This past weekend I was in Florida and got a chance to go see a real Sarah Susanka designed house up close.
The house was beautiful and a little bit underwhelming -- which came as a big surprise given how much I think of the philosophy of the designer. The wood was beautiful. The windows were stunning. Sustainable or "green" construction practices were showcased throughout. So what was wrong? There was very little room for focal art on the walls and very little room to express changing personal taste through paint or window treatments either of which would cover expensive woodwork or windows in such a way as to be completely criminal. Even furniture was scarcely necessary beyond beds, some couches and a diningroom table and chairs.
Don't mistake me, I realize that compactness is a good part of the point, and I like it. Sarah Susanka builds like someone designing sailboats in her desire to make use of space. Presented with a list of someone's important personal effects, I suspect she'd elevate those items to religion and do a fine job of celebrating the person. Without a client to wrap her ideas around, though, she builds beautiful sailboats into which you have to figure out how to insert your sense of self. If you don't mind living in a house that is 100% someone else's vision, then it doesn't matter. For me, as someone who is slowly forming a house over years to the point where I will never be able to live anywhere else, this would be a problem.
And a side note: Those window-seat builtins that look so cool? Completely impractical as ready access lift-top storage. The cushions fit tight and you'd have to move them to get into the unit all the time. Under windowseat drawers would live much better.
Another side note: touring the house with my husband the General Contractor made it clear how much of the house was made expensive by material costs. I would LOVE to see a house designed by Sarah Susanka using more accessible and affordable materials.
Posted by karen at September 21, 2005 08:27 AM