Look at this gorgeous mid-century house! It is entirely original. It was once the talk of the town, but regrettably, it was neglected and fell into decay. Fortunately, someone restored it and made it into a lovely house for a family after years of neglect.
To believe it, you must witness the transformation! You may scroll or click to see inside.
This home was created in 1960 by the well-known architect John Randal McDonald, who referred to himself as a “practitioner with a capital A.” Photographer Leland Kent of Abandoned Southeast spotted it, hidden behind a thick layer of flora. McDonald, who was born in Milwaukee in 1922, began his career in architecture after serving in the US Navy during World War II. He frequently used natural materials and had a talent for integrating his ideas with the surrounding environment.
McDonald even published his ideas in the journal New Homes Guide. His designs were highly sought after all around the world. Owing to his well-liked aesthetic, he grew his company and became known as the “poor man’s Wright” for his reasonably priced yet elegant residences that were evocative of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs.
Before it was renovated, this specific Alabaman home—the only one that McDonald ever designed—was shown on tape looking sorry for itself. You could still see the promise in certain rooms, like this one with its high windows and exposed masonry, even with the dust and trash.
In addition to creating houses for several superstars, such as Bjorn Borg, Perry Como, James Garner, and Maureen O’Hara, McDonald also created this Alabama jewel. Regretfully, the house was left abandoned and gradually deteriorated for years after the previous owner died away.
But in early 2021, local investors noticed its potential and sought to restore it to its former grandeur. This nook of the main living space, with its frozen Christmas scene, nearly gives the impression that time has stopped, is one of the best maintained areas of the home.
McDonald concentrated on making comfortable living areas, much like in many of his cost-effective designs. The kitchen, dining room, and living room of this home all flow together smoothly to create an open concept that feels roomy and inviting.
Following the unexpected death of McDonald in 2003, Tom Bloczynski, his last apprentice, took up the mantle of finishing his unfinished masterpieces.
Terrazzo flooring, a hallmark of the McDonald’s aesthetic, and exposed natural materials can be seen throughout the facility. The wood-clad ceiling and the skylights that flood the living rooms with natural light and provide views of the surrounding countryside demonstrate his talent for bringing the outside inside.
The home has some unusual features, such as its short halls and partly flat roof. McDonald chose not to use overhead ceiling lighting in favor of natural light, and the living area even has a unique recessed fireplace for chilly nights.
The whole area has floor to ceiling windows, which blur the line between indoor and outdoor space and increase the sense of vastness. With an open living space, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a den, a walk-in closet, and a pantry, the approximately 2,000 square foot house has it all.
Originally, the master bedroom included a walk-in closet on one side and sliding doors connecting to the porch on the other. Concealed in the middle of the house, the smaller children’s bedroom skillfully divided its sleeping and play spaces with a sliding door.
However, the home itself wasn’t the only place neglected. Beneath the leaves and rust in the backyard was a 1960s Chevrolet Corvair that had belonged to the previous owner and was apparently abandoned in the woods.
Should you find this tale captivating, you may like to look into more of Leland Kent’s images. His collection of images preserves and portrays abandoned locations, giving future generations a window into the past. Kent’s photography arouses curiosity about the past of these locations as well as feelings of nostalgia for abandoned structures and hidden treasures. Explore the world through his eyes to discover the tales that are concealed in every picture.
