decorative lamp shades

Lampshades don't always have to be white (or my much preferred black with gold foil interior).  These sconce shades in a house decorated by talented Katie Ridder are a reminder of that fact and add such a nice detail, or layer, to the room in question.  Ridder is wife to architect Peter Pennoyer; talk about the designing duo of talent!

Glamorgan Castle, Alliance Ohio

 image by don0626 on Flickr

One of my favorite parts of traveling, particularly in the northeast and midwest, is that you never know what you may stumble upon house-wise. Every city or town no matter the size has its area of inspiring houses.

Recently I was in Alliance, Ohio, and stumbled upon a castle. The castle seen here isn't in Wales or Scotland this is small town America!

Glamorgan Castle was built in 1904 by Cleveland architect Willard Hirsh for the Morgan family. Col. Morgan sent Hirsh to travel Wales and study medieval castles to come up with an original design for the family. I wish I could find a client like that!

I was recently reading about porte cocheres on Things that Inspire and this is an impressive example she could have added to her post!

I've never seen such a large porte cochere before, particularly one with a flight of steps up to the front door.

Don't let the scale fool you -this front door is massive.

This enormous ornate 'door knocker' actually isn't a knocker at all but merely decorative. I suppose with a butler in residence a knocker wasn't necessary.

The walls are built of a Vermont marble and the tiles appear to be Ludowici clay tiles which are still manufactured in nearby Ohio.

The upkeep on the property is phenomenal. For the past 20 years the castle has been home to the local Alliance school district. Tours are given on Fridays but unfortunately I just missed it.

The details were all astounding. Not only for their quality (and that they still exist) but also for shear scale.

 These large marble scuppers are found all over the house; probably a copy of medieval originals.

I imagine that the master bedroom is high in the main tower;  Thats where I'd want mine!

 The front door leads one through an enclosed loggia with a crest of the family over the entrance.

These large patinated bronze light posts may be missing their original globes (and sport much too small replacements) but are still impressive.

Based on what I could find online the interior is sadly un-inspired if grand and well preserved. No quirky 'castle' influence mars the period 1905 interiors unlike at Doylestown PA at Mercer and Fonthill.

As an example of the good job that Alliance is doing on preservation the worn marble steps on the kitchen side entrance have been replaced with identical new white marble slabs; Heart warming attention to detail! According to their website they are trying to raise money for the rewiring of original light fixtures. This is the kind of preservation I like to see!

If you find yourself passing through Ohio don't forget to schedule a trip to Glamorgan Castle!

Architectural Models from Chisel & Mouse - now in miniature AND Frank Lloyd Wright

I recently found out some very exciting shopping news that will have many of you reaching for your wallets: One of my favorite companies, Chisel & Mouse that produces architectural models, has expanded their line to include not only miniature models but also projects by Frank Lloyd Wright!

I was surprised to arrive home last week and find a large box from sponsor Chisel & Mouse with 4 samples of their delightful and now miniature models.  All four are of well known Frank Lloyd Wright projects here within the United States.

The first I'm showing here in 4 different locations throughout my apartment is the V.C. Morris Gift Shop in San Francisco (that I'm very excited to be able to visit while on vacation in California next week!). Expanding on their idea now that many of their models can be wall mounted (as shown above) all of these include a discrete hanging spot on the back for easy display.

The wide base also allows them to sit on a mantel, bookshelf, nestled in a tablescape, desktop, or wherever you choose.

 I think their best seller will probably be this highly detailed model of the NYC Guggenheim Museum.

One of the most impressive projects by Frank Lloyd Wright is his Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL which I visited while in college.  Here you see it resting on my bookshelf where all 4 models have ended up -an impressive collection.

I think these miniature models make the perfect host /hostess gift and just in time for summer houseguest season!  Check out these and other models on their website: Chisel & Mouse. Tell them Architect Design sent you and receive a 10% discount with code "arcdesign"

Lutyen's British Embassy public spaces

The public spaces of Lutyen's British Embassy exemplify the British Country House look; grand, luxurious with an aire of informality, and above all Classical, albeit with a twist.

After ascending the Main stair one is confronted with a long corridor that creates the spine of the house. This axis is meant to impress the visitor, leading one to believe that the house is much larger than it actually is, while also providing ample room to entertain.

One can follow this strict axis in the floorplan above.  Much in the Beaux Arts mode, the initial spaces are where no expense is spared and the details are ravishing.

These plaster capitals, moulding, and scagliola columns would not escape the notice of the most ardent non-aesthete.

The ballroom is not hidden behind doors but rather creates a cross-axis with the corridor. Notice the Warhol portrait of Queen Elizabeth II above the mantel. The mirrors with mounted crystal sconces were my favorite part of the room. Original to the space they had been removed for decades before a previous ambassador had them re-installed.

 The level of detail found in these 85 year old plaster mouldings is impressive; no over-painting regimen here!

After the ballroom one approaches the large corner drawing room, with multiple seating groups, which faces the beautiful lawn and gardens.

 As can be expected in a house with this many large windows the quality of light is beautiful.

Opposite from the drawing room is the dining room. Again the corner location makes for the best use of light even with the opulent curtains.

These crystal girandoles flanking the mantel were show-stoppers. The mantel had been painted gray until one day a painter noticed that it was made of an orange scagliola;  the paint was judiciously removed from the columns and direct fire surround for contrast.

My favorite shot I took in the house, and which sums up the entire British attitude towards such grandeur, was this table lamp in the dining room slightly askew;  Modest to a fault.

While I took hundreds of photos I have to leave some of the house a mystery so you check out the amazing book which was the purpose for my tour: The Architecture of Diplomacy: The British Ambassador's Residence in Washington. Above and in the first photo of this post you see images of the ambassador's private study which artfully bridges what was once the connection between the residence and the embassy.

