We celebrated Peggi’s birthday by driving to East Aurora to visit the Roycroft artist community, something Peggi has always wanted to do. We had brunch in the Inn there, one of the original buildings in the complex and we walked around the grounds soaking in the vibe of the community of printers, furniture makers, metalsmiths, leathersmiths, and bookbinders.
The Arts and Crafts movement started in England in the late 1800s as a reaction against the the excessive ornamentation of the Victorian Age. It was also part of a backlash to the Industrial Revolution. William Morris, the movement’s artistic figurehead tried to unite all the arts within the decoration of the home emphasizing nature and simplicity of form. He inspired the Roycroft artist colony to form in East Aurora, New York, just outside of Buffalo. Morris’s motto was, “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
We asked to see a room in the inn and they showed us suite appointed with classic arts and crafts furniture. We wanted to move in and go back in time.
5 Comments
Hmmm…my brother and Jane were there Saturday for his birthday.
How funny! That’s right, it was Richard’s Bday the 6th. Happy Birthday Richard!
Happy belated birthdays, Peggi and Richard! I think I’ll plan a trip to East Aurora on mine. Been wanting to go there, too.
Thanks Rosanne!
Peggi, Happy Belated Birthday….sounds like a fun day.