One critique I sometimes see of mid-century modern homes is that they look "dated." Though the mid-century modern movement achieved peak popularity in the 50s and 60s, a lot of people associated the style with the 70s because it was very prevalent in media at the time, leading some to lump MCM aesthetics in with the less "evergreen" aspects of 1970s interior design.
Personally, though, I love how firmly MCM homes feel rooted in a specific time period. It gives them a nostalgic character that feels familiar and warm compared to modern, nondescript, minimalist homes. Take this authentic MCM house from Charlotte, North Carolina. Though it was built in the early 1960s, its vibe screams Brady Bunch in the best kind of way.
Doesn't that just take you back? Charlotte real estate broker Grant Wilsterman ( @wilstermanrealty ) toured this beautiful 1963 split-level home , located in the quiet Lansdowne neighborhood southeast of uptown Charlotte. Its strong mid-century modern aesthetics are immediately evident from its low, angular roof and red-brick facade, accentuated by established, mature trees (including a Japanese maple ). The rest of the home's exterior is incredible too, with a massive car port, a big screened-in back porch with skylights, a sprawling, tree-lined backyard, and even an extra shed (or LEGO studio, if you prefer). But it's on the inside that this home's nostalgic appeal goes through the roof!
From the jump, it's clear that this home hasn't gone completely untouched since the 1960s. The relatively muted color scheme feels more modern, as do the home's brand-new fixtures. Grant also suspects that the home had additional renovations upstairs due to the size of their bedrooms and closets. But this home's mid-century modern charms were perfectly preserved where it counts!
The home's build is classic MCM material: huge windows, a sloping roof with exposed beams (and a slope-roofed car port to match), original tile, and warm hardwoods all over the place. Even the little details, like the funky light fixtures and diamond-windowed doors, lock in the home's MCM aesthetics. With its nostalgic design and ample living space, I could almost see the Brady Bunch settling in here!
This home has an air of clean minimalism that makes it feel very modern, but not so much so that the home is stripped of any aesthetic identity (as far too many tasteless home renovators are wont to do). This home marries classic and contemporary aesthetics really well, making it feel very... well, mid-century "modern!"
A Time Capsule Neighborhood
Lansdowne is a well-established neighborhood in Charlotte, and some of Grant's followers had fond memories about this area - and even this house!
"OMG. I knew the guys who lived there in the 90s," said @_zam_1. "They had it decorated top to bottom in OG vintage MCM furniture/decor - which was not as ubiquitous then as it is now. It was fantastic!"
"Native Charlottean. Lived in Lansdowne ranch houses twice as a kid - Wingrave and Newhall roads," @smithjanann reminisced. "The houses were great. Well-built. Spacious. I can still see the decor in neighbors' mid-centuries."
Unfortunately for prospective buyers, this $825,000 home was snatched up in just three days. Hey, it's a hot real estate market in Charlotte, NC . The good news is that there are still many other amazing and authetic MCM homes up for sale in that neighborhood. Just a cursory glance at Zillow's listings in Lansdowne, Charlotte , produced some real gems. I have to give a special shout-out to this 1966 beauty at 423 Whitestone Road , which comes with an enormous second-story balcony and a painted Mark Rothko-esque front door. This baby's not under contract yet... could this be the ultra-nostalgic home of your dreams?
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