Korners Folly

by Sandi OReilly

Title

Korners Folly

Artist

Sandi OReilly

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

We visited this historic house recently and it is well known in our area for it's history and beauty. This image was taken from the driveway to the house. This is one angle of the house that I photographed and other photos I will also share in the future because of it's unique architecture.

In 1878, Jule Gilmer K�rner began construction on what would become K�rner�s Folly. As an interior and furniture designer, decorator, and painter, Jule planned to use this building to showcase his design work to his clients. He filled K�rner�s Folly with his interior and furniture designs, as a �catalogue� for his clients to view his work. As K�rner�s Folly began to take shape, its unique design defied simple description and the house was constantly under renovation to make way for new designs. No two doorways or windows are exactly alike; there are 15 different fireplaces, and ceiling heights range from 5 � feet to 25 feet. The pivoting �windows� and other openings anchor a unique air distribution system, while cubbyholes and trap doors exemplify Victorian ingenuity.

The resulting design reportedly caused a neighbor farmer to comment about the house, ��that will surely be Jule K�rner�s folly.� Jule caught wind of the remark and so enjoyed it that he quickly dubbed the building �K�rner�s Folly,� and even had the name lain in tile on the front porch. On Easter Day in 1880, Jule held an opening reception and invited his family and neighbors to tour �K�rner�s Folly.�

Superlatives fail to describe this home of contrasts and comparisons. It has welcoming spaces, and hidden nooks and crannies. Decorative murals and artwork add a sense of opulence.

The top level houses a private theater, Cupid�s Park Theater, believed to be the first private little theater in America. The elegant, eclectic structure boasts 22 rooms spread out over three floors and seven levels, but to Jule, it was never truly complete. When Jule died in 1924, he had fresh renovation plans for K�rner�s Folly on his drawing table�

Fine Art Photography by Sandi O'Reilly, All Rights Reserved and Copyrighted. If you wish to contact me, use FAA's email service. glad to help.

ALL FAA WATERMARKS ARE REMOVED FROM IMAGES AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. Thank you!

Uploaded

July 9th, 2013

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