Building Music Spokane’s Malmgren House Provides The Perfect Setting For A Classical Music Concert

Allegro continues its musical tour of Spokane’s historic homes with a peek into the Malmgren house. The series, which began in 1991, includes a brief, intimate musical performance, a tour of the home and refreshments.

Karl Gunnar Malmgren was born in Sweden in 1862 and trained there as an architect and builder. He came to Spokane at the invitation of Kirtland Cutter to join the architectural firm Cutter and Poetz in 1889. By 1894, Malmgren was Cutter’s partner.

The Cutter and Malmgren team is well-known locally, having designed many of the area’s grand homes and principal buildings. The two designed the home at 709 W. Sumner, a block up from Cliff Drive, to be Malmgren’s residence. The home was built from 1908-10.

The Mission/Craftsman touch is obvious from the exterior and in much of the original interior detail. The rustic bungalow simplicity, however, is expanded to magnificent proportions and given an elegant spin with some exotic detailing. The term “bungalow” just doesn’t quite fit when the space includes 28 rooms covering over 7,500 square feet with trim in marble and Honduras mahogany.

The entryway opens into the living and dining rooms, which are connected by sliding doors. Of all the details, the primary attraction is the massive fireplace in the living room. It has a black marble hearth surrounded by a Grueby tile landscape mural of mostly forest green. The living room has mahogany trim, ceiling beams and window seats.

The dining room is trimmed with oak, including a built-in china cabinet with leaded glass and to-die-for Mission handles and a window seat with nice detail work. The living and dining rooms have quarter-sawn oak floors.

Marilyn and Peter Grossman, who purchased the home less than a year ago, have been continuing the restoration started before their arrival. Workers have been busy since August. Last week, Marilyn Grossman gave me a tour and offered hospitality and warmth above and beyond the call, considering it was her third day without power and heat.

Restoration efforts were put on hold by the ice storm. Wallpaper doesn’t stick in the cold, and you can’t vacuum, much less move your fingers. Grossman was beginning to panic while contemplating four sittings of guests arriving in under two weeks, but everything looked like it was under control.

Grossman is an old hand at restoration, having done an 1898 Victorian in San Francisco top to bottom before moving to Spokane. Anyone who brings her own light fixtures has to have a handle on the process. In addition to an attractive collection of antique furniture, her personal stamp is evident in her portrait collection of splendid oils, which fill nooks and crannies.

Allegro’s music directors, Beverly Biggs and David Dutton, will add a harpsichord and a baroque oboe to the decor for the short concerts on Tuesday. Joining them will be Karen Walthinsen and her 1760 Flemish violin.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT Allegro’s “Music in Historic Homes” will be held Tuesday at the Malmgren house, 709 W. Sumner. There are sittings at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Space is limited; the 5 p.m. sitting is sold out. Tickets are $12.50 and include refreshments. For reservations, call Allegro at 455-6865.