Bogk House, the first floor

 As you walk out of the low ceiling, compress foyer, you get released into the wide open first floor - only three rooms for about 2,000 square feet. This is what you see:

and if you look back just a little:

Then you turn around and see this:

And it opens up into this:

You start to get the feeling. The color of the rugs was originally a pink/grey mix. In the 1970s, Olgivana (FLW's widow) convinced Barbara Elsner that the world needed brighter colors. It is a statement color for sure! And I can tell you this, as shocking as it is at first, it really grows on you. Especially with all the figurative icons that are marching across the floor:

That is one of the fellows in the living room. 

There are three of them equally spaced in front of the glorious front windows. That is Lulu for scale - she is about 30 pounds worth of hard headed Shiba/Terrier mix. You will see more of her by and by.

This is looking north, the opposite of the above. Along with Lulu, and her collection of toys. You can also see all the Hendredon furniture from the 1950s. And in the left rear of the photo, the original library table that Barbara sought out and purchased from the Bogk heirs. They are all fantastic.

Here is a closer view:

and here is the view of the three windows to the front porch:

To the left of the photo is the entrance to the front porch (opposite the fireplace):

We spent a lot of time on that porch. So did Lulu:

It gave us a good chance to meet the neighbors, and the neighbor's dogs. I cannot tell you what a great place the East End of Milwaukee (Specifically The Historic Water Tower Neighborhood) is.

And opposite the porch you see the fireplace:

The dining room is three steps up from the living room:

Here is the rug detail:

I just love this place.

The Conservatory, which includes the Crane Fountain, is one of the most stunning designs in the house:

The fountain was designed at a time when water was cheap in Milwaukee. (Lake Michigan, right?) the feed was just from the house, the drain just drained into the sewer. We will add a recirculation pump. But we will get that fountain working.

This is the inside view on the south side of the house:

Turn around, and you see this:

Then back down to the living room:

and again:

and again:

Dining room looking west:

Looking west:

I think that is enough for tonight.

Next, the butler's pantry and the kitchen.