Growing Up Wright, Building a Dream by hand with the World's Greatest Architect

A fascinating story about young Frank Lloyd Wright clients who built their Usonian home by hand, with great photos of things you rarely see, like the in-floor heating system and construction of Wright-designed furniture. Accompanying the text are plans, photos, drawings and many letters to and from Taliesin, where the Lovnesses were favorites of Mrs. Wright. They also knew everybody in the Fellowship, and the stories about Wes Peters and the others are insightful, and often hilarious. Lonnie gives an interesting take on what it was like to be a young girl growing up in a work of art, and how Wright influenced her family. A great story—especially for Wright fans—and nicely presented.

I have long wanted to obtain a copy of this book. The cottage, which exists in two near identical designs (the earlier Seth Petersen Cottage and the slightly modified later Lovness Cottage), is utterly fascinating not only as a design, but also as an object that evolves and so has a beguiling history. Mr Wright's design philosophy for smaller spaces, along with his aesthetic sense, together create a building that is at once remarkable but livable.The stories behind the design and building of the Seth Petersen Cottage (quite tragic), a plan later slightly modified for the Lovness Cottage (quite inspiring), are worth reading in themselves. But the book, like the cottages also provide inspiration for anyone considering building. A recommended book.

As a fan of FLW, I enjoy learning about him and his works. This story highlights a beautiful, touching experience of a family building an FLW home by hand. It is written by one of the owners’ daughters who experienced everything first hand. She communicates her contemporaneous viewpoint along with those of her parents (and friends) with the benefit of her later perspective as she carefully and thoroughly presents letters, invoices, building specs, and of course family pictures, and so much more.The interplay between FLW and the owners is also touchingly and at times humorously portrayed.A story of humanity, dreams, and dedication like no other. A must read for any fan of FLW, especially one longing for the perspective of a client!

If you love FLW, this is an AMAZING collection of stories, photos, memories, and memorabilia documenting the life of an amazing Minnesota family that built their FLW designed home with larger than personalities. My only regret is that I was not able to meet Virginia in person.

What a wonderful love story built around building a Wright house. Great encouragement for those of us who hope to diy a Wright-inspired house of our own. Of the thirty-or-so books by or about Frank Lloyd Wright, this ranks very near the top for its technical insights, helpful pictures, entertaining storyline, and intimate portrait of the client-architect relationship.