tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2604610488570367272024-03-18T20:18:31.401-07:00testwebMShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-87782059110988243782017-12-27T20:29:00.000-08:002018-01-04T20:18:41.778-08:00Highlighting The Not-So-Lost Arts: Allan T. Adams - Architectural IllustratorI have previously noted how much I have always enjoyed the work of <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Sydney R. Jones</span></b> (1881-1966) whose fabulous illustrations grace the pages of books like<i> The Manor Houses of England, The Village Homes of England, Old Houses in Holland</i> and <i>How to Draw Houses</i>, which I have previously <a href="http://thelonggallery.blogspot.com/2009/11/old-books-sydney-jones-64-page-treatise.html" target="_blank">highlighted on this site</a>. In a similar fashion, I have also collected some of the works by <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">R. J. Brown</span></b>, whose pen-and-ink drawings of vernacular houses and village buildings add so much to the descriptions found in <i>English Village Architecture, English Farmhouses</i>, and <i>The English Country Cottage.</i><br />
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In this age of photography and wondrous digital effects, the sublime results that can be gained via the illustrator’s trained hand are often forgotten. Yet there are few substitutes for the range of evocative feelings that can be elicited from a fine pencil or pen-and-ink drawing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Allan T. Adams - Illustrator</span></td></tr>
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Recently I have had the opportunity to marvel at the skill of an architectural illustrator who has found his way onto my Twitter feed—<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Allan T. Adams</span></b>. Just as I was thinking that the only source of fine illustrations of ancient English buildings were old books, his work has renewed my enthusiasm for this art form and provided much enjoyment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PvNFdOLnEZtruOMVqMPOw5hFN_1B-fb343jevEp3pHMBOrI9i-7sXteioVL4NtT4W7L3d_MaRx0_zshLU2OwMO2egJz0sf8Cc8gAzGQBjvNkVGuFFmvr809BLW2qrw9ZLv4U9waLDR4/s1600/ADAMS+FOLLY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="611" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PvNFdOLnEZtruOMVqMPOw5hFN_1B-fb343jevEp3pHMBOrI9i-7sXteioVL4NtT4W7L3d_MaRx0_zshLU2OwMO2egJz0sf8Cc8gAzGQBjvNkVGuFFmvr809BLW2qrw9ZLv4U9waLDR4/s640/ADAMS+FOLLY.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Allen T. Adams - Illustrator</span></td></tr>
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Mr. Adams has much experience illustrating historic buildings, as he is retired from <b><a href="https://historicengland.org.uk/" target="_blank">Historic England</a></b> (formerly English Heritage) having worked on a number of projects, such as reconstruction drawings. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Allen T. Adams - Illustrator</span></td></tr>
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He has been illustrating historic buildings since 1981--creating drawn records for archive purposes, and illustrating books and other publications. His widely-recognized skill and experience eventually led to his election as a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2008.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Allen T. Adams - Illustrator</span></td></tr>
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I will share just a few examples of his very fine work here; as you can see, he is highly skilled in sharply-detailed pen-and-ink drawings as well as exquisite watercolour illustrations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Allen T. Adams - Illustrator</span></td></tr>
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Mr. Adams has a member page on the <b>Society of Architectural Illustrators</b> site <a href="http://www.sai.org.uk/member/allantadams/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> as well as a <b>Flicker</b> page <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56545646@N07/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>. <br />
