Roaming the Busy Interior World of Frank Lloyd Wright
BOOKS
Frank Lloyd Wright, that master builder of the last century, couldn’t keep his hands off anything in the houses he designed. He had ideas on just what the furnishings should look like, and we get a comprehensive look at his many pieces in Diane Maddex’s “Fifty Favorite Furnishings by Frank Lloyd Wright” ($18, Smithmark Publishers, 1999).
The book lightly traces Wright’s career, from the late 1880s to the late 1950s, by focusing on his interior pieces, which included lamps, windows, chairs, tables, vases, china and other decorative objects. Wright even created plant holders and fireplace kettles.
If you’re into his spare, nature-inspired style, “Fifty Favorite Furnishings” is a pleasure for the eye. Among my favorites are the tall-back chairs he made for the Husser family in Chicago in 1899 and his “glass-less” light designed in 1932. The chairs, with their ascending angles, are a bit austere but still welcoming. And the light is a picture of abstract whimsy; 10 small cubes, containing the lightbulbs, rise on a single pedestal like steps on a revolving staircase.
A Stylish How-To
Judith Miller has followed her book “Period Details” with “More Period Details” ($40, Clarkson Potter Publishers, 1999). Like its predecessor, this one is intended to be an elegant how-to for anyone hoping to renovate their home in high style.
Miller’s big thing is trying to find a balance between a house’s basic character and new elements that both enhance and add flavor to the overall appearance. No corner is left unexplored as the author presents photos and thoughts on doors, mantels, lighting, bathroom fixtures and just about any other feature you can name.
THE WEB
Tracking Wright Through Clicks
Frank Lloyd Wright has a home on the Internet, and it’s a large one with many rooms. Some are classier than others, and here’s a pair to start with if you want to learn more about the man and his influence:
The All-Wright Site (https://
geocities.com/SoHo/1469/flw.html) is, as its name suggests, an expansive tour. Here you’ll find much on his history, why he’s important and a guide to his more significant houses. There’s also a page of links to other Wright-related sites.
“Frank Lloyd Wright: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick” (https://www.pbs.org/flw) focuses on the documentary on Wright’s life that aired last year on PBS. Besides good links and many shots of the architect’s buildings, there are essays on Wright’s continuing significance.
Quake Safety
A Newport Beach attorney group, the Miller Law Firm, recently opened a site (https://www.constructiondefects.com/earthquake) dedicated to earthquake preparedness. It has good info, but keep in mind that the firm wants your business and you’ll have to wade through some commercial appeals to get to it.
What it offers is a map of California fault lines, resource guides from various state and federal agencies, preparedness tips and facts on earthquake insurance, including questions homeowners should ask when talking to agents.
* To have a book or Web site considered for this column, send information to: Home Design, The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Mark Chalon Smith can also be reached by e-mail at mark.smith@latimes.com.