Rehab everything else before you paint stonework (or woodwork). If there aren’t already some underneath carpet, the living room needs oak hardwood floors in the narrow widths found during the period (I believe 3” widths were standard). Paint walls in a warm white color. I like wood ceilings but you might not need it with all of the other elements you already have going on in the room. I would look at replacing some of the glass in your clerestory windows— although original, it’s hard to get the yellow and ornamented glass to look updated/ fresh. The stone looks like it’s in good shape and decent coloring, but hard to tell with the dark/ nighttime photo you posted.

From the curb, those two screens bookending the LR window look awkward and out of place— they should blend with the rest of the window unit. I would install a full length glass front door if you have lake views to look at.

There are lots of cool MCM storage/shelving units to be had out there that would look great on that far wall!

Congratulations on taking on such an interesting project.

For MCM channel suave and sophisticated... not POP!-ing.

Definitely do something about the flooring before thinking about the fireplace. That is a lot of brick, so I don't think you're going to have to do much to have it pop - it's massive, but if you change it, it won't be MCM anymore. How interested are you in being period appropriate? You can cover (or maybe remove) some of the brick, or whitewash it, or paint it charcoal. Do you have furniture already? Whatever you do needs to fit with an overall decorating plan.

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Congrats on your house.

Your fireplace looks to be Roman brick — I hope you can work around it. It’s a wonderful and desired period feature, it would be a shame to permanently deface it for current fads.

https://midmod-midwest.com/mid-century-brick/

When was the house built? Since it's in a cold-winter area, do you know already if the areas next to the windows are warm enough?

Would you prefer a subtle natural elements look or a colorful 1960's-1970's mod look?

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Comments heard, I will navigate around not defacing the brick.

I have 2 1/4” oak hardwood throughout the whole house. And the carpet will be coming up once the renovations to the ceilings are complete. Thanks you I will post more pictures when I get over to the house tonight

2/ 1/4 OR 2/1/2 is what I was just going to say is appropriate for your house. Please try to keep as many of the mcm features as you can. Too many come in and rehab things, they shouldnt, and then the house is ordinary, and not mcm anymore. Those yellow windows, are definitely original and are mcm. Please leave them. I agree on the window screens outside. Either put the other two on, or remove the two that are there, it makes the windows look peculiar, to have them two different colors. Cannot see your exterior door, so cant tell if its been changed or if it is still the original mcm door. The storm door definitely should be replaced with a full glass storm door, and try and get the same color as the regular windows. The brick fireplace is gorgeous by the way. It appears to need a good cleaning. I would leave the ceilings, just as they are. Try to rehab the house to what it originally was.

Thanks.
just for the record the yellow glass is actually a polycarbonate (or some other early plastic polymer) lens in front of the glass. I removed them as they were cracked. However when the renovation is complete I could replicate the look with Vinyl film.
The ceilings were ripped out due to water damage and mold. So I have to replace the insulation and drywall.

The front door is original. However it is cracked down the middle.
i know the storm screens and windows need to match the trim however I will need to re-glaze all the windows up front so that’s my next obligation project to start.

the house doesn’t have running water, a furnace/AC and 70% of the ceilings need to be replaced. :) so once the house is livable I will be polishing the glaring issues. I just am feeling pressure with what to do with the living space as it’s proving to be small in compared to todays standards.
I do plan to complete the basement, so that will allow me the freedom to create a larger living space that leaves the main floor feeling open without the worry of a cluttered “modern” feel as I don’t even wish to have a TV in the living space I showed above. Maybe a small period correct couch and accent chair with some floating storage on the back wall.

Either way I’m excited that I’m enjoying this!

Stay tuned!

Sounds like a project house with a big payoff when you are finished.

Sometimes people with big projects collect inspiration photos or make moodboards with fabric and photos- it helps to keep the end goals in sight.

DO NOT touch that FP is MCM to a T. I would not do a wood ceiling since th space seems dark in the pics but it could work. IMO terrazzo floors would be awesome . Do you plan to keep the colored glass ? If so then look for the terrazzo type floor with what ever color you decide for the glass.This would be cool. Or just plain old white oak high gloos could work I have a MCM ranch so many things I love about it will always be my fave style of house . Just for info this is my LR we did laminate that looks like slate we have 3 huge dogs so no wood for us. I would have loved terrazzo but we have a huge FP in local stone that works well with the floor we chose a before of the FP when we took possession and a apic of it now we decided it was the satr in the spac eit also is the range wall in the kitchen

Please post updates as you go along.

Will do!

Agree with everyone to preseve MCM look inside and out. One of my Ideabooks A Midcentury

is entirely on that style. Not that you have to turn the house into a sacred MCM space, but keep the bones of it, including the fireplace as is since it echoes the outside. Match your flooring to the wood window frames you already have. Look how light and airy these spaces are:

Full Home Remodel · More Info

Northgate Family Room · More Info

You don't necessarily need the wood ceiling. Better to devote budget to outside landscaping or the basics the house needs.

Mid-Century Modern, Whole House Renovation in Spring Mill Indianapolis · More Info

Mid-Century Front Walk - Wauwatosa · More Info

A link I just found for a realistic MCM yellow brick rehab. Hey, you already have the right garage door! https://onekindesign.com/2021/04/01/mid-century-modern-house-renovation/

Small space that has a great conversational grouping of armchairs on legs for airiness; low proportioned sofa, ceiling beams, light paint.

Wow. Thank you for this input. Very helpful.

Interested to know, just how far you have come with your remodel. Any pictures to post for us?

Oh I haven’t forgot don’t worry :)
It’s just that I haven’t really begun the “remodel” as I am still “reviving”

Nothing that is worth showing as a “finished product”.
I have so far:

Repiped the house from galvanized pipe to new copper. - Hooked up to city water. (So I finally have a toilet. So the quality of life has jumped leaps just by that alone)

Removed the old oil furnace replaced with gas. and installed air conditioning

Removed all overgrown foliage and trees overhanging the house.

Now I am working on re-wiring the house and adding soffit lighting. Once that is done I will be replacing the insulation of the ceilings and replacing the drywall.

Then the fun can begin!

Here is a MCM home we did for a client. Maybe take a look at some of the images below and the entire project via our profile.

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Atomic Ranch MCM Main House · More Info

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House · More Info

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House · More Info

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House · More Info

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House · More Info

Wow, that’s looking really good- nice work!

Progress! Looks great!

So much better.

Looking good so far.

Living room almost done. Just going to be refinishing the hardwood and rehabbing the wood encasement around the windows.

New garage door went in, (facia trim and window frames will be painted to match)

The living room looks great. Do you have any photos showing your lake view from the front windows?

Here ya go!

Another

Its looking great. Thanks for coming back and showing us the progress. Its not often people do that. Your view of the lake is gorgeous.

Lovely lake, thank you for the photos.

Looks great— appreciate the updates and can’t wait to see it all put together!