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You will also be well-rewarded by following him on <b>Twitter</b> at <span style="color: blue;">@allantadams</span> -- where he regularly shares examples of his illustrative work.<br />
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<br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-24043147591367933992017-12-13T19:00:00.000-08:002018-01-04T20:19:56.960-08:00Stan Hywet Celebrates with Deck The Halls 2017One of the highlights of the local holiday season is Stan Hywet’s annual Deck The Halls celebration, which is one of Ohio’s largest and most spectacular holiday traditions. The celebration runs from <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">December 14-23</span></b> and <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">December 26-30.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">A million lights ensure that the holiday season always remains merry and bright.</span></td></tr>
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The former Seiberling estate is illuminated inside and out with over ONE MILLION lights and this year, the historic Manor House is decorated and inspired by the theme of Postcards from the Past. DAZZLE is a fantastic outdoor light show choreographed to three new songs this year and Gingerbread Land, the popular play garden has also been “dressed up” for the holiday season as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOcmIcMCSGeRrTnr9GhNkK75YWf701GrFkkvcMDm6-SB-ZPk6x65fXkvwSgt_d8WAi9hbjRUhBpMOuspUUqECaXPb6DMj8v1MKIPknM4WOZqeHL9kBvySyBZHTWrSMbBErWmv-_muCV4/s1600/stan-hywetgreat-hallarticle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="470" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOcmIcMCSGeRrTnr9GhNkK75YWf701GrFkkvcMDm6-SB-ZPk6x65fXkvwSgt_d8WAi9hbjRUhBpMOuspUUqECaXPb6DMj8v1MKIPknM4WOZqeHL9kBvySyBZHTWrSMbBErWmv-_muCV4/s640/stan-hywetgreat-hallarticle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">As always, the Great Hall is decked out in its holiday finest.</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">This year, the celebration is bigger and better than ever, and includes:</span></b><br />
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•Nightly tree lighting at 5:30pm. After Christmas, look for the Gingerbread Man.<br />
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•Live music in the Music Room, courtesy of area choirs and musicians.<br />
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•Self-guided tours of the Manor House included in ticket purchase.<br />
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•Freshly baked gingerbread cookies, savory warm pretzels, cocoa, hot cider, beer and wine for purchase in the Courtyard.<br />
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•Enjoy all of the above treats at the cozy warming fire in the Courtyard.<br />
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•Visit with Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the Corral in the Courtyard.<br />
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•Take a family photo at two featured photo spots—perfect for that family holiday picture.<br />
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•Marvel at our new animated Gingerbread Bakeshop Window in the Courtyard.<br />
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•The tropical Corbin Conservatory is beautifully decorated for Christmas with a 20ft poinsettia tree.<br />
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•Shop for unique holiday gifts in Molly’s Shop. <br />
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•Enjoy light fare or a sweet treat in Molly’s Café after your tour.<br />
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For more information, go to: <a href="http://www.stanhywet.org/"><b>www.stanhywet.org</b></a><br />
