One of Frank Lloyd Wrights early Prairie Style houses is located in Grand Rapids Michigan. It was commissioned by Meyer May, the owner of a successful clothing store. The home was built in the early 1900's.
The home had fallen into disrepair by the mid 1980's and over the years had been "modernized" ruining much of the homes history. Steelcase purchased the home and did a total restoration bringing it back to the original design.
Carpets were rewoven, the roof removed and the overhangs rebuilt, furniture found or replicas built, additions removed, garden recreated and repairs completed. The restoration took two years and involved dozens of craftsmen.
A video showing the houses history and restoration can be found at:
 |
| This is the entry door to the house and is located at the end of a red tile walkway down the side. The visitors center is found across the drive from the house. |
 |
| Two different colors of mortar were used for the bricks - the vertical joints had mortar matched to the brick while the horizontl joints were darker the emphasize the recessed shadow |
 |
| The trim is all copper with a special finish |
 |
| Steelcase added a wheelchair ramp to provide access thru the rear of the house |
 |
| The steel grate in the foreground covers the air conditioner units and disguises their existence - ac was not around when the house was designed in the early 1900's. |
 |
| The bricks on the upper story protrude to emphasize the horizontal |
 |
| The window art incorporates designs which show the initials of the owner - see the "M"? |
 |
| The entry to the house gives a glimpse of the interior through this decorative woodwork
|
 |
| The carpets have been custom woven from the original plans |
 |
| View looking towards the outside sitting porch |
 |
| The overhead windows are illuminated in the day by skylights and by artificial light at night |
 |
| The brick on the fireplace includes reflective glass where the mortar would normally show |
 |
| This mural was found under five coats of paint and was restored |
 |
| Doors to the outside porch |
 |
| Dining table includes lights at the four corners |
 |
| Extra dining chairs are intended to be stored along the side wall where the trim has been arranged the fit around them |
 |
| Various levels of the house are left open to each other to share light and ventilation |
That's really a beauty. I thought you couldn't take pictures inside? Perhaps that was another house. Who is Steelcase?
ReplyDelete