Just northeast of Seattle in Woodinville, a Mid Century Modern home needed help. The home was built 30 years ago with reference to layouts from 60s magazines. While the Mid Century Modern home had fantastic period details like teak kitchen cabinetry and trim, the homeowner knew it was time for an update. He reached out to Modernous to tackle the design.
![blue Malm in living room with teak cathedral ceiling](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_01-80x120.jpg)
![Eames lounge chair abstract painting geometric wallpaper terrazzo floor](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_03-80x120.jpg)
![modern updated bathroom with gray tile and cabinetry](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_14-80x120.jpg)
Enter Modernous
Sally Julien, principal at Modernous, says, “Modernous helps guide the homeowner to consider the project as a whole while making choices, versus looking at each piece on its own, to ensure a cohesive result.” When it came to this Woodinville home, the homeowner knew he wanted to keep the existing teak cabinetry and trim. Modernous streamlined design decisions around drawing attention to the teak and simplifying the design.
![large windows and MCM furniture in updated home](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_09-1-80x53.jpg)
![gray cabinetry in Modernous updated kitchen with original teak cabinetry](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_06-80x53.jpg)
Sally Julien elaborates, “While it was a beautiful teak, you almost didn’t notice it because the floors and ceiling were also wood, in addition to the trim. We worked to find a white/gray terrazzo tile flooring that would provide visual relief from the wood and make the teak really stand out.”
![open concept two-story MCM home in Pacific Northwest updated by Modernous](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_04-80x120.jpg)
Why Work with Design Professionals?
If you pore over the pages of MCM magazines, you might think you’re all ready to go for when you get your chance to update an MCM home. It can be easy, though, to lose the forest for the trees. A design professional, such as those at Modernous, is going to keep the overall picture in mind and make sure individual choices contribute to a cohesive whole.
![renovated shower in Woodinville MCM home design by Modernous](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_13b-80x100.jpg)
While a designer’s services may cost more upfront than doing everything yourself, there are many and lasting benefits. Sally Julien says, “One of the advantages of working with an interior is that it can make the project go more smoothly and quickly, and with a better end result.”
![original teak cabinetry and stainless steel appliances in updated MCM kitchen](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_05-80x120.jpg)
![open concept kitchen dining and living room with terrazzo floors and teak cabinetry in MCM kitchen](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_07-80x53.jpg)
When to Preserve and When to Update?
For Mid Century Modern homeowners especially, there is often a tension between preserving original details and updating for contemporary needs. When it comes to this quandary, Modernous approaches the question holistically.
“When looking at what to preserve,” Sally Julien says, “it is important to look at the overall design and think about what contributes to the design and what detracts. We try to strip away some of the superlative ‘stuff’ and ensure that the coolest design elements really have an opportunity to shine.”
![Modernous refreshed open concept living area with high built-in planter in MCM home](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_08-80x120.jpg)
![clerestory windows and original teak ceiling in MCM renovated bathroom](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_11-80x120.jpg)
![soaking tub teak ceiling terrazzo floors and skylight in updated MCM bathroom](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_12-80x120.jpg)
![exterior of Woodinville home updated by Modernous](https://demo.atomic-ranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Web_15-80x120.jpg)
Modernous freed the Woodinville home from visual clutter and navigated the preservation-renovation quandaries with preserved teak and updated terrazzo with stunning results. Learn more about Modernous and see how you can partner with them for cohesively refreshing your MCM home by clicking here.