Sunday, April 19, 2020

NAKASHIMA

One of the things I love about New Hope is the history of the town and it's colorful past residents. As part of the past we have many colorful residents that have lived here such as Aaron Burr, whom my family is ancestors of, Odette Myrtle, Oscar Hammerstein, Pearl Buck, and Dorothy Parker. Another resident in the past was George Nakashima who I was just reminded of the other day when I took Buster out for a walk,  and we passed the house and studio of Mr. Nakashima. The spring time is awakening the place again.

A versatile American designer and craftsman. George Nakashima connected masterful carpentry, a sculptural sensibility, and spirituality in his exceptional designs. One of the most recognized furniture designers and makers of the 20th century, he is celebrated for his traditionally-inspired designs and legendary craftsmanship. His furniture is recognized for its simplicity and careful attention to material qualities. His New Hope studio, still open to the public today, embodies this work, and is overseen by his daughter Mira.For more than half a century George Nakashima created unique sculptural furniture. With great respect for the natural qualities of wood, he crafted his designs from his large estate in New Hope.

All these pictures are from a visit there last spring with my neighbor, Brice.

Nakashima was born in 1905 in Spokane, Washington, and decided early on that he would study architecture. He attended the University of Washington and in 1931 received a Master’s degree from M.I.T. He then settled in Japan and joined the Tokyo studio of famous architect Antonin Raymond. During the war, Nakashima returned to the United States but was then forced into a Japanese internment camp. After being interrogated back into society, he made headlines for his Conoid Studio with its signature semicircular roof in 1956.
Here is Brice with one of the carpenters. Jerry, I believe was his name. he started working for Nakashima right out of high school when he was 16 and has played a role in every piece of production furniture since. He told us he was reluctantly retiring in a year...so he may be coming up on that now. He also said he never wore a dust mask his entire life. 

In 1943, it was Antonin Raymond who successfully sponsored Nakashima’s release from the camp and invited him to his farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania. In his studio and workshop at New Hope, Nakashima explored the organic expressiveness of wood and choosing boards with knots and burls and figured grain. He designed furniture lines for Knoll, including the Straight Back Chair (which is still in production), and Widdicomb-Mueller as he continued his private commissions. The studio grew incrementally until Nelson Rockefeller commissioned 200 pieces for his house in Pocantico Hills, New York. Nakashima remained in New Hope till his death in 1990. The place has also been placed on the National  Historical Landmarks. It one of these little interesting things to see around here. His daughter Mira still produces her fathers iconic designs as well as her own.

Just another reason I love this little town of New Hope.

32 comments:

  1. I just saw a whole special on New Hope and it's history. It was quite fascinating. It did also mention George. I noticed people in this area have no concept what is in their own background. I would love to see this place sometime. I wish I lived out where you are sometimes as opposed to center city.

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    1. Your right Josh. So much to see between Philly and Bucks County, people have no excuse to sit home...current conditions excepted of course.

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  2. This is a national treasure and we had no idea it is less than 25 miles from our home. We knew of George Nakashima and his astounding way with wooden furniture and we knew his home and museum were in New Hope, but we had never been. We finally went to see it two years ago.

    Peaceful, calm, and quiet. Lovely, simple landscaping, much of it planned by Nakashima himself. An incredible display of everyday bushes like azaleas transformed by an Asian influence. The whole place sort of tumbles down a hillside with buildings and landscaping hugging the slopes covered with bushes and trees budding in spring color. It was very neat to see the work shop too.

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  3. Really interesting! Enjoyed the tour.
    xoxo :-)

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  4. lawd, gurl, I did not know about any of this. when restrictions are lifted, you MUST take us there!

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  5. Fascinating! A hidden gem honoring a hidden gem.

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  6. I was woefully unaware of this amazing artist, George Nakashima, who seems to have been rather like a Japanese Frank Lloyd Wright and worked practically right under our noses in a private compound in the woods in New Hope. New Hope dies indeed have a colorful history.

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  7. A most welcome post to read. If I read one more virus or political news item, I'll explode. Your area always interests me. If I come back to the states to ever visit, I'm coming to that area.

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  8. Right up my alley, and not just Brice, but the house, too. Very Wright-ish in its way. Love it.

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  9. Wow what a splendid place !

