This Mid-Century Modern Home Has Been Brought Back to Life

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In Frankston South, a remarkable Mid-Century house, designed by architect Jack Clarke in 1962, undergoes restoration by MRTN Architects. The challenge was updating the home to modern standards while preserving its original charm.
Reece and Laura's love for the mid-century style drove them to save and enhance the property. Key renovations included a thoughtfully designed kitchen, revamped central services core, and improved materials. The project aimed to connect the kitchen and dining space while referencing a richer material palette from mid-century homes in the USA.
This restoration celebrates Melbourne's architectural heritage and advocates for preserving iconic houses for future generations.
Website article with photographs and the floor plan;
simpledwelling.net/episodes/h...
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Frankston Mid-Century Modern by MRTN Architects
mrtn.com.au/
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Landscape architecture by SBLA
sbla.net.au/
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Produced by Simple Dwelling
Filmed and Edited by Simple Dwelling / Anthony Richardson
Music from KZbin Audio Library
#MidCenturyModern #MidCentury #InteriorDesign #HouseTour #HomeTour

[@SimpleDwelling]

Go to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to www.squarespace.com/thedesignemotive to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Website article with photographs and the floor plan; thedesignemotive.com/episodes/homes/frankston-mid-century-modern-mrtn-architects Watch more home tours; kzbin.info/aero/PL0UfEaat_p1rid0IMMgO3bhrpNVTyCFhl

[@melindadouglas1673]

The mid century design is by far my favorite home design. In its truest form it blends seamlessly with it’s surroundings for indoor/outdoor living. The home doesn’t compete with nature it becomes part of it. The kitchen and dining area are gorgeous in this home. Well done!

[@SimpleDwelling]

I totally agree, Melinda!

[@angiewan4436]

My brother and I are huge fans of mid-century modern. It's so pleasing to the eye and timeless. And of course nostalgic. He and I geek out when we see true and original mid-century modern. Well done!

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Lovely to see these old homes given another life. You kept the heart of the house and added your own touches. 👍🇦🇺

[@traceydelfs2657]

Its a tragedy these homes aren’t saved and reborn more often than they are simply torn down and forgotten. They did a stellar job bringing it back to life🥰

[@Harry-fk5of]

Torn down and replaced often with soulless cheap looking buildings

[@thomasgatti]

Omg I'm so grateful for how you include the floorplan ❤

[@SimpleDwelling]

Thank you. Older videos don’t have them, but after much demand I started to include them and I’m glad I did.

[@old0range]

great feature! thanks! (also just wanted to say that i love how you include a floor plan in the videos - the explanation for the before and after really helps me to appreciate the process more. thanks!)

[@SimpleDwelling]

Thank you!

[@noahprince350]

Mid-century is very tricky to work with but what happened here was grand upgrade. I love the lattice screen used around privacy part. Then the terracotta colors that surprisingly matches the wood. Also the trusses around the carport n back loving the shades blocking. The furnishing was well blended.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Everything was done just right! It would be tricky to try and distinguish what’s original and what’s new if you didn’t know. The tiles and timber are gorgeous and really suits the era, despite being contemporary materials. So much to love about the home.

[@patronusstag]

Even though it has modern aspects, the house has a very nostalgic vibe.

[@stackels97]

I have a feeling I probabaly walked past this home often as a kid. Lovely to see that there are some classic homes in Frankston South being saved.

[@cutler65]

Definitely my favourite style of house.

[@gramirez72]

Beautiful beautiful work! Love it. I’m from California, I grew up in a 1960s built home with a similar layout - bedrooms on one side, living spaces on the other, partitioned bathroom and closets in the middle, and a passageway wrapping around the middle section. And clean long architectural lines.

[@vmurt]

Love this - the renovation really achieves the homeowners/architect’s objectives here. And I like that it doesn’t feel like a museum in the end - as he says, it’s been updated for the next 60 years.

