October 25, 2024
Manitoga is the home and woodland garden of Russell Wright (1904-1976), who in the mid 20th century was one of America’s most prominent product designers. He is best known for his colorful American Modern dinnerware, which manufactured between 1939 and 1959, is still America’s most widely sold ceramic dinnerware.
The pitchers also make great vases.
In 1942, Wright and his wife Mary (1905-1952) bought an abandoned quarry and logging site. Over the next 34 years they transformed it, building a modern home on the edge of the quarry and redirecting a stream, so that it filled the quarry making a beautiful water hole for swimming. It reminded us of Frank Lloyd Wright’s (no relation) masterpiece, Fallingwater, with its Japanese and organic influences, and the way it sat in perfect harmony within the surrounding trees and water. Here are some photos.
Mal and Lauren 