Thank you for these! I loved looking through :) Love old homes, and am lucky enough to have grown up in the oldest house on our block (built in 1932, so not historic by most measures but it was unique and lovely), and 2 doors from a Harold Zook house. There are several Zook homes in my area, and two friends grew up in different Zook homes. Not always practical floor plans, but some really beautiful windows, roofs, and exteriors. I'm also not too far from Oak Park, IL where there are several FLW homes on tour (and went to a party at a private FLW house - wowza.) Again, not always practical, but plenty of eye-candy!

When is a book with your designs coming out? :)

The Bolton House (designed by Greene and Greene and built by the Halls is currently for sale in Pasadena. It saw some pretty tough times over the years, but immediate past owners gave it a lot of TLC. A rare opportunity to own the real thing!

http://www.thecraftsmanbungalow.com/greene-and-greene-bolton-house/

I currently have a client that wants a home with Greene & Greene influence to the exterior and some interior. It works out good because I have a great interest in the Greene's architecture. Years ago I had dinner with Randell Makinson and Thomas Heinz when they were doing research for their book on the Blacker house. I toured the Gamble house and viewed several Greene & Greene designed homes in that neighborhood. I would buy the Bolton house but it is too far a commute to Michigan and cost might be a factor too.

As far as my book, I am trying to decide if it will be limited to architecture or expand it to other facets of my life that didn't go exactly as planned.

Yes, but I have not run across any gas chambers yet.

I suspect the majority of the plans were produced before the invention of the modern bath vent fan. Might have influenced the designers.

An indelicate question perhaps, almost all of the very grand floor plans show only one bathroom in the house, located upstairs. Does that mean that the servants shared a bath with the owners? And did guests go upstairs to pee? Or did they just have to go home when nature called?

i LOVE older homes! mine is 247 yrs old but we just sold it and are moving west. I worry about finding a home I will like (I doubt I will love any as much as I did this one) or be able to afford. I would love a home built in the 30s or 40s. thanks for this

I wish architects would start rethinking the dumbwaiter and laundry chutes.

As far as one bathroom goes....when Miss Marple (Agatha Christie) wants to go sneek through someone's papers, she always asks to "um....go upstairs". (Bathroom) probably same for servants. Although plans with a small maid's room off the kitchen sometimes have a half bath there.

And I better not tell my husband the Bolton house is for sale, or he might reconsider his commitment to never live in California. That $5 mill price tag might slow him down, though.

floorplans_of_the_past on Instagram is also a gem.

"As far as my book, I am trying to decide if it will be limited to architecture or expand it to other facets of my life that didn't go exactly as planned."

Oh definitely expand it! I've read enough of your posts that I trust you could wittily weave in some interesting stories along with the architectural insights.

Yes, stories of hospital stays and jail time always spice up a book.

No gas chambers, perhaps, but when I perused the page linked, there was an ad promising to reveal the "Healthiest Way To Wipe Your Butt."

Here's one that shouldn't have passed muster. Pity the residents of the east bedroom when nature comes calling.

The original Jack and Jill bath?

Perhaps it wasn't customary to provide restroom facilities for guests?

And the residents of this one must have had to eat on the couch in the living room, watching TV.

Perhaps not the best layouts by todays standards, but the exterior character in many cases made up for it.