Modern Inspiration

Owning and possibly renovating a midcentury modern or ranch home can be a joy---or a pain, if you can't find what you need. Here are a few resources that I have found inspiring or helpful as I renovated the three 1950s houses I've called home. For overall inspiration, I recommend USModernist.org. If there is a resource you’ve found helpful, please let me know at margaret@modernmemphishomes.com or on Instagram at @modernmemphishomes.

House proud: "attentive to, or preoccupied with, the care and appearance of one's home." Mulch proud: "attentive to, or preoccupied with, the care and appearance of one's mulch." My seller sent me this video of the freshly mulched beds at his listing, and he is so right to be proud of how they look. He gets an A+ is market preparation for sure. Bonus points for using dark mulch and pine straw. This VERY well-maintained house is 1703 Newton Oak Circle W in East Memphis. No surprise that it is move-in ready. The surprise is the great price for a custom home built in 2008 in a gated community. It is listed for $379,000. You can see all the details at my link in bio, or call/text me at 646-898-6901 for details.

JUST LISTED! Tucked away on lovely Lake Drive in coveted Norfleet Estates, this timeless home has enduring architectural charm and an outstanding location. Zoned for White Station High School and conveniently close to other prestigious schools like St. Mary’s, St. Agnes, and St. Dominic. The vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment options at Mendenhall/Poplar and Laurelwood are just moments away, providing easy access to everything you need for daily errands and more. The marble-floored foyer leads to a spacious living room that stretches the length of the home, bathed in natural light. Perfect for entertaining or quiet evenings gathered around the gas fireplace. Welcome your guests in a gracious dining room overlooking the garden. A warm and comfortable paneled den offers a wood-burning fireplace, creating the perfect setting for cozy nights with family. The large, eat-in kitchen features a well-thought-out layout with plenty of counter space and room for multiple cooks (and two sinks). With ample cabinetry and prep space, it will work for all your meals, from midnight snacks to huge holiday dinners. Upstairs, generously sized bedrooms provide plenty of space with good closets. The home includes abundant storage options, including a large attic and extra space above the two-car garage, ensuring everything has its place. The primary bedroom has two walk-in closets, and its unusual size allows for a sitting area for winding down at the end of the day. Outside, the lovely garden provides a peaceful retreat, enhancing the home’s curb appeal with manicured landscaping and a serene atmosphere. The street, lined with mature trees and elegant homes, offers a welcoming neighborhood setting, while still providing an easy commute almost anywhere in the city. Unbeatable location, classic architecture, and warm, inviting spaces---make it yours! Listed by Margaret Mikkelsen, Marx-Bensdorf Realtors Cell: 646-898-6901 Office: 901-682-1868

This house is a midmod lover's dream come true! The sellers purchased this pristine ranch house from the original family who had it custom designed with tons of quality details. Recent sensitive renovations have carefully updated it for today. My clients opened the great room to the breakfast area but kept the fabulous green Geneva kitchen. A gorgeous new white oak credenza adds even more modern flair. Enjoy your new screened porch and fresh landscaping this spring. Get your groove on in the retro game room---the pool table stays. Imagine the parties you could have in the soaring great room with wet bar! Clever touches throughout like pullout rods for setting out tomorrow's outfit and rotating toothbrush holders. Fabulous floor plan and quality construction means this is a dream that will last. Great room, 26x28 feet Living Room/Dining Room, 25x17 feet Kitchen, 14x13 Game Room, 20x18 Primary Bedroom, 15x13 Second Bedroom, 14x13 Third Bedroom, 15x12 Laundry Room, 12x10 Great to know: The fireplace is gas. The roof and electric panel were replaced in 2019, along with the tile floor and carpet. The house was painted inside and out. The backyard—-once a bamboo jungle—is now a beautiful landscape with a flagstone seating area created by English Gardens. Sweet bay magnolia and persimmon trees dot the front circle drive. Double ovens and lots of counter and cabinet space in the kitchen. The water heaters were recently replaced, and a storm shelter added under the carport. The porch was screened in recently, adding lots of usable space. The workshop is heated and cooled for hobbies in comfort. The washer, dryer, and KitchenAid refrigerator will remain. Listed by Margaret Mikkelsen, Marx-Bensdorf Realtors for $658,000 Office: 901-682-1868 Cell: 646-898-6901 Link in bio to listing details. video by @lensman38104 #midcenturymodern #midcenturymodernrealestate #memphisrealestate

