All renovation projects have unique and interesting details that keep us on our toes and make doing this work exciting and fun. But every so often, one comes along that stops us in our tracks. In this case, it only took three words: Frank Lloyd Wright.
Frank Lloyd Wright is, of course, famed for his prairie-style “organic architecture,” particularly in this suburb of Chicago where he once resided and which boasts the largest number of Wright-designed or remodeled buildings in the world. Many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings are restored only under the strict guidelines of historical preservationists. But these clients approached us with a unique situation. Their home is an 1873 Victorian, with living spaces remodeled in 1908 by Wright, early in his career when one could still snag the eventual world-renowned architect for a small remodel job. Those areas — living room, family room, dining room — come with strict rules for remodels. But a renovation of the home’s original kitchen and butler’s pantry — untouched by Wright — had no strings attached.
The marriage of old and new is our bread and butter. And this project came with not only the instruction to echo the work of a great, famed architect, but also honor the original lines and details of a 19th century Victorian home. Our extensive research on both styles, and the team’s collaboration, produced the ideal end result: a liveable, modern-day kitchen and butler’s pantry, with thoughtful, discernible nods to both Frank Lloyd Wright and Victorian styles.
Terracotta floors give an immediate sense of the organic elements Wright embraced. They will age and patina beautifully over time. Horizontal lines are employed throughout the room to echo trim in the rooms Wright renovated, as well as his known affinity for the horizontal. While the light fixtures are not vintage, they are a nod to the angles of the arts & crafts, mission-style fixtures popular during Wright’s time.
The unlacquered brass hardware and plumbing fixtures were intentionally selected to bring in the ornateness typical to a Victorian home, complete with Cremone bolts on the built-ins.
Soapstone counters will patina and age over time, and make the perfect topper for earthy, green cabinetry — all a nod to Wright’s desire to make interiors an extension of the outdoors. Honed Carrara subway tile wraps the hood and extends to the ceiling to balance the dark cabinetry and countertops with lightness and give the eye a place to rest.
While the homeowners clean up after dinner, they can admire the 400 year burr oak outside the kitchen sink window. Experts consulted believe the tree was once part of an important native American trail.
In the butler’s pantry, we continued the play between Frank Lloyd Wright’s masculine, organic influences, and the feminine ornateness of the Victorian period. The stain chosen for the baluster echoes the stain choices of Wright’s work, but we kept the deep, dark stain of the original 19th century arched door as contrast. The Morris & Co wallpaper is a classic, English floral, but the tight pattern has touches of the geometric, a mid-century staple. The waterspout may look like a pretty relic of the Victorian age, but is also fully functional, dispensing filtered water to fill pitchers for company. Copper countertops tie it all together.
A few more pics below. Hope you enjoy seeing this project as much as we enjoyed designing it!
