Greetings All : On Sunday April 19th I was fortunate to tour the David Wright House. That Sunday I was giving tours at T-W and was told of a quickly assembled tour that afternoon, to be given by the real estate agent. I had no time to return home for my camera. Here is an overview: The house has been sold. Sale amount was not disclosed, but it seems to be in the 3 to 3.5 million dollar range. The new owners name was not disclosed, but the real estate agent said that they owned several homes in the Phoenix area. Their initial plan is to develop a 3 to 5 year restoration plan to bring the house back to a more pristine condition. I believe that at present, Lath Schiffner might be heading up the restoration, this is not confirmed and is certainly subject to change.
Further observations:
The grounds are and have been in a sad state for at least the last 15 years. Maybe a restoration will return the "orange grove" look to the property. The exterior was in good shape. The street side is really the "back" of the house. You enter up the ramp to the classic small, slightly hidden front door. Inside I observed that the Phillipine mahogany was in its original condition, quite faded. The classic rug, once spectatular, was badly faded and and worn at its ends. The kitchen had all the original appliances with I guess, a linoleum floor ( original ? ). Bathrooms also had original or what appeared to be original fixtures. Didn't David or Gladys ever replace or upgrade or protect anything in the house ?
Some other items: The 'basement', reached via a stairway almost from the front door entry, was small, maybe 10 x 10 - but it also had a separate 'freezer' room, guarded by what I can only describe as a meat locker type door - thick and solid. The basement also had a ground level entry door that one could access from what was originally designed as the multi-car, car port, now obscured by grass and shrubs.
The raised design was interesting and much higher than what it appears in photographs. I had also never seen the plunge pool which was within the basic enclosed circle of the front portion of the house.
Again, it was sad that the interior was so rough. There were very very thick canvass curtains on the interior windows, to either block the sun or as we were told, to provide privacy for David and Gladys.
I could ramble more - but will attempt to answer any questions anyone has. I hope to obtain some photos from a friend who was on the tour and if they become available I will attempt to post them.
Even in its rough state it was amazing. Oh yes, the 'guest house', Jack Howe ? still standing and as well, in its original state.
Best to all.
Michael Perrino
David Wright House
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Jeff Myers
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What I was told is that they never replaced anything. The Philippine Mahogany, like in the Price Tower, fades unless you protect it with something. I think they said Wright used Cellulose Nitrate and acrylic and a presence of Wax. This is found on the analysis for the Gordon house and Price Tower in Mid Century Frank Lloyd Wright: Preserving the Price Tower and Gordon House interiors (you can Google it and it will be in PDF format).
here is the link:
http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/wag/2006/kirschner_06.pdf
here is the link:
http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/wag/2006/kirschner_06.pdf
JAT
Jeff T
Jeff T
Michael: Thanks for your detailed description.
The elderly often are unable physically, financially, and to some extent emotionally, to deal with change or replacement in their homes.
Was there evidence of water damage to the ceilings or upper walls? The roof on the house was complex, though it probably benefitted from being in an arid climate.
The elderly often are unable physically, financially, and to some extent emotionally, to deal with change or replacement in their homes.
Was there evidence of water damage to the ceilings or upper walls? The roof on the house was complex, though it probably benefitted from being in an arid climate.
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Wrightgeek
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Michael-
What a treat for you to go on such a tour. Thanks for providing us with all of the detailed information you picked up on your visit.
You asked about the linoleum floors in the kitchen, as to whether or not they were original. I can't say for sure, but it is quite likely that they could be original, as for a time FLW was actually quite fond of products like linoleum and Formica in Usonian kitchens, although today those same materials are often viewed by some as being cheap or even tacky.
You also asked whether the Wrights ever replaced, upgraded or protected anything in the house. I think DRN provided a good insight with his reply, and with the situation he bought into with the Sweeton House, he certainly knows all too well of what he speaks having purchased a Wright home from older owners who had been unable to keep up with the needs of the property for some time, apparently.
