Built in 1953 for Samuel and Dorothy Eppstein, the ranch-style home is an exemplary representation of Prairie School-style architecture and Usonian thinking. The Frank Lloyd Wright–designed midcentury residence displays a history of care and thoughtfulness in every detail.

Fast forward to today, and this still stands true. The home has been completely renovated and furnished, staying true to the original era of the home and preserving the handiwork, craft, and brilliance of the original. Such a massive undertaking was led by husband-and-wife team Tony Hillebrandt and Marika Broere after careful research and conversations with previous residents. The result is a beautiful restoration which respects the history of the home.

At 2,250 square feet, the home contains three bedrooms, two baths, two fireplaces, and two living rooms arranged in a linear fashion stretching north to south on the rolling, wooded land. A low, cantilevered roof fills the view as one approaches from the street. Appearing as a low-lying, horizontal massing, the home is formed from handmade solid and perforated concrete block, which have been stained with UV protective stain, and mahogany wood elements.

A linear plan arranges public and private spaces along a central gallery. In all spaces, colors were carefully selected to match the natural tones of the house. At the northern end lies an open-concept living/dining room, arranged around a floor-to-ceiling fireplace—very typical of a Wright home. A multipurpose room, now converted into a family room, lies at the southern end of the home, anchored by one of three exterior terraces.

The family room is filled with midcentury furnishings and accessories. Bauhaus chairs, a Danish design credenza from the owner’s vintage collection, a woodburning stove, a record player, and shelves of books create a comfortable space for hanging out.

Along the gallery, perforated concrete blocks draw in diffused light along one side, while bedrooms and baths flank the other. Vintage Danish teak beds, original built-ins, and writing desks decorate the sleeping quarters. The original bathrooms have been updated with tiles that were produced in the 1950s. The second bathroom has been modified into a principal bedroom, with an exact replica of the original vanity.

Through the complete restoration, skilled craftspeople and painters worked meticulously to restore the home to its ideal state. Carpenter William Heffernan detailed and built woodwork, furniture, windows, and doors, while Joe Farkas carefully painted the interior and exterior to align with the original Wright character. In addition to cosmetic restoration, many necessary upgrades were completed, including climate control in all rooms, upgraded plumbing and electricity, a new roof, and other infrastructural modifications.

The Eppstein House is registered on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy. It’s available to rent on Airbnb.

Project Credits:

Interior Design: Marika Broere

Carpentry: William Heffernan

Interior and Exterior Paint: Joe Farkas

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