expense to the project. When new flooring is installed later on, the installer can take the base molding off the unit, cut the carpet, lay the new flooring and replace the molding. Flooring contractors are used to doing these steps so it’s no big deal and saves my clients money.

More Mid-Century Home Renovation Surprises

In another part of the same room, I added a built-in entertainment center in an empty space next to the fireplace. Previous owners had added a false wall to this area, and when we took it out, we found out why – there had been a fire and the wall structure was badly charred! I gutted the space and built the storage unit. My clients liked to play video games but wanted to be able to hide all the components etc. when they were not playing. The TV space, drawers and shelves were all custom-built to fit their electronics.

One “drawer” is actually a door leading to the power source. It is against electrical code to bury electricity behind a drawer, but my clients wanted a uniform look. This unique design was an easy solution for a custom woodworker!

As a final touch, I added crown molding to the adjacent fireplace, not a simple project when you are dealing with a funky ceiling.

Like most older homes, working in a mid-century modern home renovation almost guarantees surprises will appear. That’s when hiring someone with an engineering bent is really beneficial since they are skilled problem-solvers. Sometimes it’s a quick fix, sometimes it takes some deep thought and research. Either way, having a knowledgeable craftsman in your corner will help ensure you end up with the home you love.

Looking for some custom woodworking solutions for your home renovation? Send me an email or give me a call at (317) 679-5890.