Just in time for Valentine's Day, one of our readers sent us a link to an article in the Washington Post about Jim Kimsey's love affair with the newly restored Luis Marden House. Kimsey is the multimillionaire co-founder of AOL, and had built a 21,000 square foot mansion adjacent to the run-down Wright gem. Originally appalled at its neglected appearance, Kimsey decided to save the cinder block Usonian once he learned about its history and significance--in the end, he was smitten. As Kimsey states in the article:
"If I wanted a romantic dinner, I wouldn't do it in my house, which is ostentatious. I would do it in a Frank Lloyd Wright house."
It's an important statement validating the warmth found in a well-designed, principled space versus the disconnected feeling associated with an over-the-top McMansion. You can read more about the restoration on Kimsey's architectural love-affair by clicking this link. Thanks again to our readers who continually share cool and important stories like this!
Photo copyright Max Hirshfeld for the Washington Post
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