House Tours: Inside a Midcentury Modern Renovation

Explore the Unique Style of Midcentury Modern

When Natalie and Chris moved west from Brighton to Worthing, they were looking for more space for home working and somewhere for their growing family.

Natalie loves interior design, especially Midcentury Modern and Scandi styles. She was keen to find a house with potential that they could strip back and make their own.

The house they found was a post-war semi-detached home, minutes from the beach. It had large rooms, an established garden and sea views from the front door.

Natalie and Chris set to work planning the renovation, creating a calm and comfortable home with a fusion of Midcentury Modern and Scandi style.

What Is Midcentury Modern and Scandi Design?

Midcentury Modern

Midcentury Modern describes the style of architecture, furniture and furnishings that evolved after World War II.

With a booming economy and a focus on new technologies, modern design became more accessible. Think Eames chairs, teak sideboards and the clean interiors often associated with 1950s and 1960s homes.

Clean lines
Graphic shapes
Minimalist details
Bold colour accents
Patterns

Quick Tip: Get the Midcentury Modern look by updating your cabinet handles with modern pull handles or cupboard knobs.

Scandi Style

Scandi style emerged as a design movement during the 1950s, around the same time Midcentury Modern styles were developing in the US and Europe.

With a similar minimalist approach, Scandi design focuses on simplicity, practical use and comfort.

To get this look, choose a white palette with pale neutrals. Add cable knit throws, cushions, jute rugs and linen fabrics.

Simple forms
Organic materials
Cosy feel
Whites and pale neutrals
Textured fabrics

Midcentury Modern and Scandi Fusion

Midcentury Modern and Scandi styles each have their own design identity, but there are clear overlaps.

Natalie has used this crossover beautifully in her renovation, taking inspiration from both styles to create a unique look.

Choose leggy furniture, muted neutrals, colour accents, different textures, graphic patterns and practical pieces with a homely feel.

Classic MCM cupboard converted into vanity unit

Scandi style with clean lines and jute rug

Visual simplicity bringing a sense of calm

Natalie's Renovation Story

"I love taking a property back to its bare bones and exposing all its potential"

What Drew You to This Property?

Aside from the incredible beach location, the house is within walking distance of the town centre.

Worthing has brilliant schools and everything we need close by. Moving across from Brighton gave us the opportunity to find a bigger property for our budget.

How Did You Plan the Renovation?

The whole house needed modernising, but we knew we would have to start upstairs first, as there was no central heating.

With a new baby on the way, installing central heating and renovating the bedrooms and bathroom was the priority.

I also think a bedroom is a kind of sanctuary. No matter the state of the rest of the house, at least there is somewhere to relax.

Tranquil Scandinavian design

Functional simplicity

Relaxing neutrals for the nursery

How Did You Juggle the Building Work Around Your Job, a Baby and a Toddler?

Once we had completed on the property, we had the builders in straight away to get the major work done before we moved in.

We lived with my parents until the house was ready. Then our son was born and I was on maternity leave for six months.

The decorating happened during nursery and nap times. I just tried to fit in what I could, whenever I could.

Any Advice for Finding Tradespeople?

We were very fortunate and used an incredible team that we had previously hired for other renovations.

MJ Barnes Property Maintenance are a talented bunch. If you can find builders to work with from start to finish, I would highly recommend it.

Timing is key, and trying to manage different people for different jobs can cause delays, which can become costly.

Any Surprising Finds in the Attic?

A nice find from this house was an old newspaper dating back to October 1943, which we had framed and now have hanging in our downstairs loo.

There is also a funny story from our previous property in Brighton. A bag of various "toys" was found in the attic, which gave us a lot of laughs.

Did the House Have Many Original Features?

Although the upstairs had not been touched since the 1950s, the original 1930s fireplace in the fourth bedroom was sadly in too poor a condition to keep.

The pine floorboards throughout the downstairs rooms are the only original feature left.

Did You Have Specific Ideas for the Interior Design?

I had a general idea of the style I wanted for the whole house.

I love Midcentury Modern furniture and Scandi design. I have tried to be braver with colour while making sure there is a sense of flow from room to room.

When it is time to start a new room, I make plenty of mood boards until I am happy.

"Instagram is probably my biggest source of inspiration. It's a never ending drip feed of the most amazing creative inspiration. Pinterest is another brilliant go-to."

What Is Your Favourite Room?

Without a doubt, the bathroom.

Originally, there was a separate toilet and bathroom, and we knocked them through to create one room.

We wanted to maximise the space. Instead of having a bath and shower unit, we chose an extra-large bathtub.

I am so glad we did not try to cram a shower unit into the corner. The extra space gives it a real wow factor.

There is still more I want to do in here, such as adding more plants and maybe a bench.

Midcentury Modern bathroom renovation

Renovation Tips & Advice

Natalie has renovated three properties and has gained plenty of experience along the way.

We asked her if she had any advice for someone tackling a renovation for the first time:

Try to have additional savings of 10-20% for the work in case of emergencies.
Pay builders weekly and never pay huge sums up front.
A quote is a contract, which is different from an estimate.
If anything is unclear in a quote, clarify the details before signing.
Always start with the electrics and plumbing.
If you need to restore flooring, make sure the plastering is done first as this is a messy job.
Plan for more plug sockets than you think you will need.
Add a downstairs loo if you can.