we love MCM

4 must-follow Houston Instagrammers selling midcentury modern furniture

The Midcentury Modern — or MCM — aesthetic has secured its place as a solid and reliable design choice for seasoned collectors and beginner enthusiasts alike. Not a style to fall victim to flash-in-the-pan trends, these thoughtfully designed pieces have maintained their monetary value.

Created in response to a call for serenity in a post-WWII world, the organic materials, earth-toned color palettes, and no-frills characteristics of MCM furniture fit right into the collective “back-to-nature” mindset of the time.

The era of MCM design is generally accepted as the years between 1945-1969. Common materials for this era include metal, glass, vinyl, and wood — specifically teak, rosewood, and oak. Clean lines, soft curves, and fluid shapes were popular, with metal or wooden framed pieces upholstered in bold earth-toned vinyls and fabrics.

For collectors, the most popular American MCM designers include: Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Warren Platner, Isamu Noguchi, and Florence Knoll. Companies such as Herman Miller and Design Within Reach still produce many of these designers’ pieces today, but the original works remain the most valuable.

Luckily, Houstonians who desire authentic pieces from the period don’t have to look far. While Houston has no shortage of vintage pop-ups, fairs, and markets to search for MCM classics, there are local standout vendors to shop year round — just by scrolling Instagram!

CultureMap caught up with four of Houston’s top local, independent vintage dealers for a short Q&A session and for tips for anyone interested in Midcentury Modern design.

Lich Goods
Photographer turned vintage dealer Tamara Lichtenstein operates a bustling Instagram-driven business for her 16.9k followers.

CultureMap: How did you get into vintage?
Tamara Lichtenstein: It was kind of an accident. In my late twenties, I was juggling a photography career and a full time Pre-K job while back in college part time. When the pandemic hit, nobody was hiring photographers. I was let go indefinitely from my teaching job, and I found myself at a crossroads.

To make ends meet, I decided to part with some of my furniture, a collection of thrifted pieces I'd gathered over the years. While I knew they were aesthetically pleasing, I had no idea of their value. What began as a means to survive quickly transformed into an obsession and a full blown business in 2021.

CM: How long have you been in business?
TL: A little over three years. Lich Goods launched March 13, 2021.

CM: What do clients seek out the most from you?
TL: I believe they’re seeking someone with an eye for design and a deep appreciation for the artistry of these vintage pieces. These are rare, one-of-a-kind finds. Far more than possessions, they are valuable investments, each with its own history.

CM: What is a good beginner piece for those wanting to get into MCM decor? Any additional tips for new collectors?
TL: I’d say a sideboard because they’re a stylish storage solution. I see clients using them as buffets, media centers, and even bedroom dressers. A sideboard combines form and function and will instantly elevate a room’s style.

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Moonpool Modern
Husband-and-wife team Gabrielle and Eric Pryor have definitely carved out a space for themselves in the luxury vintage marketplace. Known for their penchant for reupholstering sturdy vintage frames in ultra-lux velvets, those in-the-know can spot a Moonpool piece from miles away.

CultureMap: How did you get into vintage?
Gabrielle Pryor: We'd be lying if we said this started as a shared passion. I have always been captivated by old things — from daydreaming in flea markets and my grandparents' basement as a kid to feeling the heaviness of owning something that's been passed down generations today. Beyond the obvious fact that vintage goes hand-in-hand with quality and sustainability, there's also an emotional aspect to it — like the smell of an old book — as well as a feeling of pride and guardianship.

CM: How long have you been in business?
GP: I would say 2019 was when I realized there was a business model behind this hobby. I was on the hunt for a vintage office chair at the time, and tracked down a 1970s Charles Pollock for Knoll chair at a local used furniture store. When I went to buy it, the owner asked if I wanted his whole stock (he had six or so just gathering dust). I thought that was such a crazy question — I needed a single chair for my single desk, what was I supposed to do with six? So I went home, did research, and realized that these chairs were worth so much more than this person was asking for them — he just didn't have the time or energy to market them. I went back the next day and bought the lot, cleaned them up, and eventually sold them all across Chairish and Facebook Marketplace.

Instagram (and Facebook Marketplace) helped us carve out our place in the local market and start to really expand. In 2022, weary and ready for change, Eric took a leap of faith, quit his job, and became fully dedicated to Moonpool. Later that year, we launched our website.

CM: What do clients seek out the most from you?
GP: Our inventory is quite small compared to other dealers. We keep a very carefully-curated selection of pieces that reflect our aesthetic — we don't want to be generalists. We stick to designs we love and that will resonate with modern buyers. We also take condition very seriously. We don't want to sell banged-up products.

