Will you be removing the carpet? What is underneath the rugs? Are you going to keep the cabinetry in the dark part of the red rug room? Which spaces will you be using for what tasks and functions?

I think there are a lot of pieces of furniture that will look nice in this space that have a clean MCM vibe but are not necessarily period perfect.

You would probably benefit from working with a decorator/designer - either locally and/or remotely. You will potentially get a gazillion (and more) different “opinions” on this site, and imo, that is really no way to design a cohesive space. Actual designers will also vary in approach and opinions; but at least if you are working with one person, who understands the space as well as your vision, and you also have one on one communication with that person, chances are it could be a more productive arrangement - versus trying to furnish and decorate a house, via crowd sourcing and ‘design by committee’, etc.

So anyway, since you are here - this would be my approach, with the existing spaces plus existing carpeting etc.:

I would go color-wise along these lines, in the den:

And I would use large area rugs to delineate what will probably be two seating areas in the LR. I would use red area rugs of some type, and draw from the rug colors for the sofa, etc.:

You can use club chairs, etc. You do not have to stick with textbook MCM. Eclectic mixes can be interesting.

As far as general MCM styling, there may be some helpful ideas on this link: https://swyfthome.com/blogs/lifestyle/mid-century-modern-living-room-ideas

Best Wishes.

Wow. Great place. The carpet? Um....while it looks to be in decent shape (could use a restretching), I think it's the only aspect of the home that limits furniture choices.

The first question is what is under the carpet? Hardwood would be great.

Where is the dining room? Is it at the end of the living area?

I would start with the living area first. Why don't you post the a floor plan of that space to get some ideas where funiture should go.

I notice what looks like a metal railing. Is there glass attached to it? I would be concerned for children and pets with that opening otherwise.

For a house with so much character intact, I would absolutely hire a designer so you can move forward with a coherent vision that accentuates the beauty of the architecture and keeps you out of costly furniture mistakes and “remuddle” territory. Either that, or do nothing major for about a year while you study MCM design. That place could be beautiful

The dark beams and carpet are oppressive and should be addressed.

Either make the beams lighter as a stain or paint them white

Not everything from the MCM detail was great. For example that FP and entertainment wall was detailed in a very heavy handed way. I would remodel or remove it.

Here is a room with a nod to the MCM style.

Wow!!! This is sooo cool!!
This is going to be such an amazing project!

In order for any of us to really make suggestions, we need to know what is staying and what is going.

There are so many amazing things to work with, but some of them, in my opinion, need to go. Give us more. So we can give you more. 🤎🤍🤎🤍🤎

Start with removing the carpeting. If it’s within your budget, I would have hardwood flooring installed and add area rugs. If not hardwood, have carpeting in a neutral color installed. Is the fireplace tiled? If so, do you like it? Tile can be changed, including the tile in the stairwell. The light fixtures certainly are not MCM style. Neither is the wall of built-in cabinetry.

Quick inspiration. BBL 🤎🤎

Get rid of the carpet then come back. Why buy a MCM home if that is not your thing. I think these spaces are awesome but honestly all I see is a sea of red and blue thta just has to go.I do agree you need an ID for sure to make the best of this space and your style.

This is a long term project. You will get great ideas on Houzz but you really need a designer that can walk the spaces with you and help you over a long period of time. Most of us suggest doing nothing, or very little, when you first move in to a new house that needs a lot of work. But doing floors before you move in is a really good idea. The carpets are not in good shape, so get them taken up. See what you inherited underneath. It’s possible (finger crossed) that great wood floors are there and were covered by someone in the 1970’s.

Remember that no one on this thread is there with you. But lots of great pros will give you ideas to being to your designer. Congratulations on a new, exciting chapter!

Wow, Patricia, so helpful! Are those acoustic tiles on the ceiling? I would remove them and replace with wood and paint the ceiling and beams white (see Beverly’s photos). I grew up in a 60s Mackay house with a vaulted ceiling and my mom resisted painting the original cedar for decades. When she finally did it she regretted not doing it sooner! Also, please remove the carpet, replace the railings, install some hardwood and find some amazing area rugs. You can absolutely marry more traditional furniture with your home. Think about clean, unfussy lines, texture, large modern art (no gallery walls, please), and some fabulous statement lamps. Keep us posted on your progress!

Love the rooms Beverly posted!

I would check to see what is beneath the acoustic tiles on your ceilings. They MAY be covering a wooden ceiling. If they were installed with BLACK mirror adhesive that is impossible to remove…I suggest that you panel over them with tongue in groove wood (painted, perhaps?) OR drywall over them with very thin drywall.

Patricia- I don’t think the original poster was saying she did not like MCM. I read it as she’s open, likes traditional and doesn’t want to fill with only MCM furniture. Probably looking for a nice eclectic blend. Looks like they’re improving the guts of the house now and want ideas for the future interior design. Telling someone to get an ID (it’d probably be more helpful to newbies if you didn’t use abbreviations) is ridiculous.

Hang some Turner prints on the wall please.

I would find a designer who is very knowledgeable on this style/period to help you uncover what is truly original to the home ... I would bet that some of the unusual elements in this house were "improvements" made in the 1970's and early 1980's.

You might be able to get a carpet store to restretch the carpet to remove the stretch ridges.

Do you have any furniture that you plan to use until all of the essentials are taken care of? If not, you could keep an eye out on Craig's List for vintage furniture that is within your price range. Hiring an interior decorator/designer might be a help for ideas, not necessarily a full design.

https://www.allmodern.com/furniture/cat/furniture-c1866610.html

You probably won't go wrong at this website if you need furniture that suits the MCM style. 40% off online today for Cyber Monday.Hurry!!

Commentors, it's not helpful to suggest gutting the place, asking what's under the carpet, which was explained by the OP, or implying that they bought the wrong house.

I think you could leave the beams and fireplace as is...they are original choices, and though dated by today's tastes, they do retain the integrity of the last century. They will become an anachronistic conversation starter, an interesting backdrop.

As long as your're buying new furniture get some nice classic upholstered pieces that would work now, and later whenever you redo the carpet. I like the idea of an area rug over the blue carpet, again, something timeless that can work later. With neutral pieces, you can add some blue throws and throw pillows for now.

Get furniture in warm tones that will work with the warm tones of the fireplace. Divide the room into two zones of seating, the window zone and the fireplace zone.

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Please let us know if the carpets are staying or going, maybe you'll find nice flooring under the carpet? If you decide to keep they need restretching.

Showing a few changes presuming you're keeping the blue carpet...

Note: removing the blue & red carpets definately opens up your options...

It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. I think the house has potential, but not until the old carpet is gone, imo. Planning won’t be easy WITH the old carpet, knowing it will be removed down the road, or at least things might look off for a while. (And believe me, I do understand about taking one’s time with remodeling and updating….we’re in year 7!) If you consider LVP at all, we laid our own in our lower level, saving us thousands $$ in labor. (Still, the product itself was about $10 K.) People have posted nice examples here, hopefully some of that will help you. Good luck!