Mid-Century Modern is having a moment. The perennially popular architecture and design style—think Don Draper’s Mad Men era—has always been a hit with vintage enthusiasts, but has also become highly desirable of late with mainstream buyers as well. In fact, “Mid-Century Modern” is one of the top trending searches across our site.
The style blossomed across the country throughout the 1950s and 1960s and is characterized by a few basic principles: low-slung homes with clean lines and minimalist decoration that have an emphasis on bringing the outside in and connecting with nature. Large windows and wide-open floorplans are common, as are geometric shapes. Famous architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer are closely associated with Mid-Century Modern homes.
Luckily, our region boasts a wealth of gorgeous homes perfect for Mid-Century Modern devotees, including these six currently represented by William Pitt – Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty:
Experience a home listed on the National Register of Historic Places that also lives like a dream. Built in 1962 and expanded in 1967 by New Canaan architect Hugh Smallen, the “Tatum House” is all about flowing, open spaces. An expanse of window walls lets in the woodsy surrounds on all sides and five airy bedrooms mean plenty of space for the whole family. A thorough update of the infrastructure and interior spaces was careful to preserve the authentic Mid-Century Modern design while bringing the home to today’s standards.
5 BR | 4 BA | 3,886 SF | 2.04 Acres
Though built in 1992, this Contemporary home embraces the Mid-Century Modern approach, with three circular windowed pavilions that seamlessly connect the home to its outdoor setting. Designed by internationally acclaimed London-based architect, Lester Korzilius, the home is filled with creative living spaces, including media room, wine cellar, greenhouse, three-car insulated and heated garage (electric), and 2,000 square feet of deck space. The house sits on 13 wooded acres and allows a lifestyle that is completely immersed in nature.
5 BR | 5.2 BA | 5,875 SF | 13 Acres
Combining a waterfront location with a design that nods to the Mid-Century Modern era, this Essex Village property offers a cozy way to appreciate the in-demand aesthetic. The home boasts 190 feet of direct waterfront on Middle Cove, adjacent to Essex Yacht Club and has its own dock with water and electricity. Convene with nature at sunrise or sunset (or any time of day, really)—spectacular from the expansive bluestone patio or viewed from inside through the wall of glass windows and sliders. Recent renovations include the sunny kitchen with a carved wood fireplace and a spa master bath with Carrara marble counter.
3 BR | 2.1 BA | 2,384 SF | .71 Acres
Built in 1965 by noted architect, Milton Klein, this classic home combines all of the key elements of Mid-Century Modern design. A brick exterior, low pitched pebble roof, and front courtyard set the vintage scene outside, while the authentic Mid Century-Modern charm continues inside with high ceilings, an oversized sunken living room, and open dining room with brick walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Additional Mid-Century design elements include oversized travertine tiles, an asymmetric brick fireplace and hearth with built-in seating, a brick and mirrored bar area, and a built-in credenza in the living room.
4 BR | 3.1 BA | 3,328 SF | .25 Acres
This unique property consists of 56 acres of bucolic land—including stone walls, open fields, perennial plantings, and mature trees—as a rural backdrop for a Tom Babbitt-design Mid-Century Modern from 1970. Impressive views, ample privacy, and an in-sync-with-the-land lifestyle are all on display here. The home’s Mid-Century details include a fireplace made from field stone harvested onsite, slate and oak flooring, exterior redwood siding, numerous built-ins, and custom walnut cabinetry. Outdoor living happens in the large second-story overlook deck, flagstone patio, and Gunite pool. A secondary structure includes a squash court, indoor pool, workshop area, and garage.
The Mid-Century Modern vibe is alive and well in this North Stamford cul-de-sac home with unique geometric features including a circular wall in the two-story great room and a large central curved stairway. The home is light and airy thanks to lots of scenic windows throughout which look onto the one-acre wooded property. More nature elements can be found in the dining room, complete with brick fireplace, which boasts triple sliders to the deck, leading to a screened porch. The home also offers a large primary bedroom with deep walk-in closet and private en-suite bathroom, a home office, and a whole-house generator.
4 BR | 3.1 BA | 2,479 SF | 1.01 Acres