Our upholstery projects definitely stand out as some of the most sought-after, because the result is completely unique and custom. We take pieces with great bones and reimagine them in something fresh and luxurious so that they can go on to live another 50 years.

CM: What is a good beginner piece for those wanting to get into MCM decor? Any additional tips for new collectors?
GP: People love MCM because it adds warmth, character, and layers to decor. The same could be said of lighting — so can it possibly get better than MCM lighting? A statement MCM lamp can be a focal point in your decor and totally change your space.

We're obsessed with handblown Murano glass lamps right now, but those definitely come with a high price tag. If you're just dipping your toes in, try for a cool chrome lamp à la Robert Sonneman, or something with an interesting shade, or really anything with that "extra" factor. Lamps are meant to be fun!

As far as tips go, really just anything to help protect yourself from scammers and unethical sellers. Always do your price research before walking into a negotiation, and if buying online ask for lots of photos and make sure the seller is reputable. Remember if a deal is too good to be true, it's most likely not.

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Post Modern HTX
Eugene Deleon’s appointment-only vintage furniture and audio warehouse is a treasure trove of classic examples of American vintage. Stacks upon stacks of sideboards, nightstands, and buffets sit quietly beneath rows of dining chair sets that hang among the chandeliers on the ceiling, with sofas and occasional chairs peppering the remaining floor space — this space is a serious visual feast.

CultureMap: How did you get into vintage?
Eugene Deleon: I would travel frequently for work about 25 years ago and would pop into shops and estate sales in different cities. I started admiring unique pieces and immediately started collecting. It was addicting.

CM: How long have you been in business?
ED: I’ve been selling and trading about 20 years.

CM: What do clients seek out the most from you?
ED: It varies greatly. Midcentury modern design is always desirable but vintage audio is hot as well.

CM: What is a good beginner piece for those wanting to get into MCM decor? Any additional tips for new collectors?
ED: Usually a dresser or end table are good starters. They’re probably the most commonly found pieces out in the wild. But a credenza is usually the one that makes its mark in your home. Keep hunting — but not on my turf!

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EGK Home
Newcomer Samantha Porter-Engelken has burst onto the scene in recent months, gaining recognition for her exceptional eye and restoration skills — definitely one to watch.

CultureMap: How did you get into vintage?
Samantha Porter-Engelken: Necessity drove me to second hand and thrift stores, but I have always loved treasure hunting. From clothing to furniture, I live for the thrill of a find and have always had an eye for quality. It is beneficial to be able to quickly scan a shelf for what is worth a second look.

CM: How long have you been in business?
SPE: Only a few months in business on Instagram, but I’ve been buying and selling to friends and by word of mouth for a decade.

CM: What do clients seek out the most from you?
SPE: A mix of classic designs and material in an approachable price range, plus stand out investment pieces that are unexpected and bring personal style into a space.

CM: What is a good beginner piece for those wanting to get into MCM decor? Any additional tips for new collectors?
SPE: Build your collection by starting with something practical and functional as opposed to focusing on designer names. Lane, Baker, indications of being "made in Denmark" all carry lower price tags without sacrificing quality. It allows time to build quality pieces into a room that serve a function and retain value. As your personal style deepens and grows, you can add in more interesting, funky designer pieces.

Whether shopping through one of these trusted dealers or “in the wild,” happy hunting!

Photo by Emily Cotton

Stay off Eugene Deleon's turf.

midcentury modern second hand stores thrift stores sustainability home-design

they're durable, too

3D-printed Houston housing project cements a more affordable future

Courtesy of Cole Klein Builders

Homes in Zuri Gardens are a hybrid of 3D concrete and traditional wood construction.

Houston is putting itself front-and-center to help make sustainable, affordable housing a reality for 80 lucky homeowners in a scalable housing community that will hopefully catch on nationwide. Recently, developer Cole Klein Builders partnered with HiveASMBLD to pioneer what’s touted as the world’s first large-scale, one-of-a-kind, affordable housing development using 3-D printing technology, merging robotics, design, and sustainability.

Located across from Sterling Aviation High School, near Hobby Airport, Zuri Gardens will offer 80 two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes of approximately 1,360 square feet situated in a park-like setting, including walking trails and a community green space.

Homes in Zuri Gardens will hit the market in early summer of 2026. Final pricing has yet to be determined, but Cole Klein Builders expects it to be in the mid-to-high 200s.

