Today, a piece of the amazing legacy of photographer Balthazar Korab — 52 photos from the series of photographs he took of the Miller House — designed by Eero Saarinen… decorated by Alexander Girard…. gardens by Dan Kiley … built in 1953 in Columbus, Indiana. When Korab died last year, he contributed these photos to the Library of Congress — making them available for all of us to see. We’ve sifted through the archive of this body of Korab’s work to curate what we think are Korab’s 52 best photos of The Miller House — including some fascinating shots of the models used in Saarinen’s design process.
Born in Budapest, Hungary, Korab didn’t come to the U.S. until 1955, when he was hired as a photographer by Saarinen, who had begun to experiment with using photography as part of the design process. Korab went to work in Saarinen’s office in Bloomfield, Mich.
Korab shot photos of the model for the Miller House — amazing!
Above: You know how we find it fascinating to see the (usually) lesser photographed spaces inside architect-designed midcentury modern houses — like the bathroom and kitchen shown above. For example: Pegboard on the kitchen wall to hold a changing display. In a Saarinen house! As we like to repeat: Also fascinating how these functional spaces in high-style houses looks pretty much like the functional spaces in midcentury modest houses. In our experience studying these houses over the years, there wasn’t all that much difference between modern and modest bathrooms and kitchens in the first few decades after World War II!
Korab continued to shoot photos of the house and gardens over the next 40 years. This is why, we think, as you are viewing the photos, you see changes — upholstery colors, for example.
We love the Alexander Girard decor — the all-white interior is the fresh clean palette — he then layered whimsical color and pattern. But then, there’s natural wall art, too. This house was just … genius. It’s virtually impossible to choose a favorite part. We do know: Thank goodness for Balthazar Korab!
But let’s get to it… All photos courtesy of: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress [reproduction number, e.g., LC-DIG-krb-00175].
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
ineffablespace says
With regard to “modernist vs. modest”:
Particularly in functional spaces like kitchens and baths, the fixtures, appliances and materials that were available to someone with a modest budget were pretty much all that was available, unless the builder was willing to go fully custom. There wasn’t a “luxury” market for countertop materials and bathtubs and ranges. If someone was interested in stone countertops, they went to a company that did commercial buildings or who fabricated headstones. If they wanted a “commercial style” or “chef’s” kitchen, they had real commercial appliances.
It wasn’t possible to select a $12,000 glass door Subzero, or bathtub carved out of stone, or countertop made of semiprecious stones impregnated in resin “off the rack”, or from standard consumer offerings like it is today.
Likewise, architects like Saarinen were designing houses for the luxury market that differed primarily in size and level of finish from modest houses of the era. But the “idea” of the house, and the overall design of the house is something that was supposed to be accessible to anyone interested in modern design. The difference is that a more expensive build could be built with truer modernist details (more minimalist, and more expensive, because they required a higher level of precision), and the more expensive build may have had real stone floors, like this one, and fine veneers, rather than vinyl floors or plywood paneling.
But vinyl floors, and laminate and such materials, were the material of choice because of maintenance, and they weren’t considered “budget” materials. Vinyl floors were a favorite of Billy Baldwin and Dorothy Draper. I collect Architectural Digests from certain periods and I am blown away at how modest most of the houses featured were.
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Very well said and explained.
Having a progression of photos over the years is really awesome. This inspired me to pull some of my house (I have old photos because it was my grandparents’) and post the progressions showing how the design changed over the years too.
A really awesome house architecturally as well – I particularly like the ceilings where light around the perimeter is used to help define each space.
pam kueber says
Yes, I have written about this often. Whether architect-design mid-century modern masterpieces … or mid-century modern middle class … the functional spaces were amazingly similar. The major manufacturers supplying bathroom fixtures, for example, were used in both: Crane, American Standard and Kohler top among them (although I have no idea who was the market leader.) Tile came from the same manufacturers. In kitchens, laminate countertops and vinyl floors were de rigeur — the epitome of modern — modern miracles. There were some upscale appliances, like built-in Revco fridges and St. Charles Kitchen cabinets… but you are as likely to see vintage Caloric in a high-falutin’ mid mod as a vernacular tract house modest.
JKM says
Stunning. 60 years old and so fresh.
lynda davis says
Just beautiful. Columbus, Indiana is such a wonderful city. Interesting how the house was tweaked a bit over the years but not really changed. Nice that the house is a museum to be enjoyed by many.
Candace Wright Nelms says
amazing, what a treasure of images – thanks for sharing
Drew says
What a beautiful way to start the day! The details are amazing, especially the clothesline in the background of one of the photos. The home was truly lived in.
Steve H says
I love Alexander Girard. The way he combined modern graphic designs, colors and folk art pieces was nothing less than genius.
Jay says
As someone who likes to play in the dirt, not sure which I like more, the interior layout or the exterior landscaping. I think the use of a full size architectural model was unusual; must have been a powerful aid for the homeowners to envision the actual space.
Nancy B says
This is wonderful!! Is it possible to enlarge the photos? I want to see all the detail in each photo!
pam kueber says
Nancy – go to the link to the photos at Library of Congress if you want to see them bigger. They have VERY LARGE files in many cases.
Mary Elizabeth says
Just stunning! It’s fun to track the changes in wall art, art objects, carpets, upholstery colors, etc. I don’t think I’ve ever seen photos of a house tracked over the years like this. What a wonderful find and gift for the LC.
Rudy says
I am KNOCKED OUT by how cool that house looks! I love that pit group! It’s actually hard for me to take in all the cool details and scale of the house. That floor is so COOL! It’s inspiring! Thank you for sharing this! Made my day!