Frank Lloyd Wright's prairie house west

Butterfly Wood

George and Emily Stewart House | Montecito, California

The first and only Wright Prairie Period designed house on the West Coast of the United States.
Designed in 1908 and constructed in 1909.

 Butterfly Wood has received an award in the art/architecture category from the Indie Books Award.

Robert L. Ooley, FAIA

Is an award winning California architect and regional expert on the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. He has spent the better part of two-decades documenting, studying, researching the house, family and its architect. With the support of the building's owner, he was allowed to measure "as built" conditions which illuminated the changes from original design and various alterations over the more than 100-years of history.

Characters in the Story

Important California family, a love affair, an embattled architect, and the story
of how they all worked together to build the first Frank Lloyd Wright house
on the West Coast of the United States and the only Prairie Period house west of the Mississippi River.

George C. Stewart

Client

Emily Stewart

Client

Frank Lloyd Wright, FAIA

Architect

Mamah Borthwick Chaney

Architect's Mistress

George C. Stewart, Sr.

George Jr. Father

Tamara Stewart

George Jr. Mother

William Oothout

Emily's Father

Fanna Oothout

Emily's Mother

Alida and George 3rd.

Children of Emily & George

Details

These four sections provide more details about the various aspects of the property.

Owners
The property has only had five owners in its 100-year history.
Stewart 1890-1940
Blinkenstaff 1940-1985
Walton 1985-1987
Petersen 1987-1992
Boyle 1993-present
Client
George and Emily Stewart recieved the project site as a wedding gift. The Stewart's were living in Fresno, California and desired a get-a-way summer house. They turned to Frank Lloyd Wright to design the project, which he did prior to leaving for Europe.
Drawings
The original drawing set includes six sheets....
No site or foundation plan was provided. Set included first and second floor plans, exterior elevations and building sections. A detail sheet provides information to construct the building.
The Book
A book about the property is nearing publication....
The book covers the Stewart Family, the Architect, and the story of the house and its construction. A full set of drawings is also included that illustrate the various changes over time.

$40 price includes tax and shipping Buy Now!