Preserving the Andrew Geller Legacy

Jonathan Pearlroth, owner of the Pearlroth House

A warm October evening in the city brought out a good-sized crowd to the Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation Projectat DWR East 62nd St NYC. Many Geller homeowners were there to lend their support as well as architects, authors, academics and assorted enthusiasts.


Fun facts and memories were shared by the original beach house owners at the slideshow presentation of Andrew Geller's life and work. Afterwards I met Philip Monaghan and learnt that he used the reputed first gay porno film, which was shot in the Frank House, as a resource to restore it to its former glory.


Fundraising took the form of a Silent Auction (rear of photo) and an entrance fee for which there were door prizes. Ironically The Guy won Can't You Hear Me Callin' Blue Grass: 80 Years of American Music produced by Gregg Geller (left) that I mentioned here.


It was great to see so many fans of the iconic modernist architect and I was thrilled to finally meet Andrew Geller's granddaughter jewelry maker and rabbit rescuer Nancy Schindler (left). I've been a fan of her blog The Rabbit Muse for years. Though I'm sorry about taking the prize you had your eye on, Nancy!

For more information on the Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation Project or to make a tax-deductible donation visit here.

Andrew Geller Fundraiser

Andrew Geller, renowned architect of mid-century houses (including this one) and the Hunt House (pictured above) has had a long and prolific career. Besides his private commissions he also worked as Vice President to industrial designer Raymond Loewy and over the years accumulated a wealth of sketches, blueprints, models and photographs. The first fundraiser to help catalogue and preserve this body of work was held back in the summer and out in the Hamptons. Now Fall is here so we'll be heading into the city next week to
DWR NYC East 62nd St for the second Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation fundraiser. It sounds like a fun evening - quite a few Geller homeowners will be attending, there will be door prizes, a silent auction, refreshments and a lecture and slide show of Geller's life and work by his grandson documentary filmmaker and historian Jake Gorst.

photo coutesy of Jake Gorst
Andrew Geller is not only an iconic architect but also a painter. This watercolor will be one of a number of items in the silent auction.

photo coutesy of Jake Gorst
as will this unique Mondrina handbag


Door prizes include this Box Set: "Can't You Hear Me Callin' Blue Grass: 80 Years of American Music".

For more information about the project, please visit AndrewGeller.net

What: Andrew Geller Architecture Archive Preservation Project Event
When: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 7-9:30pm
Where: @ DWR NYC-East 62nd St
27 East 62nd St.
(between Madison & Park)
New York, NY 10065
Phone: 212.888.4539
Fax: 212.888.4609
Entry: $10
Refreshments will be served.

Preserving the Uniquely Modern

A few years ago The Guy and I headed out to DWR in East Hampton for a fundraiser to save The Pearlroth House. After a lot of hard work by the Geller family, especially Jake Gorst the architect's grandson, and many others that iconic house has been preserved and will be fully restored by next summer.


One successful preservation has led to a much bigger endeavour: cataloging all of Andrew Geller's portfolio - his sketches, blueprints, designs and art - in an archive that will become a resource for students and fans of mid-century architecture and design. Last night dwr East Hampton hosted the Andrew Geller Archive Preservation Fundraiser to raise money for this project.


Friends, family and followers of mid-century modern architecture turned out to enjoy a slideshow on Geller's life and work and bid in a Silent Auction for works including paintings by Andrew Geller and his wife Shirley (who sadly passed away last month), silks by Jamie Geller Dutra and jewelry by Nancy Schindler. More on that auction in a future post... All proceeds from the evening will go to support the Archive. You can support the fund by becoming a sponsor or making a tax-deductible donation and look out for a future fundraiser to be held in New York City - they're lots of fun.

The big bed bust or the super kitchen table steal deal

The DWR Annexe sale in Secaucus last weekend had plenty of bargains - there were lots of King-sized beds on sale, including the Matera that I loved, and all these tables that I've previously considered to replace our cafe kitchen table were substantially reduced. Not that we were looking for tables on Saturday but we were there and they were there, so...