While it is unfortunate that there was obviously a lack of preventative and/or day-to-day maintainence performed by the Wrights, on the other hand I think it is quite fortunate that they chose for whatever reasons not to replace or upgrade the home's finishes, fixtures, etc. as you pointed out. That means that a tremoundous amount of the original fabric of the house remains, which will certainly aid in the eventual restoration of the house to its original glory.
Good to hear that the house is moving into the hands of an owner who plans to bring it back to life. It will be interesting to see the results several years down the road.
What a treat for you to go on such a tour. Thanks for providing us with all of the detailed information you picked up on your visit.
You asked about the linoleum floors in the kitchen, as to whether or not they were original. I can't say for sure, but it is quite likely that they could be original, as for a time FLW was actually quite fond of products like linoleum and Formica in Usonian kitchens, although today those same materials are often viewed by some as being cheap or even tacky.
You also asked whether the Wrights ever replaced, upgraded or protected anything in the house. I think DRN provided a good insight with his reply, and with the situation he bought into with the Sweeton House, he certainly knows all too well of what he speaks having purchased a Wright home from older owners who had been unable to keep up with the needs of the property for some time, apparently.
While it is unfortunate that there was obviously a lack of preventative and/or day-to-day maintainence performed by the Wrights, on the other hand I think it is quite fortunate that they chose for whatever reasons not to replace or upgrade the home's finishes, fixtures, etc. as you pointed out. That means that a tremoundous amount of the original fabric of the house remains, which will certainly aid in the eventual restoration of the house to its original glory.
Good to hear that the house is moving into the hands of an owner who plans to bring it back to life. It will be interesting to see the results several years down the road.
as for a time FLW was actually quite fond of products like linoleum and Formica in Usonian kitchens, although today those same materials are often viewed by some as being cheap or even tacky
True linoleum is a wonderful product, as anyone who has seen it or worked with it knows. It is an organic product, made from linseed oil, rosin, and wood flour applied onto a natural jute backing. It is a far cry from the hideous plastic vinyl with which it is now erroneously associated.
And don't count formica out entirely either - I think it is due for a comeback as the granite backlash heats up!
ch
It would not pain me to see that carpet disappear. The other one like it in Wright's oeuvre is the one designed for the Hoffman residence. Being
rejected by the client (quite understandably, in my view), it ended up in the living room at Taliesin. Does anyone feel that it suits that space ? A circus
of bright, almost primary hues and oversized graphic forms, it is the sort of thing one hangs on the wall as a decorative tapestry. On the floor, it
competes with furnishings and, frankly, occupants, to the detriment of all.
"Repose," Mr Wright ? Hardly.
Only because these things were from the hand of Mr Wright do we value them -- not because they were or are appropriate for their present locations.
I would love to see what the David Wright interior looks like with its own floor surface revealed. . .
SDR
rejected by the client (quite understandably, in my view), it ended up in the living room at Taliesin. Does anyone feel that it suits that space ? A circus
of bright, almost primary hues and oversized graphic forms, it is the sort of thing one hangs on the wall as a decorative tapestry. On the floor, it
competes with furnishings and, frankly, occupants, to the detriment of all.
"Repose," Mr Wright ? Hardly.
Only because these things were from the hand of Mr Wright do we value them -- not because they were or are appropriate for their present locations.
I would love to see what the David Wright interior looks like with its own floor surface revealed. . .
SDR
From what I remember being reported, the pattern in that rug was used by grandkids as roads for cars and trucks. I must say that the childless among you have no idea how a house is really used. Julius Shulman certainly did, he put kids and their toys in many shots. I'm sitting here amongst grandkid toys right now. Repose? Only for DINKS. 
Really I'm just jealous. Life with kids and grandkids is very messy.
Here's my jealous of DINKs story: I was at a couple's new home for a book club meeting. Incredible new custom home, BMW M3 in the garage, stories about their last trip to Tahiti. But what really got me? We needed to cut something open. She opens a kitchen drawer to get out a pair of scissors, and they are there!
