7.15.2009

Resurrecting the Pit

conversation pit
- noun
a usually sunken portion of a room or living area with chairs, sofas,
etc., often grouped around a fireplace, where people can gather to talk.


1957 J Irwin Miller Home - Columbus, Indiana
currently owned by the Indianapolis Museum of Art

CONVERSATION PIECE: The Miller shad the underside of their piano
painted scarlet red when they realized it could be seen from the sunken
conversation pit in their living room.




I harbor a huge desire to resurrect the conversation pit. Okay, so your thinking a"shagadellic" Austin Powers, with a heap of pajama clad Hugh Hefner thrown in. My scenario plays like a Bianca Jagger & Halston sharing their inner-most thoughts, while lounging in their jump suits; one or both of them sporting aviator glasses, wearing a neck scarf, and sipping a glass of Möet. Oh yes, many versions were done void of taste and somewhat comical. As of yet, I have not found a conversation pit that is more magnificent than the 1957 home of J. Irwin Miller; designed by the great Eero Saarinen, with decorating done by Alexander Girard.

It began in the late 1960's outside of Minneapolis. My first recollection of my only Aunt & Uncle's apartment became the launching pad to my admiration of modern design. It was furnished with Eero Saarinen’s pedestal table & tulip chairs, an Eames lounger, and a matching pair of black "Wassley" chairs; not to forget the George Nelson bubble light fixture and, although not modern, a swanky black grand piano. After the arrival of their first son, my architect Uncle designed their first family home in the St. Paul burb's. In that home was, and still is, a conversation pit; thus began my love affair with the cool.

Per Eileen Daspin with the Wall Street Journal - Home builders such as D.R. Horton & Toll Brothers are now introducing the 'pit's' direct cousin to it's new home line up - the sunken living room. A Wisconsin builder recently polled the number of homebuyers who would prefer a sunken living room and the result was a surprising 60%.
Sunken living rooms create great vantage points for watching television in today's vast "great - rooms" allowing unrestricted views for those also in a dining room and/or kitchen.The sunken space also breaks up these over=sized rooms, and greats instant character where often there is lack of architecture.

Although cost prohibitive to add a sunken space to an existing home; under-construction home additions can cost (depending on size) $1200. to $10,000.

Fear safety issues? The WSJ goes on to say that when home buyers hesitate to jump into buying a pit, it is usually because they are worried they could trip, a la Mr. Van Dyke, on the step down. Still, Sarasota, Fla., builder Brian Pruett says active baby boomers are overcoming the fear of falling. "Years ago, Florida used to be the shuffleboard capital of the world," he says. "Now you've got retirees playing tennis into their eighties. It's not a big deal walking up two steps."

Cropping up from one coast to the other, in some of the newest & chicest boutique hotels, the sunken conversation area continues to create intimate seating for casual, comfortable conversations in modern times where face to face communication is becoming a lost art.

Would you converse or better contemplate a conversation pit of your own?

http://www.hotelconnect.co.uk/images/hotels/2330Lobby_full.jpg
Mega hip Hempel Hotel - London


Mr. Polar Bear would have to go


Designed by Roger Hirsch Architects for a Chicago townhouse


50's style @ the Number 31 Hotel Dublin


Edersheim apartment by architect Paul Rudolph, 1970

teen conversation pit
Teen conversation pit


1957 Bruce Goff designed -Dallas round house


movie set - "down with love" - homage to the sunken
living room



Nature pit?


60's Cali pad pit

http://matthewgallaway.typepad.com/.a/6a01156e650ae8970c0115703c142f970c-800wi
Fire Island Rental certainly 'not' the pits


passion pit with a fire


the outdoor variety pit


holiday pit @ the Hillcrest guest house - Guernsey, UK

http://manolohome.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/moscow-loft.jpg
Moscow loft - 21st century style


chic mod

{go forth & live lively}
create conversation


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photo credits:
monolohome.com; indy.com; hotelconnect.com.uk; dallasnews.com; martinklaschblogspot; highsteelheelsphotostream@flickr; blog.onuodesign.com; stewfs & egyptianmitch photostream@ flickr; indy.com; sthouzz.com
; latimes.com

26 comments:

Christy said...

What a fabulous post DT! I love it. I would love to have a pit in my house - how cool that your Uncle's house has one. Do they still live in it? You should post a picture of that one!

