I spent the very warm Sunday wandering Oak Park, searching out beautiful homes (some built by Frank Lloyd Wright, see photo above) with my old adivsor/mentor from work. She's moving to Maryland next week, which is great for her, but sad for me. She's one of my mother figures (I like to adopt mothers and aunts) and I'll miss her presence. It was a little too bright for really great photos, but we had a nice day, even though we were a little overheated by the end.
The photo below is my new favorite house. If my friend's memory serves her correctly, the top floor originally housed a ballroom. My inner twelve year old swoons at the thought of late 19th century balls. How great is it? Even its garage had a huge vaulted roof. And a greenhouse on one side.
Beautiful photos, Claire. Grizzled has a number of relatives who still live in Oak Park and I remember when my great-grandma lived there. It's a gorgeous place.
As for ballrooms, so many of the old houses in my hometown have them. I was always amazed, it seemed like such an extreme use of space. I wonder what people of that era would think looking at our homes now... no ballrooms and they have rooms totally devoted to computers! :)
I'm not old enough to be your mother (unless my youth was ill-spent), but I'd be happy to be your internet aunt.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 01, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Ever been to Falling Water? That is a neat one.
Posted by: Chuckles | May 01, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Oak Park was one of the coolest places near Chicago, when I was growing up in a suburb closer to the Lake. Easy, public transportation used to take me there when I was young, just to walk around and stare. For me, partly my youth way back when, partly my nature, my treks there were always solitary, and so felt, all that much more enchanted. I'm not sure I've enjoyed that feeling since. But I like to think even if it came effortlessly to me at eleven, I could still all these decades later take myself back there, at least, emotionally. It would not happen effortlessly, of course, but even from this distance--space and time--you've inspired me to give it a try, perhaps this weekend.
Posted by: grasshopper | May 01, 2007 at 11:15 AM
I do know that house, Claire!! OP is full of such lovely homes. Sometimes the sizes seem extravagant but more often it just seems grand. I grew up there in an E.E. Roberts house which was so solid in terms of construction and also atmosphere--the rooms were large and square with great windows and always a good porch. You could really feel the house holding you up and keeping you safe. Homes just aren't built that way anymore.
Posted by: Mar | May 01, 2007 at 11:41 AM
pretty! This reminds me that although I have lived in Chicago 6 years, it is EMBARSSING that I have not yet gone to Oak Park to tour those houses.
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Caroline | May 01, 2007 at 08:58 PM
My grandmother's home had a ballroom in it. It was great fun. I almost rented an apartment in Boston that had one as well. Then I remembered I don't go ball room dancing.
If you like FLW, be sure to visit his studios in both Spring Green, WI and Scottsdale, AZ. I really liked the AZ structure.
Another great place to go and see houses is in Michigan. They are private homes, but you can drive up to them and see them.
Posted by: Adorable Girlfriend | May 01, 2007 at 10:02 PM
My dad's an architect and my mother is an enthusiast, so while I feel like I may have been to Falling Water and his studio in Spring Green, I may not have. We were dragged lots of places like that as children and don't remember what I actually saw.
You cannot beat the architecture in and around this town.
Posted by: Claire | May 02, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Finally, Claire reveals the architecture connection. :)
I went to both studios with an old boyfriend who is an architect.
Posted by: Adorable Girlfriend | May 02, 2007 at 01:29 PM
I've been to Taliesin East and loved it. I've always wanted to go to Taliesin West, but never have.
Claire, have you been to the Guggenheim?
Posted by: Jennifer | May 02, 2007 at 02:36 PM
I have been dragged to more churches than I can remember. I do remember my mom reading a guidebook in German and then telling us that "...the crusaders erected this church in the year xxxx and they stayed here for x years and then moved east. OoooH! There is a bridge in the next town that was here when the cursaders left!"
It has become a bit of a joke when we see old buildings.
Posted by: Chuckles | May 02, 2007 at 02:40 PM