--- title: The Handmade Home description: The Handmade Home image: https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667726-jpg/blog-files/emcover.jpg --- - [**](https://www.pinterest.com/cletile/) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/Tilevera/) - [**](https://twitter.com/cletile) - [**](https://www.instagram.com/cletile/?hl=en) [![cle tile logo](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cletile_March2016/logos/cle-logo-new.png?width=444&name=cle-logo-new.png "cle tile logo")](http://www.cletile.com/) [** search](http://www.cletile.com/search) [** ](https://info.cletile.com/blog-test/tile_envy/the-handmade-home/#sidr) ## Shop by Collection ### Browse [** search](http://www.cletile.com/search) # The Handmade Home 31 May 2011 This week two opposing views of abandoned or demolished construction. One perspective is that of reclamation- materials and spaces to refashion or repurpose into remarkable surroundings. From that perspective comes today's post from Pattern Girl. Get ready for a veritable eye-fest as Erin celebrates the hand-crafted architectural details from the protean vision of Edgar Miller: I met Richard Cahan a year ago October for lunch in Chicago. He pulled out of his ratty bag a book that he had just picked up from the printer. Literally fresh off the press, it was still smoking. [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667726-jpg/blog-files/emcover.jpg?width=480&height=640&name=emcover.jpg "EMcover")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667726-jpg/blog-files/emcover.jpg) When he handed it to me, I gasped with envy. It was one of the most beautiful books I had ever set my eyes upon. The colors, patterns, textures and interiors were jumping off the pages. [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667736-jpg/blog-files/embarcodes-1024x655.jpg?width=500&height=300&name=embarcodes-1024x655.jpg "EMbarcodes")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667736-jpg/blog-files/embarcodes-1024x655.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667746-jpg/blog-files/emceilings-1024x690.jpg?width=500&height=320&name=emceilings-1024x690.jpg "Edgar Miller. Aldinger.")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667746-jpg/blog-files/emceilings-1024x690.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667756-jpg/blog-files/emhorses-1024x681.jpg?width=500&height=320&name=emhorses-1024x681.jpg "Edgar Miller - Carl Str Studios - Shapiro - original unit #9.")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667756-jpg/blog-files/emhorses-1024x681.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667766-jpg/blog-files/emowls-1024x692.jpg?width=500&height=320&name=emowls-1024x692.jpg "Edgar Miller 1734 Wells_Unit 3")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667766-jpg/blog-files/emowls-1024x692.jpg) Edgar Miller? I had never heard of him. [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667776-jpg/blog-files/edgar_miller_02.jpg?width=500&height=325&name=edgar_miller_02.jpg "edgar_miller_02")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667776-jpg/blog-files/edgar_miller_02.jpg) A Chicago artist, Edgar Miller, used recycled material to turn old homes into works of art. He called it a “social adventure.” [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667786-jpg/blog-files/edgar_miller_04.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=edgar_miller_04.jpg "edgar_miller_04")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667786-jpg/blog-files/edgar_miller_04.jpg) Miller’s life and the homes that he built are documented in a 400-page book published by CityFiles Press. The book, Edgar Miller and the Handmade Home, Chicago’s Renaissance Man by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams, also contains the sexiest photographs I have ever laid my eyes on, by Alexander Vertikoff. [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667796-jpg/blog-files/embay.jpg?width=500&height=320&name=embay.jpg "EMbay")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667796-jpg/blog-files/embay.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667806-jpg/blog-files/emcathedral-1024x691.jpg?width=500&height=320&name=emcathedral-1024x691.jpg "Edgar Miller_1734 Wells_Mamolen Residence.")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667806-jpg/blog-files/emcathedral-1024x691.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667816-jpg/blog-files/emdoor-1024x684.jpg?width=500&height=320&name=emdoor-1024x684.jpg "EMdoor")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667816-jpg/blog-files/emdoor-1024x684.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667826-jpg/blog-files/emstainedglassmoody-1024x691.jpg?width=500&height=320&name=emstainedglassmoody-1024x691.jpg "Edgar Miller. Aldinger.")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667826-jpg/blog-files/emstainedglassmoody-1024x691.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667836-jpg/blog-files/emfireplace.jpg?width=500&height=775&name=emfireplace.jpg "EMfireplace")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667836-jpg/blog-files/emfireplace.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667846-jpg/blog-files/emmishmash1.jpg?width=500&height=300&name=emmishmash1.jpg "EMmishmash")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667846-jpg/blog-files/emmishmash1.jpg) ++++++ [![](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667856-jpg/blog-files/emrelief-760x1024.jpg?width=500&height=650&name=emrelief-760x1024.jpg "Edgar Miller Book. Mamolen Residence.")](https://info.cletile.com/hs-fs/file-4031667856-jpg/blog-files/emrelief-760x1024.jpg) The book carefully details the forces that shaped an artist who was called “the blond boy Michelangelo” in the 1920s; “a new luminary” by Architecture magazine in the ’30s, and “one of the most versatile artists in America” in the ’40s. Much of Miller’s work and the spirit he brought to each home remains. They offer lessons about beauty, creativity and honesty. Edgar Miller’s life is another reminder to follow one’s passions and not settle for anything less than what your heart says YES to. 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