Wright rentals

[Ed Jarolin]

Wright rentals or "how I spent my fall vacation."

Over the past two weeks I have had the pleasure of enjoying two night stays at three Wright houses: Schwartz, Muirhead and Haynes. A stay at Penfield a few years ago was also an enjoyable one. A few, entirely subjective, comments and some tidbits of information.

Though these four are quite different in both plan and exterior 'look', there is a commonality of feel apparent in all.

Schwartz is perhaps the experience that is most like stepping back in time. The house has a pleasing patina of age that is enhanced by period touches - a Brownie camera, old time radio and a copy of Life magazine with the precursor to the Schwartz design. Books and dvd's on Wright are on the built-in shelves of the library nook. The house is sited in a way that almost makes one forget there are neighbors, though the neighborhood is now suburban in character. A restoration work in progress, much has been done and much remains to be done. This one's a real beauty waiting to be fully reborn.

Muirhead, having recently undergone a complete restoration/remodel is a glittering jewel. It literally looks as if it had been built this year. Both inside and out the wood has a subtle sheen, the concrete floors are buffed to a high gloss and the brickwork is crisp and none the worse for the years. The surroundings are, literally, pastoral, as farmland provides an extensive buffer against suburban sprawl. The interior is tastefully decorated in an understated, minimalist manner. A number of books and dvd's on Wright are provided. Also, the original correspondence between client and architect is an interesting read. Construction photos, original and remodel, are also here. The owner/hosts are affable and give an informative tour of the house as well as providing delicious breakfasts.

Haynes is the smallest of the four, but no less impressive. From many vantage points it presents an interesting amalgam of Usonian and Prairie feel. The reproduced Wright designed furniture fits the compact space like a glove, which is, of course, exactly what it's supposed to do. Correspondence between Wright and Haynes is collected here for the visitor's enjoyment, as are reproduced plans, etc. The neighborhood is suburban in character though the design is dependent on landscaping to provide a full measure of privacy. Some of this has been planted, but will take a while to grow. Also a restoration in progress.

My impression of Penfield is, in many ways, a combination of the previous three. It has been lovingly restored, yet has a certain feel of age. It has the Wright designed furniture, both original and reproduced I believe. The period decorating touches and Wright books are here as well. A lovely, expansive site, if one can mentally transform the roar of the close, though out of view, Interstate into the roar of rushing water.

For the serious, or even not so serious, Wright enthusiast they all are worth a stay.

[peterm]

that sounds like my idea of a vacation. the problem that you might find for yourself later is that no hotel on the planet will compete with your experience staying in these remarkable spaces.

i was just marveling at the penfield website today. that is an extraordinary house. i love the story about the original owner being tall and asking for a house that suited his height. wright agreed but added “Yes, but we’ll have to design a machine to tip you sideways first�. he then added, “Anyone over six feet tall is a weed�.

for people who say that wright only designed for himself, they first must look at the subtle differences between a house like penfield and other usonians to see that he did indeed design with the clients needs in mind.

http://www.penfieldhouse.com/

[Wrightgeek]

Ed-

What a great vacation you must have had, and thanks for sharing your impressions of each of these jewels.

I too have had the great pleasure of staying in all four of these beautiful creations as well. As I read your recollections, I thought to myself that I would respond to your post by choosing my favorite stay of these four. But as I tried to do just that in my own mind, I found myself saying things like, "Well at Penfield I loved this, but at Schwartz this was great, and at Haynes this was so amazing", etc., etc., etc.

By now, you've probably got the point. I could not pick out one of the bunch as being significantly superior to the others, for they all have uniquely redeeming qualities and attributes. But the one thing they all have in common is an overiding sense of unity, which results in an atmosphere of tranquility and calm within these spaces.

I encourage all who have not had the pleasure of a stay at one or more of these places to do so when and if you have the chance. These are rare opportunities to experience architectural genius at your own pace and on your own terms.

[Roderick Grant]

I have never had the pleasure of staying in any of those houses, nor the Peterson Cottage, but I have stayed at Tomek, Bogk and TWest (Iovanna's suite). I have also come close to spending all night in DD Martin, Ennis and Barnsdall, with just a few friends, a bottle or twelve of wine and good conversation. Staying over gives one an experience completely different from just shuffling through with a troop of looky-loos, or even a brief visit for an afternoon cordial, as I enjoyed with Mrs. Mossberg. The early morning in a FLW house is magic.

[Wrightgeek]

R Grant-

That's not a bad roster of FLW stays, to put it very mildly. I'm guessing not too many others have had the opportunity to spend an evening in each of those homes.

