tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post3878647229264923385..comments2024-01-01T21:31:27.654-08:00Comments on UNCLE EDDIE'S THEORY CORNER: LLOYD WRIGHT'S SOWDEN HOUSEEddie Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-78097681322617269202013-02-26T18:03:10.754-08:002013-02-26T18:03:10.754-08:00This house is now owned by a friend of mine who bo...This house is now owned by a friend of mine who bought it from Xorin Balbes - who now lives in Hawaii.<br />I find it very impressive outside and inside.<br />However, it is a very cold interior - all bare floors and stone work.<br />Seeing pictures of the old court yard, I feel putting in this large of a swimming pool w/jacuzi was a mistake. It looks nice, but it takes up too much walking space in the middle.<br />Bottom line - for those who appreciate FLW designes, this is an awesome place!<br />RLSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-78790095147786169722010-11-24T22:56:33.892-08:002010-11-24T22:56:33.892-08:00Joe: Not to worry! Those things happen.Joe: Not to worry! Those things happen.Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-86937288981761373722010-11-24T10:31:26.423-08:002010-11-24T10:31:26.423-08:00Uncle Eddie,
You may be right (Wright.) Frank cou...Uncle Eddie,<br /><br />You may be right (Wright.) Frank could have doodled this, or even taken it to semi-blueprint, and the son either borrowed or lifted the design, but from recent readings, it looks like Jr was commissioned by a personal friend. <br /><br />To be honest, when I found out about this editorial blunder, I was hoping my original info was wrong, and it was corrected by my editors, but a brief Googling so far has not picked up anything solid.<br /><br />Editors should be hung and not heard.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02749038590329001014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-42495018302585210792010-11-24T09:13:43.298-08:002010-11-24T09:13:43.298-08:00Joe: Thanks for getting back to me! i'll chang...Joe: Thanks for getting back to me! i'll change the attribution to Lloyd Wright.<br /><br />My guess is that your editor might have hit on an accidental truth. There is something of Frank in the structure. I can't help wondering if Frank did conceptual sketches and Lloyd modified them. <br /><br />Houses that Frank made in his Mayan period used concrete blocks, which didn't always produce a pleasing effect. My guess is that Wright did an original sketch calling for blocks, and Lloyd chose instead to use molded concrete, which looks better. I'll add a picture showing the concrete in detail.<br /><br />Anonymous: You were right! Thanks for the correction!Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-18925907349565440472010-11-24T02:40:23.935-08:002010-11-24T02:40:23.935-08:00Uncle Eddie and Anonymous,
Arrrrggghhhhh! Editor...Uncle Eddie and Anonymous, <br /><br />Arrrrggghhhhh! Editors should be shot.<br /><br />Just checked my original copy. Here is what I sent to the publisher.<br /><br />"... the Sowden House is arguably one of Lloyd Wright’s most famous structures. Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, completed the home in 1926."<br /><br />My guess is whoever was editing had just a little knowledge, (a dangerous thing) and decided I accidentally dropped the "Frank" in Jr.s name, so they added it.<br /><br />I always triple check my sources, so this is particularly frustrating.<br /><br />Of course, I can't get too upset, because even though I wrote this thing, (correctly I might add) I know I've said it was a Frank Lloyd Wright building to friends on occasion. <br /><br />Also, thanks for checking out the Ani-Rants Uncle Eddie. I appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed 'em.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02749038590329001014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-58751290426128255632010-11-23T23:27:09.293-08:002010-11-23T23:27:09.293-08:00I am supremely jealous.I am supremely jealous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-17585984962167170602010-11-23T12:17:40.451-08:002010-11-23T12:17:40.451-08:00Eddie, I actually agree with you on the lush jungl...Eddie, I actually agree with you on the lush jungle motif angle. The banana trees are cool, but I think they'd be better more off to the sides and not obscuring the building so much. But the aerial view shows that the lot is too narrow for that. Otherwise, quite an effective choice of exotic-looking plants. I'd want a pith helmet if I visited the place.Paul Pennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15675804395438758118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-32303841337195486432010-11-23T08:29:51.239-08:002010-11-23T08:29:51.239-08:00Joe: Anonymous said that the Sowden House was done...Joe: Anonymous said that the Sowden House was done by Lloyd Wright exclusively. I just looked up the house on Wikipedia and that seems to confirm what Anonymous said. What do you think? Did the Wiki writer get it right?Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-1635267270981911732010-11-23T07:08:02.023-08:002010-11-23T07:08:02.023-08:00I can't believe I never heard of this place! W...I can't believe I never heard of this place! When I get back to LA, I'm definitely stopping by. It looks really interesting!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529660395883635537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-40749878715192754222010-11-23T01:10:47.480-08:002010-11-23T01:10:47.480-08:00Anon: Thanks for the correction, but I wish you...Anon: Thanks for the correction, but I wish you'd cited a source. The "Weird Hollywood" book says Frank Lloyd Wright started the house and his son finished it, which is what I said in the post. Exactly how much each contributed to the house isn't specified In the book or the internet sites I referenced. <br /><br />I mentioned the elder Wright in the blog title just to make it easier for people to find the post if they do an archive search. <br /><br />You sound like you know how the work was divied up. If you're able I'd love to hear about it. <br /><br />Joe: I watched some rants and had a good time. You got a decent number of hits considering that they haven't been up very long.<br /><br />Paul: Hmmm...we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I like lush jungle motiffs, all the more so when they appear in urban enviornments where you don't expect them. <br /><br />The blank walls aren't cubist in the sense that Picasso used the term. They appear to be plain old blank spaces waiting to be filled...not like the Samuel Navarro House where the blank wall is profound, and has no built-in planters infront of it.Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-37690740570616189302010-11-23T00:40:33.678-08:002010-11-23T00:40:33.678-08:00Anon: Thanks for the correction, but I wish you...Anon: Thanks for the correction, but I wish you'd cited a source. The "Weird Hollywood" book says Frank Lloyd Wright started the house and his son finished it, which is what I said in the post. Exactly how much each contributed to the house isn't specified In the book or the internet sites I referenced. <br /><br />I mentioned the elder Wright in the blog title just to make it easier for people to find the post if they do an archive search. <br /><br />You sound like you know how the work was divied up. If you're able I'd love to hear about it. <br /><br />Joe: I watched some rants and had a good time. You got a decent number of hits considering that they haven't been up very long.Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-77028537291845121552010-11-22T17:40:41.523-08:002010-11-22T17:40:41.523-08:00CORRECTION: This house is by Frank Lloyd Wright, J...CORRECTION: This house is by Frank Lloyd Wright, JR. not Sr. who is otherwise known as Lloyd Wright. The son, not the father.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-26162194178932464952010-11-22T12:00:33.549-08:002010-11-22T12:00:33.549-08:00Oh, and Pappy D., I did mention Hodell's daugh...Oh, and Pappy D., I did mention Hodell's daughter, Tamar, in the story as well. Suffice to say Dr. Hodell ain't gonna win any posthumous Father of the Year trophies.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02749038590329001014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-39085432948238524092010-11-22T11:50:57.602-08:002010-11-22T11:50:57.602-08:00Well double WOW back at you sir. I'm honored t...Well double WOW back at you sir. I'm honored that such an accomplished and talented artist is reading (and enjoying) my book. BTW, I did the illustrations too. <br /><br />If you have a chance I'd love to hear your take on my Ani-Rants. (They are in the site I posted earlier... Below is a link to a brief episode - it would mean a great deal to me to know you checked it out. Feel free to give an honest crit. I'm very interested.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-03g4HaFd0<br /><br />Thanks,<br />JoeUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02749038590329001014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-58848489899829352542010-11-22T11:45:20.454-08:002010-11-22T11:45:20.454-08:00I love creative and interesting landscaping, but n...I love creative and interesting landscaping, but not when it interferes with significant or beautiful buildings. That's something that's frequently not taken into consideration these days as larger trees and shrubbery mature. In the case of the Sowden house, while the landscaping in the b/w shot is unimaginative, in the present photo it obscures too much of the structure's proportions; the big banana trees completely obscure the massive, cubist blocks of the facade. The building would be much better served with exotic but low-growing plants. Here, it's sort of equivalent to putting a coat rack in front of the Mona Lisa.Paul Pennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15675804395438758118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-19069033010804788212010-11-22T11:23:20.582-08:002010-11-22T11:23:20.582-08:00Steven: Yeah, it's a few dollars over my limit...Steven: Yeah, it's a few dollars over my limit, too.<br /><br />Lester: The author answered your comment below!<br /><br />Joe: Wow! A comment by the author of the fascinating book I'm reading! I just took a look at your site and was much impressed. I look forward to going back! I hope you sell a zillion copies of "Weird Hollywood!<br /><br />Oh, yes...and thanks for not getting mad about me using material from your book!<br /><br />Pappy: Holy mackeral! A grape vine! I already have a grape arbor and I'm not sure there's room for another vine. Thanks much for the offer, though! I hope someone else here picks up on it!Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-1503656712679668692010-11-22T10:27:58.736-08:002010-11-22T10:27:58.736-08:00Dr. Hodel's daughter had some horrifying accou...Dr. Hodel's daughter had some horrifying accounts of those parties.<br /><br />Landscaping pays great dividends in home improvement. It's the most satisfying sweat-equity I ever put into the property, but if you don't think ahead you can get carried away. Can anyone in the L.A. area use a mature Red Flame seedless grape vine? The trunk is 4-5" in diameter, perfect for shading a patio, not so hot for covering my neighbor's avocado. I dig, you haul.pappy dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07634780939188002027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-8385058139926380182010-11-22T09:47:04.010-08:002010-11-22T09:47:04.010-08:00Hi Uncle Eddie,
Joe Oesterle here, author of the ...Hi Uncle Eddie,<br /><br />Joe Oesterle here, author of the book you've been reading - "Weird Hollywood." Hope you're enjoying the rest of it.<br /><br />You're right, it's not a famous building if you're just a typical Angeleno... it's not even necessarily famous if you live on Franklin Ave. I did assume it was well known to local F.L. Wright fans, but according to Lester (the poster above) that is not the case either. Anyway, it is impressive, and cool and most of all, WEIRD.<br /><br />I just took a brief tour of your site. Fun stuff. I'll definitely be back to check out your amusing ramblings from time to time.<br /><br />Thanks again for mentioning the book, and feel free to check out my <br />personal blogsite thingee at wwww.JoeArtistWriter.wordpress.com.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />JoeUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02749038590329001014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-2712776641062557852010-11-22T08:01:11.749-08:002010-11-22T08:01:11.749-08:00Wow. I'm a life-long Wright fan and I had nev...Wow. I'm a life-long Wright fan and I had never heard of this place. I don't think I've seen it in any book about Wright. It looks like something he might have done while deranged by magic mushrooms or LSD.Lester Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14746157071827337723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-28983028310341964042010-11-22T06:27:37.609-08:002010-11-22T06:27:37.609-08:00Thats some house.
$3,900 to rent it for the nigh...Thats some house. <br /><br />$3,900 to rent it for the night, thats alittle steep.Steven M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17284662120928553055noreply@blogger.com