FallingWater

I drove down to Southern Pennsylvania this past weekend to see FallingWater; Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece of a house. We clocked 1798 kms on the car but it was way worth it! We started out leaving Prescott at 5pm Saturday evening. My Mom, my sister Jeni and my niece Joanna and I drove like maniacs to get as far as we could that evening. We passed through many lovely small towns and villages..one of which had this very interesting vending machine! I am assured that they are all over the place but I have never seen a live bait vending machine!

We arrived at FallingWater just in time for our 1pm tour on Sunday. I was disappointed to find out that picture taking was not allowed inside the house so I've included a link so everyone can see what I saw first hand.
FLW was a genius with canterlevered architecture. He also created furniture and fixtures using this method of construction. He was a character, though...becoming quite annoyed if one of his clients dared to put any kind of furnishings in to one of his houses that he did not design himself.
The Koffman family who owned the house collected many different artists. I saw 2 Picasso's as well as a number of sculptures by Diego Rivera. There was also a gorgeous madonna and child from the 1600's..they had to create a special niche for her to stand...above the fireplace in the living room.

this is the most photographed view of any of Wright's houses. It was chosen as America's most famous house last year.

The grounds of FallingWater are completely covered in rhododendrons...unfortunately they weren't in bloom...that would be truly awesome...though this little bush was way ahead of the rest!

FallingWater is located in an area called the Laurel Highlands...beautiful flowering shrubs with a touch of scent...lovely.

Here we are, waiting for our group to be called. The PA Conservation Authority has a very well run schedule of tour visits, plus a very nice little gallery, a superb cafe with yummy fair trade coffee and a really well stocked museum shop. They included little touches throughout the house, with gorgeous bunches of rhododendrons in Tiffany vases and an herb garden on one of the terraces. These homey touches added a really personalised aspect of the house..as if the family had just stepped out for the afternoon.

If you ever get the chance to be in that neck of the woods, I heartily recommend stopping in to see this truly amazing national treasure.

Til next time,

Wendo