Historic building traditions
Carl and Karin Larsson's dining room in Sundborn, Sweden was depicted by Carl in this 1901 watercolor. He began recording the family's everyday life in a series of paintings, first published in 1899. They offered an intimate glimpse into family life, and have affected Swedish attitudes and design ever since.
This compact, upright and cheerful 1912 traditional house forms a stalwart defense against Sweden's long dreary winters and relentless globalization.
Traditional Swedish design today remains unpretentious and relaxed, but its influence is now widespread. This Dreamy White dining room with antique Mora clock is in Northern California.
Historic building cultures cannot really be transplanted to new locales. Romantically recreating Andalusia in California inevitably led to something new. This smart courtyard house from 1920s was designed by Cliff May.
This recent Spring Island, SC guest house was modeled on an 1860s smokehouse with board and batten "additions." A familiar local type was re-imagined for new use.
New courtyard house in Sonoma, CA with its "water tower," arcades and vertical board siding pays homage to William Wurster's iconic (1926-7) Gregory ranch house near Santa Cruz.
The Spanish Colonial Revival in Santa Barbara blossomed after a 1925 earthquake. Hispanic designs were promoted as the town rebuilt, and some remarkable buildings realized. More recently, tradition and crafts have been revived by new wealth in the community.
Recent design in Santa Barbara is modeled on a Provence farmhouse with Genoise eave, plank shutters and iron grilles. The details were faithfully reproduced, not vaguely "interpreted," and are entirely convincing.
The endearing wackiness of architect Jeff Shelton's projects in Santa Barbara has given the adopted Spanish colonial tradition new energy-- refreshed by humor and imagination.
Not unlike the influence of Gaudi in Barcelona, local craft traditions have been tweaked by Shelton's playful designs. None of this stuff is "correct," but we are charmed by its fun and freshness.
At the top of Shelton's tower is an outdoor kitchen with tiled bench to enjoy the view. Building officials read "bleachers," and must have insisted on a barrier to climbers.
Early California architect, Bernard Maybeck (1862-1957), loved his version of medieval building styles and told his clients to "dream big." Elfin-like Maybeck had mastered the architect's critical skills of charm and persuasion.
Behold, "Ye olde mountain lodge" re-imagined here with more ample parking, but otherwise shows little skill in design fundamentals like proportion, scale and balance.
Architecture mirrors society and its prevailing attitudes. Priorities differ between cultures. While Parisians would likely enjoy spending the whole afternoon cooking, tasting and talking with friends...
Sunbelt Americans could prefer a backyard "dive in theater" to partake of the latest thrills from media conglomerates with maybe some microwaved snacks.
This remarkable historic farm on Guernsey Island should be preserved intact. Earliest portions of the house still have thatched roofing. Landmarks like this evoke the character and uniqueness of a place, and offer inspiration for new work.
Q