If it's revived Mid-Century Modern you're looking for, this Houston home on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou is a must-see. Listed for $3.45 million, the Frame-Harper house has the vintage vibe of the 1960s complemented by modern-day luxuries, which makes for one stunning property.
The exterior of the residence is unassuming. From the street the home is hard to spot amid the trees and greenery surrounding it. However, once you enter the front gate, you see a sprawling one-of-a-kind property that is impressive inside and out.
With five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and more than 5,000 square feet, the home offers plenty of space to roam, but its incorporation of outdoor space is also central to its design. Each room, including the bathrooms, in the main house has a patio.
The dining area steps down to the family room, which then steps down to a formal living area with soaring ceilings and windows with beautiful views of the backyard.
"Since the home is basically a wall of windows, it feels like you're in a secluded wooded area with Mid-Century Modern design," says listing agent Donoush Haghpeykar.
Built in 1960 for David Frame, this modern masterpiece was designed by Harwood Taylor, a noted Houston architect and a friend of Frame's. In the '80s, unfortunate updates by the home's second owner obscured the home's natural beauty. Artist Dana Harper purchased the home in 2004 and, with the help of Stern and Bucek Architects, restored its swanky grandeur.
The renovations included stripping white paint from the exterior and interior brick and restoring the flat roof. Inside, walnut paneling was installed, coffered ceilings were restored, and the kitchen and bathrooms were renovated.
Attention was also paid to the outdoor spaces. Thoughtful landscaping was added, exterior terrazzo flooring was installed to match the interior terrazzo, and the wooden deck around the pool was replaced with grass to accentuate the green space of the backyard.
The result of all the work is amazing.
"It's perfect for someone who appreciates Mid-Century Modern design with a desire to entertain and use outdoor space," Haghpeykar says. "It would also be a great property for families with young kids."
There's just one caveat for buyers. Rusty Bienvenue, executive director of the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects, said it best in Houstonia magazine in 2013: "If I were a guest here, I would never go home."