Eero Saarinen Miller House

Eero Saarinen 'J. Irwin Miller House' 1957

Columbus, Indiana

Conversation Pit: Check

Italian Carrara Marble: Check

Round Fireplace: Check

Reflection Pool: Check

 Eero Saarinen's iconic Miller House is one of the finest examples of mid-century modern American architecture and design; an expertly tuned masterpiece where the architecture of Eero Saarinen and the landscape design by Daniel Kiley where perfectly arranged like a classical composition; the result is an almost orgasmic minimalist creation where every 'note' has its meaning; a masterwork done right down to the last detail; a brilliant modernist work of art devoid of clutter and confusion, a house alive with light.

 

Commissioned by industrialist and philanthropist J. Irwin Miller and his wife Xenia Simons Miller in 1953, Eero Saarinen's Miller House expands upon an architectural tradition developed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—epitomizing the international Modernist aesthetic—with an open and flowing layout, flat roof and stone and glass walls. The rooms, configured beneath a grid pattern of skylights supported by cruciform steel columns, are filled with textiles that feature strong colors and playful patterns. Amid the residence’s large geometric gardens, its grandest feature is an allée of honey locust trees that runs along the west side of the house. In 2000, the Miller House became the first National Historic Landmark to receive its designation while one of its designers, Dan Kiley, was still living and while still occupied by its original owners. The house showcases the work of leading 20th-century architects and designers: Eero Saarinen, Alexander Girard and Daniel Kiley.

Today, the property offers visitors the opportunity to experience one of the finest expressions of American modernism, an integration of house and landscape that draws upon historical precedents without repeating them, enfolding them in a compelling composition of forms and spaces that captures the genius of its designers, the aspirations of its owners, and the spirit of their time. 

"it unlocks the imagination, refreshes the spirit and brings serenity"

Eero Saarinen Miller House = Pure Bliss

Miller House

Black Panther

Officina di S. Maria Novella, Via della Scalla, 1969 (image credit nova68.com)

La Pantera by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano, 1963 (image credit nova68.com)

La Pantera

Not to be confused with its mischievous counterpart The Pink Panther; the smart and sleek Black Panther means serious business. This super graphic styled mod Black Panther screenprint was designed by Enzo Mari in 1963 for Danese Milano in Italy.

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Happy Pills

'Pillola'

These pill-shaped lamps were designed by Cesare Maria Casati and Emanuele Ponzio. This wonderful and highly collectible set was edited in a very limited editon by Ponteur in Bergamo Italy during 1968. These invaluable lamps have become true pop-art collectors pieces.  Fans of Claes Oldenburg; if you want a complete set of the Pillola lamps, check the auctions at Christies and Sotheby's. Also available through nova68.com; price upon request.

Less is More ft. Miranda by Willy Vanderperre for Industrie

MLess is More ft. Miranda by Willy Vanderperre Art Photography for Industrie

Manuel Barbadillo

Manuel Barbadillo "Disalda" 1969

Manuel Barbadillo "Acuario" late 1960s

 Manuel Barbadillo "Relieve Uno" 1984

Manuel Barbadillo "Mural" Fuengirola Málaga 1969-70

Fans of Victor Vasarely will appreciate the works of art by Spanish artist Manuel Barbadillo (1929-2003).  Although his style is considered to be influenced by op art; his oeuvre is uniquely different.  Manuel Barbadillo was one of the earliest proponents of the "computer art movement".  Manuel Barbadillo was born in Sevilla but lived most of his life in Málaga.  Starting from the late 1960s, with the advent of the personal computer, Spanish artist Manuel Barbadillo used combinatorial tests with a computer and a dot matrix printer to create beautiful optical prints. He selected those that seemed most interesting to paint. This may seem trivial nowadays but it was a groundbreaking form of art in the 1960s.  Manuel Barbadillo remains pretty much unknown outside Málaga and his (often forgotten) works can be found at the most unusual of places; like the nondescript wall of the Apartamentos Milan in Fuengirola, Málaga.  We feel he deserves more attention so check out his works when visiting Málaga or Galeria Cayon in Madrid.

Blown Away

Windswept Tarifa

Ravishing, blustery Tarifa with it's beautiful women, windswept beaches and crumbling old town. Tarifa is perched on the southernmost point of continental Spain. On a clear day, it provides an almost undetectable hazy view of Marocco's equally windswept Ksar es Seghir coastline across the Strait of Gibraltar.  Tarifa provides a bit of unspoiled heaven for those that want to be blown away from it all.

Image Credits 

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Abstract Expressionism

Eduardo Chillida, Collage, 1966

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Underwater Universe

The Escapist

Abstract Expressionism

Gravitacion Abstracto by Eduardo Chillida 

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Still Waters

Anouck Lepere by Jock Sturges

A Shot in the Dark

Architect Pierre Koenig’s 1960 Stahl House

Case Study House #22

Los Angeles, California

"I wanted to breathe some air into the house, not to pose them (the girls) with their faces in the camera necessarily, but to get a feeling of natural activity, as well as using them for scale. After all, architecture is for people. It was a warm night, and I was inside photographing the house with Pierre. I happened to step outside and saw the view, and here the girls were sitting through the glass, just having a conversation. My assistant was setting some lights for me (we were doing an interior photograph) and then when I saw what was going on, I quickly came back in the house and told everyone, ‘We’re changing the composition,’ brought the camera outside, and readjusted the lights. My wife used to say. ‘After all, it’s only a glass box with two girls sitting in it.’ But somehow that one scene expresses what architecture is all about. What if I hadn’t gone outside to see the view? I would have missed a historic photograph, and more than that, we would have missed the opportunity to introduce this kind of architecture to the world." -Julius Shulman, The Making of an Icon

Image Credit: © Julius Shulman

Mr. Impeccable

The Impeccable Mr. McQueen by Richard Avedon

Harpers Bazaar 1965

Splendid Solitude

Nothingness in Iceland

Simply brilliant Reykjavik House by Polish architects Moomoo

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Getting Comfortable

 

Photography by Jenny Gage and Tom Betterton

Sky Tunnel

James Turrell, Sky Tunnel at the Roden Crater

Lunettes de Soleil

patterns in the sun

Doorless Helicopters

À la Plage, À la Piscine

Shooting from doorless helicopters, this series by Gray Malin has been photographed
around the world from the U.S. to Brazil to Australia to Europe. From above,
a simple beach or pool becomes a blank canvas that allows its beholder to start seeing
the world as art. People and objects become patterns creating repetition,
shape and form. These photographs are a visual celebration of color, light, shape
and summer bliss.

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