No Englishman's study would be complete without a bar: this one complete with a portrait of Field Marshal Montgomery, expertly painted by President Eisenhower in 1952. And not to fret, while this may be the only general overview I'll post on the interior of the house (really, get the book as my images could NEVER compare), I still have stunning details to bring you from Lutyen's American Masterpiece: The British Embassy.

Classical Invention on the Hudson River by John Murray

Architect John Murray is no stranger to most style-minded classicists after his monograph,' Classical Invention', flew off shelves and onto design bookshelves everywhere. I recently heard him speak through our local chapter of the ICAA and his intelligence and beautiful work go hand in hand.

While flipping through the most recent issue of New Old House magazine I came across a renovated country house Murray completed on the Hudson River that made me feel instantly at home. Murray enhanced the existing house in such a way that one doesn't know what is old and what is new, one only knows that it is RIGHT.

 The floorplan is a dream come true for most of us I would imagine; The only thing missing is the river view!

 French casements open completely to bring in the river views and air. The century old beams are the only decoration needed architecturally, interior designer Sam Blount provided the rest.

 The kitchen has all of the modern amenities of a new house and the charm of the old house.  Again I love the french casements!

The screened porch can be used year round. And what is a screened porch without ceiling fan and sky-blue beadboard ceiling?  This definitely ranks among my country house dreams -how about yours?

All photographs by Durston Saylor from New Old House magazine, Spring/Summer 2014

Chapin Residence floorplan

One of my favorite books that I've mentioned before is the monograph of H.T. Lindeberg's residential work. Many of his smaller projects are shown including just these 3 intriguing photographs of a rather odd house in Lake Forest, Illinois in 1926 for Lowell C. Chapin, Esq.

If you study the plan you'll notice that the house consists of a rather small entry vestibule and an enormous living room. Thats all for public space! A warren of servants quarters fill the remainder of the first floor while the 2nd floor holds 4 bedrooms. Strange but ultimately practical.

And as you can see the 'simple' house packs a lot of punch with that steep French roofline.  Rather a quirky house and it leads me to wonder how it has changed over the past 90 years or is even still extant.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West

A few weeks ago while in Arizona I visited Taliesin West, arguably the most well known site in the area. Frank Lloyd Wright started the 'camp' in 1937 when his doctor suggested spending the winters in the southwest for his health. He would winter here until his death in 1959.

Frank Lloyd Wright fell in love with the desert landscape overlooking Paradise Valley just north of Scottsdale. It's easy to see why; still stunning.

Unlike many modernist architects Wright loved art and decoration and dotted his campus with items from his collection of Asian art as well as these Native American carvings above found on site.

At the time Wright was operating an architecture school and used his students as indentured servants of sorts. The students did the construction: collecting the stones on site and building the formwork to erect the structures on 'campus'. This might have been seen as slightly unfair but was a marvelous education for these young architects ( win win? ).  Above you see a corner of his office; the glass was a later addition (originally canvas was used in place of glass for the 'windows'.

Say what you will about Frank Lloyd Wright (most over-rated architect ever?) but the man was inventive. Forms and buildings like these were straight out of his imagination and unlike anything else at the time and have stood the test of time.

While on the topic, architects and designers love to roll their eyes at the name of Wright partly because he has become such an (overblown) icon. He is the only architect that the average person could probably name!  I think we need to give credit where it is due.  Wright may not be the ONLY great architect but he certainly was one of the most important designers of the 20th century.  The cult-like status awarded to him is bizarre but I can at least see the reasoning.

The campus faces the valley stretched out before it with a small lawn and pool - an oasis in the desert.

Above to the left you see the architecture studio (still in use by students )with his own house / quarters to the right. His office we saw earlier in the post is to the far left.

Another piece of Asian art incorporated into the landscape above.

And here we see Wright's favorite view in the world of Paradise Valley down to Scottsdale (until the power lines were installed!).  Wright lobbied to have them removed but nothing could be done.

The foundation still has an on-site sculptor (former student of Wrights) and her work dots the campus.

I love the way the buildings work with the surrounding landscape.  Above another fountain stands between Wrights private quarters and the screening room.

You heard that correctly, screening room! Wright was a huge movie buff; his son was a Hollywood agent and his granddaughter was Anne Baxter!  And as a precursor to current design the 'tv' ( or projector screen rather) was above the fireplace. The room also boasts this intriguing ceiling and coved lights.

This breezeway between Wrights quarters and the architecture school beautifully frames the view.

Above to the left is the screening room with Wright's quarters on the right.

This intriguing bell tower announced meal times.

I just fell in love with the desert landscape and can see the draw for Wright.

Fountains and water create little oasis pockets throughout the garden.

The lines of the buildings echo the lines of the desert floor - harking back to Wright's Prairie style.

Art works are to be found throughout the garden.

I loved this quote from Chinese philosopher Laotse  on the walls of the theater / gathering space: "The reality of the building does not consist in roof and walls but in the space within to be lived in";  A statement that's easy to forget in the planning and design of a building.

All of the fountains attracted bees and other desert wildlife -always a surprise!

The most interesting building on campus was the cabaret - still in frequent use.  Wright designed it in the shape of a hexagon to have perfect acoustics and to my untrained ear they were pretty amazing.

Mrs. Wright strung the uncharacteristic Christmas lights along the ceiling but they are a nice touch. I'm sure Wright would be appalled! All of the other fixtures and furniture in the room were custom designed by him.

I hope you enjoyed this brief look at Taliesin West through my eyes. For more pictures (special privileges much?) check out the blog of Martha Stewart who was allowed to take photos in areas that we weren't right around the same time I visited!  If you find yourself in the Phoenix / Scottsdale area make sure to check out Taliesin West!