A fan of mid-century modern architecture, Tony Vincent scored big with this 1950 Lustron home.
Chicago industrialist Carl Strandlund founded the Lustron Corporation to provide prefabricated homes made from porcelain-enameled steel for returning World War II veterans. Kate Sherrill, a research librarian with the University of Southern Indiana, says 16 of these homes still exist in Evansville. At one point, she says, Evansville had the second most Lustron homes in Indiana, behind Indianapolis, before the company folded in 1950.
Vincent, known locally as Tony the Tiler, is the third owner of this 73-year-old maize yellow, two-bedroom Westchester, the larger of the four models. When he moved in, the space was all silver and chrome, โlike the Jetsons,โ but within seven years, heโs given this North Side home a fresh look.
Vincent tiled the floors and front porch to create a slate look and added a firepit. In the garage, he added stone around the formerly concrete structure.
โThe only thing original to the house is the house itself,โ Vincent says.
Since Vincent loves cooking, he renovated the kitchen to include marble countertops, bottom drawers, a smaller sink, and stainless-steel appliances. Counter space between the kitchen and living room also was removed to create an open concept. In the bathroom, a walk-in shower replaces the original tub.
He refers to the back porch as his โtherapy roomโ and added walls and a roof, hot tub, retro-steel fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and landscaping.
โIโve done everything I want to do,โ he says.
It comes as no surprise that Vincent used to be a designer. Over time, he has gathered items from flea markets, yard sales, and auctions to enhance his Lustronโs already one-of-a-kind space.
โThis is the house, all the different and eclectic things. I could sell them, but they look better here,โ he says.
Like what you see? Youโre in luck: Vincent is selling his Lustron home.
