When Walter Pierce began to design the houses for Lexington’s Peacock Farm in 1952, his architectural ideas were on the vanguard of change in a community steeped in tradition. Today, we revere his mid-century modern houses as perfect examples of a style that, 65 years later, is again a very hot design trend. One of his original houses was recently offered for sale and, with perfect synergy, its sleek interior was furnished with contemporary pieces from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. It was a marriage made in heaven.
Walter Pierce was originally from Brooklyn; after World War II, he studied architecture at MIT, where he became friendly with wealthy classmate Danforth Compton. The two formed a partnership after they graduated and purchased 45 acres of land in Lexington; the lot had once served as a dairy farm and peacock sanctuary. Pierce and Compton began creating a subdivision of affordable, but aesthetically pleasing split-level homes that were intended to improve people’s lives by “improving their relationship to the land.” The houses were designed to accommodate the wooded and hilly terrain, which its owners named Peacock Farm. When Compton unexpectedly died in 1955, Pierce partnered with his construction company to finish Peacock Farm in 1958.
Pierce’s designs feature open floor plans, asymmetrical roofs, walls of glass and raised basements. While these are the elements homeowners routinely expect in today’s houses, they were revolutionary in 1952. The architect also believed in the value of community: Peacock Farm has centrally-located common land that includes a swimming pool. It is as popular with the neighborhood today as it was in the 1950s.
When one of the original seven houses of Peacock Farm went on the block, the staff at the area Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showrooms saw it as an opportunity. While the contemporary styling of the furniture is entirely of today, the classic materials and pared-down lines suit the rooms of the 2,000 square foot house.
“We’re thrilled to have been selected to furnish the living areas of this special mid-century house,” said Andrew Terrat, co-owner of the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Boston, Burlington, and Natick stores. “The modern elements of the furnishings we chose—from the vintage-inspired Astrid counter stools in the kitchen…to the pair of acrylic and leather Kazan chairs under the wall of vaulted glass in the living room —it’s as if the furniture was custom made for this period house.”
While they style the house and make it look great, the furnishings are also offered for sale at considerable discount. For prospective buyers, this is a boon: Not only do the carefully selected pieces demonstrate how the house can be decorated to maximum effect, they can give the new homeowners a head start when they move in. It’s the best of both worlds.