It's Sunday morning and our second day at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. We begin the day by driving some 60 miles to visit one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright's homes, Graycliff, in the small town of Derby near Buffalo. This "Jewel on the Lake" was built between 1926-1931 for Isabelle Martin, wife of Buffalo businessman Darwin Martin. Wright also designed their home in the city, and Graycliff was their summer estate. One of the home's distinctive features are the rows of windows front and back, providing a transparent view of the lake and plenty of light, tailored to suit Mrs. Martin's poor eyesight. It also is one of the only times Wright designed the gardens. Like many Wright-designed homes, it compliments the natural surroundings, using rock brought by ox cart from the shores of the lake. After the Martins died, ownership passed to a religious order, and many years later, was restored to its original specifications by the Graycliff Conservatory, which offers guided tours. It's a beautiful day, so join us as we learn about this house and the people who owned it. Photos by North Palm Beach Life
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