Inspiration photo from Studio McGee – Midway House
When we first walked through our new house, a flood of possibilities ran through my head. I began asking questions: what could this house become? What does this house want to be? And what do I want it to be? If you buy or build a home that already matches your personal style, those questions are easier to answer. But with this house, imagining the future helped me picture how we could transform it into our home.
Being open to “what could be,” instead of being fixed on “what is,” is one of the most exciting—and sometimes challenging—aspects of design. Luckily, this 1950s house already has great bones. It didn’t take long for me to see the opportunities to enhance its existing character while injecting our own eclectic touch. This solid little midcentury shell feels like the perfect canvas for a blend of modern, farmhouse, tropical, British Colonial, coastal, and midcentury influences.
The structure itself is in good condition, so we don’t need to gut it or change its footprint. We plan to keep the basic layout intact and focus on refreshing and personalizing the spaces. My goal is to preserve the house’s original strengths while allowing it to evolve into a home that reflects our style and personality.
My new entry. A blank slate!
The entry sets the tone for the rest of the house, so I wanted to start here to show what I’m working with and what I envision for this space. The exterior will also influence the interior feel, and we’ll aim for cohesion between the two. But for now, the entry is our starting point.
Pros and Cons
- I’m pleased the house has a designated entry. Many houses we viewed opened directly into the living room, so having a separate space—even if it functions like a hallway—is a big plus.
- The hall needs fresh paint. The current color leans heavy and dated, so a lighter palette will help brighten and modernize the space.
- The entry is a little dark, long, and narrow. With brighter paint, the right accessories, and possibly some wood paneling, it can feel charming rather than cramped.
- I love that the entry has slate floors; those will remain.
- The front door is acceptable for now, though we will likely replace it later to better match the final aesthetic.
- I plan to update the interior door hardware to something that fits the home’s character.
- We may reconfigure the connection from the front hall to the master bedroom; that’s a potential change we’ll explore.
- Lighting will be updated. With standard ceiling heights, flush-mount fixtures are a practical choice.
- Although the corridor is narrow, there’s space opposite the doorway for a slim bookshelf or shallow console cabinet.
- There are additional opportunities to refine the adjoining hall, which I’ll discuss as the project progresses.
The inspiration images shown below (and the photo at the top) aren’t exact matches in size or layout to my entry, but I can picture elements from each that would translate well into our space. You’ll notice familiar elements from my previous home—our style doesn’t need to bend to the house. Instead, the house and our aesthetic will evolve together into the right mix.
Photo Source: Justin Bishop Interior Design
Photo Source: Studio Mcgee – Midway House
Photo Source: Millennium
Photo Source: Jenna Sue Design
Photo Source: Emily A. Clark
Photo Source: Traditional Home
original source unknown
Photo Source: Studio McGee (Lynwood Remodel)
I’m excited to work through each room and share the elements we plan to keep and the ideas we’re dreaming about. If you missed our video tour, it gives a clear overview of the whole house and is a helpful complement to these photos. Thanks for following along as the house becomes our home.