Road Trip Close to Home explores life and work of famed designer Russell Wright
In this week’s Road Trip Close to Home, Scott Cohen visits Manitoga in Garrison, the longtime home of industrial designer Russell Wright.
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A nationally recognized designer’s home and studio is tucked away in the woods of the Hudson Valley.
In this week’s Road Trip Close to Home, Scott Cohen visits Manitoga in Garrison, the longtime home of industrial designer Russell Wright.
Wright and his wife, Mary, built their reputation as a design team, creating household products used by millions of Americans.
Russell Wright became especially well known for his dinnerware collections, many of which remain sought after by collectors today.
The couple purchased the Garrison property in 1942 as a retreat from New York City and eventually transformed it into a one-of-a-kind living and working space.
What had once been a granite quarry became a carefully designed landscape featuring trails, a waterfall, a pond and native plantings.
“The idea was to get the city off of you,” said Operations Manager Lori Merhige, describing Wright’s vision for visitors.
Wright designed the home to blend into the surroundings rather than dominate them.
The house is built into the edge of the quarry, with nearly every room connected to an outdoor terrace or natural view.
Inside, visitors can see Wright’s design experiments, including unique materials, custom furnishings and examples of the products that made him famous.
Today, Manitoga offers guided tours of the home and grounds, along with hiking trails for those looking to explore the property on their own.
Officials say the site continues to inspire visitors with its combination of history, architecture and nature.
