The Swiss have an expression--hinter dem Mond (behind the moon)-- which is roughly equivalent to our "just a gleam in her daddy's eye". I was, in fact, behind the moon when my parents started their contemporary house construction around 1955.
They certainly had a jump on me at 34 and 38. I'm 49 now. That's my grandfather in the background (you can click on any of these images to enlarge them.) They had 3 kids by then and had to expand to a bigger house. I've always wondered where I got the modern design gene--none of my 3 sibs are inclined that way and I really don't think of my parents as contemporary design focused either. But around 1954 they hired an architect named Ed Lenker to design a heavily Frank Lloyd Wright influenced modern house in New Cumberland, PA and I spent the first 18 years of my life in it. Something must have rubbed off. The only stick of contemporary furniture in the whole house was an original George Nelson Bench which I think they got as a gift. I remember telling my mom when I got my first apartment that the only thing I wanted in their will was the Nelson bench and she told me to save myself a bunch of time and take it now as she hated it. I cherish it and already have the spot picked out for it in the new house. My parents are 85 and 89 now (shown here with my sister Barb and Ellen last year) and are following the progress of the house
from their home at Green Ridge Village retirement community in Newville, PA. They have been Valentines for 62 years and taught me everything I need to know about loving and making a home. A toast to Franny and Bus!!! They don't know what a blog is but they'll be thrilled they made it onto one.
Comments