A Light-Filled Midcentury Home Shines With Modern, Scandinavian-Inspired Updates

Vaulted ceilings, floods of natural daylight and dramatic color choices infuse a modern, Scandinavian-style update to this midcentury ranch-style home in Atlanta.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Photo By: Flynnside Out

Midcentury Transformation

Transforming this midcentury ranch into a light-filled oasis was a labor of love for Atlanta-based interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn. Inspired by Scandinavian design principles and an extensive art collection, the homeowners updated the home inside and out to play up the home's original modern architecture. Vaulted ceilings and loads of glass give the home an inviting, open-concept feeling, while a rich color palette and unique flea market finds give it a cozy, inviting vibe that makes it an inspiring space for work or play.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Big Entrance

They say you only get one chance to make a first impression and this entrance definitely has a WOW factor. From the dazzling, oversized light fixture to the quirky wall decor collected from all over the world, this entryway instantly engages you as you walk through the dramatic steel and glass doors. The adorable faux sheep were custom crafted in Paris for the homeowner and set a playful tone as cuddly little greeters for guests coming and going.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Inner Sanctum

A dark, narrow hallway leading to the private spaces of the home was no match for wall-to-wall white paint. The space now feels much larger and more connected to the home's light and airy gallery-style foyer. A pair of tunnel skylights were installed to bring in more natural light. Wallpaper and a bead board ceiling add textural interest.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Keeping it Simple

The homeowner/designer took a "less is more" approach to the kitchen redesign, opting for Scandinavian-inspired simplicity. Gleaming white floors and cabinetry punctuated by black countertops and light fixtures let the large steel windows showcase the lush landscape beyond. The original ceiling was low and made the galley kitchen feel claustrophobic. Removing the drywall to reveal the sloped roof line injected some modernist magic back into the space.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Will Relocate

While renovating, a nearby laundry room was relocated downstairs in order to improve the kitchen's overall layout. The new L-shape configuration made it much easier for two people to prepare food together and more than doubled the room's storage and work surface.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Bold Bubbles

A trio of Nelson Bubble Lamps designed by midcentury design superstar George Nelson makes a bold, yet playful statement hung above the breakfast nook table. Not only is it a great conversation piece, it provides plenty of light once the sun goes down.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Going Green

Vintage chairs upholstered in a leafy green were a fantastic find to highlight the picture-perfect view to the backyard, and the dark iron finish complements the metal window frames.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Entertaining Options

With an expansive deck off the rear of the home, installing easy-access glass doors was a no-brainer for this couple who loves to entertain. Now there's an easy flow between the two spaces, and the breakfast nook table can transform into a cocktail station or brunch buffet when needed.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Concrete + Glass

While this modern home has plenty of bold angles, glass and steel that midcentury homes are known for, there wasn't much exposed concrete. Adding accessories like this planter inside and outside the home was an easy way to give the space a more modern aesthetic.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Raise the Roof

One of the smaller guest bedrooms received a total overhaul with a new vaulted ceiling that invites in loads of natural daylight. The original ceiling was low and gave the room a dark, cramped feeling. Raising the height of the room and the flooding it with light allowed the homeowners to use bold colors without worry that they would overpower the smallish space.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Light + Bright

Skylights and the wonderful light they provide can totally transform a room's personality. Since these were in a bedroom, the homeowner opted to add shades, so that guests could sleep until noon if they'd like. Remote controls for the skylight shades were worth the splurge.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Color Inspo

Thanks to the abundance of natural light, rich saturated colors feel right at home in this guest bedroom. The graphic artwork over the bed served as color inspiration for the space. And energizing combination of blues and greens help make the room welcoming to both kids and adults. The crisp white pieces flanking the bed help draw the eye up to the glossy white ceiling.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Balanced + Blue

In small spaces, keeping some furniture pieces up off the floor can go a long way to making a room appear larger. This retro bubble chair brings the fun AND helps make this bedroom feel a tad more spacious. The round shape of the chair and side table are a nice counterpoint to the all the squares found throughout the room.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Pretty Niche

Making the most of the space, a small writing desk pulls double duty as bedside table while a Panton-inspired S chair and chunky vintage lamp add sculptural flair to their corner of the room. Quirky illustrations feel casual and relaxed when grouped together and leaned against the wall — they also highlight the room's high-energy color palette.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Masculine Glamour

Rich woods and an Art Deco-inspired light fixture add glamour and sophistication to this home office. Each piece is from a different period and place, yet the overall look is unified thanks to similar wood tones. The homeowners opted to keep the mirrored closet doors, as they helped the room feel larger and brighter.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Sense of Humor

All work and no play make a home office a VERY dull space. The overscale photo of vintage office equipment is a wink and a nod to the homeowners' love of renovation, as well as their sense of humor. The lesson here: time flies, so you might as well have some fun, right?

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Minimalist Focal Point

The master bedroom felt more modern and spacious with a white, minimalist canopy bed as the focus of the room. A few warm pieces like the vintage chest of drawers and burled lamps round out the look. The large, colorful rug is like a piece of art for the floor.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Local Flair

The homeowner anchored the master bedroom's gallery wall with a large-scale painting by local artist Sally King Benedict. The blues in this piece played a part in the room's paint selection, as well.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Smart Studio

While the residence was being rehabbed, the homeowner wanted to carve out a bit more flexible space that could be used for client meetings, as well as entertaining. Under the carport, an underutilized closet was reimagined as a bright studio by simply reversing the access so that the doors faced out onto the backyard deck rather than inside toward the carport. After adding French doors and skylights, the transformation was complete.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Reclaimed Warmth

With vertical shiplap cladding the walls and sunlight pouring in the through the skylights the space ran the risk of feeling cold and sterile, but aged wood floors set in a herringbone pattern remedied the situation. The reclaimed wood salvaged from a 100-year-old factory by a company called Authentic Reclaimed add an old-world charm to the flexible studio.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Dark + Dramatic

The exterior of the home was repainted in a rich ebony to lend a more sophisticated, cleaner look. With a dark color palette, the large angular windows and glass doors have more visual weight, especially at night. Exterior details like these sculptural sconces become that much more appealing with a dark backdrop.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Personal + Impactful

Accessorizing with meaningful pieces adds warmth and personality to modern interiors. The homeowners' love of art and international travel are showcased throughout the home. This particular piece of art was purchased while they were working on the west coast and reminds them of the good times and good friends they made during that particular time in their lives.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

High/Low Sophistication

Anyone who's undertaken a renovation knows it can be a financial drain, so decorating in a high/low mindset is sometimes a necessity. This combination of vintage lamp and side table feels fresh and inviting when paired with a custom headboard and high-end linens.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

A Light-Filled Midcentury Home Shines With Modern, Scandinavian-Inspired Updates

Related To:

Shop This Look

Midcentury Transformation

Big Entrance

Inner Sanctum

Keeping it Simple

Will Relocate

Bold Bubbles

Going Green

Entertaining Options

Concrete + Glass

Raise the Roof

Light + Bright

Color Inspo

Balanced + Blue

Pretty Niche

Masculine Glamour

Sense of Humor

Minimalist Focal Point

Local Flair

Smart Studio

Reclaimed Warmth

Dark + Dramatic

Personal + Impactful

High/Low Sophistication

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