garden furniture table and chairs. What changes did you make

He already had a fascination with midcentury modern architecture and had accumulated a collection of authentic furnishings and art from that era. All he needed was an appropriate house in which to put it all.
We were married and living in Wauwatosa, says Amman, a biotech executive, who described their house there as more traditional. But I have always loved modernism and the midcentury era. He and his wife, Adrienne, a speech language pathologist, were looking specifically in Milwaukee's North Shore suburbs. One suitable house already had gotten away.
So when we saw this one, we had to act fast, he says.
They did, submitting an offer on the Fox Point split level the first day it was listed in 2011. Now it is home to the couple, their 16-month-old daughter, Elliot Grace, their greyhound, Lux, and cat, Boo.
The large house, built in 1957, provides plenty of space in its four levels. The four bedrooms are several steps up from the foyer and main living level. A large play area for their daughter is several steps down. The unfinished lowest level includes space for storage and a workout area for the Ammans, both of whom are triathletes.
The house sits on a lot that is almost three-quarters of an acre in an enclave of other midcentury gems and their like-minded owners. In fact, Amman and three of his neighbors are cataloging the midcentury modern homes of the North Shore. One of them is Eric Strande, whose home within view of the Ammans' was featured on these pages in late 2015.
The Amman home was designed by local architect Donald Grieb. Grieb has been described by an architectural blogger as a quirky 'Tomorrowland' modernist with great ambitions and a knack for winning prominent jobs.
He is most famous for designing the Mitchell Park Domes but also did schools, the Glendale City Hall and Fire Station and many other residences, Amman says. I spoke with him once on the phone and asked him some questions about our house, but he was failing and couldn't remember much.
Amman says it is an exciting time for owners of midcentury modern homes.
They're in vogue and are still available and somewhat affordable, he says. So, too, are authentic furnishings of that period.
The Ammans' furniture comes from all around the country.
The living room features a custom midcentury sofa upholstered in mohair with built-in walnut end tables. In front of it is a low-profile coffee table by California architect Martin Borenstein and a pair of chairs by Adrian Pearsall. In the family room two oversized period lamps that Amman found in St. Louis and San Diego command attention, the perfect accompaniment to pieces by Herman Miller that Amman bought at Miller headquarters in Michigan.
In the bedrooms and office upstairs are vintage chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, a Lightolier lamp, a large desk from the University of Notre Dame campus and a table in the nursery designed by the Finnish architect Eero Saarinen, who also designed the St. Louis Gateway Arch and Milwaukee's War Memorial Center.
The art Amman collects complements both his home's architecture and its furnishings, starting with a large sculpture in the front yard by James Goelz, which Amman bought from another Fox Point resident.
On the main floor the contemporary wall art is by Midwest artist Marko Spalatin and Milwaukee artist Clark Stamm. A rare Max Bill lithograph Amman found in Michigan is on the kitchen wall. Upstairs are a print by Victor Vasserily, a vase by Alvar Aalto and a metal sculpture by Curtis Jere that Amman found in Ohio.
Rightfully proud of all of the attention to detail in his midcentury home, Amman took time to answer some questions.
Q. Tell me a bit about your house and its vital statistics.
A. It was built for Ralph and Tillie Jankins. It has four bedrooms and 21/2 bathrooms in about 2,800 square feet. We bought it in 2011 from the original owner.
Q. What made you want to own it?
A. We were actively looking for a midcentury modern house and tried to buy another in the area, but it sold right away. So when we noticed this house was on the market, we saw it and bought it on the first day. We were most impressed by the beautiful living room that overlooks the fantastic, large backyard.
Q,garden furniture table and chairs. What changes did you make?
A. We updated the entries with new Archispec doors and hardware. We redid part of the roof; it's a tar and asphalt roof that needed repair. Fencing in the backyard was a big project, and we did some landscaping.
Q. The architect was Donald Grieb. Why is that special to you?
A. We were looking for a unique midcentury modern house. The provenance wasn't that important, but we had heard of Grieb and so we knew the house was architecturally significant. He is what I would consider one of the Big Four midcentury architects in this area. The others would be Abe Tannenbaum,famous furniture stores, Jordan Miller and Willis and Lillian Leenhouts, all of whose work is represented nearby, too.
Q. How is your home typical, and atypical, of its era?
A. The abundance of windows, the pitch of the roof I would say those things are typical.
Atypical? The exterior Lannon stone also runs into the interior foyer, which is a nice touch.
I was touring the Glendale Fire Department and saw two outdoor lights that Grieb had designed and was told they were about to be replaced. I offered to pay for the replacements and they gave me the originals that we've installed at the front door. So that's another authentic touch.
The house was in excellent shape when we bought it and had been well-maintained. The kitchen is the only space that the owners remodeled. It was in the '80s, and after our daughter is a bit older we probably will make changes there.
Q. Where does your interest in architecture come from?
A. As a child I spent time in Spring Green, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin. That was my introduction to unique architecture. I refined my taste through the years and have enjoyed collecting our midcentury modern furniture.
Q. Where have you found your furnishings?
A. They're from all over the country, mainly from private dealers and auctions. We have a balance of contemporary pieces and midcentury modern classics. I've had many of the pieces shipped to Chicago and have a source there that restores them.
Q. What's your favorite part of the house?
A. I love sitting here in the living room, looking out over the backyard. That's my favorite aspect of the house.
Q,garden outdoor furniture. What's next? Do you have other projects planned?
A. We have just a few things in mind. I'm looking to acquire additional art pieces, and am specifically looking for a sculpture for my backyard. We also are working on a hardscape plan for the front with architect Justin Racinowski. We also are looking to enclose the patio and expand the family room.
But, really, I think the house is beautiful just the way it is. We love Fox Point and have wonderful neighbors and a big backyard. I don't think we'll ever move.

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