Before & After: Mid-Century Masterpiece

From quasi-Colonial mess to Mid-Century Masterpiece, this home’s main level underwent a massive transformation!

First up, the study.

Before Image of Mid-Century sitting room with wooden floors and red wallpapered accent wall Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Study

After Image of Mid-Century sitting room with wooden floors and red wallpapered accent wall Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Study

The wallpaper was the only thing we kept in this space, and it was also the inspiration for the rest of the room. This used to be a dining room, but my clients never used it. Instead, they wanted to created a comfortable study where they could read and drink tea.

I incorporated two custom chair and ottoman pairings with a red welt that brought in the color of the wallpaper. I also designed a custom valance to add a third pop of red in the space.

Custom neutral fabric upholstered chair and ottoman with red welt Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Custom Upholstery & Custom Valance

Custom red valance window treatment Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Custom Upholstery & Custom Valance

We brought in a new, larger rug, as well as painted both the walls and trim to a less mustard-like color.

This is one of the many vintage pieces I incorporated into the design. This piece looked ROUGH when I first found it, but my amazing refinisher was able to fully restore the walnut veneer. It’s perfect now

Before Image of vintage side table Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Vintage Table

After Image of refinished walnut veneer vintage side table Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Vintage Table

Next up, the family room underwent quite the transformation!

Before Image of Mid-Century Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Family Room

After Image of Mid-Century Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Family Room

We saved part of the giant orange sectional, but paired it way down so we could add some comfortable chair and ottoman pairings in here, too.

Orange Sectional with custom pillow and wooden base coffee table with glass top Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Orange Sofa & New Custom Upholstery

Custom upholstered chair and ottoman Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Orange Sofa & New Custom Upholstery

I also found two more amazing vintage pieces for this room: a glass boomerang table and a Heywood side table.

Orange sectional with glass boomerang coffee table Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Boomerang Coffee Table & Heywood Side Table

Heywood Side table with white table lamp and custom upholstered pieces Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Boomerang Coffee Table & Heywood Side Table

The existing wallpaper was again the inspiration for this room. The old red fireplace was just not doing this room justice, so we selected a new stacked stone that 1) made the wallpaper POP and 2) better meshed with the overall Mid-Century style of the house.

After image of Mid-Century Family Room fire place Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Fireplace

The dinette also underwent a makeover.

Before image of Mid-Century Dinette Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Dinette

After image of Mid-Century Dinette Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Dinette

Believe it or not, the table and chairs are IKEA pieces from 25 years ago! They were in such great condition that we just needed to reupholster the seats.

The window seat needed a bit of a personality boost! I designed a custom window seat cushion and incorporated pillows to bring in the greens and reds from the other rooms. I also designed this custom valance with contrast pleats in the same green fabric as the pillow.

Custom window seat. cushions, and valance for Mid-Century Dinette Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

Custom valance with green contrast pleat Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

I know you haven’t seen much green so far, so you’re probably wondering, “Where’s the green?” It’s in the main hallway!

Retro brown and green floral wallpaper in Mid-Century Foyer Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

This retro wallpaper was already in the house, so the yellow green became part of the house’s overall color palette.

Next, we’ll move into the new office, which is across from the study. (Side note: Yes, we painted the trim in the foyer so it wasn’t so dark! We also replaced the front door.

Before image of dark Mid-Century Foyer Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Office

After image of naturally lit Mid-Century Foyer Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Office

This room was really a blank slate. There was some old assorted furniture in here that my clients were waiting for their kids to come get. Thanks to the pandemic and the switch to working from home, my client wanted to transform this room into an office.

After image of Mid-Century Office Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — The new office!

We kept the Mid-Century feel alive and well in this room! Instead of a traditional desk, my client wanted a drafting table for more space. To add storage, we brought in a beautiful low-profile cabinet with leather handles. The abstract art brings in the colors from the adjacent rooms: olive green, dark orange, and deep red.

Drafting table used as a desk in Mid-Century Office Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Drafting Table & Vintage Cabinet with Leather Pulls

Some simple custom drapery panels add a little softness to the room. My client’s existing vintage lamp base got a makeover with a new old-style, custom made shade. The lamp pairs nicely with the vintage marble table and the vintage-style (but actually new!) arm chairs.

Custom drapery panels in Mid-Century Office Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Custom Draperies & Vintage Lamp

Custom table lamp on top of marble side table Custom drapery panels in Mid-Century Office Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Custom Draperies & Vintage Lamp

Sometimes the smallest rooms can have the biggest transformations! The main level powder room was a bit sad before. Its plaid wallpaper did not mesh at all with the Mid-Century vibe of the home. We replaced it with a fun Schumacher abstract print.

Before image of Mid-Century Powder room with plaid wallpaper Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Powder Room

After image of Mid-Century Powder room with Schumacher abstract wallpaper Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — Before & After: Powder Room

We also updated the vanity, mirror, toilet, flooring, and artwork. Essentially, the only thing that stayed the same was the ceiling (which we did paint!).

The last room we transformed was the upstairs guest bathroom. For some reason, I didn’t take a before photo of this one, so you’ll have to imagine it. Peeling old wallpaper, no actual floor (just sub-floor), and a broken old vanity.

Ready for the after?

After image of Mid-Century Upstairs guest bathroom with metallic abstract wallpaper Lindsey Putzier Design Studio — The Upstairs Guest Bathroom

I selected a new, contemporary vanity that was much more in keeping with the overall Mid-Century feel of the house. The wallpaper is a fun, slightly metallic abstract print. I added some new vanity lighting, mirrors, and faucets to finish the design.

I hope you enjoyed this before and after extravaganza! Are you ready to work on your “before?”

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