Top 10 Effortlessly Cool Mid Century Modern Homes (Not Just The Classics!)

Mid-century modern architecture has an undeniable cool factor — clean lines, organic shapes, and a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces. While icons like the Eames House and Farnsworth House often steal the spotlight, there are countless lesser-known gems that represent the same effortlessly stylish aesthetic. In this roundup, we’re diving into 10 stunning mid-century modern homes that deserve just as much recognition. From hidden architectural treasures to more modernized reinterpretations of the style, these homes prove that mid-century modern design is as timeless as ever.

 

10. Wolfhouse in Newburgh, New York by Philip Johnson

Built in 1950, a year after his iconic Glass House build in New Canaan, Connecticut, this gem sitting on the Hudson River perfectly encapsulates Johnson’s early design philosophy and hallmark style: open-plan spaces with seamless circulation and plate glass walls offering expansive views of the surrounding natural landscape.

 

9. Clark Residence in San Diego, California by Fredrick Liebhardt

A master architect and an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, Liebhardt designed this home in San Diego's Mission Hills neighborhood in 1959 for an artist and professor duo. This build features iconic post-and-beam redwood construction, with clerestory windows and unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail displayed in every room, including custom built-ins thar are signature designs of Liebhardt.

 

 

8. The Druckman Residence in Los Angeles, California by Rudolph Schindler

Tacked into the secluded Outpost Estates of the Hollywood Hills, the original owners had requested Schindler for a house with privacy and plenty of natural light. The heart is its main living space, where a soaring, beamed ceiling emphasizes the spatial drama, and large windows along the southern façade flood the area with natural light, framing picturesque views of the surrounding hillside.

 

7. The O'Neill Duplex No. 1 in Los Angeles, California by Rodney Walker

After studying under Rudolph Schindler, Walker contributed greatly to the Case Study House Program and took an active, physical role in the building and construction of his homes. This single-level, side-by-side duplex built in 1953 is enveloped in a serene natural setting, and oriented with views from every room toward the sparkling Silver Lake Reservoir, Hollywood sign, and Griffith Observatory. 

 

6. Deck House in Millbrook, New York by Acorn Deck House Company

The term “deck house” has evolved to describe a simple, modernist home with designs that follow the principles of the Deck House Company prefabricated home builders, founded in 1947. Similar to builder Joseph Eichler, the style has an international cult following. This midcentury home is sited back on 11-plus acres of meadow, wildflower fields, trails, and forest with a fenced organic garden, a two-bedroom, vintage-inspired pool house, and a gunite pool.

 

5. The Crail Residence in Los Angeles, California by George Letts

In a collaboration between the designer and homeowner, an aerospace engineer who acted as his own contractor, and perhaps inspired by Case Study House #20, this house is an example of the artistic experimentation so prevalent in the era — an exciting composition that is at once both formal and informal, a machine for living in the landscape. The wood post-and-beam structure is visually expressed, the primary living areas are enlivened by plywood barrel vaults, and the boundary between inside and out is dissolved by floor-to-ceiling glass.

 

4. Starlet House in North Vancouver, British Columbia by Gordon Hartley

An ode to Richard Neutra's Case Study House #6 and recently replicated in full for a Hollywood TV series, the home’s pitched roof and timber post-and-beam language hold a cinematic allure, marrying the vivacious spirit of California modernism with a deep west-coast reverence for nature. Harnessing regional materials like cedar, granite, and glass, the residence masterfully adapts Neutra’s modernist ethos to the ambiance of the north shore.

 

3. Corey Residence in Los Angeles, California by Jack Corey

The Corey Residence was born while Corey was still a student at the USC School of Architecture and had a vision to design a home for his parents. From the street, the home is concealed behind a timber screen with the roof structure peeking out above. From inside the home, every room opens to the garden or shaded terrace, creating a dynamic play between interior and exterior space that makes the residence ideal for entertaining. "The grabbing onto nature was what we wanted to achieve."

 

2. The Jackson House in Los Angeles, California by Mims Jackson Jr.

Originally designed by architect Mims Jackson, Jr. as his personal residence, this Studio City house is located on an elevated site carefully selected for privacy and captivating vistas to the north and south, with light entering from glazing in multiple directions. With Jackson's penchant for sliding doors and vaulted ceilings, an airy, open, and adaptable feel is created throughout the house, and the overall effect of connecting with nature.

 

1. 5300 Dubois Avenue in Los Angeles, California by Charles Du Bois

An architect who played a leading role and made a major contribution to the mid-century modern identity of Palm Springs, the street where this home is located is a tribute to Du Bois and embodies his legacy. From the graceful entrance with mature trees to the charming garden, this home embodies a true beautiful living.