Down to Earth

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In 1974, Maya Moran and her husband bought a dilapidated Frank Lloyd Wright house in Riverside, Illinois, and she dedicated years to rescuing and restoring it. In her narrative, she shares how she transformed the 1904 Tomek House into a home and a showplace, detailing its profound impact on her life. Historian Robert Twombly notes that this book is unique as it captures the experience of living in and restoring a Wright residence, revealing the challenges and joys of caring for such an architectural gem. With nearly ninety photographs and Wright’s preliminary designs, Moran not only chronicles the house but also the lives of its inhabitants and the history of Riverside, one of the first planned suburbs in the U.S. She illustrates how Wright's influence persists, as she designs gardens and furnishings in harmony with his vision. Through her reflections on the trials of maintaining the house—from drainage issues to its acoustics and light—Moran conveys a deep understanding of its essence. She candidly shares her initial struggles and the eventual enchantment the house brought, highlighting the unexpected responsibilities and sacrifices involved in owning a Wright masterpiece, as well as the enriching experiences that followed.