Relating To Taliesin West

This week while visiting family in Arizona, Alex, our children and I toured Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and school, Taliesin West.  As soon as we entered the grounds we recognized architectural features similar to our house, which was designed by one of FLW’s apprentices, Fred Langhorst.  Langhorst spent 3 years at Taliesin and its influence is very apparent in so many of our home's details.  The organic materials, the permanent connection to nature through floor to ceiling windows, the compression and release effect created by low soffits, the Asian accents, even the gentle rise and fall of the stone steps at Taliesin, all seem to match our home in the East Bay.  Even Wright's favorite paint color, Cherokee Red, is the original color of the built-in cabinets in our project room!

We feel fortunate to live in house that is influenced by FLW's architectural genius to this day, and love to share its history with our children (who want to tour Fallingwater next).

We’re SO going!!

Feeling California

While in NYC a few months ago, Alex and I had a distinct California moment.  At some point during a random evening, we realized that we were the only ones in a restaurant NOT wearing black.  Me, donning a vintage dress looking more like Janis Joplin than the icon herself and Alex in a cream colored cable knit sweater looking like an ordinary Cali dude shucking oysters in Tomales Bay.  No matter, we had a fabulous evening with our East coast friends while realizing we had become genuine Californians not just by the way we dressed, but in the way we lived.  Speaking to our hosts about how much we love the weather, the landscape and the spirit of the West, a deep feeling of contentment came over us.  It has been two and a half years since our move to the West Coast and in this past year California really began to feel like home.  We've made new friends, immersed ourselves in our respective jobs, expanded our networks and explored the many wonders of the Golden State.

I'm proud of my East Coast roots and will always honor them.  I still get excited every time we travel there to reconnect with family and friends and to revisit the many places that have shaped us into whom we have become.

I want to thank our family and friends who have been patient and supportive during our move and for still remaining so close to us across the miles.

Happy New Year!

Gather, Rest And Reflect: 9 Fireplaces

When winter is in full throttle, there's nothing like a fire to warm the soul and body.  A fireplace is not only a focal point in a room, but the heart of a house:  a place to gather, rest and reflect.  I recently started pinning images of my favorite fireplaces.  While some are classic and elegant, others are funky and fun.  If you're lucky enough to have a hearth in your  home, use it often and invite friends and family to bask in its light and warmth.  We certainly do!

Do you have a fireplace in your home?  Send us a picture!

Images:

1./2./3./4./5./6./7./8.

Kitchen Update: And The Winner Is...

We made the decision and the Kai Kristiansen chairs are here to stay!  Their angled legs and recessed backs complement the elegant base and brass finish of our Barbera table.  Not to mention the fact that they're uber comfortable and period appropriate for our home.  Now there's a clear balance between the kitchen's modern renovation and our home's authentic mid-century design.  Take a look: Up next is the table top and some [large art].   The dining area is taking a while to come together, wouldn't you agree?

Many thanks to the readers who expressed their opinions on the chairs.    I really enjoyed reading all the comments!

Kitchen Update: Dining Table And Stools In Da House!

Great news!!  Our dining table and stools have arrived safely from Australia and they're even more beautiful  than I had anticipated.  The table base is just the right size for our dining area and it provides a bit of raw elegance to the space, while the stools pull the entire space together by virtue of their black leather seats and brass finish.  Once I return from a week-long trip to the East coast, I'll be in full dining chairs scouting form.  My guess is that I will need some serious 'blog reader' input with THAT decision.  In the mean time take a look at these beauties: