Doxxing someone's sick house in Western Mass

I would never in my life move back to my hometown UNLESS this one stunningly distinct home came on the market again. Its technically 45 minutes away from my town, but that’s what living in the middle of nowhere gets you.

This is me blowing up some innocent person’s spot in the name of good design.

The Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home was designed in 1957 by John F. Bednarski, a known architect in the Pioneer Valley. It was his personal residence, and the office of his architecture practice. John passed away in 2024, and the house was listed for the first time ever, at $619,000.

Not to be a creep but I pulled some info from John’s obituary. He was a really cool guy. Born and raised in Greenfield, Massachusetts, he spent some time in the Navy, eventually ending up at the School of Architecture, Syracuse University, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1951. John worked in architectural firms in Montreal, Canada and Burlington, Vermont. He opened his own architectural studio in his home on Newell Pond in 1958.

If anyone at all is reading this from good old Western Mass, John’s architectural firm designed a lot of notable buildings, including the classroom building for The Bement School, the Summit House for Mount Sugarloaf, dormitories for North Adams State College, Foster’s Market and Atkins Country Market, in addition to many private residences. In 1969, John designed Holy Trinity Church in Hatfield, MA, for which he won the 1972 Architectural Design Award from the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

John continued to design well into his 80’s (I’m still getting all of this from his obituary, it really is a phenomenal life story). His favorite pastime was spending time in his yard, landscaping each corner.

I had intended to write more about the home, but the architect really struck me. I’m apt to disregard where I’m from. Learning that lives like this existed and thrived over there feels very foreign to me. You really can live a life you want if you force it.

I remember this weird time when a designer I worked for was trying to explain to people where I’m from (like Massachusetts is some incomprehensible place). He said, “People from Massachusetts are very proud.” Naturally, I got offended. He should have said people from Massachusetts are easily pissed off.

As much as I hate to say it, this 45 year old ripped t-shirt wearing man was right. We are extremely proud. Because we know what we have.

I think I learned how to force the life I want from living in Western Mass. It certainly builds character, and leaves more than enough time to daydream.

This house feels like the product of that, it would make the horrific winters and gray in-between seasons bearable. Rain, snow, sleet, and the two months of warm weather before the humidity hits you like a ton of bricks, would be a life well lived here.

The listing had said that photos cannot do it justice, and I’m very tempted to go knock on this person’s door to see it for myself. In true Massachusetts fashion, they’ll probably tell me to fuck off.

What’s more American than hitting the estate sales this Fourth of July weekend? We love a deal! More importantly, we love arguing over a deal! I have a few solid ones below, my personal favorites at least. Good old American antiques, an insane butter dish I’m being so serious, a sale with custom Choppers but I’m more focused on the vintage posters…

Also a mega auction if you want to shop from the comfort of your beach chair. That’s where I will be 💋