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Celebrating 19 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Celebrating 19 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Prior to the tour will be a Kick-Off event hosted by the Barrington Cultural Commission at Barrington’s White House. Author, architect, and professor at IIT, Michelangelo Sabatino, will speak about his book “Modern in the Middle,” and give a preview of the architects featured on the next day’s tour. Our homeowners have been enthusiastic and generous in sharing this architecture with others.
“He forces us to interact with the outside world, and we’re better for it.”
I’m standing in a breathtaking mid-century modern house in the Village of Barrington with one of the owners, Jay Eiring, who is pontificating on the design. The ‘he’ in Jay’s statement (above) is Edward Dart, a prolific mid-century modern architect who both designed many homes in Barrington and made it his home. This statement hits me as a powerful distillation of great design. This architecture forces us to engage with the outside world, with nature, and yes, we are better for it.
Those fortunate enough to live in these homes understand the profound appeal and importance of spaces that are designed in partnership with the natural world. These spaces enhance well-being and foster creativity. It was a house like this that brought me back to Barrington after 15 years in Los Angeles. My mom, Pam Weinert, has been a Realtor in Barrington since I was five years old, and over the years, she would send us listings to try to lure us back from California. Her strategy finally worked when she sent us a mid-century modern ranch in Biltmore with floor-to-ceiling windows and an express interplay with nature.
One of the highlights of my time in L.A. was the mid-century modern house tour that my husband and I took near Silver Lake. We had the unique opportunity to experience residential architecture by Richard Neutra, Gregory Ain, John Lautner and R.M. Schindler. Upon returning to Barrington, I became obsessed with the idea of creating a similar tour here to not only celebrate the plethora of historically significant mid-century modern homes in our area, but also the brilliant architects who made Barrington their home.
After years of planning and deliberate curation, we have secured 11 striking mid-century modern houses that will be open, inside and out, to attendees of Mid Mod Barrington. The architects include Edward Dart, Harry Weese, Keck & Keck, Dennis Blair, Milton Schwartz, and Don Tosi. For an additional fee, guests will be able to attend the end-of-day catered celebration at the truly spectacular Henrich House. Designed by Edward Dart, the Henrich House sits perched on a wooded lot that overlooks a lake in Barrington Hills and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mid Mod Barrington is a benefit for the Barrington Area Council on Aging (Bacoa). Bacoa’s work is vital to ensure that older adults receive essential care services needed to live a fulfilling life. Our shared vision for this tour is that by opening these homes to the public we’re organically demonstrating the need to preserve them. For more details, and to purchase your tickets, visit bacoa.org.
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Stephanie Walker is a graduate of University of Southern California’s Master of Professional Writing program. She’s an award-winning and published playwright, author, and local Realtor with Compass, on a team with her mom, Pam Weinert. She is a self-described “MCM nerd,” passionate thrifter, and a proud member of Barrington’s Cultural Commission. Visit stephaniealisonwalker.com.
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