This oval Saarinen had a black marble (Nero) top, too dark for our house - and we decided too big


This round Saarinen had the white Carrera top but it was the same size as the present kitchen table - too small


I was leaning towards the Matthew Hilton Cross table but it was only available in bleached oak - too light


The Warren Platner table that I didn't even consider because The Guy had vetoed it a few years back. The same Guy who called me across the room as I was checking the beds out. He had his whole hand on it and I think he would have licked the top if anyone other than a salesperson had come near him. He wasn't going to give it up. What could I say? It's the right period (1966), right shape, unique, classic, eco-friendly (Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified) and Warren Platner worked with Raymond Loewy just as Andrew Geller had done. Bonus - it has exactly the right dimensions for the kitchen. SOLD!

A Perpetually Merry Modernist Tree

The Richard Babcock designed Possibilitree from DWR: Limited. Only seven were available and they seem to have been snapped up quickly. DWR:Limited is just what the name suggests - a limited run of items, vintage and modern, with a different one available daily for the next three weeks. Enjoy!

DWR-Roslyn NY Event: 50 Years of Saarinen

On May 1st, 2008 @ 7pm DWR-Roslyn Studio will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Saarinen's Tulip Collection by showcasing the entire collection that Eero Saarinen designed to "clear up the slum of legs in the U.S. home".
They'll also be kicking off the annual Knoll 10% Sale and Ann Skillman of Knoll will talk about the history of the company, including Eero Saarinen's relationship with the manufacturers of his designs. There will be examples of the new platinum finish Knoll has introduced to mark the anniversary for invitees to gaze upon. Plus, they're serving cheese and wine, so we'll be there and I will limit myself to one glass so I don't start singing this.


If I ever call in rich I've promised myself the 78" Tulip Oval Dining Table with a white (or maybe Platinum base) and an Extra White Marble top.
A girl can dream, right?

DWR Roslyn Studio
1085 Northern Blvd
Roslyn, NY 11576
Phone: 516.365.3158
Fax: 516.365.3458

Modernism on Long Island*

* including a personal surprise


Studio Proprietor John J. Fondrisi with Account Executives Melissa Beck (left) and Denise Garcia at the DWR Roslyn Leap into modern Long Island Event, February 29 2008.


Lovers of architecture and design were celebrating modernism on Long Island last night with a showing of the documentary "History Along the Turnpike: Levittown," by Richard Altamonte. Responding to a shortage of housing for returning World War II veterans, Levitt & Sons built 17,447 Cape Cod and ranch style houses between 1947 and 1951. Although tiny by today's standards at 750-800 sq ft, the houses were designed to be readily extended and came equipped with Bendix washing machines, Tracy All-steel cabinets and Themopane Insulated glass. All this and a TV built into the space under the stairwell for $7,990. Incidentally, some of Levitt's innovative ideas were influenced by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright on a house in Great Neck, NY.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the film were the interior shots of the homes with their now iconic furniture. The Noguchi table designed in 1947 was the centerpiece of one living room, while others featured the Eames Eiffel Chairs and George Nelson clocks. The DWR team showcased the designs with screenings of the films of Charles and Ray Eames and a draw to win a George Nelson clock and a copy of his classic book How to See.

The DWR studios are great venues for screening movies, after all you get to test out the comfort of their furniture for a good while, check out the lighting in the dark rather than daylight and they provide great nibbles, not just cheese and wine but salami, vegetables and dips, too. And you meet other lovers of modern design and architecture. At last night's event we had a totally unexpected meeting with the architect Joe Scarpella and his wife Diane who, it turned out, had almost bought The Cool House in 2004. How's that for a coincidence?

Leap into modern Long Island

On Leap Day, February 29 2008, Design Within Reach, Roslyn, Long Island will be offering a taste of modernism with the screening of Robert Altamonte's film “History Along the Turnpike: Levittown”.
There will also be an opportunity to win a George Nelson clock and a copy of Nelson’s book, “How to See.” Oh, and wine and cheese, too. It sounds like a must-do for lovers of mid-century modernism.
Contact DWR for more details.