And you are so very right, experiencing daybreak and dusk in a Wright residence is worth the price of admission alone.

[Paul Ringstrom]

My wife and I have stayed at all the houses that Ed mentioned. Of those my favorite was the Schwartz House. We stayed there last Christmas. There was a terrible snow storm blowing around outside those large plate glass living room windows (previously doors). We had a large fire going the whole time we were there. What a wonderful experience to be warm and toasty a yet being surrounded by the storm.

My second favorite would be Seth Peterson at about this time of year with the leaves turning and a subtle crispness in the air and of course a large fire going in that wonderful fireplace.

[m.perrino]

Gentlemen:
Interesting comments all. As a docent ( volunteer ) for approx 24 years at T West - I have had the good fortune to stay at : Petersen, Price Tower, Haynes, Schwartz and Penfield. Have also stayed at Taliesin, in a room under the "living room" - during the summer when the mosquito's almost carried my wife and I away. Have also stayed in an Apprentice Shelter, as well as at the "Kamal Amin house" on the property at T West.

All were different experiences. Some more costly than others. All worth every penny in really experiencing Wright's artistry.

I am not familiar with the Murihead property. Is it available as a rental or as a B&B ?

Love this site. Have been reading it since its inception.

Michael Perrino

[m.perrino]

Gentlemen:
Interesting comments all. As a docent ( volunteer ) for approx 24 years at T West - I have had the good fortune to stay at : Petersen, Price Tower, Haynes, Schwartz and Penfield. Have also stayed at Taliesin, in a room under the "living room" - during the summer when the mosquito's almost carried my wife and I away. Have also stayed in an Apprentice Shelter, as well as at the "Kamal Amin house" on the property at T West.

All were different experiences. Some more costly than others. All worth every penny in really experiencing Wright's artistry.

I am not familiar with the Murihead property. Is it available as a rental or as a B&B ?

Love this site. Have been reading it since its inception.

Michael Perrino

[Paul Ringstrom]

Muirhead Farmhouse is a B&B

http://www.muirheadfarmhouse.com/

[Michael D]

Schwartz is perhaps the experience that is most like stepping back in time. The house has a pleasing patina of age that is enhanced by period touches - a Brownie camera, old time radio and a copy of Life magazine with the precursor to the Schwartz design. Books and dvd's on Wright are on the built-in shelves of the library nook. The house is sited in a way that almost makes one forget there are neighbors, though the neighborhood is now suburban in character. A restoration work in progress, much has been done and much remains to be done. This one's a real beauty waiting to be fully reborn.

Thank you Ed for the Kind words:

I am glad you enjoyed your time at the house. Just a quick update as to next restoration plans.

We are adding a first floor 1/2 bath in the front closet that was never built but wanted by Wright. Plumbing was roughed in during construction but never achieved. I just picked up some vintage Kohler bath fixtures that will look great in the new bath. This project wil be done in the next few weeks and then I am off to Florida Soon to hand pick a Truck load of Red Tidewater Cypress to have shipped north to begin milling for the sunken court and furniture production.

The next two big projects are extensive furniture reproduction including an amazing couch with built-in book shelves and cantilevered end table. Wright designed floor lamp and tables. In April of next year we will be restoring the Sunken court which was never built to specifications. this will include a Privacy fence and built-in bench around the entire edge of the the large sunken court which will facilitate the enjoyment of this space and the outdoor fireplace. Originally only a one board high fence was built with no bench.

Also we are having a Fundraiser for Wright in Wisconsin on November 8th called "Somewhere in Time" which will be a really nice chance to spend an entire evening, late into the night, enjoying live jazz from the thirties, a gourmet catered dinner, Fine port, chocolates and conversation as fires blaze in all three fireplaces.

Fundraiser site:
http://theschwartzhouse.com/Fundraiser.html

www.theschwartzhouse.com

Michael Ditmer
Owner: Schwartz House

[Frankie-Oh]

I'm so excited to hear about the continued restoration plans for the Schwartz house. This is absolutely my favorite rental. It is such a livable house, and we so enjoyed watching the interplay of light as it changed throughout the day. Looks like we'll have to pay another visit!

[wjsaia]

Here's an interesting alternative to the lovely, staid experiences reported here by those of you who have enjoyed sleeping overnight in Wright rental houses.

Only two persons at a time, mind you. And one other thing . . . regarding a certain individual, yes that's right, I'm sure we all know to whom this is addressed: PLEASE KEEP THE ROBE ON AT ALL TIMES!

www.urbandaddy.com/nyc/1775/carsten_Hol ... y_Archives