Midcentury modern perfect fit for the Hansons

Over the past decade or so, Eric and Shannon Hanson have been a bit like Goldilocks testing out the chairs of the three bears.

They first lived in a newer suburban home — which actually was a model home — on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids. It was a great house, but they began seeking out something with more character and charm. So a few years ago they moved to a 1920s sprawling brick Tudor home on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids. While the home was lovely and had loads of character, Shannon said they found the 3,600 square feet to be more than then needed.

'This house is half the size of our old house,' Shannon said of their current home, a fully renovated 1950s midcentury modern home in a northeast side neighborhood scattered with other midcentury modern homes.

'I feel like we are really using every space in this house,' she said. 'This house really is a better idea for us. It's just right.'

Eric agreed.

'It feels good to know that you are using your entire house,' he said. 'This house still has character but it's more practical. And it's different architecturally and in the colors being used outside.'

'Yes, we like unique homes,' added Shannon. 'We like it when our house doesn't look like the other houses on our street.'

The Hansons have settled in, as have their two dogs Rolen and Kingston, over the last few months, after buying the home in December 2015 and moving in last March.

Having been in Hanson House — the pet name they've given their home, taking a nod from the idea of midcentury homes being named for their designers — nearly one year, Shannon said they are really going about making it their own. Of course, the move did necessitate shopping for some new furniture pieces as most of their old furniture was sized for a larger house.

'I would say this house is now a 50/50 mix of new and old pieces,' she said, pointing at her latest purchase in the living room, a striking and playful bright green midcentury modern couch with a chaise lounge.

'The things we have from our other houses aren't flowery or ornate. They are just good solid pieces and they work here. We really like simple things and that fits with the clean midcentury feel.'

The living room, for example, also is home to Shannon's great grandmother's 'old school' player piano. And in the sitting room, hanging near the fireplace is a large framed quilt made in 1892 by Shannon's great-great-aunt. These pieces are proof that the Hansons' love of old things can blend with the clean and simple midcentury feel to create a decor all their own.

The home, built in 1959, surprises many visitors.

'Most people who walk in won't believe me when I say this house is less than 1,600 square feet. It really is well-used space,' Shannon said, noting that she also loves the functional yet aesthetically pleasing cork flooring.

The home's entryway didn't actually exist a few years ago, Shannon pointed out. That's when former owners added some 700 square feet — 350 or so in the entryway and mudroom with the same square feet dug out below to add to the master bedroom — at the front of the home, dramatically changing the home's curb appeal.

The famed 'H' wall right inside the front door is a whimsical highlight to the home before the inviting living room and kitchen — with its huge center island — draws guests right in.

'And that's washable wallpaper,' said Shannon, pointing out the geometric pattern on the kitchen wall, which looks like a tile backsplash from a distance.

Hanson also picked out the green pendant lights hanging above the spacious kitchen island, as well as several other unique light fixtures — one resembling the Death Star, according to Eric — throughout the home. And for as large as their former house was, Shannon said her new kitchen features more storage space. The kitchen, as well as all the bathrooms, feature cabinetry from Ikea, which Shannon noted is a good fit for midcentury modern homes.

All Hanson House's living space is on the first floor — including the living room, kitchen, office, bathroom, sitting room and dining room — while all three bedrooms and two bathrooms are located downstairs.

'The first floor feels very open which is really nice for entertaining which we love to do,' Shannon said.

'We were worried that a smaller house meant we couldn't do that as much but it has worked out well as we had 14 people over for Christmas,' Eric added.

For the size of the home, the master bedroom suite is deceivingly spacious. There's a full walk in closet — with custom Elfa shelving — and a full bath that includes not only a fully tiled walk-in shower but also a bathtub.

And another interesting element of the home is the two and a half stall tandem garage that runs the length of the house. Shannon noted that this arrangement really works out for her and her husband. It's just another reason, she points out, that their home is now just right.