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Two houses for sale on Prairie Style block in River Forest, IL
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 8:13 am
by Oak Park Jogger
The 700 block of William in River Forest has been called the "All Prairie" block, and the houses on it are considered by some to be designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, though that is a controversial designation dealt with at GREAT length on other posts. Another house on the block was torn down a few years ago, again generating a lot of distress and dismay. Currently two houses are for sale, and the listings are below.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandho ... 6537-29305
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandho ... 5755-58656
Re: Two houses for sale on Prairie Style block in River Forest, IL
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 4:26 pm
by SDR
Thanks for that, OPJ ! We may not have done William Street in River Forest justice---so far ?
It is good to have a look at these two houses. One thing that strikes me is the almost universal white-painted interior trim. I wonder if either of these houses still had uncoated trim before this year . . .
S
Re: Two houses for sale on Prairie Style block in River Forest, IL
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 10:45 am
by Roderick Grant
Bill Storrer published 2 books on the Williams St. houses. Interior colors all around were more along the lines of Prairie style, including the trim. These two houses seem almost to have been gutted and redesigned inside.
I believe Bill used the books to strengthen his assertion that FLW had something to do with them, but instead it was made clear that he didn't.
Re: Two houses for sale on Prairie Style block in River Forest,
Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:02 am
by DRN
The houses owe a lot to Wright’s design ethic, but I’m not ready to make the leap that these are the “missing link” between the bespoke houses and the ASBH’s. At least not until a verifiable drawing or piece of correspondence is found tying Wright to the houses.
They are good designs nonetheless and having walked the block, I’d say they hang well together.
The houses up for sale have a homogenized Dwell Magazine/Crate and Barrel store look that in a 1950’s ranch burger or bland condo is OK, but here, not so much.
Re: Two houses for sale on Prairie Style block in River Forest, IL
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 11:54 am
by Paul Ringstrom
Even the board and batten siding was painted white!
Hasn't any interior designer ever heard of off-white or light cream or light gray? all of which would be superior to stark white!
Wow, that's a lot of trim to strip and stain. The first house seems to have the original window hardware that Wright used.