Famed MCM furniture designer Adrian Pearsall’s home is a triumph of thoughtful modern updates, respectful restoration and many of his original furniture pieces.

By Laura Shimko

TONI CREVO AND HER HUSBAND KEPT THE ENTRYWAY ALL ORIGINAL, INCLUDING THE ABUNDANCE OF WINDOWS THAT THEY MADE WATERTIGHT. WALLS OF WINDOWS ALLOW FOR THE PERFECT TRANSITION OF INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SPACES. “THE EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED FROM THE HOME WHEN WE PURCHASED IT,” SHE SAYS.

Photography by Abby Blossom Photography Designed and styled by Toni Crevo, Jed Splittgerber of Mid-Century Homes by Anthology & Kristin McFeely of Philadelphia Design Collective

It’s not every day that the home of a Mid Century Modern design icon is for sale—let alone one they designed for themselves. Such was the case when the family home of Adrian Pearsall hit the market in 2013. Toni Crevo and her husband, David Koral, found themselves purchasing the sprawling Mid Mod estate in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, “as is” from the Pearsall family. Toni admits they were not quite sure at first what they were walking into, but as time passed the state of the home became clearer. “It was very obvious on the day we closed that it was more of a project than we thought,” she says.

Shortly after purchase, Toni and David began the process of lovingly restoring the home. Toni says their mission was to “restore and maintain where and whenever you can to preserve the integrity of the property and renovate where necessary to make the home one that works with modern-day needs.”

Their mission was to “restore and maintain where and whenever you can to preserve the integrity of the property and renovate where necessary to make the home one that works with modern-day needs.”

AS PART OF THE UPDATE TO THE HOME, TONI WORKED WITH ED KOPEK OF EDWARDS GARDEN CENTER TO GET THE RIGHT LOOK AND FEEL FOR THE LANDSCAPING. “THE DESIGN IS VERY MUCH A ‘SCALED-BACKED’ VERSION OF WHAT WAS HERE WHEN WE PURCHASED THE HOME,” TONI SAYS. “DUE TO THE AGE OF THE TREES AND PLANTINGS, WE HAVE HAD TO REMOVE AND MAKE CHOICES TO REPLACE ON MOST OF THE PROPERTY.” THE RESULT IS A MIXTURE OF NEW STONE AND FOLIAGE WITH SOME OF THE ORIGINAL TREES AND SHRUBS. “THE OVER TWO ACRES OF PRISTINELY MANICURED AND IRRIGATED LANDSCAPE IS A LABOR OF LOVE,” SHE SAYS.