[@luzi29]

Funny Americans used to build such modern homes and then switched to the crappy pseudo classical style. These are so pretty and still modern in principle

[@barrybr1]

Such a beautiful renovation. The feel of the original is clear but the improvements have taken it to another level. Congrats to all involved. I really hope others take on similar projects and don't simply wipe them away. Most new house designs are as boring as mud.

[@oltedders]

Mud is more interesting.

[@borculo1]

Well done! I love how you carefully upgraded it without loosing its soul

[@danaesquires7571]

I love this property. And wish more of them were around.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Hopefully more people buy to renovate and not demolish until heritage control helps to protect these homes.

[@davonpointer2310]

I really nice sympathetic restoration. Like another comment here, I’m thrown by the pink carpet but does fit the feel in keeping of the house. I personally would change it but I’m nit picking. Beautiful home overall 👍🏼

[@SimpleDwelling]

That's a great point, Davon. If it was my home, I may have pushed against the carpet colour choice, but from an outsider, I think it still works great in this home.

[@mcp_thats_me]

As much as I love pink it was the only thing that felt off to me. Everything else is perfection!

[@thuytran3032]

Thank a lot for your sharing! This design is a great!

[@kellycoco33]

Beautiful home!

[@marjienicholson180]

Thank you. I have recently become interested in mid century achitecture

[@yyysboy1]

love the interior and the colours... the bath tub tiles are gorgeous! the guy Antony Martin is cute😊

[@tomcrookes5689]

Beautiful renovation / modernisation congrats would love to live there

[@ModernARQ]

What a beautiful home!

[@MTMF.london]

A great renovation, a job well done.

[@bomba3849]

Beautiful house! Practical and honest design. I understand what everything is and why it's there even though I am neither a designer or an architect.

[@luxelife418]

So beautiful.

[@vonsassy]

Fantastic. Thank you!

[@dmnddog7417]

Beautiful house. It's pretty much what I would love to find (or maybe build) for myself.

[@toddlanetoddlane]

I’m thrown by that rose carpet and dirt driveway. The kitchen is gorgeous.

[@SimpleDwelling]

I’m surprised by how much I actually like the carpet, usually I’d be fully against it, but I feel it works with the home. And can agree that the kitchen is amazing.

[@PARoth2011]

I’m upgrading a 1968 MCM ranch style in Florida. These houses are a challenge because the basic systems of septic, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc are all so expensive to bring to modern standards then there is the kitchen..sigh..mine has cabinets made of a type of fiber board that stinks after all these years. I can’t wait to replace it with teal cabinets plus I am pushing the dining and kitchen areas out into a glassed in patio so we have much more daylight. I love my new new old home project and am doing it with great care, saving most of the MCM details too which includes a “cracked Mexican tile” floor. I never heard of ribbon windows (are they jalousie windows?) and would have loved a close up of what that is. We must replace all the windows for energy efficiency also while trying to keep the look as modern as possible, ha choosing the windows is the hardest part to keep “to the period” for me.

[@GhostedStories]

Love it!

[@SimpleDwelling]

Me too!

[@heathpiper9604]

Rosso is going to bloody love this one.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Let me know if he does!

[@focusinterior.architecture]

Love thiss!

[@jessicasmith7102]

Lovely

[@dazmawilliams4530]

The door opening "by itself" was very creepy lol but love the home!

[@JohnPatersonAu]

Love it! Perfect place to relax and listen to records in the Eames chair! :-)

[@joldc5123]

Wish I could fine an original mid century home in my area, Beautiful

[@SimpleDwelling]

You and me both! I'd love to find a mid-century home in Fitzroy but no luck.

[@OrendaDesignStudio]

Beautiful 😍😍😍😍😍.

