The Ultimate In Mid-Century Modernism At Field Farm

Mid-Century Modern design continues to beguile our twenty-first century sensibilities, but for people who do not own a modern house built between 1933 and 1965, it’s hard to get first hand knowledge of the streamlined style. 

An inn in western Massachusetts offers that experience at a very high level. Featuring an unparalleled view of Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts’ highest peak, the Guest House at Field Farm is a refreshing change from the usual bed & breakfast. It is not only a superb example of MCM architecture, but the interior features some of the best furnishings and art from that era.

The house was built in 1948 by avid modern art- and furniture-collectors Lawrence and Eleanor Bloedel. Originally, they engaged Frank Lloyd Wright to design their dream home, but after a few meetings, they fired Wright and hired architect Edwin Goodell, Jr.

Situated in the middle of Field Farm, 316 acres of conserved land with four miles of trails, The Guest House was built of western cedar and redwood. Exotic for New England, the lumber was chosen by heirs of the MacMillan-Bloedel Lumber Company, which was sold to Weyerhaeuser in 1999. Long lasting and resistant to rot, those materials have helped the house weather the punishing New England climate remarkably well.

The patchwork landscape features cropland, pastures, mixed forest, marshes, a stream and a pond. The landscaped gardens surrounding the house boast thirteen sculptures, including works by Richard M. Miller and Herbert Ferber. The house itself is almost a museum of modern furnishings, featuring reproduced Eileen Gray tables and George Nelson saucer pendant lamps in the Master bedroom, and a Noguchi coffee table, Kagan sofas and a reproduction Eames chair in the living room.

Six bedrooms offer comfort, unparalleled views and the peace and quiet only found deep in the country, far from city lights, traffic or the distracting glare of television. The farm fresh breakfasts use local ingredients.

Perhaps best of all is The Folly, a three-bedroom guesthouse. Designed in 1965 by noted modernist architect Ulrich Franzen, the shingled, pinwheel-shaped cottage overlooks the pond and still contains furnishings designed by Franzen.

For students of Mid Century Modernism, both buildings are pure joy. Their superb workmanship and livable rooms show us why, after so many years, we are still drawn to this style of architecture.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.