Fallingwater was filled with garden design inspiration | Arts & Crafts Garden Inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright and for forest of Pennsylvania
What if your garden wasn’t just built on the land — but truly born from it? 🌱
Join me as I explore Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece built in the forests of Pennsylvania, and discover how its design philosophy is inspiring my new arts and crafts style garden in central Kentucky.
In this video, I’ll share:
✨ How Fallingwater blends architecture and nature through locally sourced materials
🏡 Ways to merge your indoor and outdoor spaces, no matter the size of your home or garden
🍃 How to draw inspiration directly from nature to create timeless, sustainable garden designs
You’ll see how these Fallingwater-inspired design ideas are influencing my own home build and garden project — and how you can use these same arts and crafts garden principles to create peaceful, nature-connected spaces at home.
If you’re passionate about garden design, natural materials, or the philosophy of living in harmony with nature, this video is for you.
📬 Join my free newsletter: [Garden Moxy Field Notes] – get design tips, garden inspiration, and timeless ideas for beautiful, peaceful living spaces: https://gardenmoxie.kit.com/profile
Fallingwater photo sources seen in this video:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.32659646
Image showing Fallingwater exterior with moss part of the SAHARA Public Collection
https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.32687015
Image showing stairs to waterfall that is part of the SAHARA Public Collection
https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.32659650
Image of the interior showing the waxed stone floors that mimic the wet stone of the waterfall. The image is part of the SAHARA Public Collection
https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.24796996
Industrial revolution image from the Wellcome Collection
https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.32686930
Shows Fallingwater rhododendrons bouquets
The image is from SAHARA Public Collection
https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.8751903
Exterior of house showing rhododendrons
The image is from SAHARA Public Collection
Thanks for watching.
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📩 sue@gardenmoxie.com
#gardeningtips #gardenideasforhome #fallingwater #gardeningtips #gardendesign #gardeninspiration #artsandcraftsmovement #organicarchitecture #franklloydwright
What if your garden wasn’t just built
on land, but was actually born from it? That’s the question that struck me at my recent
visit to Fallingwater Frank Lloyd Wright’s amazing home built in the forests of Pennsylvania.
I’ve visited Fallingwater before, but this past time, my friends and I signed up for an early
morning guided tour, and something just clicked. The way that house sits so perfectly in the
landscape, with its stone floors and walls made from stone quarried on the very site, was
the perfect blend of nature and architecture. This idea of building a home and a garden from
locally sourced materials is a common philosophy in the arts and crafts style of design. So
in today’s video, I want to share some of the great design ideas that I saw at Fallingwater, talk about how those ideas are going to find their way into my new garden design, and
share some of the arts and crafts ideas that could help you in your garden as well.
The arts and crafts movement was a late 19th-century design philosophy championing the
value of craftsmanship, simplicity, and natural materials. It was a response to the industrial
mass production that was happening at the time. I think the aspects of the arts and crafts
design philosophy resonate today. People are re-evaluating what it means to live well.
We’re tired of the hustle culture, of screens, of always rushing through life. And gardening
gives us something different something real. When I talk about arts and crafts garden designs,
I’m not talking about copying the designs of the past. In my mind, it means more interpreting
the design philosophies and figuring out ways that we can use them in our home gardens today.
The three design ideas that I saw at Fallingwater that I specifically want to talk about today are:
1. The use of locally sourced natural materials. 2. The notion of merging the
indoors and the outdoors. 3. Using nature as our design inspiration.
My husband and I are in the process of building a home in central Kentucky. We found a
beautiful 20-acre plot of land with steep hills and lots of old trees. The land was originally
used as farmland. When we first got here, I hoped that we would uncover some
limestone that could be used to build some of the structures of our future garden.
Once the excavation started, we were lucky enough to find tons of Kentucky limestone. And when I
visited Fallingwater and saw how they used the native stone for the paths and the walls, I was
so inspired. I’m really looking forward to being able to use this limestone that we re finding
on our build site in the future garden design. We’ve only just started the build process, and the
house will sit on top of a hill. It s positioned to align with this magnificent oak tree that we
refer to as the mighty oak. That tree is such a central feature to the home design it creates this
connection between the inside and the outside. You can see this blurring of the inside and
outside at Fallingwater. Every window has a view of the surrounding forest. I loved
hearing the story our guide told about how Frank Lloyd Wright visited the site of
Fallingwater for design inspiration. Fallingwater is surrounded by a forest filled
with native rhododendrons. These rhododendrons inspired Wright with color inspiration. The ochre
color you see on the autumn rhododendron leaves is echoed in the colors of the stucco on the outside
as well as some of the interior colors. The owners of Fallingwater would cut bouquets of the native
rhododendrons and place them in vases inside the house again, this notion of bringing the outdoors
in and using nature for design inspiration. What’s great about this idea of merging the inside
and the outside is that it doesn’t depend on how large your garden is. Certainly, Fallingwater
is an extraordinary example of this, but we can do the same thing in our own home gardens through
the connection between our house and our patio, or our apartments and our balconies.