<br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-15481698886680062672017-12-11T18:07:00.000-08:002018-01-04T17:54:47.071-08:00Christmas Comes and The Cats Carry On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As Christmas approaches this year, I’m rather happy that I have managed to keep ahead of the holiday decorating. When the children were small, I usually started breaking out Christmas trees, lights, nutcrackers and all the other holiday gimcracks on the day after Thanksgiving, in the hope that I could get the balance of it done by the end of that weekend. As they have grown up (and one has left home) my efforts have gradually slipped into early-December; while there are some traditional decorations that <i>must</i> go up every year, there are always a few that have been forgotten or fallen out of favor. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AqSLH7E02WTdWnlwEbw4kQpGisSRbGZaW3sFY8EKs17Qp85gEBCHrNGqUyx309wZehPe5y9zrZ8Y39Vxo9FBtBsHt7OFwOxLT4xG32EG5hdJYJqv4Z7OAlMDgwLGpzn_84fPCv2e-Ag/s1600/army.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AqSLH7E02WTdWnlwEbw4kQpGisSRbGZaW3sFY8EKs17Qp85gEBCHrNGqUyx309wZehPe5y9zrZ8Y39Vxo9FBtBsHt7OFwOxLT4xG32EG5hdJYJqv4Z7OAlMDgwLGpzn_84fPCv2e-Ag/s1600/army.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Nutcracker Army stands at attention. I think the cats find them intimidating.</span></td></tr>
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One year, we had four full-size Christmas trees in the house—the primary tree in the bay window in the front room, the traditional “children's tree” (covered with Disney, Muppet, Looney Tunes etc.) in the family room, a basic "lights-and-balls” tree in the sun porch, and a large old tree passed down from my in-laws, which was erected in the basement one year and covered with tinsel, white lights and a host of those old-fashioned, blown-glass German-style bulbs. That was not long after we moved into the house; we had the basement partially fixed-up for kids to play in, and we invited all my aunts, uncles and cousins over. Note: <i>My mother was from a family of twelve, and I have at least 64 first-cousins, so you may understand when I tell you we only did this <u>once</u>.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The foyer, with it's nutcrackers and much-abused floor.</span></td></tr>
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Currently we had been hosting my three older brothers and their families for Christmas on a rotating basis every three years—now my nephews and nieces are beginning to join the entertaining queue, since it has become more of a challenge for my aging siblings and the younger generations are eager to pick up the slack. This is an “off” year for us, but we do plan on doing some entertaining over the holidays, and our daughter will also be coming home from Manhattan Christmas week. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Captain of the Guard needs a candy dish.</span></td></tr>
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As I write this, I have the main tree in the front room finished and most all the interior decorations are out, including the small army of nutcrackers that inhabit the foyer every December. Last on the list is the “children's tree” which we will finish up by this weekend. The exterior of the house is ready too; since we have lived in two-story homes, I always avoided string-lights and gone with colored outdoor flood lights, which my father always seemed to prefer, too. My wife always chides me that I am taking the easy way out, but I find the end result rather pleasing. We also add some red candle-lights in the upstairs windows along with wreaths and faux pine garland on the front door, coach lights and fences on either side of the house, to finish things off. Some past years I had tossed in some string lights in the shrubs out front, or on the small dogwood outside our front door, but I lacked the motivation to undertake this chore in 2017.<br />
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Thankfully, our cats have not seriously disrupted our holiday decorating schemes. Our black cat has occasionally managed to insert herself into the family room tree and stretch out across some of the lower interior branches, where her yellow eyes can sometimes be seen glaring at us from deep within. The tree is, however, quite sturdy, and up till now this has not been an issue; but as she continues to grow older and fatter, I resolve to take more notice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The tree in the front window. Safe for now.</span></td></tr>
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The very young cat that I rescued from the arborvitae in the backyard around Labor Day has been thoroughly assimilated into our household, and while she initially took great interest in knocking off some small bells and a couple of ornaments from the tree in the front room (and thoroughly disheveling the tree skirt) her interest has lagged somewhat over the last week, and I have been happy to find no new shiny things on the carpet or under the coffee table.<br />
