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.
