Regrets

10 years ago, when we worked with an architect on updating the 1939 Modern I inherited, I had high hopes of realizing my dream of dissolving the barrier between indoors and out: part of the west side of the house on the bottom floor would open up by way of folding or sliding glass doors. Oh, no – I was assured nothing of the kind existed (folding panels), and glass "sliders", "with that big track to trip over? Oh, you don't want that!" So, what did I get stuck with? lousy, warping, terribly weatherstripped Weathershield double glass doors with yucky gold hinges! Every time I see a house that opens up I get such a pang of regret – why did I listen to my lazy contractor? Why didn't I do the research, prove him wrong and get what I really wanted?!

Here are the 2 treatments used in one space in the Wabi House, designed by Sebastian Marsical Studio. via Trendir – GF

Working on New Canaan's Modern House Day

We're working like mad on preparations for the New Canaan Historical Society's Modern House Day, on May 2.

Yesterday and today I wrote short biographies of the architects (Breuer, Alan Goldberg, John Johansen, Taylor Gates, Toshiko Mori, Mark Markiewicz, and Victor Christ-Janer) and short descriptions of the five houses, and started work on longer descriptions for a separate pamphlet that will talk about how each of the houses was changed and adapted over the years to the changing needs of the various owners.

I think we've written, in one form or another, about each of the houses, although the only one I've been in is Alan Goldberg's (I nosed around outside the Breuer 2 house about 3 1/2 years ago, when it was unoccupied and before the current owners moved it, but I haven't been inside). Gina, on the other hand, has been in the Goldberg house and Johansen's Bridge House (and wrote about the Bridge House here).

Gina now will start to design the ticket (which really serves as the informational brochure for the event) and the pamphlet.

There's more information about the tour here and here.