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One issue that I did note was the condition of the oak floor in the foyer, which usually gets some tending to prior to the deployment of the Nutcracker Army. Last year, the floor got a solid going-over, as our old tomcat, Percy, had inflicted numerous small scratches at the foot of the stairs, where he scrambles to make the turn and head up to the second floor. Some cleaning, touch-up with a color-matched marker and a coat of sealant had it looking almost as good as new.<br />
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You may ask why we do not just have him de-clawed; he went to the veterinarian about a year ago since it was clear he was not feeling well. We asked to have him de-clawed, whereupon they told my wife that would be too stressful for him. As an alternative, they removed <i>all of his teeth,</i> which I imagined would be a great deal more stressful, but they insisted his dental work was in poor shape and causing him significant discomfort. Who was I to question?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi9yvgnbibKP8d0sPflMpyL3a5KhchZM5d4YIPqLCRtSIr3SE_aJTQU9qggGt87PmpQpOfxIgRKyQRIrwltnbMikoWJLqkE5_3eudOEBZW8u7ryCTRVmc3HlgUvf-2dHoaDIaTFd1lr0/s1600/cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi9yvgnbibKP8d0sPflMpyL3a5KhchZM5d4YIPqLCRtSIr3SE_aJTQU9qggGt87PmpQpOfxIgRKyQRIrwltnbMikoWJLqkE5_3eudOEBZW8u7ryCTRVmc3HlgUvf-2dHoaDIaTFd1lr0/s1600/cats.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Percy and his adopted little sister, Itty Bitty, behaving themselves.</span></td></tr>
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Which brings me back to the floor—<i>sorry for the digression</i>—which has come under further attack now that the young cat and Percy regularly chase each other up and down the stairs. I was aghast as I held my face above the floor with marker in hand, trying to hide the scratches and gouges they had inflicted upon it. About a half-hour later, I was satisfied, and the wood looked much better. For now, there is little trace of the cats’ mischief, other than when I walk into the foyer and see the carpet runners skewed at various angles or pushed up against the wall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz9tWxrznRgO2ky3sEfVGwQhGLKhuu0WAPIQHDXVP1Zg0svBrvlsRSSNUu68u5ZiMpp9V48OoBBW8gwtlu6TJR-xVwdBsxOyzK5AlqUPnYc_4lwbqc3DGuO6Ax-Fs_A66Xnp73iJI2h0/s1600/rugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz9tWxrznRgO2ky3sEfVGwQhGLKhuu0WAPIQHDXVP1Zg0svBrvlsRSSNUu68u5ZiMpp9V48OoBBW8gwtlu6TJR-xVwdBsxOyzK5AlqUPnYc_4lwbqc3DGuO6Ax-Fs_A66Xnp73iJI2h0/s1600/rugs.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">What the foyer looks like when the cats are not behaving themselves.</span><br />
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Over the coming days, perhaps I will post a few of those beauty vignettes that I see on so many home and design blogs. Then again, I may doze off in a fat chair, with a book on my lap and a glass of ale by my side, and forget to do so. We shall see.<br />
<br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-54937632382698057252017-12-10T06:48:00.000-08:002018-01-04T20:20:21.081-08:00The Carlton Tavern: A Pub Worth SavingWhen I think of an English Pub, many things come to mind, but as often as not, it’s usually something like the Carlton Tavern Pub, in York. This Victorian-era pub, with its lively Tudor-revival exterior, sits amongst mature trees in a very attractive area. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6PbV5R6RI8uELWWho964iisqDm514Oht_Mkj54v2JyPAqFvN9L_gnZbT10XzFTsE7d4Z9dq6c9fYRN-l-piOe1sq3Rkbbaw5FPO54r5C6wvY0wnosSvbBpfSeVsP1GYtfcMLrLk026Y/s1600/carl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6PbV5R6RI8uELWWho964iisqDm514Oht_Mkj54v2JyPAqFvN9L_gnZbT10XzFTsE7d4Z9dq6c9fYRN-l-piOe1sq3Rkbbaw5FPO54r5C6wvY0wnosSvbBpfSeVsP1GYtfcMLrLk026Y/s640/carl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The Carlton Tavern in York is under threat. Clearly a pub well worth saving.</span></td></tr>
