The History of Mid-Century Gems: About Us, Editorial Standards, and Community Guidelines

Mid-Century Gems was born from a deep admiration for the bold, timeless designs of the mid-century modern movement. The founder, a dedicated preservationist and architecture enthusiast, first cultivated their passion while studying in the Department of Art and Architecture at the University of Idaho. This academic foundation became the bedrock of their expertise, shaping an understanding of architectural principles, design theory, and historical preservation.

While at the University of Idaho, the founder studied under Matthew Brehm, an esteemed architect and professor known for his keen eye for urban sketching, architectural history, and design integrity. Under Brehm’s mentorship and a series of thoughtful teaching assistants, several of whom they remain close with today, they gained hands-on experience in analyzing structures, exploring form and function, and understanding the cultural significance of mid-century modern architecture.

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Acknowledging Early Influences: A Major Shout Out to the University of Idaho’s Art & Architecture Program

The University of Idaho’s College of Art and Architecture (CAA) is recognized for its immersive, design-driven approach, providing students with a comprehensive education in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and art history. With a focus on sustainability, historic preservation, and innovation, the program fosters a deep respect for the role of design in shaping communities.

One of the standout aspects of the University of Idaho’s architecture program is its hands-on methodology. Students engage in studio-based learning, field studies, and real-world applications of architectural theory. The program encourages students to think critically about space, materiality, and the intersection of design and human experience, perfectly aligning with mid-century modernism's ethos.

"I’ll never forget one specific major assignment in our first year of study. We were tasked with selecting a building on campus and, without using any traditional measurement tools, conducting a full building analysis using only our feet. A few of my classmates and I entered a three-story, 7,500 square foot building around 6:30 p.m. on a Friday and didn’t leave until we had paced out the entire space around 11:00 a.m. the next morning. I’ve always loved the sketching aspect of architecture and interior design—and in general—but this assignment pushed me to trust my instincts in an entirely new way. Pacing off a space of that size to estimate dimensions felt crazy at the time, but it gave me a hands-on, experience-based approach to measuring and understanding spatial relationships in the field." — Founder, Mid-Century Gems

The University of Idaho's Department of Art and Architecture curriculum is heavily influenced by modernist, sustainable, and design-thinking principles—an approach that resonated with Mid-Century Gems' founder. Students are encouraged to develop a keen appreciation for mid-century architecture's clean lines, functional aesthetics, and timeless appeal through research, sketching, and structural analysis.

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Bringing the Vision of Mid-Century Gems to Life

After years of research, study, and exploration, our founder launched Mid-Century Gems, a platform dedicated to celebrating, documenting, and preserving mid-century modern architecture and design. What began as an academic interest quickly became a full-fledged mission to educate, inspire, and advocate for mid-century preservation.

Through photography, historical research, and storytelling, Mid-Century Gems shines a spotlight on forgotten architectural treasures, ensuring that these structures remain appreciated and protected for generations to come. Our founder’s background in art and architecture, combined with an insatiable curiosity for design history, fuels the platform’s commitment to authenticity and excellence.

Whether uncovering mid-century gems in Phoenix, Spokane, and Palm Springs or celebrating architectural icons right at home in Boise, Idaho, Mid-Century Gems goes beyond being just a resource—it’s a tribute to the movement that redefined modern living, honoring visionaries like Richard Neutra and Bruce Walker along the way.

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The Future of Mid-Century Gems

As Mid-Century Gems continues to grow, the founder remains dedicated to educating the public, advocating for historic preservation, and uncovering the untold stories of mid-century modernism. With a foundation built on years of study, mentorship from architectural greats, and an unwavering commitment to design, Mid-Century Gems is poised to remain a vital voice in the mid-century preservation movement.

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Editorial Standards

At Mid-Century Gems, we uphold the following core values in our collaborations—both internally and with freelance talent—to foster trust, respect, and integrity in storytelling.

Mutual Partnership

We recognize and value the role of every contributor, ensuring an equitable exchange between editors and writers, creators and publishers, and all MCG departments. Our goal is to bridge power dynamics and maintain mutual trust throughout the creative process.

Informed Participation

Everyone involved in a project deserves a voice in its development. We provide opportunities for approval at key stages, ensuring writers have final sign off before their work is published.

Creative Ownership

We respect creative ownership by securing proper licenses and ensuring all contributors receive full and appropriate recognition for their work.

Cultural Integrity

Stories are strongest when told with accuracy and depth. We never strip ideas from their origins—who, what, where, and when—but instead honor their history and meaning, ensuring rich, responsible storytelling.

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Video Content Production

When you watch Mid-Century Gems video content, you're experiencing high-quality, engaging storytelling crafted by our passionate team of producers and editors. We aim to create visually stunning content that educates, informs, and inspires.

Our video team consists of architecture, interior design, and real estate media specialists committed to delivering reliable, insightful, and impactful content for our global community.

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Our Commitment to Accurate and Inclusive Reporting

At Mid-Century Gems, our writers and editors adhere to strict sourcing standards to ensure accuracy, reliability, and transparency in every article.

Sourcing Standards

We rely on current, reputable primary sources, including expert interviews, government agencies, and academic institutions. Every data point, fact, and claim is verified by at least one credible source to maintain editorial integrity.

Anonymous sourcing is strongly discouraged, as it can compromise transparency and reader trust. If an unnamed source is used, we will disclose the reason for anonymity and provide necessary context.

Fact-Checking and Accuracy Standards

At Mid-Century Gems, we uphold the highest journalistic standards to provide our readers with reliable, well-researched content. Our editorial team—including editors, copy editors, and fact-checkers—meticulously reviews each story to ensure accuracy, fairness, and inclusivity. Every fact, quote, and statistic is rigorously vetted, and we collaborate with subject-matter experts to maintain the integrity of our reporting.

If you spot an issue in any of our content, we encourage you to reach out.

Corrections and Accountability

Accuracy is at the core of everything we publish. We are committed to transparency and accountability in our reporting, in line with our Accuracy and Corrections Policy.

We welcome reader participation in our fact-checking efforts. If you believe we’ve published a factual error, please let us know—we will promptly review the issue and take appropriate corrective action. To report a potential error, email hello@midcenturygems.com.

Commenting Policy

We value thoughtful, respectful discussions and invite readers to share their perspectives on our content. However, Mid-Century Gems maintains a zero-tolerance policy for comments that are threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate. We do not permit hate speech, personal attacks, or offensive remarks about individuals or groups.

Comments that violate these guidelines may be removed at our discretion. Repeated or severe violations may result in a ban from commenting on Mid-Century Gems and our social platforms.

Thank you for being part of our community and helping us foster a respectful and informed dialogue.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policies

Additionally, at Mid-Century Gems, all content is created by humans, for humans. We do not publish AI-generated content, including text produced by tools such as ChatGPT, as part of our commitment to original, thoughtfully crafted journalism.

Amplifying Underrepresented Voices

A core principle of our reporting is to amplify perspectives often overlooked—including voices from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women—ensuring our content serves all communities with depth and authenticity.