Fans of architect Frank Lloyd Wright are familiar with the iconic design details of his residential projects. They include built-ins, banquettes, a central chimney, large overhangs, and lots of brick, stone, and nature-inspired hues. Uniting it all is a philosophy of bringing the outdoors in, and of bringing people together (bedrooms in Wright’s designs were small, to encourage socializing in the rest of the house).
The influence of Wright, hailed by the American Institute of Architects as the greatest American architect of all time, can still be seen in the work of generations of architects who came after him. Scattered across the country are many examples of homes that channel Wright’s design philosophy, with some modifications and riffs—from a Southern California beach retreat to a Craftsman in upstate New York.
While they weren’t all built in the heyday of Mid-Century Modern, these homes adhere to the MCM aesthetic of seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces, abundant windows for natural light, and open living areas. Here are six of our favorites.
6150 Grove St, Sonoma, CA
Price: $2.75 million
Wright stuff: Filled with luxe perks like a chef’s kitchen, whirlpool tub, and wine cellar, this property—built in 1981 on 6.5 acres—embodies Wright’s spirit with its hexagonal shape, geometric etchings on some windows, Asian gardens, and four fireplaces. You can offer the one-bedroom guest cottage to visitors if your three-bedroom home isn’t enough. We know Wright would approve of the built-ins for glassware—very appropriate for wine country!
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5950 Avenida Chamnez, La Jolla, CA
Price: $3.2 million
Wright stuff: Behind the dated goldenrod exterior is a real beauty: The three-bedroom home’s sharp angles and windows give way to breathtaking ocean views. Check out that deck! Banquettes in the great room, low ceilings throughout, and gorgeous woodwork everywhere make this property a piece of art. A new owner can seek inner peace in the Zen-like garden and pond.
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158 Old Dutch Hollow Rd, Monroe, NY
Price: $499,000
Wright stuff: This three-bedroom home in upstate New York would be an ideal second home for city dwellers. Nestled on 15 acres (with trees bearing fruit) and built 15 years ago, the home features Moroccan tiles, wide-board cherry flooring, and fieldstone fireplace. There’s also a 3-acre pond and an outbuilding.
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6135 N. 38th St, Paradise Valley, AZ
Price: $2.25 million
Wright stuff: Located 15 miles from Taliesen West—Wright’s former desert retreat, now home to the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture—this five-bedroom, five-bath home features a wine cellar, pool, outdoor kitchen, marble soaking tub, and walk-in shoe closet. But more important than the glitz are the architectural details: iron railings on the deck, floor-to-ceiling windows in the great room, and stained glass in the entryway.
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1441 Oak Park Dr, Munster, IN
Price: $449,999
Wright stuff: Built in 1978, this four-bedroom, four-bath home is in a subdivision. That doesn’t mean it’s a cookie-cutter home. Wood paneling in the parlor is suited for dinner parties, paired with a recently updated kitchen (including granite countertops). Four fireplaces, a brick courtyard, and built-in bookcases are right out of the Wright design book.
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225 Beechwood Dr, Spartanburg, SC
Price: $1.35 million
Wright stuff: Behind that cool orange door and gorgeous brick walkway are many of Wright’s ideas on how to make a cozy home, including low ceilings, an angular-shaped kitchen that’s smartly designed for good flow, and a pool rimmed with flat stones. The owners have added modern updates like a glass-walled marble shower, floating shelves in the home office, and a home theater. The outdoor kitchen is also a nod to Wright’s love for outdoor rooms.
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