Believe it or not, I am here in Pasadena, California, on my way to the Woodworking in America Conference in Cincinnati. Stopped in LA for a look around on the way there.
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| Gamble House, Pasadena |
I found my way to Gamble House, one of the best known and best preserved houses designed by Greene and Greene in 1908, in the height of the Arst and Crafst movement. It reminded me of the beautiful Rennie Macintosh stuff in Glasgow. I did the guided tour today. This stuff makes my heart sing!
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| Not a sharp corner to be found. |
Greene and Greene designed everything right down to the light fittings. There are repeating design elements throughout the whole house, furniture and fittings. It was a partnership between the Greene brothers, the Hall brothers (cabinetmakers) and other highly skilled craftspeople in glass and stone.
The clients from Ohio, Mr & Mrs Gamble, of Proctor & Gamble, commissioned it and were able to afford it. While it only took 10 months to build, it cost $79,000 to make and fit out. In 1908, other houses in the area were being built for $1600. So the tour guide explained.
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| Lots of pegged through mortises in the joinery inside and out. |
Sadly, taking photos inside the house was not allowed. There were 17 different types of timber used throughout the house. Each room would tend to have one or two types of timber used, but the same design elements were used throughout. Such incredible attention to detail.
If you've not had the pleasure of visiting this place, check it out on the web at
www.gamblehouse.org .
Meanwhile, my USA woodworking adventure continues...
