Resourcefulness Works to Get a Midcentury Remodel
For a few who describes their style as “natural midcentury modest,” this house was originally an unusual choice. Tired of house searching, Meridith Lohse and her husband, Trey, snagged this 1960s Dallas cabin via the Craigslist property section. “The house was upgraded in the early 1990s in an old-world, heavy style,” says Meridith. “It was definitely not our style.”
With the help of New Leaf Construction, the couple added a brand new bedroom and took the principal living areas down to the studs. The remodeled open-concept family space now reflects the couple’s clean aesthetic and happily suits their family’s needs.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Trey and Meridith Lohse, 3-year-old son Asher, a baby on the road, a dog and 2 cats
Size: 2,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
Location: Lake Highlands, Dallas
Sarah Greenman
The remodeled living room has views of the backyard. The design makes the most of the tree views, opening up the inside to mimic the expansive outside.
Sofa: Retro Revival in Lewisville, Texas; carpet tiles: Flor; Eames seat: White Elephant Antiques in Dallas
Sarah Greenman
The living room’s part was constructed over an existing deck. Clerestory and image windows look out over a tree-lined backyard which boasts an enormous two-story playhouse. Meridith says, “The split level really provides you a unique perspective of earth.”
Subtle color keeps the decor fresh and youthful. Meridith found the turquoise chair, seen in the corner. She repaired a broken leg, painted it a cheery aqua color and re-covered the seat in an Amy Butler fabric.
Credenza: Mid2Mod; club seat upholstery: Fabric Factory; wall paint: Passive Gray, Sherwin-Williams
Sarah Greenman
Lean countertops, a modern-style hood and a sugar cube tile backsplash keep this slick kitchen wrapped in its 1960s roots.
Bar stools: Wayfair; countertops: 2-centimeter quartz, Cambria
Sarah Greenman
Meridith enjoys cooking whilst keeping an eye on her busy three-year-old. “Asher thinks it is great pleasure to twist to the kitchen bar stools or haul you over to help me cook,” she says.
Air plants and mounted vases: West Elm; backsplash tile: Home Depot; pendant lights: Overstock.com
Sarah Greenman
A very strict remodeling budget intended the couple had to scale back their material decisions. “We shopped open-box sales, Craigslist and junkyards to find exactly what we wanted at a cost we could afford,” Meridith says. The wine fridge, stove range, dishwasher and hood were all purchased secondhand.
Sarah Greenman
The couple replaced worn tile flooring with reclaimed knotty heart pine flooring in the Fort Worth brewery built in the 1800s. “You can still see the nail holes and scuff marks where brewing gear was procured to the wood and time has abandoned its patina,” says Meridith. “As a bonus, it’s a green product which reuses old timber, preventing the consumption of trees and diminishing landfill quantity.”
Floors: Old Texas Wood Flooring
Sarah Greenman
The preexisting playhouse looks like fun but feels at this time. “We will need to work on it a bit before I will let Asher grow up indoors,” Meridith says.
Sarah Greenman
The original living room has a small fireplace topped by an oblong midcentury mirror. The couple does not want to rush to furnish their home. Adding one bit at one time allows them to spend less and find just the right furniture for their own space.
Settee: Retro Revival in Lewisville, with Fabric Factory upholstery; pouf: World Market
Sarah Greenman
A midcentury settee upholstered in a peacock print, a triangular coffee table and a crocheted pouf make up this sitting area. The upholstery pays homage to the peacocks which run rampant through the area. “Our roof is a landing strip,” says Meridith. “They roost in our trees at night, and we can hear them in the mornings not so gracefully flying on their perch to our rooftop, then to the ground.”
Re-covering of settee, couch, chair: Matthew Ybarra
Sarah Greenman
A bright and easy dining room overlooks the front of the house. Meridith loves the job of Jonathan Adler, who made the turkey centerpiece. “His pleasure, fresh and cheeky spaces always give me a fresh source of inspiration,” she says.
Dining table, chairs: White Elephant Antiques in Dallas; chandelier: Lamps Plus
Sarah Greenman
A small but well-appointed butler’s pantry connects the dining room with the kitchen. A closet-style pantry lies directly opposite the built-ins.
Sarah Greenman
Asher’s bedroom, part of the new construction, sits right below the upstairs living room addition. Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar decor fills the cheerful space. The Ikea bed allows for easily accessible storage of items like night stories.
Sarah Greenman
Meridith loves the classic green leather rocker tucked in the corner of Asher’s bedroom. Both the seat and the white dresser were scored at local garage sales.
Seat: Ikea
Sarah Greenman
Three-year-old Asher pokes his head outside to search for peacocks. The home’s enchanting facade is somewhat understated, given the expansive living rooms which lie beyond the front door.
Sarah Greenman
Homeowner and expectant mom Meridith in front of her fig tree. She offers this advice to other homeowners: “Your house will feel more fluid and settled if you permit the original design and intents of your house to affect your design elements.”
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