Christopher Ferguson's MCM Restoration Project

The Fergusons stumbled onto the Crestview Doors website while attempting some online research on the builder, A. D. Stenger, and their home's context in Austin. They ultimately selected the "Brentwood" and worked with Dealer-Installer Ryan Reynolds to install the Doorlite Kit and hang the door. They were even able to match the original exterior color palette using paint chips rescued during the renovation process.

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The house was built in March of 1955 in a subdivision that was then known as "South Lund Park" in Austin, Texas, adjacent to Barton Springs. The influence of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian style is clear, and the Fergusons have tried to preserve this look and feel.

Christopher Ferguson's family purchased the home from the original owner in 1978 with the intention of converting it into a duplex rental property. But in 2010, Christopher embarked on a journey to restore the property to its original glory.

"Our decorating efforts focus upon the era of the house," says Christopher, who has a background in residential and historic preservation. "We've chosen to fill our home with iconic furniture and accessories from American design schools, mostly Eames/Herman Miller furnishings, but a little of our lives creep into the picture as well." His wife Carla works in art conservation.

Christopher points out the Spanish-American blanket draped over a form in his living room. "We formerly lived in New Mexico and one of our business endeavors was to prototype historical textiles from Northern New Mexico. As it turns out, Charles and Ray Eames collected folk art alongside Alexander Girard, who lived in Santa Fe, as did I - small world, huh?"

In the kitchen, Christopher points out the updates. Although the house has some surviving tile work, the kitchen didn't retain the original tile or countertops. They picked out new laminate and tile from Heath Ceramics that they felt was a contemporary match. They were able to preserve the "Butterscotch Blonde" finish of the original cabinetry and elected to work within the confines of the original layout when they chose new appliances.

"We took a Craftsman-like approach to MCM," he says. "No cabinetry was altered under our watch!"

Besides restoring many original surviving Atomic age light fixtures, the Fergusons then added several new complimentary MCM brushed aluminum fixtures from Rejuvenation to compliment the period style.

Christopher says, "We still have a ways to go, but the interior finish out is finally coming together." Stay tuned for more photos from this incredible work in progress!