And I really should have said can be used rather than is used.
Here's my jealous of DINKs story: I was at a couple's new home for a book club meeting. Incredible new custom home, BMW M3 in the garage, stories about their last trip to Tahiti. But what really got me? We needed to cut something open. She opens a kitchen drawer to get out a pair of scissors, and they are there!
And I really should have said can be used rather than is used.
I personally like the carpet and can imagine how much fun the kids must have had playing on its circular forms. The colors are surely wild but fading over time probably has mellowed them considerably. Even the ever serious Bauhaus, when it came to textile design, there were no holds barred, evidenced by the designs of Gunta Stoelzl:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a1H7iZJ3LNc/S ... l+1926.jpg
My impression of this living room from viewing photographs, is that it had way too much "stuff" and with just the original Wright furniture designs and that intense carpet, the room would be complete. Of course, people don't always live that way, but I would never consider losing the carpet.
It's interesting, because despite the house's "rough" condition, with all original details intact, it sounds like a dream come true to me. Old linoleum, canvas draperies, original bathroom fixtures, even sun faded mahogany, no "upgrades", perfect... I enjoy the patina of modernism!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a1H7iZJ3LNc/S ... l+1926.jpg
My impression of this living room from viewing photographs, is that it had way too much "stuff" and with just the original Wright furniture designs and that intense carpet, the room would be complete. Of course, people don't always live that way, but I would never consider losing the carpet.
It's interesting, because despite the house's "rough" condition, with all original details intact, it sounds like a dream come true to me. Old linoleum, canvas draperies, original bathroom fixtures, even sun faded mahogany, no "upgrades", perfect... I enjoy the patina of modernism!
Last edited by peterm on Sat May 02, 2009 11:42 am, edited 2 times in total.
I'm so with that !
That's quite an image. I hadn't been aware of Gunta Stoetzel. My favorite Bauhaus pattern-maker has been Anni Albers.
http://tinyurl.com/cucrpd
SDR
That's quite an image. I hadn't been aware of Gunta Stoetzel. My favorite Bauhaus pattern-maker has been Anni Albers.
http://tinyurl.com/cucrpd
SDR
She was amazing artist. Unfortunately, I misspelled her name: it's Gunta Stoelzl...
http://www.guntastolzl.org/
Anni Albers, of course, also a legendary figure.
http://www.guntastolzl.org/
Anni Albers, of course, also a legendary figure.
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Wrightgeek
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As I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread, I'm totally with you on that, peterm! Old, slightly worn and original is way better than brand spanking new, unoriginal and unauthentic. Of course there comes a time and a point at which severely worn or abused finishes and/or fixtures need to be replaced or restored, but that should be the excepion and not the rule, and should generally be considered as a last resort.It's interesting, because despite the house's "rough" condition, with all original details intact, it sounds like a dream come true to me. Old linoleum, canvas draperies, original bathroom fixtures, even sun faded mahogany, no "upgrades", perfect... I enjoy the patina of modernism!
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Roderick Grant
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"SINKS" forever!!
The David Wright and Hoffman rug designs are wonderful. The Wright design may have to be redone, but photos without it show a much less interesting interior. The mess of a rug at Taliesin is Olga's Stars And Stripes Forever version of the Hoffman rug; I swear, Olga was at least color-challenged, if not color-blind. The Hoffman rug should have been in hues similar to David Wright's. It also belonged in the Hoffman living room, not Taliesin. For years, Olga reported, she nagged Frank about designing a rug for the living room, which he did not do. He had a Chinese rug for the room, and if he had wanted one of his own design, he would have done it. The current Hoffman rug is a witty riff on the original, which looks just fine, but a correctly colored version of the original design would be a knockout ... although the frosting-pink couches would probably have to go. Both Bogk and Price, Jr. had FLW-designed rugs reproduced when the originals became too worn and faded, and sent the originals to museums, where they are treasured remnants on display.