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Unfortunately, the pub has never been designated as a heritage asset, which is why it was recently slated for demolition as part of a luxury residential care-home scheme. Without reasonable consideration of options that would enable the building to be kept, the City of York Council had approved the structure’s demolition at their Planning Committee meeting in October, with a tie vote of 6-6 swung by the Committee Leader. <br />
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Fortunately, close scrutiny of the decision-making on the part of the Victorian Society as well as local residents has resulted in the Council going for an unprecedented re-vote on this issue. To facilitate the pub’s preservation, a purchase proposal has been put forward to refurbish the pub and provide holiday accommodation for race goers and visitors to York, as well as a community pub, restaurant and deli. <br />
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With a re-vote set for the 13th of December, the slightest of opportunities now exist to ensure that Councillors fully grasp the historic and economic significance of the Carlton Tavern. If you live nearby and have a voice, it is your opportunity to be heard! <br />
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Link: <i><a href="https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-carlton-tavern-pub-acomb" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Save The Pub!</span></b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">38 Degrees Campaign</span></a></i>MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-92161355560543635232017-12-02T06:36:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:57:23.490-08:00Remembering a Rubber Baron: The O'Neil HouseNot too long ago I had the opportunity to visit the O’Neil House, a landmark Akron estate that had been converted in to a very fine Bed & Breakfast some years ago. This magnificent Tudor-revival home, which is located on the city’s west side, was originally built as the home for the family of William O'Neil, founder of The General Tire Company and the son of Michael O’Neil, founder of Akron’s leading department store. The 19-room mansion sits proudly at the corner of West Exchange Street and Mull Avenue, on a well-manicured, park-like spot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1PJkepzWY4qKlcgZWEjjvckyZbkaD1dHPxS3nu8J9mPH5xZlE2cDK14FYT-4kI086ix3oqjz7loOMWpP5tUwGIhOJX9Obu2DREaNnwIbhyphenhyphenxYPN_ecZJUl2lCNzWMuu-cXuQvrrzotMc/s1600/on+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="523" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1PJkepzWY4qKlcgZWEjjvckyZbkaD1dHPxS3nu8J9mPH5xZlE2cDK14FYT-4kI086ix3oqjz7loOMWpP5tUwGIhOJX9Obu2DREaNnwIbhyphenhyphenxYPN_ecZJUl2lCNzWMuu-cXuQvrrzotMc/s640/on+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">A wide, curved driveway sweeps across the front of the house.</span></td></tr>
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While there is plenty of craftsmanship and solid design evident in the home, there is no pretentiousness about the house, which is spacious, warm and welcoming. The foyer features a beautiful staircase and walls covered in linenfold paneling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKhWtBJq3rZbrmKxMFuxzO5Ix0jCqBkivjczavHS1lo3h6G-LOsKIDhwXtVlVH6E_sYWK9Kzb5q5HGIccVK5VUOgC5c9x_0JJH2ZKag9bo802S6q840C9mwxqOhRpWB-G7jLyMCa6Jv0/s1600/on+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKhWtBJq3rZbrmKxMFuxzO5Ix0jCqBkivjczavHS1lo3h6G-LOsKIDhwXtVlVH6E_sYWK9Kzb5q5HGIccVK5VUOgC5c9x_0JJH2ZKag9bo802S6q840C9mwxqOhRpWB-G7jLyMCa6Jv0/s1600/on+5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The home's foyer features walls covered in warm linenfold paneling.</span></td></tr>
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Just off the foyer is a wood-paneled library, filled with books, comfortable furniture and a large fireplace. It’s easy to imagine spending the better part of a day here reading and relaxing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>The large living room is a great place to entertain—wood-paneled like the other rooms and large enough to accommodate a grand piano in one corner. A large Tudor-arched fireplace is slightly recessed into one wall, balance by a big bay window across the room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgls3u5b4e2ce2ZWpY1cXYduuTgK31rOXOW7r57Zfc-e0xdpCwQ_q4N_B4FNv2lFZrbKSFhUmscHMnw-VmZuM2jV6rr2nJVXYrvyrH9TIGBULo3cilgH7uXssaSPM6GiV0n5Vowphs5Y/s1600/on+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgls3u5b4e2ce2ZWpY1cXYduuTgK31rOXOW7r57Zfc-e0xdpCwQ_q4N_B4FNv2lFZrbKSFhUmscHMnw-VmZuM2jV6rr2nJVXYrvyrH9TIGBULo3cilgH7uXssaSPM6GiV0n5Vowphs5Y/s1600/on+3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The library boasts walls of books, fine woodwork and a fireplace.</span></td></tr>
