house proud, vol. 1 {life}
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 12:00PM 
The father of my dear friend Rebecca is an architect. This means that whenever we get together at parties or cookouts or whatnot, I want to hang out with him, like a lot. It doesn't hurt that both of her parents are just delightful and super easy to be with, but talking with her dad about houses is something I could do all day long. He speaks my kind of house-speak, and he knows how to make it happen for people, sometimes on a grand scale. When we first started talking about architecture, I asked Bill if there was a typical "Norfolk" home, the way you see homes typical to Santa Fe or Charleston or Nantucket. He pointed me to this book, which now sits on my coffee table. Southern Vernacular. That's what we're talking about. Drawing from other traditions, but paying attention to the landscape.
Bill pays attention, and that's what's so great about talking about him. Homes are living, breathing things to him, and he thinks about what a family needs as he designs for them. Not just the sight lines and how the light falls, but how a family moves through a space and how the kids might run down the hall or the parents might need time to themselves. As we'd talked at pool party after pool party and BBQ after BBQ, I dropped shameless hint after shameless hint that I'd love to come and see some of the houses he's designed in town. Knowing Bill, and knowing the little I'd seen, I imagined they'd be pretty spectacular.
Well, you can imagine my excitement when they (his wife runs his architecture practice for him) called to see if I'd come photograph some houses for them. Christmas and Birthday all rolled up into one for me! It's quite possible that I danced a jig. I can't tell you the sheer and utter delight I felt at working with this lovely gentleman and finally having the opportunity to see inside some of his beautiful homes. This stunning riverside home was the first, and I'll have another for you next week. The family who lives here is downsizing, and they've asked Bill to help them with their new home, to make it fit their needs. As we walked around the house, the photography challenges I felt faded away as Bill showed me why he put a hall where he did, or how he carved an attic out of what was intended to be unused space. Living, breathing things, our homes are. He's constantly thinking about them.
Even when the houses are finished and about to be sold to a new family, he still is.
Reader Comments (15)
That is so fantastic! I would be over the moon too. I always feel weird taking photos and "sneak" most of my picture (issues) which drives me nuts because I feel like I could obviously get better shots if I weren't such a weirdo about it. So to be invited into a giant HOUSE and expected to take photos? Heck yeah! And might I just add that I subscribe to almost every single US based house/home magazines and these photos are just as good as any I have seen. Do you often take interior photos, Lauren? If not maybe this is a calling? They are such wonderful photos; all the angles and the lighting . . . Amazing. xo
WOW. That is a lot of house. But also a ton of light! I love architects. My dad was one by trade. Artists gotta pay the bills somehow. I remember the first time I went to a house he was working on, and was just floored by it. No wonder you were in heaven! I think Architectural Digest will be knocking down your door any day now!
Wow! That house is fantastic! And the pictures are wonderful, Lauren. I love how you captured the experience of light in the home and also the height of the hallway ceiling...and the long view of hallways and through rooms out into the outdoor vistas. Well, you can see, I am captivated. Good work!!
You did such a wonderful job photographing this house, Lauren...Just lovely photos! Of course your friend's parents wanted you to take these images...makes perfect sense to me. I am proud of you!
I LOVE these pictures!
The way you captured light is amazing. I especially liked the open wood door allowing the light to spill in and the shot with the red, white and blue striped chairs--showed the brilliant light without fuzzing out the objects. Great work!
Wow, the house looks so humongous from the outside but the inside is so warm and inviting. The river view is gorgeous and so are your photos! I love to get to peak into other peoples homes and sometimes I get to do just that in my job, I work for a small architectural firm. Unfortunately "we" never take photos afterwards and I have offered myself to take them numerous times...
I love the house. Teri
it's beautiful. your collages are wonderful, too! both are clean, crisp, and filled with natural light. enjoy your adventures - and i look forward to more!
What a gorgeous home! The craftmanship and quality in this home is unbelievable. Lauren, I see this as another angle for your photography, just saying. You captured all the light and beauty this home has to offer. I cannot wait to see the next one. (That last photo and caption got me.)
That's definitely an awesome house with HUGE windows, just the way I like it. It's quite special to meet someone who thinks of solid, immobile objects as motile, changing organisms
@CHRISTINE: I'm a picture sneaker too! I've never done interiors like this before, except for love and for the blog, so this was a fun challenge. I'll talk more next week, when I showcase another house, about the process, but working with Bill was incredible! Your encouragement means the world to me!
@ERIN: I love you. That is all.
@MOM: Thank you so much. I can't believe we didn't look at these when you were here! The light was amazing in that house, just stunning!
@LIZ: Your encouragement, from right around the corner, keeps me going. How lucky I am that we get to travel this path together? XO
@DEBBIE: Thank you!
@DAD: Thank you! It was an amazing space, no question. Can you imagine walking into that living room each morning? Or on a stormy afternoon?
@NINA: Your job! Tell me more! The inside peeks are the best, aren't they? We've talked about this before, I think! This is the beginning of Bill building a portfolio; definitely encourage your people to take pictures. The owners of the homes will love them for it.
@TERI: Thank you (and THANK YOU! ;) )
@NOREEN: Thank you so much. That light seems to get everyone, doesn't it? And I'm definitely enjoying my adventures!
@THERESA: Again, thank you so much. The bones were there to look at, and over and over again, Bill pointed the way for me to get the shot. And I certainly had fun...who doesn't want to take pictures of gorgeous houses?
@ROOTH: I thought of you, I have to admit! I love all the windows too. You'd like Bill, I have a feeling. He's up your alley. :)
just looking at the satisfaction on his face says it all... job well done... to both of you!
Oh my God, Lauren!!! What an astonishing house and what a privilege to photograph it! And may I just say that this is your best work yet!!! xoxo
@SUE: Hi! Thanks for coming by, and thank you for your kind words! He looks contemplative to me, but he should be satisfied!
@CHI: How are you girl? You're so good to me! It was a privilege to photograph this house, for sure! XO