Back to the Future

Reasoning that they could get more for their house-hunting dollar if they stayed away from Victorians and Colonials, John and Phyllis Craine told their real estate agent that they were seeking ''a housing style that was under-appreciated in New England" when they starting looking at houses nearly 10 years ago.

What they found was a woefully neglected 1967 International-style house awkwardly situated on a suburban Westwood street. Previous occupants of the minimalist dwelling did their best to disguise the modern flair of the house. The floor-to-ceiling windows were covered by decaying blinds. The bold globe lights that filled the living room were removed and the modern bathrooms were refitted with faux antique wood grain trimmings. In an attempt to make the house fit with its surroundings, the clean lines of the original were blurred beyond recognition by bad shag carpet and too many ill-conceived additions.

''This is the kind of house you'd find in California or Florida, but not New England," says Phyllis Craine, giving a tour of the single-level, 3,200-square-foot home. ''I think people who lived here at various times just wanted the house to look more like any other house on the street. They probably didn't like the fact that it stood out."

But for the Craines, who had previously lived in a Jamaica Plain Victorian, the space was ideal. Fans of midcentury modern architecture, the couple fell in love with features such as the 9-foot granite fireplace that looked as if it were lifted off the set of ''The Brady Bunch." Despite the striking architecture, the decor and layout of the house needed professional help.

The Craines enlisted Eric Nelson Architects to restore their house, but were clear throughout the $200,000 face-lift that they were not looking to live in an Atomic Age museum. Instead, they wanted a space that was comfortable for a busy family with two young children. Although there are nods to modern style throughout, the house is not filled with reproduction Eames furniture. Nelson opened up several dark spaces, reinvigorated a very tired kitchen, created a new master suite, and converted the tiny garage into an office/music studio.

''A house like this imposes a certain aesthetic on the way you live," says Phyllis Craine. ''You either have to accept that or not. If you're someone who likes the Pottery Barn look, this is not the house for you. You really have to keep the clutter and decorative elements to a minimum because it's all about the space. It's clearly not a style everybody loves, but for us, it's perfect."

Christopher Muther can be reached at muther@globe.com