Interestingly, none of the homes will offer garages or driveways, which the developer tells CultureMap will provide a savings of roughly $25,000 - $40,000 per home.

Instead of parking for individual units, 140 parking spaces will be provided. Ideally, this small-town-inspired design will provide opportunities for neighbors to meet, connect, and build community.

Each two-story home is comprised of a ground floor printed by HiveASMBLD, using a proprietary low-carbon cement alternative by Eco Material Technologies that promises to enhance strength and reduce CO2 emissions. The hybrid homes will have a second floor built using engineered wood building products by LP Building Solutions. Overall, the homes are designed to be flood, fire, and possibly even tornado-proof.

The Zuri in Zuri Gardens is the Swahili word for “beautiful,” a choice that is fitting considering that the parks department will be introducing a five acre park to the project — with 3-D printed pavilions and benches — plus, a three acre farm is located right across the street. The Garver Heights area, where Zuri Gardens is located, is in what’s classified as a food desert, which means that access to fresh food is limited. Residents will have access to the farm’s fresh produce, plus opportunities to participate in gardening and nutrition workshops—that’s a win for everyone.

With the novelty of Zuri Gardens, it’s no surprise that the neighborhood already has an 800 person waitlist, but with stringent buyer requirements, it’s unclear how many of those 800 will qualify. Developer Cole Klein Builders created Zuri Gardens in partnership with the Houston Housing Community Development Department, who provided infrastructure reimbursements for the roads, sewer lines, and water lines. In return, CKB agreed to push the purchase prices for the homes as low as possible.

Zuri Gardens also received $1.8 million dollars from the Uptown Tourism Bond, 34 percent of which must be used with minority owned small businesses. Qualified buyers must fit a certain area of median income according to HUD guidelines, and must be owner occupied at all times — so no property investors or short term vacation rentals will be allowed.

“They’re trying to bridge that gap to make sure there is a community for the homebuyers who need it — educators, law enforcement, civil workers, etc.,” Cole Klein Builders’ co-principal Vanessa Cole tells CultureMap. “You have to go through a certification process with the housing department to make sure that your income is in alignment for this community. It has been great, and everyone has been really receptive.”

Cole has also brought insurance underwriters to visit the site and to help drive premiums below regular rates for Houston homeowners since homes in Zuri Gardens are not built to traditional standards — claim risks for one of the 3-D homes are extremely low. Tim Lankau, principal at HiveASMBLD, notes that the 3-D hybrid design allows for a more traditional appearance, while having the benefits of a concrete structure: “That’s where the floodwaters would go, that’s where you can hide when there’s a tornado, and that’s where termites would eat. So you get the advantages of it while having a traditionally-framed second floor.”

It’s important to note that Zuri Gardens is not located in a flood prone area, nor did it flood during Hurricane Harvey — being flood proof is merely a perk of a cement house. The concrete that Eco Material Technologies developed is impervious. The walls are printed into hollow forms, which house rebar, plumbing, and accessible conduits for things like electrical lines and smart house features. Those walls are then filled with a foamcrete product that expands to form a “monolithic concrete wall.”

David McNitt, of Eco Material Technologies, explains that his proprietary concrete is made of PCV, and contains zero Portland cement. Instead, McNitt’s cement is made from coal ash and is 99 percent green (there are a few chemicals added to the ash). Regardless, it’s made from 100 percent waste products.

“This is a product that has really been landfilled before,” says McNitt. “It’s coal ash, and it’ll set within 8-10 minutes. It’s all monolithic, and one continuous pour — it’s literally all one piece.”

Eco Material Technologies’ concrete product is impressively durable. A traditional cinderblock wall will crush at around 800 psi, while this material crushes at about 8,000 psi.

“It’s ten times stronger than a cinderblock wall that can withstand hurricanes,” claims McNitt. “I don’t think you’d even notice a hurricane. It’ll be really quiet inside, too — so you won’t get interrupted during your hurricane party. It’s way over-engineered, it really is.”

The second story is built using weatherproof and eco-friendly products by LP Building Solutions. Their treated, engineered wood products come with a 50 year warranty, and their radiant barrier roof decking product blocks 97% of UV rays, and keeps attic temperatures 30° cooler than traditional building materials. These materials, combined with the concrete first floor, will keep heating and cooling costs low — something the folks at HiveASMBLD refer to as “thermal mass performance.”

Courtesy of Cole Klein Builders

Homes in Zuri Gardens are a hybrid of 3D concrete and traditional wood construction.