Seth Peterson Cottage, Part II

Seth Peterson Cottage Exterior

Seth Peterson Cottage Exterior © 2008

Another set of photos from the cottage that was one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s last commissions.  Located on a cliff overlooking Mirror Lake in central Wisconsin, the building fell into near ruin. A private conservancy group negotiated with the state of Wisconsin to rehab the site.

Frank Lloyd Wright Tile

Frank Lloyd Wright Tile © 2008

Wright affixed his signature red tile to his designs when completed. The Seth Peterson Cottage was built after Wright’s death and supervised by one of his associates. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation agreed to the use of this plaque with an orange tile, not the red tile used by the architect himself.

Main Room and Central Fireplace

Main Room and Central Fireplace © 2008

The inside is typical FLW. It is available for nightly rental, though there are no reservations available until December of 2009. I think it would be a pretty fine place to reserve for a night. Think of the photographs you could set up.

Trio of Taliesin – A Third Post on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home

Like any architect, Frank Lloyd Wright wanted to make his own house an epitome of everything he stood for emotionally, spiritually, technically. And so on the family property in Spring Green, Wisconsin on the brow of a hill he built this great, long, rambling, beautiful, hugging the ground house which he called Taliesin and it was going to be his statement to the world.

It was an immaculate invention that he pretended was close to nature and was a farm and of course it wasn’t a farm at all, it was an estate. It was a rich man’s estate. And he didn’t have any money but he made himself a rich man’s estate. And he kept losing it, mortgages unpaid, bank would take it, he’d get it back, he’d incorporate himself and found a new method of outwitting everybody around him and he hung on to that to his dying day.” —Brendan Gill, Writer

Front Entrance at Taliesin

Front Entrance at Taliesin © 2008 Bo Mackison

This is the main entrance to Taliesin, the author’s residence. Opening into a vary small vestibule, the ceiling is low and immediately “pushes” you into the main part of the home. Intentionally, Wright did not want his visitors to linger at the front door, but to move through the expansive spaces of delight he had created.

The Architect Recycles

The Architect Recycles © 2008 Bo Mackison

He was the ultimate “recycler”, even in the 1910s and 1920s, as evidenced by his use of barn stanchions to provide color, lines, and spaces in the interior garden.

Taliesin Entrance with Asian Jar

Taliesin Entrance with Asian Jar © 2008 Bo Mackison

This is the terrace leading the the main entrances of his studio, partially pictured in the photo, and his personal residence. An antique Asian jar rests in a place of prominence. Asian Art is placed throughout Taliesin, exterior and interior. One of FLM’s loves and inspirations was Asian Art, which he purchased with abandon, even when he hadn’t money for the necessities of life. For some insight into Wright’s passion, here is an interesting peek into his relationship with this style of art.

Frank Lloyd Wright Studio

Frank Lloyd Wright Studio © 2008 Bo Mackison

Taken from the interior garden, Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio is immediately centered – the expanse of windows where he had his studio and architectural work tables, and the massive fireplace which was used for heat, some cooking, and as a central gathering place. To the left are the string of once-barns, now re-modeled apartments for the architectural students who currently study at the School there.

More Taliesin – Frank Lloyd Wright

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Taliesin Wing © 2008 Bo Mackison

South view of Taliesin overlooking the man-made Lake Wright designed for the entrance to his home. The far area is Wright’s wife’s bedroom, the closer window to the left is Wright’s bedroom addition, later expanded to include a study when he was approaching his nineties. FLW was an insomniac, and frequently worked or roamed the night. He didn’t make for a peaceful bed partner according to his wife who wanted her 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Plunge Pool

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Plunge Pool © 2008 Bo Mackison

This 8 foot deep plunge pool was immediately outside FLW’s bedroom, and reportedly he would jump in to refresh himself, often in the middle of the night. It is no longer that depth, now only about 3 feet.

Taliesin Viewed from the South Lawn

Taliesin Viewed from the South Lawn © 2008 Bo Mackison

View of the home from the south lawn. The extension to the right is the “bird-walk” Frank built at his wife’s request. At the time of its construction the area was lined with tall hardwoods, and the extension led high into tree branches.

Red Tile - FLW's Personal Mark of Approval

Red Tile – FLW’s Personal Mark of Approval © 2008 Bo Mackison

This signature tile is at the entrance to Frank Lloyd wright’s studio and home. FLW would present his famous mark, a red ceramic tile with his signature, to many of the designated buildings that met his requirements and approval – a visible sign he accepted the structure as “truly- totally-Wright”.