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The home’s dining room is a vivid blue, and incorporates a more formal, classically-styled design—providing a clearly different feel from the other ground floor rooms. This was not an uncommon approach in early 20th Century homes, where owners and architects often felt free to utilize alternative styles (French, Georgian, Colonial) within an otherwise Tudor-revival house. A similar example of this approach can be found in some of the upstairs bedrooms at Stan Hywet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_osVfPh7IG0YEcYXz2BYj-qbzAd-g9ct-JxZhPz73Frbx43MpAn57N2Ywk34D1gapTrkJBlGKPNzxcAwnZir6U8glvO1HWLszXLzJikxzEVFj6BU3vyETD18SEqhIGjURyJczsAOZ8zA/s1600/on+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_osVfPh7IG0YEcYXz2BYj-qbzAd-g9ct-JxZhPz73Frbx43MpAn57N2Ywk34D1gapTrkJBlGKPNzxcAwnZir6U8glvO1HWLszXLzJikxzEVFj6BU3vyETD18SEqhIGjURyJczsAOZ8zA/s1600/on+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">I loved how this fireplace in the living room was nestled into a slight recess</span></td></tr>
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Located at the end of the living room, the home’s garden room is another fascinating, Tudor-inspired space, with high, beamed ceilings, large decorative leaded windows and another welcoming fireplace. It’s a great place for meetings and gatherings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yDoX0Sq_rhX3AWjIaI4bwTZHZyGI7RKGyM1PjgmWohis-oSY0VTv7kZ-Nik2urbj36N92LP3qViyS_xZz2QJCISYddloNLrcyiAtk3Dad_DODueWDxmc9N0oRDhMysnT27NZYID0xVQ/s1600/on+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yDoX0Sq_rhX3AWjIaI4bwTZHZyGI7RKGyM1PjgmWohis-oSY0VTv7kZ-Nik2urbj36N92LP3qViyS_xZz2QJCISYddloNLrcyiAtk3Dad_DODueWDxmc9N0oRDhMysnT27NZYID0xVQ/s1600/on+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The vivid blue walls and the style of this dining room clearly set it apart.</span></td></tr>
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Gayle Johnson, the Owner and Innkeeper, was gracious enough to give me a quick look around a few of the upstairs bedrooms. Since the house is very large, I was slightly surprised when she noted there were just four guest accommodations—but three of these are suites, which include an additional sitting room almost as large as the bed chambers and separate full bathrooms. The largest suite, for families, includes three separate bedrooms and an extra half-bath for good measure, while the large single bedroom available has its own separate bath as well. The master suite bathroom, with its original fixtures and gleaming Vitrolite glass tilework, is an Art Deco treat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogKdTWdGjK4hgGSSEUijbsiuV2mLWYa4j7qEOy2z7S4o0q4SaDsg3drB6Q4t_SgDhRf99WMWAhm72UAOWSToQL1z6KflbUF7W680Tlj5IZ79dYOTf3fFrBqYQVp-v7po-tM_GCwlOtB0/s1600/on+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogKdTWdGjK4hgGSSEUijbsiuV2mLWYa4j7qEOy2z7S4o0q4SaDsg3drB6Q4t_SgDhRf99WMWAhm72UAOWSToQL1z6KflbUF7W680Tlj5IZ79dYOTf3fFrBqYQVp-v7po-tM_GCwlOtB0/s1600/on+6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">This beer-stein carrying elf graced the windows of the garden room.</span></td></tr>
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Open year-round, The O’Neil House is truly one of Akron’s treasures and a historic reminder of an era when the Rubber Barons ruled. Room prices range from $75-$200 and a gourmet breakfast is included for guests. <span style="color: #990000;">More information can be found <a href="http://www.oneilhouse.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.</span><br />
