Honoring the Blueprint: Life Inside Victor Hosford's Personal Home in Boise

Designed and owned by Boise architect Victor Hosford, this 1958 home gets a second life with minimal, thoughtful renovations that elevate the home’s original character and beauty.

Black-painted 1958 Mid-Century Modern home with a covered entry, gravel courtyard, stepping-stone path, mature trees and a green front door. — The front porch, shrouded in a broad overhang and surrounded by lush greenery, remains largely unchanged. “The house needed a new roof, and obviously some repainting and landscaping. I kept everything on the outside the same colors,” Kelli says. Preserving original features was key to Kelli’s vision for her renovation. “I wanted a house to keep its mystery from the outside, and its character on the inside.”

For many owners seeking to update their Mid Mod homes, the familiar adage “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” applies. With iconic and fantastic features that defined the era of Mid Century Modern design, many of these homes merely need a facelift versus a complete overhaul. The process of renovating requires a careful balance between making necessary and much needed updates to accommodate contemporary considerations, and maintaining all those features that give the home character and make it truly stand out. Idaho native Kelli Orr has spent the past decade lovingly and thoughtfully restoring and remodeling her 1958 Boise MCM home so that it embraces the best aspects of its original design while also accommodating her and her husband’s personal style.

Mid-Century Modern living room with a white sofa, dark gray sectional, round coffee table, patterned rug, wood-paneled wall and large corner windows. — The living room feels much the same as it did over six decades ago. Kelli wanted to keep as much of the original design as possible as they are what breathe character into the home. “My personal favorite features are the floor to ceiling windows that let in so much natural light,” she says. “The mahogany accent walls in every room make it feel so warm, and familiar to my childhood.”

Finding Victor Hosford’s Home

Born and raised in Boise, Kelli took a leap and purchased a home upon graduating college and starting her career as a dental hygienist in 2016. “I was apprehensive about buying a home that young but with some encouragement and help from my parents we made it happen; and thank goodness I did it then, because the housing market skyrocketed in price in our area shortly after,” she says. When she came across the atomic-era residence of local commercial and residential architect Victor Hosford (aka V.K. Vic Hosford), she knew it was meant to be.

Vintage-inspired wall display with two nested wood frames, starburst wall clocks, a small ceramic vase and a table lamp on a wooden credenza. — Part of the purchase of the home included many of the vintage furniture pieces from the original homeowners. “The couch, the side table and the credenza in the living room are all pieces that came with the house when I bought it,” says Kelli. “I came to find out they are Knoll Associates, and I got the couch restuffed and reupholstered.”

“It was perfect for me, after being on the hunt for months and not finding anything with character or curb appeal,” she says. “Even though it was in pretty rough shape I knew I had to have it.” Its close proximity to downtown Boise was another big selling point.

Dining nook with a slim wood-and-metal table, two chairs, a framed landscape print and a potted plant against a mahogany-paneled wall. — Kelli opted to turn one of the three bedrooms, as well as one bathroom, into a rental unit. It is sectioned off from the rest of the home with a private entrance and includes a sitting area, bedroom, and bathroom. Kelli’s updates include new paint, flooring, and fun touches like the blue wallpaper.

The home had been owned and inhabited only by the Hosford’s since its construction, making Kelli only the second owner of the over seven-decade old home. “Vic Hosford’s four children were born and raised here, and once Hosford and his wife passed, his children had plans to move away and sell it,” she says. At this point she met Steve Hosford, the son of the home’s architect, who is also a contractor who assists in many projects on the home. “He sold me the home without listing it on the market, for $200,000,” she says. “We even bargained to have them leave the cool furniture with it, including items by Knoll, Nelson, and Mulhauser.”

Living room corner with a cream lounge chair, white globe floor lamps, mahogany wall paneling, a dark wood cabinet and large window. — Unfortunately, as in many older homes, some materials had to be replaced due to the wear and tear of time. Original cork tile flooring was among the casualties. “I wanted to preserve those but there was too much damage done to them when they covered everything in carpet in the 70’s,” Kelli says.

Making Thoughtful Changes

Despite its age, the home has largely maintained the same footprint over the decades. Originally a two-bedroom, one bath single family dwelling, the Hosford’s added on three small bedrooms and an additional bathroom to accommodate their growing family. Other than this, the home remained much the same when Kelli purchased it. She knew from the beginning that she did not want to make major structural and design changes, but rather more minimal updates that highlighted the home’s already unique and eye-catching look and feel.

“The home instantly stood out, it was always painted black with accent doors of green, and its single level, flat roof design with large windows, screens, and trees growing through various parts of the roof, was something I only dreamed of,” Kelli says.

Updated Mid-Century Modern kitchen with open wood shelves, white countertop, black sink, cooktop, upper cabinets and a dining area beyond. — The kitchen feels like a blend of Mid Mod and contemporary style as Kelli’s updates provide functional and aesthetic updates. “To get a more open concept, easy access to the dinnerware, I removed the cabinet doors, although I still have them and will always keep them,” she says. “I just didn’t think they functioned that well for us.”

