tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post4680799915853535872..comments2024-03-27T04:15:22.918-07:00Comments on BIG OLD HOUSES: Cultured People in the HillsJohn Foremanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05062464473900774511noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-13088218133361099272014-11-19T21:21:28.995-08:002014-11-19T21:21:28.995-08:00John,
As always another great hone. In another li...John,<br />As always another great hone. In another life I’d be an architectural historian. Well that didn’t happen, but it doesn’t mean I’m any less captivated by the beauty of big old houses, particularly those built between 1850 and 1950. I’ve researched many web-sites that profess to display the beauty of old homes with only glimpses of the total building. However, since I discovered your blog about 18 months or so ago that’s all changed. And I’m here to say I’m deeply indebted to you. And why? Because unlike everyone else you give value to the whole house, not just the family areas, but all the areas, including service areas, bathrooms and “upstairs/downstairs”. To me these back rooms are really what makes a house function. The parlors and fancy bedrooms make life cushy for the lords of the home, but it’s the servants that keep things running. It’s the bathrooms hidden away from public view that provided the necessary physical relief from day to day living. So keep indulging yourself in this wonderful passion so all of us can enjoy not just the architectural beauty but the true lifeblood so delightfully displayed by the skillful use of your camera.<br />Bob Benton, La Verne, CA Bobray1461@aol.com<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-21424148397415847432014-11-12T05:31:21.810-08:002014-11-12T05:31:21.810-08:00What a happy, hospitable home is this! Like Frenc...What a happy, hospitable home is this! Like French's sculptures, it welcomes the approach of visitors -- unlike certain "great" sculptures and houses that challenge tourists and guests alike to strive to meet their elite ideals. <br /><br />As a former volunteer in several mansion/museums, I'm puzzled by the plan to "improve' the kitchen rooms for staff accommodation. If the plumbing works, and there are outlets that work, and a public access door that locks -- leave it as it is! Just look at all those wonderful cabinets in which to stash things that need stashing! Beth Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02720634636307254576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-37917123005407280312014-11-09T07:43:41.304-08:002014-11-09T07:43:41.304-08:00I had not noticed these. Latrobe called them &#...I had not noticed these. Latrobe called them ''corn capitals" and placed them inside US government buildings. Like I said....the house is very ''Americana''.Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00061842302314196314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-34997002492780218892014-11-09T07:18:42.352-08:002014-11-09T07:18:42.352-08:00I don't see any mention of those wonderful Lat...I don't see any mention of those wonderful Latrobe-ish corncob capitals--Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-5987394746641864912014-11-07T16:11:50.692-08:002014-11-07T16:11:50.692-08:00If you've read the Rockwell autobiography one ...If you've read the Rockwell autobiography one discovers that the Leyendecker household and the Rockwells were often involved with each other. <br /><br />Charles Beach was always showing up at Rockwell's door almost in tears and complaining about how mean J.C. Leyendecker was and that he was difficult to live with. <br /><br />Rockwell's wife had serious mental health issues and also made his life a trial. But I guess Norman wasn't hip to the male mano-a-mano thing. <br /><br />Ahh, a different time and temperament...rather innocent in many ways. Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00061842302314196314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-5619496049586745812014-11-07T10:25:21.325-08:002014-11-07T10:25:21.325-08:00The "Norman Rockwell of sculpture." Ouch...The "Norman Rockwell of sculpture." Ouch! I'd say the "Puvis de Chavannes" of sculpture is fairer, the analogy fitting better because both worked primarily in the service of art that elevated the public square. Surely there are far more kitschy sculptors who deserve the label more. But mentioning Rockwell did allow for a neat transition to the Leyendecker anecdote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-15957542905593529762014-11-06T19:04:11.669-08:002014-11-06T19:04:11.669-08:00If you ordered a monumental sculpture from Mr. Fre...If you ordered a monumental sculpture from Mr. French, you could be guaranteed to receive a safe, secure and lovely piece of art. It would not be great art but it would be serviceable and no one would complain. <br /><br />This attitude is reflected in his home. He's sort of the Rockwell of sculpture, who also lived nearby in Stockbridge.<br /><br />There was a time when Rockwell lived near artist J.C. Leyendecker in New Rochelle, NY. Norman was always wondering why J.C. and his live-in model Charles Beach were always fighting about something. I guess Norman didn't realize they were boyfriends. Norman eventually relocated to Massachusetts and a more peaceful life in... Stockbridge.<br /><br />Lovely home, a la Americana. Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00061842302314196314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-77298885896845019972014-11-06T16:20:07.188-08:002014-11-06T16:20:07.188-08:00Wonderful subject, wonderful and detailed reportag...Wonderful subject, wonderful and detailed reportage (as always). What is the beautiful brown mottled wall surface we see in between the columns in the studio? Just stained raw plaster? ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-14785440059792402032014-11-06T10:17:26.133-08:002014-11-06T10:17:26.133-08:00I should add that I particularly like the verdure ...I should add that I particularly like the verdure / scenic paper in the hall. Wouldn't touch it. And those pressed-metal pelmet cornices over the window and French door in the dining room look like they came from the parlor of the Greenwich Village house. Typical of the evocative melange of any family place that has evolved over time instead of popping up like last night's mushrooms.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-64228560227438518652014-11-06T10:05:18.505-08:002014-11-06T10:05:18.505-08:00This really is a house powerfully evocative of a p...This really is a house powerfully evocative of a period in American history when culture and refinement were highly valued, and large numbers of people aspired to be artistic, at least in some degree. The scale may not be palatial, as the writer notes, but it is human. I would not change much if I inherited a place like this. The current 'heirs' should consider the increased public interest and educational value of renovating the service spaces as John suggests... who are the trustees? Get 'em on the horn! I'm sure a very suitable staff break room and/or catering kitchen could be put in the basement, where the walk-out would facilitate discreet deliveries and parking as well as staging for service to receptions held in the grounds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-80641860703136816632014-11-06T08:10:59.368-08:002014-11-06T08:10:59.368-08:00lovely.lovely.normadesmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17325110017442011627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170852285107502075.post-7138105792536124462014-11-06T08:02:03.105-08:002014-11-06T08:02:03.105-08:00Not the most awesome house shown hereabouts, but t...Not the most awesome house shown hereabouts, but this place filled me with joy...especially the studio. One feels the character of the family, and would like to stay for tea. Many thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com