The Interior

 

The interior of Fallingwater is nearly as famous as its dramatic exterior.  Wright designed every aspect  -- from the clutter-free expansive spaces to the modern built-in  fixtures and furnishings  --  so that the visual flow between the interior and landscape is unimpeded.

 

The Kaufmans were avid art collectors and had an impressive collection which they displayed at Fallingwater.  For a detailed look at the collection at Fallingwater choose the Museum Collection link while visiting the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Web Site which can be accessed on the Resources page.

 

 

Click anywhere on a picture to enlarge it.

The first floor is a single, contiguous space with a small kitchen and powder room attached.

This photograph captures the visual brilliance of Wright's extensive use of glass throughout the residence which creates the illusion that outside and inside are indistinguishable from one another.

Wright incorporated the natural into interior detail as much as possible. Floors throughout Fallingwater are large slabs of glazed stone.

 

 

This built-in banquette is adjacent to the doors leading onto the first floor terrace. The palette Wright chose for furnishings coordinated with that of the landscape beyond.

Wright designed this sitting area directly across the room from the one shown in the previous photograph. It is adjacent to the fireplace and is lit mainly by the diffuse light of the skylight creating a secluded, intimate atmosphere.

Wright greatly admired the clean lines and austere simplicity of Japanese decoration. That influence is clearly visible at Fallingwater.

The fireplace is another famous element of Fallingwater. A boulder was left intact and the house built around it. Parts of the boulder surface at the rear of the fireplace and at the hearth.

Wright used his concept of the large red kettle as an inspiration to himself when he designed this section of the house: he said that he could hear it hissing in the fireplace.

Clearly visible are the wood accents and shelving of North Carolina walnut that are found throughout the house.

This photo shows the formal dining area at Fallingwater (far right) which is situated at the rear of the spacious main room.

Wright designed a dining table and chairs crafted out of North Carolina walnut and placed them perpendicular to the stone wall. He had matching display cabinetry built into the wall to the left of the dining suite. Under the cabinetry and also recessed into the wall is a second, drop-leaf dining table Wright designed to accommodate additional dinner guests.

The doorway to the kitchen can be seen slightly to the right of the center of the picture.

 

 

The kitchen at Fallingwater is actually a very small space. Wright cleverly camoflauged its size by making the far wall nearly all windows. This photo verifies Wright's design premise by making the room appear nearly twice it's actual size.

The library is on the second floor, adjacent to the master bedroom suite.

All of the woodwork at Fallingwater is built into the stone walls. Wright insisted upon using local workmen to construct Fallingwater, and the perfect union of stone and wood is a testament to the craftsmanship of the masons and carpenters who participated.

 

 

These interior steps lead from the library to the third floor which was occupied exclusively by Edgar Kaufman, Jr.

Wright designed a small drafting studio as a part of the Edgar, Jr.'s private quarters in recognition of Edgar's interest in architectural design. It was Edgar's study of architects and their work that made him aware of Frank Lloyd Wright and his designs which he greatly admired. When the Kaufman family decided to build a retreat on their property at Bear Run, Edgar Jr. was adamant that Wright be contacted.

 

 

 

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