A rare, c. 1962 midcentury modern masterpiece by famed architect Richard Neutra called for a perceptive and respectful approach. The house was completely intact and, until now, had only ever been occupied by its original owner, a celebrated pioneer of underwater cinematography. Set on 10 acres in a heavily wooded ravine adjacent to a bucolic 800-acre nature preserve, this serene house retains its original architectural fiber, so we preserved the original elements while upgrading mechanical systems, kitchens, and bathrooms. We reinforced the defining indoor/outdoor flow by using subtle, natural materials to achieve a livable and approachable ambiance.

A unique challenge was presented by furnishing this architectural gem without resorting to the expected collection of mid-century modern furniture. Our client was instead intrigued by the idea of a dialogue between the bold character of the architecture and the vibrant personality of Art Deco furniture. By building a sublime collection, the visual language and historical flow of ideas from one to the other made the combination dynamic and appropriate, a unique 20th century marriage of styles.