Monday, October 8, 2012

Fallingwater


At the end of September, Jim and I (sans children!) headed to Virginia for my cousin's wedding.  On the way, we stopped in Mill Run, PA to tour Fallingwater.  Fallingwater is a vacation home Frank Lloyd Wright built for the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh, PA.  Construction on the home took place between 1936-1938.  The above picture is on the way to Fallingwater.  It was somewhat of a cloudy, drizzly day, but still very beautiful scenery!  The road to Fallingwater was so much fun, hills and twists and turns- nothing like our roads here in Grand Rapids!

Here is Fallingwater as we were approaching on the trail from the visitors center.  A guide met us near the entrance and took us through the home, explaining the architectural concepts, materials used (and why), furnishing, art work, etc.  It was fascinating.  The home is basically left as it was when Edgar Kaufmann Jr. entrusted it to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.   We could not take pictures during the tour (inside the home) because there are so many tours going on simultaneously that they have to keep the groups moving (people taking picture would slow that down!)  However, after the tour, you were allowed to walk around the grounds and take as many pictures outside the home as you wanted.  

Looking at the main living room and balcony.  The Kaufmann family could access the steps leading down to Bear Run stream from a hatch in their living room.  On hot summer days, they could also open the hatch to allow the cool air from the stream up into their home.  

Jim and I alongside the swimming pool.  The pool is located on the terrace of the guest house.  It is fed by a spring, so it was quite chilly!

Francesca and Jarrod also posing by the pool.  It was Francesca's suggestion to stop by Fallingwater on our way to the wedding, I'm so glad we did!
The covered canopy connecting the main house to the guest house.  The guest home sits up behind the main home.  

The Kaufmann's had an amazing art collection all throughout Fallingwater and its grounds. Here is Francesca imitating art!

Another view of the main living area and balcony, the balcony above is attached to the master bedroom.  

Fallingwater as seen from the site the Kaufmann's thought their vacation home would be constructed.  They assumed that Frank Lloyd Wright would build their home with a view of the waterfalls, instead he built their home directly on top!

Group shot! 

One more, such a beautiful home, on beautiful land.  If you are ever in western Pennsylvania, definitely check out Fallingwater, you won't be disappointed! 
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Lucia and the lanterns


Nonna and JiJi took Ethan, Bree, and Lucia downtown this weekend to participate in lighting the lanters.  Here's a shot of Lucia with Nonna- I'm so glad the kids got to be a part of this event!
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Art Prize


Two weekends ago we took the kids downtown to walk around and see some Art Prize entries.  They pose so nicely for pictures!

I thought this one was pretty neat- it was inside the Devos Place.

This one was fun- you pushed on large pins with your body on one side . . .

and created a silhouette of yourself on the other!

I love sand sculptures- mine never look quite this good!
 
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