If you enjoy open concept floor plans and a plethora of windows, mid-century modern homes might hold the key to your dream design. Mid-century modern design emphasizes simple yet functional spaces, a healthy integration with nature, and appeals to a wide variety of homeowners.
Here is a guide to the basic elements of mid-century modern architecture to help you recognize it and incorporate it into your own plans:
You can recognize most mid-century modern designs by their clean lines and geometric shapes. Flat lines are prevalent over curved lines, and appear both in perpendicular and parallel at multiple elevations.
Asymmetrical, flat roofs with varying heights are peak modernist architecture style. Indoors, you’ll find mixed elevations in the form of partial walls, sunken living rooms and cabinets arranged in varying heights.
Natural light is essential to modern home design. Mid-century modern homes often include sliding-glass doors or floor-to-ceiling windows that blend the interior and exterior living spaces. Skylights or ceiling windows are also popular choices for bringing natural light into the living space.
A light, neutral color palette helps take the natural light further inside the home. White walls are common backdrops for mid-century modern interior design, which also include very minimal window decorations.
Another hallmark of mid-century modern home design is the use of natural building materials, both inside and outside. Modern kitchens use granite countertops and natural stone for clean, functional surfaces. Wood furniture and architectural elements are unstained to show off the natural grain.
Architects also use wood outdoors to create contrast with materials like concrete while still keeping a minimalist aesthetic. Other traditional materials are used to help the home and other structures blend in to the natural surroundings and blur the lines between interior and exterior.
The emphasis on function over form and the clean, simple feel of mid-century modern spaces are enduring aspects of this design style. While architectural trends blend and change over time, knowing these mid-century modern characteristics can help you recognize them anywhere you go.
Nicolette is a full-time licensed real estate agent working with residential and commercial buyers, sellers, and renters. Growing up in Eastchester, graduating from Marist College and branching out to Manhattan before returning to her roots has created deep ties to Westchester while understanding what a NYC buyer wants when relocating to the suburbs.
Bringing nearly a decade of extensive experience in sales, interior design, marketing, and customer service from her Manhattan career while working with esteemed companies such as Elle Décor Magazine and various companies under the Herman Miller brand, Nicolette encompasses an effective fusion of suburban warmth and city tenacity. Her enthusiasm for helping others combined with her determination to close deals helps her simultaneously connect her with clients on a personal level while conducting business in the most professional of ways. It’s this connection that leads to a seamless and successful Real Estate transaction.
When not working, Nicolette enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and puppy. Professionally, she prides herself using those same personal values of loyalty, honesty, attentiveness, and being detail-oriented. She values all client relationships and makes it her goal to provide exceptional service and guaranteed satisfaction. Her intimate knowledge of the area, having lived in Westchester all her life, gives her enthusiasm and a desire to make her home, your home.
In July 2015, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (BHHS) acquired Tri-Crest Realty and Prudential Centennial Realty and has been one of the most successful offices in lower Westchester County since 2000. With over 1,800 Realtors in 55 offices in the Northeast and 51,600 agents in 1,600 offices in 47 states nationally, BHHS is the #2 company in Barron’s ranking of the world’s most respected companies; ranking #3 in Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies survey.