Tirranna
Shown here is one of the double master bathrooms, which holds a new tub that sits in front of a painted plaster wall. The layout and mahogany panels have remained original.
Since Wright was consistently focused on nature, he built an internal courtyard that creates a peaceful retreat in the middle of the structure.
The greenhouse features windows that are finished with a scalloped metal treatment. Gricar points out that the metal scalloping can also be found on the Guggenheim—solidifying a connection to the other project that was on Wright's mind at the time.
Similar to his Fallingwater masterpiece, Tirranna was built near a body of water and a waterfall. In fact, the word itself comes from an Aboriginal term meaning, "running waters."
An overhead drone view shows the 15-acre property that also hosts a heated pool, river, tennis court, barn/stable, sculpture path, and rooftop observatory. The original landscaping was designed by Frank Okamura and Charles Middeleer.
The interior of the home is almost completely lined with mahogany, along with sections of concrete blocks. Wright’s design called for different cuts of wood to be placed together, which creates a rich layered effect.
The red flooring that runs throughout the interior is Colorundum in Cherokee red, a color Wright loved to use in his projects. Jim Gricar of Houlihan Lawrence explains that the flooring is made up of a series of minerals that have a low freezing point, which makes it difficult to crack.
The original living room holds a number of furniture pieces that Wright designed. Since he enjoyed interweaving textures and materials, he created a fireplace that’s made of concrete block—but painted with gold leaf. Gricar explains, "He loved the material play between fancy and utilitarian."
In the family room—which also holds a gold leaf-covered concrete fireplace—large skylights run the width of the space.