[@deniseljub452]

my dream HOME

[@doryjr2827]

l've seen this house before! It's full renovation journey was featured on a netflix show! The feature of the house are very memorable, the japanese kitchen tile, the custom joinery and of course the pink carpet, absolutely in love

[@SimpleDwelling]

The show you’re referring to (for reference in case others want to watch) is Restoration Australia. It’s was a great episode! And the home is just stunning!

[@77Tadams]

I love the house. I would have done tile and large area rugs throughout. The lighting is kinda not up to what I think I would elevate it to. But other than that, these houses should be restored to their fullest. Cheers! Thank you for the video on this fabulous home.

[@oltedders]

The widow walls provide more lighting than you can imagine from this short run through of the plan.

[@SimpleDwelling]

It was an overcast day but still, with all the lights off, there was plenty of light. Sometimes it's harder for the camera to pick that up.

[@1nnu3ndo]

Beautiful house and I love mid century architecture. The kitchen area re-do is stunning. However, I can't quite put my hand on it but for some reason only the living room doesn't vibe well with me... something seems to be off either in materials, colours or balance.

[@professornadinelima1783]

Was the original fire place in the living room blocked by plywood on both sides? If so I wish that was mentioned in this video. Gorgeous mid century 💕

[@ericsimonson8540]

Beautiful, wish there were before pictures though…

[@SimpleDwelling]

There are a few from 1:42

[@AliasHSW]

The dining chairs 🪑 look identical to the ones I have.

[@SimpleDwelling]

Jealous!

[@ExtrovertedCenobite]

That dirt driveway is going to make a mess if it rains.

[@cmdv42]

💯

[@robert111193]

Since when is 170m2 considered "pretty small" ?!

[@chichi1672]

❤

[@travr1177]

wow, was the power out during the reveal? nothing like a review of a cave

[@mindofalbion]

house is nice. the eames chair is horrendous though

[@user-xi7gz6sz4w]

The mauve rose carpeting would have to go.

[@Qwoap]

Was this house on Restorations Australia ?

[@SimpleDwelling]

Yep, it was.

[@mcarmel1]

What is the kitchen countertop material? A quartzite? Is there a name for the color/pattern?

[@SimpleDwelling]

I will follow-up with the architect for you.

[@mcarmel1]

@@SimpleDwelling Thank you very much - I am very conflicted on what counter surface to use that is not just black or white or stainless or tile with grout

[@SimpleDwelling]

So Antony (the architect) said it is a Carrera marble. and recommended that you visit a stone yard in person to see the good stuff!

[@mcarmel1]

@@SimpleDwelling Thank you very much - I have visited and love so many of these natural stone slabs! Thinking of going with a leather finish on Taj Mahal quartize - not too dark but not too light. Just concerned about losing the period character while I update

[@desertdaisymarie6951]

I'm looking at 150m² for 3 people, 2 with special needs.. People need to think smaller, like this family have done 🙂

[@yyeonu]

3:43 5:15

[@marcburns508]

Id take a nice mcm house that was designed by a real architect over a McMansion anyday.

[@MejgJanssenTV]

170m2 is small?????? in what universe..

[@SimpleDwelling]

More so, in what country? Australia’s average house size is 230m2, so contextually speaking, it is regarded as small.

[@ArtbyOscarMejia]

"this is a pretty small house of about 170 square meters" I hope he is kidding, that is not small at all. First world problems I guess

[@SimpleDwelling]

Context matters, and in the context of Australia, 170m2 is far below the average house size.

[@richardshipe4576]

​@OfficialYouYubebelow average is how we'd define small. What you *need* is enough for cooking, water, waste, shelter, sleeping quarters. That could be fit in a much much much smaller space if we really want to discuss necessities.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

5 kids. That’s a tight squeeze.

[@oksanaar3892]

@@richardshipe4576🙄

[@7th_CAV_Trooper]

No one even knows what a square meter is

[@TheSushmaHomeSellingTeam]

This revitalization not only honors the home's legacy but also ensures its relevance for generations to come. 🤎🤍