The homes in the DC Metro area truly run the gamut of age and style, from 18th Century classic colonial homes in Alexandria to the newly built houses in brand new neighborhoods of Ashburn. Many times, homeowners will remodel and update their home to fit their tastes and their family’s lifestyle, and that may mean restoring an older home to its original glory or completely updating a tired-looking, less-than-classic style home.
If you live in a “plain vanilla” type of residence, you might have toyed with the idea of trying some mid-century modern touches, even if the home wasn’t built in the 1950s. If this appeals to you, but you don’t want to go full “Mad Men” style, we can offer some suggestions to give your home a taste of retro with a careful choice of fixtures and finishes.
Light Fixtures
One of the easiest ways to add a fresh mid-century modern look is with light fixtures. Globe pendants and spiky starburst chandeliers instantly set the tone for the room. One of our latest projects, a complete whole-house remodel with a 2-story addition in Alexandria, is an eclectic mix of styles with just a touch of mid-century fun in its light fixtures. (Watch for an upcoming newsletter featuring more details about this gorgeous top-to-bottom home update.)
Wall Finishes
Believe it or not, wood paneling is making a comeback! If you’re intrigued, but not ready for the basement rec room vibe, how about one wall of something that evokes a Tiki Bar instead? Now that sounds fun! Island Timber’s Kayu V-Wood wall cladding is a mosaic of distressed teak rescued from historic Indonesian homes and buildings. Each interlocking panel is a wood composite, carefully crafted from reclaimed weathered teak adhered to premium-grade pine.
Color and Patterns
Using colors and patterns from the past can take your style as far back as you want to go! Retro style often features bright colors like electric lime, turquoise, orange and red. But you can achieve the mid-century look using black and white with just some bright accents. You can even use warm earth tones that bridge the timeline from the 1950s into the early 1960s. Just be sure your design plan includes sleek lines and glossy finishes.
If your furniture preference is eclectic, but you want to add just a splash of mid-century modern, may we suggest tile in a pattern that is a blast from the past. Geometric patterns in the bath or a glass mosaic in the kitchen look fresh and fun. The best thing about the 21st century versions of these products is that they’re made with the latest in lower maintenance finishes and often use reclaimed and recycled materials.
We’re certainly not here to recommend going with the “I Love Lucy” era look of pink and black bathrooms or laminate kitchen counters! But we can certainly design a fresh and exciting new look for updating your home, no matter what your style preference. Let’s talk!