You can implement this notion of merging the inside and the outside even if you have a small
garden, or even if you live in an apartment. One of the best teachers we have when it comes to
garden design is nature itself. If you stop and look closely, you ll notice how everything just
works together. There’s balance, texture, and an effortless flow it just feels calm and inviting.
Think of how the edge of a woodland blends with the tall trees and shrubs, or when you look at
a wildflower meadow the way its colors shift in patches, the way it moves in the wind, and
how it changes through the seasons. There are patterns we can find in nature that we can echo
in our own spaces to create gardens that feel alive and connected to their surroundings.
It s not about copying nature exactly, but more about collaborating with it. When we
design with nature in mind, our gardens become more sustainable and full of life. You start
thinking about the bees and the little critters that share your garden. And it s that connection
to nature that can help us feel less anxious. We can also take a cue from nature and bring
that feeling inside our homes. There’s something special about collecting little reminders of the
outdoors things that connect us to the seasons. It can be as simple as gathering a
few stems in a vase. Fresh flowers and branches instantly brighten a space.
It was so interesting to see that even the rooms in Falling Water were filled with fresh
flowers. Studies show that spending time in nature or even surrounding ourselves
with natural elements can lower stress, lift our mood, and help us slow down.
So, when you fill your home with bits of the natural world, you really are creating
a space that helps you feel better. If you’re interested in getting ideas and
inspiration for creating your own special garden, I have a free bi-weekly newsletter called
Garden Moxie Field Notes, and it’s filled with tips on historic gardens, peaceful spaces, and
transforming your home. Simple, timeless ideas that can inspire beauty indoors and out. I ll be
sure to leave a link in the description below. This new home build is definitely the adventure
of a lifetime. Right now, the build site is little more than a hole in the ground, but things
are coming together, and I’m so excited to be able to design a garden in this space. This
is going to be one of my biggest projects ever, and I hope that you ll join me.
I’d love to hear what you think of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and
the inspiration that it can provide. That’s it for this video, and we’ll see you in the next one.
35 Comments
You made my day with this video, thank you so much
I visited Fallingwater last week and wanted to share some of the things that inspired me related to garden design. In this video I talk about how we can incorporate Arts and Crafts design principles into our garden designs. I'd love to hear if you have visited a place that completely inspired you. Fallingwater was one of those places for me.
I also wanted to let you know that I will be sponsoring a "seed starting grow-along" this year so keep your eyes peeling in upcoming videos if you'd like to grow plants from seed for next season. I did this a couple years ago and it was really fun. I hope you'll join me. Happy gardening!
❤
My favorite video or yours so far and they have all been done so well. I love to visit botanical gardens around the country. We love to learn about their history, walk the gardens at length, and often enjoy an on-site farm-to-table restaurant in the early evening. That is a perfect day to me.
I love seeing the new property, Sue. You’ll never run out of space now. Frank Lloyd Wright has a little magic in all his designs, I think. The uninterrupted merger of home and land makes the indoors naturally flow to the outdoors. So glad you’ve broken ground.
Your home will truly be beautiful! Will enjoy watching the process!
I agree with you on all your views on Falling Water. But I’ve always felt I would argue with Wright on his compression views on inside spaces, it makes me feel claustrophobic.
I have seen so many videos of this home. Usually bringing the land design into the home. This is the first in your perspective of flowers & plants. Lively video & I’m very excited to watch your home become your vision w/ heart & soul.
Patterns in nature…interesting 🍁🍂🍁
I had a huge grin on my face when you found the limestone! I’m so excited for you. Peace-
If you haven't visited kentuck knob and polymath park in the same area of PA, its definitely worth it! While fallingwater is outstanding, many people say they like kentuck knob better. My personal favorite, however, is mantyla at polymath park. Gorgeous home, and they've done a beautiful job with the landscaping!!!