I really enjoyed being interviewed by @rivercitylifestylemagazine for this article (March 2025, page 14) on getting your home ready to list. No home is the same, no circumstances are the same, so I work with each of my clients to develop a market preparation plan that accounts for their goals, and their available time, treasure, and talent. The accompanying photos by @sarahvoigtphotography capture just how special this listing is. See the link in my bio to learn all about 180 S. Grove Park Road, Memphis.

Carpet Spectrum did a great job removing the worn out sheet vinyl in this fabulous kitchen and replacing it with period-appropriate VCT flooring that looks just right with the St. Charles steel cabinets and original tile backsplash from 1960. Last photo is the before pic. Can't wait to share professional photos with you in a few weeks. I especially love the shot that shows the brick floor of the sunroom butting up to the VCT, with the terrazzo in the dining room visible through the window to the right. #vct #flooring #restoration #midcenturymodernrealestate #midcenturymodernmemphis

A deep covered flagstone patio with a bubbling fountain, built-in gas grill and granite-topped cabinets, room for dining, and low-maintenance landscaping so you can just kick back with a cold beverage and enjoy the breeze from the new fans...sounds pretty sweet! $875,000 for nearly 5,000 square feet in prime East Memphis. 4 or 5 bedrooms depending on your needs, plus a giant expansion space with permanent stairs. Central vacuum makes dropping Cheerios a fun pastime. Low-maintenance professional landscaping. Deep covered patio with built-in gas grill and cabinets. Three-car garage for all your cars and toys. Beautiful brick exterior. Tall TALL ceilings and hardwood floors. Open kitchen with 8-foot island. Privacy, privacy, privacy---all the bedrooms have attached baths and the primary bedroom is tucked away from the others. Zoned for White Station schools, this home is as practical as it is beautiful. Conveniently near shopping and dining at Laurelwood and Poplar/Mendenhall. Book your showing today and see this amazing property for yourself! Listed by me (Margaret Mikkelsen, Marx-Bensdorf Realtors) cell: 646-898-6901 office: 901-682-1868 Link in bio with full listing details #eastmemphis #memphisrealestate #traditionalhomeforsale #courtyard #patio #brickhouse

Hawk in my yard looking like the sellers who park down the street during the showing.

Don't sleep on this brick beauty! 🏡 Now $875,000 for nearly 5,000 square feet in prime East Memphis. 4 or 5 bedrooms depending on your needs, plus a giant expansion space with permanent stairs. Central vacuum makes dropping Cheerios a fun pastime. Low-maintenance professional landscaping. Deep covered patio with built-in gas grill and cabinets. Three-car garage for all your cars and toys. Beautiful brick exterior. Tall TALL ceilings and hardwood floors. Open kitchen with 8-foot island. Privacy, privacy, privacy---all the bedrooms have attached baths and the primary bedroom is tucked away from the others. This luxurious entertainer’s home offers everything you need for stylish, low-maintenance living. Set around a beautiful landscaped courtyard, the home features a spacious covered patio with a built-in grill, perfect for outdoor dining. Inside, the gourmet kitchen with a large island, double JennAir ovens, warming drawer, and gas range is ideal for cooking and hosting. The vaulted great room, complete with a fireplace, provides a cozy atmosphere for guests. The private primary suite boasts two walk-in closets and French doors leading to the courtyard. Additional highlights include a guest suite, media room, smart home system, and a convenient three-car garage. Zoned for White Station schools, this home is as practical as it is beautiful. Book your showing today and see this amazing property for yourself! Conveniently near shopping and dining at Laurelwood and Poplar/Mendenhall. Listed by me (Margaret Mikkelsen, Marx-Bensdorf Realtors) cell: 646-898-6901 office: 901-682-1868 Link in bio with full listing details #eastmemphis #memphisrealestate #traditionalhomeforsale #courtyard #brickhouse

