Amy Gannt, founder of Davilla Design and Development, is the driving force behind the restoration of this 1955 mid-century home in Georgetown, Texas. Originally designed by architect Claude M. Pendley, the house has been brought back to life under Amy’s direction. With a deep respect for its history and a eye for design, she led a team of skilled professionals to modernise the home without losing its soul. In this interview, Amy shares the story behind the renovation—her connection to the house, the vision that guided the work while respecting the mid-century legacy.
Let’s start at the beginning—what made you fall in love with this house?
The moment I walked in, I just knew. It had such strong bones—clean lines, a calming presence. You could feel the history in the walls. It was clearly loved and lived in, but ready for a new chapter. And the setting—huge pecan trees, a quiet half-acre lot, just blocks from the square—it’s a rare find.
And it’s not just any house. It has a bit of a legacy, right?
Absolutely. It was designed by Claude M. Pendley, a well-known Austin architect, in 1955. The original owner, Dr. Benold, was Georgetown’s family doctor. I actually knew him and his wife, Nell. They were lovely people. He wasn’t just a physician—he built the foundation of local healthcare here. Restoring their home was a real honour.
Was preserving that legacy important to you?
Very much so. I didn’t want to just renovate. I wanted to respect what the house meant—to the family, to the community. That’s why I brought in Richard Elsasser and his team. They’ve restored over 30 historic homes in Georgetown. Their sensitivity to mid-century design made them the perfect choice.
How did the design process unfold?
It was collaborative from the start. Richard understood the architectural intent, and Davilla Designs helped bring that vision to life. I didn’t want to change the soul of the house—I wanted to bring it forward. Open it up a bit. Make it more functional, but still very much mid-century.
Tell us about some of the key features you kept—or added.
We kept the terrazzo tile entry—that was non-negotiable. It’s such a classic detail. We also brought in custom white oak floors from Artisan Floors in San Antonio, added a breeze block wall outside, and used Big Chill appliances in the kitchen to strike that balance between retro and modern. The natural light in the house is incredible now. We restored many original windows and added new ones where it made sense.
And the craftsmanship?
Unbelievable. Randy and Nancy Noe built all the cabinetry by hand—every drawer, every shelf. Dixon Plumbing replaced the original copper pipes, and Daniel Raiford’s team upgraded all the electrical. Everyone who touched the project treated it with real care. It was more than a job to them. It was a shared commitment to do it right.
What do you think makes this home feel so timeless?
It’s the way everything works together—the layout, the materials, the connection to the outdoors. Pendley knew what he was doing. We just helped bring that back into focus. Now it feels warm, open, and ready to be lived in again.
You’re the second owner—what does that mean to you?
It’s rare these days, isn’t it? To be only the second person to own a home in 70 years. I took that seriously. This isn’t just real estate. It’s a piece of Georgetown’s story. My role was to care for it, update what needed updating, and then let someone else carry it forward.
And what do you hope comes next for the house?
I hope it finds someone who appreciates what it is—who sees the value in its history, its design, its soul. It’s ready for the next family, the next chapter. All the heavy lifting’s been done. Now it just needs someone to live in it and make new memories.
If you like Amy’s approach to this renovation, check out her other projects here and get in touch for business proposals here.
