Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Renewed Florida Ranch Pays Homage to Midcentury Roots
A ranch house in Tampa finds new life with a brighter and more open layout enlivened with pops of orange and wood
Before. “When it came to the exterior of the home, our goal was to change it as little as possible,” Beck says. “We replaced the roof and the garage door, intentionally choosing subtle materials that would not draw attention to themselves.”
The bright yellow front door helps highlight the home’s classic 1950s lines and proportions. Beck and her team added new exterior light fixtures, door hardware and house numbers. They also cleaned and restored the midcentury-style picture windows, which have operable upper windows.
The design team discovered original terrazzo floors beneath the living room’s carpeting. Beck had the terrazzo restored and polished. Pops of orange throughout the main living areas enliven the sleek white interior. To add some warmth and another midcentury touch, the design team added floating wood shelves and a box-like trim around the television. The gas fireplace is new.
Before. The main living space featured thick carpeting and a mint green accent wall.
“We took out the walls separating the kitchen, living and dining areas, visually connecting the large operable windows on both sides of the home,” Beck says. The space now flows together and receives lots of natural light. In the kitchen, small details harken back to midcentury style, including an original 1950s metal paper towel dispenser, which was mounted to a penny-tile-clad wall next to the stainless steel backsplash.
A white Caesarstone countertop with a waterfall edge covers the maple cabinets and island. The island transitions from a counter height to a bar height to create a bit of privacy in the kitchen. The orange stools from DoMA add another splash of color that blends well with the wood accents.
Find orange midcentury-style bar stools
A white Caesarstone countertop with a waterfall edge covers the maple cabinets and island. The island transitions from a counter height to a bar height to create a bit of privacy in the kitchen. The orange stools from DoMA add another splash of color that blends well with the wood accents.
Find orange midcentury-style bar stools
The master bedroom remained relatively unchanged, receiving a fresh coat of white paint, a new upholstered headboard and some contemporary art. Since this photo was taken, the homeowner has removed the carpet to reveal more original terrazzo flooring.
In the master bathroom, a local fabricator constructed the lacquered vanity cabinets, adding yet another classic midcentury look. A new walk-in shower boasts a porcelain tile wall with tiled niches for soaps and shampoo. The vanity countertop is Caesarstone.
Find an architect or building designer to help with your remodel
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Find an architect or building designer to help with your remodel
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A single professional woman
Size: 1,600 square feet (148.6 square meters)
Location: Tampa, Florida
Designer: Jody Beck of Traction Architecture
Designer Jody Beck says it was love at first sight for her client when she laid eyes on her ranch house in Tampa, Florida, despite its less than pristine condition. “She fell in love with the simplicity of the home’s midcentury style,” Beck says.
The interior of the 1950s ranch featured walled-off living spaces, carpets covering terrazzo floors and a cramped master bathroom. “While similar homes in the neighborhood are being demolished to make way for multistory mansions, our client valued the home’s clean lines and great bones, and hired us to design a thoughtful renovation,” Beck says. “Our design challenge was to create a functional and efficient living space that paid homage to the home’s midcentury roots.”