I have wanted to visit Falling Water for a long time. I did my art history thesis on Frank Lloyd Wright. When he designed, he designed every detail down to the curtain fabrics and dishes. It was amazing getting a gardener's eye view of this remarkable property from you! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve goosebumps for you and gorgeous location. Falling waters inspired me in so many ways. Living on the river with stone and raised beds. Creating such quiet. We are on small area but early morning 5-6 am hearing the geese squeaking as they fly together to the other side of the river.
Cutting more bouquets will be part of next years inspiration.
Enjoy!!
You seem to have really reached a deep level of design maturity and appreciation. I want to take that journey with you and signed up for your newsletter.. Would love to see the house plans
I live in Western PA. As beautifully set into the landscape as Fallingwater is, I find the interior very cold in winter. The land/gardens surrounding Fallingwater are very special and important to tour to fully understand the house. There is another FLW house 10 minutes away called Kentuck Knob that is privately owned but can be visited with a reservation and both can be done in the same day. Kentuck Knob has a fabulous sculpture garden that is not to be missed. Seeing both locations really adds to one's understanding of FLW. You can even stay in a FLW house at Polymath Park, which is half an hour away from Fallingwater. (The book, "Loving Frank" is quite an historical fiction read.)
Fallingwater is 1.5 hours away from the Flight 93 Memorial, which is a deeply moving experience and needs at least half a day to do it justice.
thank you for taking us with you on your visit to Fallingwater. What a peaceful place. I think we join in your excitement as you start on your "new home" journey. What a wonderful time in your life. Enjoy every moment!
Absolutely gorgeous 🤗
Can’t wait to see your beautiful gardens at your new home.😊🌸🌾🌲
i like that wood and stone from the area were used for interior construction. ive never heard much about the plants& trees until your video.
Oh what a beautiful site to build your house and garden. I love the rolling hills and trees surrounding you.
Thank you Sue. I enjoy your videos so much. They are inspiring.
FRANK Lloyd Wright was the grandfather of the wonderful actress,Anne Baxter.Beautiful video. You can't beat nature and Garden Moxie for inspiration!
I love the rolling hills of your landscape, and you're lucky to have found that limestone! I'm sure you will create a wonderful new garden there.
Fallingwater was beautiful; not only with the water, stone & flowers all the sounds of nature like waterfalls! Looks like u will also have wild life to look at your new home; how wonderful! (I saw the deer up on top of the hill).
beautiful place👍👌
Frank loyd Wright is truly an artiste t icon for me – his prairie style suits the prairie land of the Midwest so well. I think that part about that conn et ion between inside and outside has become something that Americans across the country have adopted. Also kudos to you – taking on such a new project. I wish you all the best and look ware to your progress.
Hi Sue, what a lovely video. We happened to have two Frank Lloyd homes in New Hampshire. Each quite different form another but both carry the same element of integration with nature and amazing functionally! I can’t wait to see the progress on your house! You will have to think about designing a garden with deer proofing in mind… as lovely as they are they are quite destructive in the garden.
Great video Sue. I enjoyed seeing the visuals after our chat. FLW sure is interesting. Got our family texting about the places in Canada that were influenced by him or designed by his apprenticeship students. Definitely on my list to see. My sister also recommended reading Loving Frank. Chat soon. Jo
Maravilloso proyecto, felicidades!!!
Glad to hear your home is coming along. There is no better inspiration than Frank Lloyd Wright! I can't wait to see your interpretation of nature and his designs.
What a wonderful video, Sue – you've made so many astute connections and observations that are both particular to your new property as well as full of wisdom that anyone can apply. Fallingwater is certainly a great example of connecting a house to the natural world around it. How fortunate for you to be able to design both your house and your garden together in such a beautiful setting. Your rolling hills remind me very much of the Pennsylvania hills here, with tree lines that generally follow the hills and valleys where the streams run. Such a beautiful setting – I look forward to watching your journey over the next few years – thank you for taking us along with you. ❤
This is so exciting! Thanks for taking us along❤
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Your build site is fabulous. All that space and the hills and trees. I can't wait to see what you do with your new gardens. Thanks for inviting us along for the journey.
So interesting! It's been over 35 years since I visited Falling Water. I love the inspiration you took from it, and I think I would be so inspired to as I've grown into an avid gardener. Your new gardening adventure will be so much fun. I look forward to following! Such a treasure to find those beautiful stone slabs on your property.