Dublin is on my list of places to go - so I'm bookmarking that Number 31 hotel - it looks fabulous. Fun photos, great text! Loved it!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Deb.. You are right! I do prefer the 1st home. It's hard to believe that is 1957. I grew up in a split level and our living room was lower than the adjoining room. It did feel like you were escaping from the rest of the house! After all it was the 70's!! Julie

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hey Deb... back... duelling comments. Thanks for you kind comments... I'm too tired from work to post today.. [it is evening here] but that is fine as I get to come and visit lovely blogs like yours!! ciao Julie

Averill said...

Hmmm...not sure how I feel about the conversation pit. On the one hand, different levels in one big great room are a great way to delineate smaller, cozier areas within the large room while still keeping the feeling open/airy. On the other, as someone who is 6' tall, I tend to dislike anything low, as it tends to enhance the feeling that I'm in a Lilliputian world.... :)

Unknown said...

Makes for quite a dramatic look. In florida we had a sunk-in living room, but only by a few inches.

Duchess of Tea said...

Hello Deb, thanks for stopping by my cottage, for the lovely comment you left and for joining my followers. I am here for a visit too and I also like what I see. Just reading your profile took me back many years to better days and fond memories. I have placed a link to your site on my through beau-TEA-ful people which is a site on my profile. Please stop by again, I would love to see you.
Duchess xx

Alicia said...

We just spent a weekend w/ your uncle (my father-in-law) in the twin cities. Our 2-year-old only fell into the pit twice! It really is a neat and cozy way for the famiy to be together (and serves as a great play pen for little ones)! The best story was years ago when our pug was a puppy, she was running around like a maniac...she didn't realize the pit was there, ran directly over it...and there she was, stopped in mid air, legs running like mad, and then...drop. We laughed til we cried.

Unknown said...

I'm all for the ressurection of the conversation pit. Let's start a fad. Love the pictures you have shown.

debra@dustjacket said...

Great post, I've thought pit's were interesting, I love the pictured one at the Hemple in London. How cool is that! Your've sure picked out some interesting ones there!

Thank you so much for dropping by my place too, much appreciated.xx

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

I'm not sure what I think about the conversation pit....I'm in two minds about it...I can't get the Austin Powers picture out of my mind.!!!.....these pictures are great and I'm probably in two minds as I don't think that I could fit one in my house. XXXX

pve design said...

So not the pits...these pits are all so fun.
I would love to have a pit for a fondue party.
pve

Brittany said...

I really like the backyard pit!
It reminds me of a great spot at the university I graduated from. :)

Ruth Roberts said...

Nice blog, however the Irwin home is in Columbus, INDIANA not Ohio and the home now belongs to the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Ruth Roberts
Coordinator of Rights & Reproductions
Indianapolis Museum of Art
imamuseum.org

Dionne said...

My in-laws have one at their place. They have a very 70's home, with green carpet and everything. But I Love their Conversation pit. I would love to just revamp the whole house, update the furniture and flooring, and totally revitalize that 70s-looking converstion pit.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

To Ruth:
Many thanks Ruth for correcting the state in which I had the lovely Miller located. I also included that the Indianapolis Museum of Art as it's owner. I appreciate your comments & thank you for visiting my blog.What a huge privilege & responsibility you have as the Museum's Coordinator of Rights & Reproductions.
Best regards,
Deborah

Brittany said...

Deb,
I'm glad that I could make you laugh today!

To answer your question, YES! I am a native Texan! I would not have it any other way. I do love it here; although, I HATE the 100+ heat we have been having.

Things are much calmer and quieter today.
I'm enjoying the peace, and listening to my fur babies snore and dream while I click at my keyboard. Nice. :)

I hope you have a super fantastic weekend!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I would totally rock the pit!!!

Alicia said...

My parents got rid of theirs in Maui & I almost cried...too cool & now gone!!! I've always loved the idea of a cozy spot. I think it may elevate the art of just sitting around & yakking with people.
I love the Miller house very uber chic!!!
I'm also in love with your aunt & uncles furniture collection. Be very sweet to hthem, wink, wink!!!
I hope your other Alicia's little one is okay, but the pug story is priceless.

David Toms said...

I would give my right arm for any of those pits!

Anonymous said...

Spacify has a collection of Modern Sofa Set with an array of modern designs. Each has its own great look that will find a way to enhance your home.

Unknown said...

Those are some great designs, and definitely a step back which seems to have been largely forgotten. granite worktops edinburgh

Jeffrey said...

Great concept, and often times overlooked as an option in home design and decor. sash windows Glasgow

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