Photo #194: Frank's Flowers

The incredible thing about the Frank Lloyd Wright homes that we visited were the beautiful surroundings. Both were located on the brow of a hill. Cedar Rock was nestled in among the trees with a view of the Wisconsin River. Taliesin was perched above the rolling hills of farmland and pastures. Both had beautiful gardens. With all the windows, this natural beauty became an extension of the rooms.

Photo #193: Simplicity and Versatility

I am still thinking about my vacation and enjoying the many photos I took. One of the things that impressed me, when I entered the Walter House at Cedar Rock, was the beautiful use of brick and wood. In the entry hall was this great combination of brick openings with light reflected through simple art glass. I also saw some of the colorful art glass displayed at Taliesin. What could be more simple than that?

The furniture as well as the home was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Furniture was designed to be flexible and utilitarian. Many pieces could be easily moved to transition small tables into a long tables that could serve any number of diners. Seating was also easily moved. Everything was designed with function in mind, as well as beauty. I'm not so sure how comfortable some of it would be, however.

Photo #189: Cedar Rock

These are my photos for Thursday, July 8th. My sister and I are taking a short vacation, just the two of us. We are taking a tour of some of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Iowa and Wisconsin.

We stopped on Thursday at Cedar Rock, The Walter House. This house was built overlooking the Wapsipinicon River near Quasqueton, Iowa. It was begun in 1948 and completed in 1950. Wright not only designed the house, but all the furniture inside, as well. He also designed the neighboring boathouse and fire counsel. The Wapsipinicon River is currently flooded, so you couldn't get all the way down to the boathouse. Cedar Rock is an example of the simplified style that Frank Lloyd Wright designed called Usonian. The Walters lived here until their deaths in the 1980s. The house has been well maintained, and is almost unchanged from the way it was when it was built.

The photos are from top to bottom: the front of the house, the back of the house, inside the living room, and the patio off the living room. Like many of his homes, the house is built on the "brow" of the hill. I absolutely love the windows, and as you stand in the living room, you feel like the living room extends into the out of doors. The views were breath taking.