Frank, You’re A Genius And All, But...

George and Millie Ablin House. Bakersfield, California. (1958).

“Frank, you’re a genius and all, but you don’t know about kitchens.”

- Millie Ablin

[Frank Lloyd Wright designed George and Millie Ablin House, 1958. #108 - #500fllwproject]

Wright was known, let’s just say…for having the final word on his designs.

And maybe rightfully so as you did hire him, the architect, to design a home for you. But as I journey through this project, I have found exceptions to that, maybe a softer side of Wright that was a tad less stubborn, especially in his later years.

Robin Ablin, son of George and Millie, explains in an article I found, my mother pushed many of the designs seen in the home, which contradicts Wright's reputation of being the sole creator of his designs. Some areas that needed improving from his original design included the kitchen, playroom and doorways.

“It has a very unusual kitchen for a Wright house. He’s known for crummy kitchens because he didn’t cook and didn’t care," Robin Ablin said. "My mother was a very strong character. She said, “Frank, you’re a genius and all, but you don’t know about kitchens.”

It worked! This wonderful collaboration created one of the more beautiful kitchens I’ve seen in a Wright design. What do you think?

Check out more photography of the Ablin Home along with other Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs in California.