Mid-Century Modern Master

Breathing New Life into a 1950s Icon

Some projects feel like a fresh start. Others feel like a love letter—and this was definitely one of the latter.

In Midland’s Applewood neighborhood sits a home built in 1954, with a thoughtful addition from 1957. It’s the kind of place that wears its history well—full of charm, quirks, and character that you just can’t replicate today. So when we were brought in to remodel a section of this home, the goal wasn’t to erase the past. It was to honor it while making space for the next chapter.

We called it the “Mid-Century Modern Master,” and it became one of those rare projects where every detail felt intentional, personal, and exciting—one step at a time.

The Vision: Joy, Flow, and a Sense of Separation

The clients—an open-hearted, solutions-focused couple—had a clear dream in mind: to turn three underutilized spaces (a bedroom, a bathroom, and a spa room) into one cohesive, open-concept master suite. Their current layout was what they lovingly referred to as a “racetrack”—awkwardly connected rooms that lacked flow, privacy, and purpose.

They didn’t want to compromise the integrity of the mid-century aesthetic that originally drew them to the home, but they were ready for a cleaner, more modern look with better function. They also wanted more intentional separation from the rest of the house (read: the kids), a more efficient envelope, and better access to their backyard.

Building Around the Bones

We started by taking the entire space down to the studs. As expected in a home from this era, insulation was nearly non-existent. We upgraded the entire envelope using Rockwool batts and SIGA Majrex to improve air and vapor control—giving the home the comfort and efficiency it deserved. From there, all lighting was upgraded to LEDs and nearly every switch was replaced with Lutron smart switches, adding modern convenience without disrupting the mid-century charm.

Rob Gurski at LJ’s Kitchens of Mt. Pleasant played a key role in helping refine cabinetry and layout details, while Premier Tile and Stone, Select Electric, and Builders Plumbing Supply helped bring the design to life with craftsmanship we’re proud to stand behind.

One of the most unique elements is the walk-in closet, which features a sleek biparting pocket door system from Eclisse—clean, modern, and quietly showstopping. The shower, too, was designed with intention: half-glass to allow natural light to flow through the space while maintaining a sense of privacy.

But what I might love most is the way we reused the original vertical grain fir from the spa room. We built it into the custom headboard, the bathroom accent wall, and the pocket doors—a warm reminder of where the home has been, now seamlessly blended into where it’s going.

A Transformation, One Day at a Time

Because this was a live-in renovation, we saw the clients nearly every day. There wasn’t one big “reveal moment.” Instead, the project unfolded like a series of small celebrations. As they told us, “Each day was like opening a present to see the next thing done.” That perspective made this project even more rewarding to work on. There was always a shared excitement—an energy that built with every tile set, every light flipped on, every finish placed.

And when it was all said and done? They were blown away. Even after seeing the process day in and day out, walking into their completed master suite brought the kind of joy that reminds us why we do this work.

A Space That Tells a Story

The finished suite isn’t just functional—it’s filled with meaning. It tells the story of a couple who fell in love with their first Midland home and plan to stay for another 30 years. A couple who knew what they wanted, trusted the process, and partnered with us every step of the way.

If I had to sum up what made this remodel special, it’s this: we didn’t just add square footage—we added soul.

Thinking about your own transformation? Whether you’re looking to restore the heart of a home or reimagine what’s possible, we’d love to be part of your story. Let’s start the conversation.