Greene and Greene



Gamble house - Pasadena, California (1908)

The elegant houses designed by Charles and Henry Greene have come to define the arts and crafts movement in the United States.  A seamless fusion of simplicity and sophisticated detail with meticulous attention to building materials and natural surroundings, each Greene and Greene house is a model of timeless home design.

Other architects have enjoyed more famous careers.  Many others have produced more buildings.  But no other architects have left us with a more glowing legacy of beauty, craft, livability, and spirit than Charles and Henry Greene. 

The World's Most Comfortable House

What makes the world's most comfortable house?  Unless I missed something, the people who are in that home are the most important ingredient.  But I still find all the descriptions about how the people lived, fascinating.  The most humble cottage could be a palace but I love reading about the mansions too. 

I decided to devote the next few posts to some amazing places and amazing people.  Starting with the largest privately owned home in the United States.  The Biltmore.  The Vanderbilt mansion.   Situated on 125,00 acres, the mansion is 135,000 square feet. Yes, One hundred and thirty five thousand square feet. 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 45 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces.  It took 6 years and the result of this human endeavor is spectacular. 

Contrast this with Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace.

 A common list of the failures of Abraham Lincoln (along with a few successes) is:

•1831 - Lost his job

•1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature

•1833 - Failed in business

•1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)

•1835 - Sweetheart died

•1836 - Had nervous breakdown

•1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker

•1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress

•1846 - Elected to Congress (success)

•1848 - Lost re-nomination

•1849 - Rejected for land officer position

•1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate

•1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President

•1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate

•1860 - Elected President (success)




The rest is history on these guys.

Far Side