I did a search looking for one but ended up with a very fuzzy plan from Steelcase. This company purchased the Meyer May house in 1985 and that was the first time I had ever been through the home as a tourist. It has been a long time since 1985 until now and like I said I am trying to remember as best as I can while viewing the fuzzy Steelcase floorplan. After coming through the entry from very bright sunshine that day makes you very unsure of your surroundings. I do recall stepping up a few steps then turning upon the landing and coming into the dining room. The photo below reveals the entry as you'll notice the tour rope divider guiding us into the Dining Area.
In the picture above you see this decorative oak railing sitting on the half wall which performed double duty not only being a wall divider from the foyer it blocked the cooler air in the winter months but allowed natural light to filter through. Plus it's so beautiful to look at because of the craftsmenship. I wish I had taken more photos and one I missed is the built in hutch.
This dining room table created by the FLW team is like no other. The light post at all 4 corners were designed to provide light (no need for candlestick) and had an area below the light so you could have flowers. I guess taking everything off the table allowed for food & place settings without the hinderance of centerpieces.
Sorry, it's so blurry. This is a beautiful wall with patterend wallpaper dividing the dining area and the living area. The tour guide said that although there isn't proof the design of poppy flowers in pink & yellow on a varigated blue backgound that resembles water may represent the many travels that Mr. Wright took to Lake Michigan.
All the furniture was designed by Mr. Wright and some replica pieces can be purchased. Specifically the bedroom furniture shown in the photos below. I so wanted to test out the chairs since I am a shorty and it was known that Mr. May whom the home was designed for was also a short fellow. This is a great shot because you can not only see the grand fireplace and library section on the right with a bench to sit upon while choosing a book, but you can also see more of the railing on the half wall of the stair well going up to the second floor. I love the clearstory windows that are on the North side of the house as they would let light into the stairway especially during the winter months.
Did I mention I love this fireplace. Look at this horizontal grout it has metal particles mixed into it that reflect light. The vertical grout is plain so the whole fireplace gives a horizontal direction moving your eye around the room.
How clever is this? To hide a radiant heating unit behind a decorative grate made out of the gorgeous oak as prominent throughout the rest of the home.
This isn't the only sconce located in the living area but this photo shows the reflecting artistic pattern shining above the light. The picture below is the stairway leading to the second floor.
Arriving at the second level there are three bedrooms as I hope I'm telling you correctly when I say that one was converted into an office, plus the main bathroom which I didn't get a picture of and sitting room. Wow I really need to book another tour so I can get it all straight in my own mind. Don't you love these clearstory windows and this loft hallway? The roofs were designed to make the rooms feel more grandiose.
This home was designed with only a few places that you one could hang artwork. I never knew this but once it was mentioned by the tour guide then it seemed a bit funny. One spot was located overtop of the mantle in the Master Bedroom. Provided for you are wooden pegs so that your art of choice would not be any larger which would throw the scale of things out of whack.
I'd get behind then I'd tried to hurry to catch up with everyone else so I totally missed photos of the sitting area and the Girls Bedroom. OH the several photos I would have taken. This room (the Master Bedroom) is facing West and receives a great sunset.
Again because I was lagging behind trying to wait until rooms cleared of other tourist so I didn't hear all the information being presented. I did not catch the name of this dresser or of the crib on display in the Boys bedroom. The tour guide mentioned these furniture replica's may be purchased. This room is the SE side of the home.
The crib is another piece that has been in reproduced and may be purchased.
I think this small room was converted into an office. It holds modern file cabinets today. It faces East and sits above the kitchen.
As we went back downstairs to exit the home we caught a glimpse of the kitchen which is no longer in the original state. Since the home is now a museum the kitchen has been modified and now hosts industrial sized appliances to fulfill party menus.
It would have been great to see the garage and tour the grounds because of the garden areas partitioned off from outside access. Another thing I had never considered but suppose it would be true is that although the house was beautiful it stood out like a sore thumb. The May children did not like the home since their classmates poked fun of them. Neighbors thought it was an unapproachable home since noone could locate the front door. Even Mrs. May did not like the home as she was use to Victorian style homes and the interior in this home felt massive and very constricive. I would have agreed with her back in 1908 and would have begged my husband to allow me to renovate.
I'd love to hear your comments, let me know how you would feel living in this home back in the day.
To see the exterior photos click here (FLW).
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