Greene & Greene, Lure of the Orient

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The brothers Charles & Henry Greene, Pasadena architects, developed a unique design vocabulary based on an exquisite hybrid of English Arts & Crafts, Japanese, Chinese,  and Spanish Revival. Unsurpassed in craftsmanship, their homes are richly woven tapestries, no item has missed their thoughtful touch. Important details to consider for inspiration are square head bolts as seen in their structural iron strapping, cloudlifts, furniture lines, carpets, pegged joinery, brass lanterns, leaded glass windows and of course, the incredible fireplace hoods.

Lovely Greene and Greene fireplace with stainless steel surround.

Greene & Greene style hood

 

steel hood

This fireplace hood, a hybrid of the fireplace hoods in the Blacker and Culbertson houses, demonstrates classic Greene & Greene detailing, including the "smoke" repoussé and square head copper rivets, which are custom-machined from solid copper rod for Archive Designs.

Hood design
The idea for this design came from the original plastered hood in the Greene & Greene masterpiece in Pasadena, The Gamble House.I cream color powder-coated (extra durable baked-on paint) steel hood with hammered brass corners and square head copper rivets.

 

"I think C. Sumner Greene's work beautiful; among the best in this country. Like Frank Lloyd Wright the spell of Japan is upon him, he feels the beauty and makes magic from the horizontal line, but there is in his work more tenderness, more subtlety, more self effacement than in Wright's work. It is more refined and has more repose."

--C.R. Ashbee, 1909     

 

kitchen hood
A simple shape for an angled ceiling. The decorative strap and rivet treatment makes an otherwise plain hood into a compelling centerpiece for a Japanese-inspired kitchen.

Hood with bamboo motíf, in copper.

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