Building families

The class is moving on from the splendors of Victorianism- but not before I got to talk about the beautiful building Olana in Upstate New York. The Hudson River valley painter Fredric Church collaborated with architect Calvert Vaux to realize this Persian fantasy. Initiated in 1860 and completed in 1891 the building is a history of the changing family of the 19th century. Where there should be a grand hall is a cosy central family parlor, where there should be a sitting room for tea is Church's epic studio. Church designed all the interior decor and all the furnishings are collected from the families trip to Asia.