Midcentury makeover

The Liddys kept the family room’s exposed cinder block wall and glass doors and updated it with their own furnishings. Photos by Collin Richie

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BEFORE:

AFTER:

A local couple celebrates their home’s 1960s style

By Faith Dawson

When Canette and Christopher Liddy bought a 1963 home, their goal was to renovate it while still trying to keep everything almost exactly the same. They wanted to honor the spirit and the aesthetic of the original owner, a nurse who appreciated art and design and whose house was unique to the neighborhood.

From the street, the house looks a little like a space station, with a plain gray cinder block exterior and five jutting pyramid skylights. From the back, 12 sets of glass doors expose the majority of the main living space to the backyard.

Seen from inside, the home’s pyramid-shaped skylights are large enough for sky views. Seen from the outside at night, when the house is lit, they glow softly.

Happy with the character of the home, the Liddys got to work renovating.

The first task was to check the extent of and repair minimal water damage from a roof leak. Next, they sought to widen the kitchen footprint by removing a wall and bumping out the counters. It now opens up into the family room, which features a breakfast bar. The family took down another wall between two small bedrooms, creating one larger space that is now shared by their teenage sons. The bathrooms were in good shape and only needed new vanities.

Canette worked with the contractor directly. She has a BA in interior design from Ole Miss and could easily envision how to handle the renovation as well as the design afterward.

Outside, the Liddys added a swimming pool and an L-shaped deck. They kept the exterior teal and burgundy color scheme outdoors.

The exposed living area wasn’t intimidating—the house backs up to woods, so privacy isn’t a problem. Plus, the backyard landscape provides an excellent view. But having so many glass walls created another challenge—where to hang art. To compensate, Canette opted for white walls so their art would really stand out.

The Liddys were able to furnish their midcentury home with pieces that belonged to the original owner, who was downsizing. The pieces included several chairs, a wooden dining table and chairs, and a 12-foot dresser. Canette turned to Denicola’s to reupholster and refinish the inherited pieces.

They also kept the gray cinder-block wall in the family room, but replaced a freestanding fireplace with a newer, white model by Malm and relocated it to the middle of the room.