Touring Frank Lloyd Wright in Okemos, MI
To call Frank Lloyd Wright prolific would be a serious understatement. Over 400 Frank Lloyd Wright buildings are still standing, and they can be found across the country (and around the world). Living in Kalamazoo, Michigan means we're lucky enough to have some FLW structures right in our city. There are also quite a few in surrounding areas, but most are not open to the general public.
That's why we were thrilled to find out about the FLW 4 Tour in Okemos, Michigan. Put on by Docomomo Michigan and the Historical Society of Greater Lansing, the tour was an opportunity to see inside four unique Frank Lloyd Wright homes located in Okemos.
The tour itself began with a lecture and then included four open houses. While we were not permitted to take interior photographs, we were able to take exterior shots. The four Okemos Frank Lloyd Wright homes on the tour were:
1. Goetsch-Winckler House (2410 Hulett Road)
2. Donald and Marylou Schaberg House (1155 Wrightwind Drive)
3. Erling and Katherine Brauner House (2527 Arrowhead Road)
4. James and Dolores Edwards House (2504 Arrowhead Road)
The Goetsch-Winckler House was built in 1939, and it is a fantastic example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian designs. Prefab components, gravity heating, a gorgeous carport and the flat roof are major features.
Next up is the Donald and Marylou Schaberg House. The couple spent a decade (!) finalizing plans with Wright before construction was finally completed in 1958. In 1966, an addition was added to the space. Today, the home is very modernized. The pool and landscaping offer plenty of additional appeal!
The third house on the tour is the James and Dolores Edwards House. Completed in 1951, this is another home that received a 1960s addition, overseen by Taliesin Associates. Clerestory windows bring plenty of natural light into the home, and the sunken living room is still there. While this home is beautiful, and the owners were kind and engaging throughout the tour, the cluttered interior made it difficult to appreciate the structure. The Alfonso Iannelli sprite sculpture was a nice added touch, though!
The final stop of the day: The Erling and Katherine Brauner House. Built in 1949, this home boasts a distinctive carport overhang that had us drooling. Concrete blocks with small glass panes were another striking feature that let in natural light. This home is in fantastic condition, and it is tastefully furnished. One of our favorites on the tour- and check out that mailbox!
If you get the chance to see these homes in the future, it is well worth it. Thanks again to Docomomo, the Historical Society of Greater Lansing and the generous homeowners who opened up their homes for the tour.
You don't have to live in a Frank Lloyd Wright home to have great design within your living space! Check out our Trystcraft Shop and incorporate some mid-century modern furnishings into your own living areas.