Keeping these features was key. “My goals in renovation were minimal,” she says. “The house needed a new roof, and obviously some repainting and landscaping.” The very first day she owned the home, she and her family created a primary bedroom from two of the small, added-on bedrooms, making the home now a three bedroom, two bathroom dwelling. In addition to some structural changes, there were also some important cosmetic updates. “Because it was built in the 50’s I also know the owners smoked inside of the house for many years,” she says. “My first year spent here was repainting and getting the walls and floors cleaned of stain and odor.” In the years following, Kelli has slowly tackled one to two projects per year to get the house to how she, and now her husband Tommy, envision home.

Long interior hallway with original wood paneling, stone or tile flooring, large windows and a view toward a furnished room at the far end. — The kitchen feels like a blend of Mid Mod and contemporary style as Kelli’s updates provide functional and aesthetic updates. “To get a more open concept, easy access to the dinnerware, I removed the cabinet doors, although I still have them and will always keep them,” she says. “I just didn’t think they functioned that well for us.”

“It is hard not living in something perfect, but it also makes you appreciate things more as you go,” she says. With many plans for future projects for her Victor Hosford original, Kelli and her husband will continue to shape the home’s style while honoring its roots in traditional Mid Century Modern design.

Mid-Century Modern dining room with an oval wood table, orange upholstered chairs, pendant light, mahogany-paneled wall and framed artwork. — Modern swaps give the home a more contemporary feel, though the aesthetic doesn’t stray too far from MCM tastes. In this case, Kelli had to change out the original George Nelson Bubble lamp that hung over the dining table. “Due to the old failing roof, there was a leak that caused electrical problems resulting in it exploding,” she says. “It was extremely tragic. I hope one day to replace it with the same light.”

Primary bedroom with a white bed, mahogany-paneled accent wall, blue-gray walls, large windows and a small bedside table. — The primary bedroom combines original features like the mahogany wall paneling with updates like soft blue paint and new flooring. “I like the original recessed lighting above all of the bedroom closets, which offer a softer, less distracting ambiance,” says Kelli.

Mid-Century Modern lounge chair and ottoman beside a large window, with blue-gray walls, wood flooring and a small side table. — “The house was full of original Mid Century Modern furniture, some of which I had to get reupholstered and refinished,” says Kelli. The palette for the home is greatly influenced by period appropriate colors, with a gentle nod to contemporary adaptations.

Updated bathroom vanity with white countertop and sink, wood cabinetry, blue-gray wall, white tile and floating wood shelves with plants. — The guest bathroom originally had Formica countertops, but due to age and wear, Kelli had to replace them with a simple and functional substitute. Part of the rental unit, the style in this space has a more contemporary feel though retains a Mid Mod foundation.

Primary bathroom and laundry area with white countertop, wood-and-gray cabinetry, vessel sinks, open shelves and a washer and dryer. — The primary bathroom features original cabinetry and wood wall paneling. “I had a shower and floors retiled,” says Kelli. The space also doubles as the laundry room. “I enjoy having a washer and dryer in there so I can wash my clothes immediately as well as enjoy my hot towels from the dryer when I get out of the shower,” says Kelli.

Backyard patio with a patterned breezeblock wall, round outdoor table, white chairs, concrete paving and mature landscaping. — Kelli notes that removing the bushes did come at the cost of losing some of the privacy they afforded. “But we are hopeful to gain that back over the years with new growth,” she says. Iconic mid mod style breezeblocks are added but feel original to the home. above: Kelli calls this seating area as her “backyard oasis” – and it was a labor of love. She describes the arduous process of uncovering the back patio as the biggest transformation for the entire home. “It was crumbled red brick hidden by the overgrown arborvitae,” she says. “We cut everything back, built a fence, garden beds, poured a concrete patio and redid the porch.”

All About the Architect: Victor Hosford

TJ Pierce of Mid-Century Homes by Anthology shares about this influential Mid Mod Boise architect.

Born: 1935
Location: Boise, ID
Types of Work Done: Civic projects, commercial and residential
Notable Project: Idaho Supreme Court Building
Design Philosophy: “Hosford believed in homes that lived well. His work often blended clean horizontal lines with warm, natural materials—like the original mahogany wall paneling in this home, which the owners love and have thoughtfully preserved. He paid close attention to how spaces felt—not just how they looked. Windows were placed to frame the outdoors like art, floor plans encouraged flow and connection, and there was always a sense of harmony between form and function.

Side entrance to the Mid-Century Modern home designed by Victor Hosford with a black exterior, concrete walkway, gravel landscaping, mature greenery and large windows. — The exterior exemplifies Victor Hosford’s style which emphasizes geometric planes, walls of glass and a connection with nature.

“The home featured here is a perfect example. Modest from the street, it opens up into something timeless and deeply livable. The original finishes have aged with grace. There’s intention in every corner, and a kind of quiet confidence in the way the house holds space for everyday life.

“Hosford didn’t set out to be flashy. He wasn’t trying to be trendy. He designed for people—for the way they move, gather, rest, and grow. And decades later, that thoughtfulness still shines through.”

Looking for more modernist inspiration in Idaho? Check out this renovated beauty and this wonderfully preserved 1965 gem. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!