This story was originally published in Dwell’s May 2011 issue.

In 1952, the late industrialist J. Irwin Miller and his wife, Xenia, commissioned a remarkable modernist triumvirate to create their home in Columbus, Indiana: Eero Saarinen designed the building, Alexander Girard masterminded the interiors, and Dan Kiley handled the landscape architecture. Luckily, the Miller heirs knew they had grown up in a gem, and when their parents passed away, they generously donated the house, along with many of its original furnishings, to the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

I have visited my fair share of iconic modern homes, but the moment I walked in, this one felt unique. In part, it’s the mix of Saarinen and Girard—a Finnish austerity combined with the warmth of Girard’s colors and folk art–influenced design. But what quickly absorbed my attention were the details of the Miller’s lives, which are woven inextricably into the interiors. The Girard-designed rug in the TV room, for example, is decorated with symbols for the family: a Y for Yale (Irwin’s alma mater), the Miller children’s initials, and even the floor plan of the house. The needlepoint cushions on the dining room chairs bear a custom-designed monogram for each family member.

As I photographed the house over two days, I peppered Carolyn, the Millers’ longtime housekeeper who still cares for the house, with question after question. Her stories—about illustrious dinner guests, such as Lady Bird Johnson, and about how Xenia wouldn’t let anyone touch the white curtains separating the dining and living areas—together with the intimate design details really brought the place to life. And that is the beauty of the Miller House. Saarinen, Girard, and Kiley may have designed a midcentury masterpiece, but the Millers made the house a home.

Related Reading:

The Story of Eero Saarinen’s Famous Tulip Chair

How an Usual Request From Florence Knoll Spawned Eero Saarinen’s Womb Chair

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