Hi. Were the second owners. The floor plan has remained the same. We had the wonderful opportunity to show Ms Abeles the minimal changes we made to the interior in seeking her blessing. She cared deeply for the home and for it to be maintained, keeping as close to the original design as possible. When she saw the kitchen she mentioned its what Nelson and Chadwick had wanted her to do. We studied many of their other commercial works before making choices. We kept the shojis (updating the materials) and changed the library into a master suite but copied the exact plan as the living room to match. We were so happy she was happy with the work we did in conjunction with a modern architect who also appreciated the home. In fact, the exterior colors have remained the same because my husband is a stickler about keeping it true. I would like to change it but have lost that battle for many years.

And in a most serendipitous way, Ms Abeles' granddaughter was my daughters camp counselor. So imagine her surprise when we asked her to babysit in the home she spent many years in with her grandmother. Its a very special place and we hope, long after were gone, it stays here.

This was my in-laws' home. My mother-in-law, Anne L. Abeles, was a remarkable woman. Though later an art historical specializing in 20th Century Abstract Art, Anne was probably the only woman of her generation who studied Industrial Design at Cooper Union. She also worked in advertising, and later in life, she taught Art History at Long Island University, and received her Phd at 75 from CUNY. Since I was a graphic designer and now fine artist, we had a special bond.

In the 1950's, after Anne and my father-in-law Julius started a family, she wrote to George Nelson with the proposition of being an experiment for an affordable, modern, suburban prototype. The house was designed to be modular, and was eventually enlarged without change to architectural integrity. Though the prototype never led to multiples, the home remains Modern in the classic sense, and it was as nifty inside as out. Anne furnished it in keeping with the architecture, primarily with Knoll furniture in a harmonious color palette. It has floor to ceiling windows, with shoji screens. The screens weren't necessarily as a cost saving device. They were for the windows, to keep the design clean and the space modular inside, with screens at the sides of the kitchen. You might say it was an early "Open Floor Plan." I think the current, second owner updated the kitchen, bathrooms, and floor plan as to be expected. I see the house as much as a testament to Anne Abeles as to George Nelson. I grew up in Roslyn in a conventional home, and had often passed the house in wonder. Being able to be in it, especially for family events, came as a special bonus with my wonderful hubby, John.

While Nelson was not responsible for the US Pavillion, this house sure does remind me of it. https://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/united-states.htm

Great comprehensive article about a house I always liked, didn't know anything about it. I even have Nelson's book. I was interested in having it on the RLS 2006 House Tour but it was deemed too modern.

I remember driving by that house often when I was a kid. It has been many, many years since I have been back to Roslyn, but seeing this photo jogged my memory immediately. Wish I could have seen the interior. Thank you so much for posting these wonderful pictures. Our hometown boasts a wonderful diversity of architectural styles.