Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Doors

I actually took these pictures way back in the Spring. The local Arts Council sold some posters with a collage of doors on old Victorian houses in my neighborhood. I went wandering around town one day to find some of the doors and related architectural details they missed. I like old buildings because they tend to have such interesting details. It's also fun to imagine the countless stories of the people who have lived behind the doors and windows.

I like seeing the care in constructing a heavy, solid wood and adding the carving. Bonus shot, you can see my reflection.




Can you imagine anyone bothering to show such craftsmanship in a modern-made doorbell?




Ok, so I am weird, even peeling paint intrigues me.




I worked as a painter one summer. I can appreciate the prep work and bother of having to change colors so often and cut in so many times on trim work.



Yep, the doorknobs on the old Victorian doors are pretty cool too.




I love the teardrop shaped windows. And I have been through these doors. They are very tall and very heavy.




Details on things like cornices intrigue me.




This door is on the second story and there is no balcony to step on




I love the patina on this doorknob especially against the worn wood.




I loved the bold colors and the geometric shapes.

Again, the painting details done on a spot so difficult to reach...I gotta respect the painter who did that.



I love the personality in the old doors...




...and windows. These were recently restored after being damaged by arson.





The store owner was nice enough to let me capture her as she prepared to open. After I shot the picture she told me about some of the building history (built in 1908) and pointed out some other interesting details such as the inner doors that allow access to the storefront windows. How many owners swept that stoop and decorated those windows? How much inventory and how many shoppers have passed through those doors in the last century?

24 comments:

RiverPoet said...

Beautiful shots and great attention to detail. Love the old architecture and style.

Peace - D

G-Man said...

Doors eh?
Very interesting subject matter.
Whodda thunk it?
Great job Trini...G

furiousBall said...

now this would have made an interesting HNT in the reflections :)

Mona said...

That is such an interesting topic of study. I love those doors! They are so prolific, seem to hold so much within them !

Lime? did you sing a song in front of one of those doors? you know which one I'm talking about....

Phain said...

i spent a few days in savannah, ga one new years and my favorite day was when we walked the historic district and did nothing but take pictures of all the old buildings. i have my own "peeling paint" set of pics too! they just don't build 'em like that used to. kinda sad.

Sheri said...

Who'd have thought that doors would have been so interesting?

Craver Vii said...

The teardrop-shaped windows together look like a deer's hoof print. It is pretty neat to see all the attention to detail that goes into some things.

EmBee said...

I TOTALLY adore this post! Oh, how I'd love to go on a photo safari with you sometime!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! I feel a coffee-table book in the making. Cheers!

S said...

I also love to do the same while in India. Most of the doors are funky and weatherbeaten. I have to pay a little more attn to the knobs....
In fact, I'm not even sure Indian doors have knobs...I will have to check that out in my pics...

Love this post. You live in a cool ol' town.

barman said...

Wow I am so glad I took the Lime tour today. You make a gracious tour guide.

You know so many times I just zip by and do not pay attention. When you do, however, the attention to detail in old stuff is amazing. Nice post.

Suldog said...

That's great stuff, Lime. I adore old buildings, even (perhaps especially) decrepit ones, so loved your shot of the peeling paint.

Moosekahl said...

We had a similar project when I was in a art appreciate class in college. I too love old houses (duh, I live in one) and these are for sure great doors and windows. Particularly the one restored after the arson. Thanks for sharing!

Kat said...

The detail! It is just amazing! I love old houses. And old doors. :)

Anonymous said...

I remember that being really big in the early 80's. I was managing a photo shop in Lewisburg (PA) and there was a Doors of Lewisburg poster that sold like hotcakes.

That's an odd expression..."sold like hotcakes" wonder where it comes from...

Unknown said...

As I watch the skyscrapers proliferate in Austin, I wish some of the builders would use the kind of imagination it took to come up with the architectural details of the past. All we get now is glass, glass, and more glass with a tiney bit of native stone thrown in if we are lucky.

Fred said...

Excellent shots, Lime. Your comments about the shoppers is spot on. I often wish I could rewind back to 150 years ago and experience life in an earlier, maybe simpler era.

But, I'd sure miss the internet.

Anonymous said...

Great shots. I love architectural details, and dors are thematic for me.

Commander Zaius said...

The building around Charleston, South Carolina does the same thing to me. From colonial times all the way through to Reconstruction there is so much history to take in its scary. I'm with Fred I could deal with living in simpler times.

Maddy said...

I worry. Are you my secret twin? I'll email you my latest editions!
Cheers

(M)ary said...

OMG! I love peeling paint too. peeling paint is like a snowflake...each one is different.

do you want to see my shed? the paint is peeling wicked on it and i can't bring myself to scrape it off and repaint it.

Cheesy said...

Loved the knobs! Probably because I AM a knob~~~

Queenie said...

Love the one with the teardrop window, very Art-Deco. Math and I are fascinated by old buildings, windows and doors tell you so much..

TorAa said...

Fascinating.
I'm also looking at doors.
They are both your Welcome and your Excit.

btw. Hope to come stronger back to comment your wondeful posts.