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Slide 1: ==== ==== You can also see other information about this article here: http://tinyurl.com/7onaxaq ==== ==== Brothers Charles Sumner Greene (1868-1957) and Henry Mather Greene (1870-1954) are best known for their architectural firm Greene and Greene, which was responsible for building the ultimate bungalow, the Gamble House in Pasadena. Their work is characterized by externalized construction and the extraordinary aesthetic intricacy this type of building creates. The Greene brothers were born in Brighton, Ohio, but grew up on their family's farm in West Virginia. They started learning woodworking and metalwork as teenagers at the Manual Training School of Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Later, they completed a two-year program at MIT's School of Architecture in 1891, where they studied classical building styles. After completing their studies, both brothers took up apprenticeships, mostly in Boston, Massachusetts; Charles Greene apprenticed at architectural firms such as Andrews, Jacques and Rantoul and R. Clipston Sturgis. Henry Greene worked with Herbert Langford Warren and Winslow and Wetherell. Eventually, they made their way to Pasadena, CA. to join their parents, who had already been living there for about a year. While traveling by train from Boston, a stop at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago exposed them to Japanese architecture. Nevertheless, the Japanese influence didn't prevail until a few years later, in 1904 after visiting another exposition in St. Louis, MO. Another influence on their work was their father, who as a homeopathic doctor educated them on the importance of sunlight and circulating fresh air. The Greene brothers embraced the importance of these elements and incorporated them into their work. The Greene and Greene architectural firm was established in Pasadena, CA. in January 1894, leading to the construction of their most distinguished work, the Gamble House, which was constructed in 1908-1909. The former winter home of businessman, David B. Gamble of the Procter and Gamble Company, is now a National Historic Landmark and museum in Pasadena, CA. The Gamble House is a three-story Arts and Crafts masterpiece paying homage to Japanese influences and California lifestyle. Employing teak, maple, oak, and mahogany, these woods are laid out throughout the house to enhance contrasts of color, tone and grain. The inlay in the furniture matches the inlay found throughout the home; this type of customization was also a characteristic of Greene and Greene construction. The light fixtures, furniture and woven textiles were all created to fit a specific space in the home. The construction of the home features asymmetrical forms and scales with ceilings of different heights, second-floor semi-enclosed porches and free-form terraces. The main patio contains a large koi pond, walls of clinker brick (bearing volcanic textures of dark, purplish color) and arroyo stone paths.
Slide 2: After David and Mary Gamble's passing, the home was passed down to their younger generations and almost went up for sale, until 1966 when the Gamble family deeded it to the city of Pasadena as part of an agreement with the University of Southern California School of Architecture. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The Gamble House currently receives 30,000 visitors a year from all over the world and several vendors offer reproductions of Greene & Greene styled furniture and décor. If your interested in viewing beautiful Green & Greene inspired dining furniture and wood bedroom furniture then please visit Barn Furniture Mart. We carry high end reproductions of Greene & Greene furniture in Mahogany, Oak and Cherry. Barn Furniture has specialized in wood and oak furniture in various styles including: Mission, Traditional, Contemporary and Amish Furniture for over 60 years! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ariana_Rodriguez ==== ==== You can also see other information about this article here: http://tinyurl.com/7onaxaq ==== ====