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Shailey Murphy’s mid-century modern home combines original architectural details, vintage furnishings, and comfortable spaces designed for everyday life. Built in 1950 as a brick ranch-style house, it has a quiet neighborhood setting and a history that adds to its character. Shailey and her husband chose the home for its distinctive features and the sense of community on their street.
A Mid-Century Modern Home with Original Character
The house was built by the longtime superintendent of the local school district, a detail the couple learned from a neighbor after moving in. While they considered living in the country during their home search, the cozy street and established neighborhood ultimately felt like the right fit. Many of their neighbors have lived in their homes for years and raised families there, creating a welcoming community atmosphere.
Unique, original details were important to Shailey and her husband. The all-brick ranch has the mid-century feel they both appreciate, along with features that make it different from a newly built home. When considering an older property, look closely at which original elements are in good condition and can be retained. Those details can help preserve a home’s personality while allowing room for practical updates.
A Living Room Made for Relaxing
The living room is the couple’s most-used space. It is where they unwind together, open Christmas gifts, catch up late at night, and spend time with visiting friends. Although the kitchen is also a natural gathering place, the living room’s comfortable, cozy feel makes it their favorite.
The furnishings reflect both partners’ preferences. Shailey chose the first sofa, which her husband nicknamed the “Swiss Family Robinson” couch. For their second sofa, he picked a deeper-seated style in darker leather. The contrast helped the room feel like a shared space rather than one person’s design project.
With a background in interior design, Shailey knows how tempting it can be to over-style a room. Instead, the couple focused on making the living room suit their routines and feel comfortable to use. A useful approach for any home is to start with how a room needs to function, then choose furniture and decor that support those activities.
Vintage Finds and Meaningful Collections
Shailey is drawn to old objects, but she has learned to be selective because space is limited. Rather than bringing home every interesting find, she takes time to choose pieces she truly loves. This approach keeps collections personal and helps prevent rooms from feeling crowded.
Travel and family memories are part of the decor. The gold vases on the mantel came from a flea market in the Republic of Georgia, while the living room tension-pole lamp and the emerald green velvet bedroom chairs belonged to Shailey’s grandmother. She also collects work by local artists and has commissioned custom artwork featuring the couple’s dogs.
Several everyday pieces were thrifted or bought vintage, including the living room coffee table, floor lamps, stump table, and blankets. The orange dining room chairs were also found locally. Mixing secondhand pieces with meaningful keepsakes can add character to a room; before buying, consider whether an item has a place and purpose in your home.
Thoughtful Updates to the Kitchen and Interior
The couple moved into the house about 2 1/2 years ago and inherited a strong starting point from the previous owner. They replaced the kitchen countertops with poured concrete as a DIY project, with help from a friend, and installed a white honeycomb-tile backsplash.
They kept the original kitchen cabinets, which coordinate with the window trim and the large hallway paneling. The wood grain was a key reason to preserve them. Across most of the house, they painted the walls white. This light backdrop makes it easier to change artwork, furniture, and accent colors over time while helping rooms feel bright.
Shailey and her husband have gradually shaped the house into a home that reflects their tastes without sacrificing comfort. Their mid-century modern home shows how original features, carefully chosen vintage pieces, and practical updates can work together. When renovating, identify the details worth keeping first, then make changes that improve daily use and still feel true to the home’s character.