<br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-46716417479443760822017-11-26T20:27:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:52.451-08:00In Praise of The Pargetter's Art (updated)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt634pBoIuuXefCYLpX8nPYzai6RdZ_X7uhOEIcDK0Ee2JZFSgPN0rBoCUhU_UTHEP5VA7CR98ccKE-AX6XAqddEDrz9ZkA22KFB0iEd34pVltYNpj49D4AFC3jTx9B1eayM1XvEEv_U/s1600/parg+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt634pBoIuuXefCYLpX8nPYzai6RdZ_X7uhOEIcDK0Ee2JZFSgPN0rBoCUhU_UTHEP5VA7CR98ccKE-AX6XAqddEDrz9ZkA22KFB0iEd34pVltYNpj49D4AFC3jTx9B1eayM1XvEEv_U/s400/parg+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Pargetting can be very bold in concept & execution, as seen in this example.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Pargetting is one of the less-common elements found in Tudor and Elizabethan buildings. Perhaps the inherent nature of exterior plasterwork and its comparative durability vs. brick, timber and stone makes this inevitable - but there are still existing examples to be found dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. New or old, it is always a delightful feature whenever it is found.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDQarZpLR9UFNkjU-EItm2UEiDJytgQyKdofiwFR22201mmgssIo2_vHtdPjDralRWXiYvb4taQ820lSdiHkiH1tILPPNqdwlZsJzscFJRzghfTBWQLtELDJEt4mwroGsXrZ3C_ysPqE/s1600/parge+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="355" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDQarZpLR9UFNkjU-EItm2UEiDJytgQyKdofiwFR22201mmgssIo2_vHtdPjDralRWXiYvb4taQ820lSdiHkiH1tILPPNqdwlZsJzscFJRzghfTBWQLtELDJEt4mwroGsXrZ3C_ysPqE/s400/parge+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Any number of natural or stylized designs and motifs can be found in plaster.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The term Pargetting derives from the word 'parget', an old Middle English term that is probably derived from the ancient French 'pargeter' / 'parjeter', which means to to throw about, or 'porgeter'- to roughcast a wall. With the ‘wattle and daub’ method of construction (since pargetting is really best suitable for a lathed and timbered backing) the craft became an important and integral part of the building trade until bricks became more freely available. The term is more usually applied only to the decoration in relief of the plastering between the studwork on the outside of half-timber houses, or sometimes covering the whole wall. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />In some cases, the pargetter would press the moulds of wet plaster (usually a mixture of slaked lime, sand, hair and the inevitable ‘secret ingredient’, known only to individual craftsmen) to the house exterior until it was fixed. In other examples, the ornate plasterwork is done in-situ totally freehand, in the still-wet lime render. In this case, the work is roughly outlined with a small trowel and then built up with the addition of hair in the lime plaster. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfITHNzrhpxGbkzDjJU6AvQB-fAp7Hwld4lOZQtO3t0NQQSryOX9II2v5U_DlWpiPkvpi_aHum32vDBB9fswDU8vZ9U1Q2ldsOkTWTSqYwRAAfsIqIDGU8VmFnt5nFftANXbji-ZHKoo8/s1600/parge+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="500" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfITHNzrhpxGbkzDjJU6AvQB-fAp7Hwld4lOZQtO3t0NQQSryOX9II2v5U_DlWpiPkvpi_aHum32vDBB9fswDU8vZ9U1Q2ldsOkTWTSqYwRAAfsIqIDGU8VmFnt5nFftANXbji-ZHKoo8/s400/parge+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">A particularly exuberant example of exterior pargetting.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The work is then brushed back into the wall to smooth it out and finally finished with a lime wash. Pargetting patterns came in a variety of forms including friezes (using ribbons of chevrons, scallops, fantails or dots); often there are overall frames enclosing motifs, geometrical or floral designs, and coats of arms. Occasionally devices were stamped on the wet plaster in varying degrees of relief, and work in the time of Elizabeth I of England will often represent figures, birds and foliage.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4UmCG8GvkqvSpxdKOethm04kHXtRjNutE0INmSjpeRKnac-G1prRIGzT6m_Ma3t3cx_aUDuvIhm-iRdV1xL-iWc4aaWFKDJOQhAaztphE8STJ0mFDTMWCzPGvhbEwNbw1F9NMSpnv-c/s1600/bill+s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="487" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4UmCG8GvkqvSpxdKOethm04kHXtRjNutE0INmSjpeRKnac-G1prRIGzT6m_Ma3t3cx_aUDuvIhm-iRdV1xL-iWc4aaWFKDJOQhAaztphE8STJ0mFDTMWCzPGvhbEwNbw1F9NMSpnv-c/s400/bill+s.