This is a home inspector, doing a sewer line inspection in the snow like a true hero. Who is your home hero? My vendor list is a list of home heroes and an important resource for my clients. I try to keep it updated as people retire, move away, or I hear that they are no longer doing a great job. Who would you recommend to other home owners or buyers? A plumber who came to your rescue? A contractor who came in under budget? A handyman who finally fixed that thing you ignored for months? Or maybe your hero isn’t home-related but you think everyone could benefit from their expertise—a CPA, a dry cleaner, a florist, a mechanic, a dog trainer. If you’re willing to share your hero with the world, please add them to my vendor list (link in bio or tag them in the comments). If you are interested in receiving the updated list, just ask and I'll send it to you! You can also email or text your hero’s info to me at margaret@ modernmemphishomes.com or 646-898-6901. Thank you to all the home heroes out there, like the crew cleaning my air ducts right now. @puroclean_of_memphis

Newton Court OPEN HOUSES Sunday, January 5, 1-3pm Newton Court is a gated community inside the loop, 15-20 minutes to the airport, Midtown, Medical District, University of Memphis. Minutes to shopping at Poplar & White Station and Poplar & Mendenhall. Tour all three of these listed homes! 1703 Newton Oak Cir W 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths $399,000 Custom-built brick home is set on a roomy lot among other lovely homes in Newton Court. Such a perfect balance of security, community, and convenience! Bask in tons of natural light in the large great room with hardwood floors, 12-foot ceiling, and gas fireplace. Enjoy bonuses like extra insulation for a quiet interior, arched openings, an office/TV room off the great room, and a play room/4th bedroom. Relax on your patio under the pergola or play in the large yard. SELLER FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR 5% for 1 year. Listed by Margaret Mikkelsen, Marx-Bensdorf Realtors 646-898-6901 Cell 901-682-1868 Office 1655 NEWTON OAK CIR W 4 bedrooms, 2 baths $397,000 This is a hidden gem! Former model home! 9' ceilings! BR4/Game room with office area up. Nice lot at .24 acres, fenced! Plantation Shutters! Hardwood with high ceilings in Entry/Dining/Great Rm. Kitchen w/8' brkfst bar, new stove/oven/micro, refrigerator, granite, backsplash, opens to hearth room with fireplace. Primary bath has new tile, new vanities, jacuzzi, sep shower. New deck, new paint(2021) new hot water tank(2022). Listed by Medley Ewan, Keller Williams 901-496-0276 Cell 901-261-7900 Office 5231 NEWTON OAK CIR S 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths $400,000 Discover your dream home in the heart of East Memphis! This stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath property is nestled in a secure gated community, offering both privacy and convenience. Perfectly located near premier shopping, dining, and entertainment options, this home combines elegance with functionality. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Listed by Jason Davis, Keller Williams Realty 901-791-1098 Cell 901-708-4018 Office

My seller clients will miss this house this holiday season, but that means you can enjoy it for many years to come! Welcome to this beautifully-crafted luxury home, designed for those who love to entertain with minimum hassle. Located around a spacious, low-maintenance courtyard, this home boasts high-end finishes and custom details throughout. Enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor living with a covered patio, built-in grill, and gorgeous landscaping. The chef’s kitchen features an 8-foot island, double JennAir ovens, a warming drawer, and a gas range. The vaulted great room with a cozy fireplace is perfect for gatherings, while the airy primary suite offers two walk-in closets and French doors leading to the courtyard. A private guest suite and three upstairs bedrooms—including a media room with a projector and snack bar—complete this home. With high ceilings throughout, including in the 3-car garage, plus a central vacuum and smart home system, convenience is key. Zoned for top-rated White Station schools. Schedule your showing today to see this exceptional home in person! Listed by me for $875,000. 5022 Cole Rd, Memphis TN 38117 Call me (646-898-6901) or your favorite agent (sellers are offering buyer agent compensation).