This Mid Century Ranch Renovation in Dallas Proves Modern can be Cozy
This Lakewood, Dallas mid century ranch renovation is a testament to how thoughtful design can revive a home’s original charm while elevating it for modern living. This home had ALL the mid-century features from the terrazzo floors and vaulted ceilings to the original beams and period lighting, but had also suffered through a few unfortunate “updates,” most notably the painted-over paneling above the fireplace.
Our goal? Restore the soul of this 1950s gem while making it livable for today. Paige Studio created a comprehensive design plan for the living space that included restoring the fireplace wall, designing a custom built-in entertainment console, adding custom shelving in the dining area, refreshing the palette with a warm bright white, and fully furnishing the space for a modern, curated feel.
“Before” this mid-century home was a victim of an overeager painter and a can of white paint, “after” restoring the original mahogany paneling to its former glory, the fireplace was able to take center stage again!
The key element of this mid century ranch renovation was the fireplace…
The entire design concept stemmed from one key feature: the original mahogany-paneled fireplace wall. Sadly, it had been painted over in a prior renovation, a move that stripped the room of its warmth and historic character. Fortunately, we were able to find a wonderful craftsman who carefully stripped the white paint from every groove and grain of the paneling, sanded it smooth and retained the entire wall. It was a painstaking process, but well worth it to bring back the natural luster of the wood.
This fireplace isn’t just an architectural feature — it’s the soul of the home. Once restored, it set the tone for everything else: rich textures, organic tones, and a respect for the homes’ history and craftsmanship. We anchored the space with a leggy mid-century inspired chandelier that plays off the black ceiling beams and adds sculptural drama without overpowering the fireplace.
To finish the space, we layered in a curated mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings, including a plush wool rug and low-profile, lounge-worthy seating, alongside a few iconic mid-century pieces. Every piece was selected to harmonize with the homeowners’ existing collection and tell the homes’ architectural story. The result is a space that feels relaxed and livable, yet still sophisticated and refined - perfect for family gatherings without sacrificing style.
In the adjacent dining space, we added a set of 10-foot-long mahogany floating shelves. These were custom designed to echo the restored fireplace paneling and bring warmth and continuity throughout the open living/dining space. They also bring some much needed display and storage space to an otherwise underutilized niche.
We also preserved and restored another of the homes’ charming original details: a rare pull-down pendant light which we had carefully restored.
To complement the homeowners’ vintage expandable dining table, we sourced authentic 1950s Gavina Cesca chairs and had them re-caned and refinished. These iconic chairs will hopefully be the source of many more dinner conversations to come!
Love this transformation?
You can explore more of our historic home renovations and curated interiors in our full portfolio.
If you have a mid-century rem of your own, we specialize in bringing these spaces back to life. Book a complimentary project planning call directly with Courtney (our lead designer) and lets talk about you vision.
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