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  10. I Love Nakashima's Work, there was a Special on recently where a Family whose Dad had Collected many of his pieces were placing their Inheritance of it up for Auction and were astounded at what it fetched. I was not the least Surprised, his Organic Style sensibilities and Unique Eye in everything he Created is right up there with Frank Lloyd Wright in how it is Timeless and so distinctive.

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    1. You would love the place. It just gives off good vibes too. And I agree, his pieces are simple, yes...but timeless and could easily fit into any interior. Many of his family still reside on the property and are all so warm to everyone.

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  11. Wow...what a treasure! Post and photos are great...and of course of interest to me as a design professional! Immensely enjoyable post that prompted follow up googles for both Nakashima and New Hope...furniture design is closely related to architecture and there are many excellent example, such as Frank Lloyd Wright ( who admitted that his chairs designed to complement his architecture gave him backaches!), Marcel Breuer (whose tubular steel and wicker chairs grace my dining room), Mies and on. I will definitely pay more attention in future to Nakashima!

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    1. Our PBS just had a whole show about him on too, just today, after I did the post. How weird if that? I tell ya, this whole area is very quaint and chalk full of history, ad the town is like none other I have lived. I must do a post on Dorothy Parker's place one day. I could talk at length about New Hope, and have done several post on it. Just click the tag under the post. I thought you might enjoy this one Luke.

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    2. I will check out your other posts for sure. Haven’t read almost anything that Dorothy Parker wrote, but know about the Algonquin Club and that she was quite a character....I’m sure anything you wrote about her would be fascinating!

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  12. I had heard of the beautiful furniture, I love the lean simple lines of it, but had no idea of the history of him. Your town certainly is full of gems.

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  13. Very fascinating. Its amazing the little treasures we may never know are in oir own backyard. The furniture design is simple and elegant.

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  14. First of all, you slut. That's Brice? We need to talk.
    Now on to the story: love it. Incredible to have the house and someone who worked with him present!
    Funny how so much of the design in that house is still absolutely fresh and up to date.

    XOXO

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    1. Yes....brice does landscaping and repairs sick treeses...buy also likes woodworking which is why i took him with that day. Now you see my torture!!!!

      It's one of the most unique houses here...set against very old late 1700 and early 18800s homes and old English looking cottages. And hos furniture is indeed timeless. That's talent.

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  15. We need to come up and see the sights - when things get back to normal.

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  16. If we hadn't left the USA, and if I had found you before we decided where to move, I would have chosen New Hope in a heartbeat! Anyway, Nakashima was brilliant. And I think most people are completely unaware of what an impact he had on design that continues. That's one house I would love to see.

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  17. It looks to be a very restful, calm place. Some of the furniture reminds me of 1960's "Ercol" designs.
    Beautiful!

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    1. It really is. I should go back when everything is really in bloom.

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  18. The craftsmanship in wood is both profound and lifelong, A tree, the lumber, the plank, the piece of furniture.

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  19. You know, Mads, I'd never even heard of New Hope let alone all of the interesting things there, before discovering (yes discovering, like finding a treasure) your blog. I hopped over from the sidebar of a now defunct blog and, first thing, delved into the history of drag. I came back for more (you're on my favorites thingy), and was drawn into timidly commenting (that was awhile ago). I've learned so much from you about things that I usually don't have an interest in. You and Bob make architecture interesting to me because of your enthusiasm. I love your enthusiasm and joy for everything around you and beyond. Thank you for sharing your beautiful self. Okay, sap break over! Now about Brice.....

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    1. Oh my...now you see my torture. And i thank the blog gods you ever wrapped in. I always love your comments whether you like the post or its a huh?, oh hi, moment only!!!!!💋♥💋

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  20. Positively incredible! My interest in architecture is well-known...I was allowed to design a couple of theatre sets along my path. One would've been close to this style, the other very Frank Lloyd Wright. Thanks for this reminder that we must always embrace nature within the things we do. Hugs!

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  21. There's a lot of wood in this here post!!! I had to be said. I am so bummed about the cancelled trip east Mistress. Im still depressed. I would have loved another tour of your neck of the wood. I love the furniture pieces...I like clean lines.

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  22. A very interesting and informative post. I've never heard of him before.

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  23. Well, I always learn something new here. Fascinating furniture-related post, Mistress Maddie. I do like this style of low furniture as it makes a room look more spacious and clear. Mr Nakashima certainly had a talent.

    P.S. That's Brice? Adorably irresistable and good company? Well!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!