Nancy Kriplen’s article “An Indiana Town Where Big Names Built” (New York Times, 10 May 2013) chronicles the impact J. Irwin Miller had on the architecture of Columbus, Indiana. When New York Times’ Home News Editor Cynthia Kellogg wrote to Irwin Miller in 1957 asking for permission to publish the Miller House “in a dignified manner,” Mr. Miller replied that he and Mrs. Miller had not yet made up their minds. The house was published in Architectural Forum (September 1958) and House and Garden (February 1959), but not in the New York Times. 

Cynthia Kellogg to J. Irwin Miller, 31 July 1957; draft of letter from J. Irwin Miller to Cynthia Kellogg; draft of letter from J. Irwin Miller to Alexander H. Girard, 1/8, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana.  (MHG_Ia_B001_f008_067-068)

Today we are posting the first document in our “No Detail Too Small” series. As we digitize the materials associated with the Miller House and Garden, we’ve noticed the Millers’ attention to detail is, um, remarkable. Mrs. Miller wanted a permanent location for the can opener & paper towel roll so that neither “becomes a permanent nuisance.”

J. Irwin Miller to Kevin Roche, 13 April 1956, 1/6 Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f006_042)

We love this sketch of what looks to us to be Eero Saarinen’s Womb Chair. The Millers did have a Womb Chair in the Master Bedroom until at least 1979.

Sketch of Master Bedroom floor plan and chair, 1978, 10/96, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B010_f096_083)

Blueprint (29 x 41 in.) of Sheet Number A-5, Miller House Roof Plan & Details and Skylight Details, Addendum #2 by Eero Saarinen and Associates and Alexander H. Girard, 26 April 1955, FF41, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_III_FF041_010)

Blueprint and bluelines (29 x 41 in.) of Sheet Number A-4, Miller House Reflected Ceiling Plan, Addendum #2, Bulletin #1 by Eero Saarinen and Associates and Alexander H. Girard, 8 July 1955, FF41, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_III_FF041_007-009)

Blueprint, blueline, and photocopy cutout (29 x 41 in.) of Sheet Number A-3, Miller House First Floor Plan, Addendum #2, Bulletin #1 by Eero Saarinen and Associates and Alexander H. Girard, 8 July 1955, FF41, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_III_FF041_005-006, 020)

Once again, we’ve begun the process of photographing architectural drawings of Miller House and Garden. We will continue to feature them on Documenting Modern Living for the next few weeks. Enjoy!

Blueprint and blueline (29 x 41 in.) of Sheet Number A-2 Miller House Basement Plan & Details, Addendum #2, Bulletin #1 by Eero Saarinen and Associates and Alexander H. Girard, 8 July 1955, FF41, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_III_FF041_003-004)

This week we began photographing blueprints and bluelines! For the next few weeks we will be featuring the architectural drawings.

Blueprint and blueline (29 x 41 in.) of Sheet Number A-1, Miller House Drawing Index, Addendum #2 by Eero Saarinen and Associates and Alexander H. Girard, 26 April 1955, FF41, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_III_FF041_001-002)

The Millers had commissioned Eero Saarinen in 1950 to design their summer cottage in Muskoka, Ontario. In this letter, J. Irwin Miller thanks Joseph Lacy (of Saarinen’s office) for his prompt reply about modifying the Muskoka house’s breakfast porch and also congratulates Saarinen for being chosen to design the U.S. Embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square.

J. Irwin Miller to Joseph N. Lacy, 22 February 1956, 1/6, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f006_068)

Irwin Miller extends congratulations to Girard and Saarinen for “expressing so well what we want in our house,” but adds, “Xenia is still skeptical about the steps down into the living room, and I agree that these may appear formidable to older ladies.” 

J. Irwin Miller to Alexander H. Girard, 19 March 1954, 1/2, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f002_104-105)