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Today's craftsmen carry on an ages-old tradition. <em>(Courtesy of The Pargetting Company)</em></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Today, the Pargetter's art is kept alive by experienced craftsmen like Bill Sargent, based in Mid-Suffolk, who has been practicing pargetting and decorative plasterwork since the 1960's. Amongst the highest regarded pargetters in the country, Bill's work can be seen in Suffolk, Essex, Kent and Norfolk. He handles most all areas of Conservation Plasterwork and pargetting (also spelled pargeting) including conservation plastering for listed buildings, Lime washing, Lime plastering (mouldings etc.) Arches, Lime floors and Brick stone and slate work.<br /><br />Note: <span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;"><em>This article was recently updated with new images, due to the fact that the original featured a gallery hosted on Jux.com, which was shut down a few years ago.</em></span><br /><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;"><br /><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></em></span></em>MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-90616567447510898522017-11-18T06:59:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:52.655-08:00NYC Exhibition Highlights Downton Abbey Sets, Costumes and MoreJust came across this story from Houzz about a new exhibition in New York City that opens today, the 18th, and runs through January 31st at 218 W. 57th. Having visited Highclere Castle--where the Downton Abbey series was filmed--the exhibition fills in some of the show-oriented details that aren't evident when visiting the historic house. Click on the photo below for the complete story.<br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Downton Abbey: The Exhibition</b></span><br /><b>When:</b> Nov. 18 through Jan. 31, 2018<br /><b>Where:</b> 218 W. 57th St., New York City<br /><b>Cost:</b> Starts at $30 <br /><br /><div id="hzroot7098887" style="border: 0; font-size: 12px; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center; width: 380px;"><div style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 3px;"><a href="https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/96201809/list/downton-abbey-comes-to-the-big-apple" target="_blank">Downton Abbey Comes to the Big Apple</a></div><div style="border: 0; margin-bottom: 3px; margin: 0; padding: 0;"><iframe border="0" data-hzvt="MjAxNzExMTg6MjY2OTp2aWV3R2FsbGVyeQ==" frameborder="0" id="HouzzWidget5404894" name="HouzzWidget5404894" scrolling="NO" src="https://www.houzz.com/jsGalleryWidget/gallery/96201809//new_window=yes/title_on=yes/width=380" style="border: 0 none; height: 380px; width: 380px;"></iframe></div></div>MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-71902232731932218452017-11-13T19:13:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:52.858-08:00VISITS: Highlights of Highclere CastleBack in May, I provided a brief overview of this year’s UK trip, which centered around London and areas close by. One of our stops was at <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Highclere Castle</span></strong>, the home of Lord and Lady Carnarvon, and the house made famous by the <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>Downton Abbey</em></span></strong> TV Series. Thankfully, the great success of the show has increased the number of visitors over the years to such an extent that many needed repairs have been made. Ongoing restoration continues, and many educational and tourist programs have been added as well.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4UDSKKNqvJqmXzVOhqDpEHbmuj_NYj-NixaDFiUsSbddhA-9sFYk0vX0CDTQKQ6lLq9anxsJgRyiGls0uKHY6cWGCqcnWcDoO0YSVnJnS8a2a4cktavSIKYxQssYT1x3_SGJvqiLdzI/s1600/high+lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="640" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4UDSKKNqvJqmXzVOhqDpEHbmuj_NYj-NixaDFiUsSbddhA-9sFYk0vX0CDTQKQ6lLq9anxsJgRyiGls0uKHY6cWGCqcnWcDoO0YSVnJnS8a2a4cktavSIKYxQssYT1x3_SGJvqiLdzI/s400/high+lauren.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A little rain shower did not diminish my daughter's enthusiasm for the tour.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>While perhaps not my first choice, I succumbed to the desires of my wife and daughter to go see the house, which I had first read about in Mark Girouard’s book, <em>The Victorian Country House</em>. Designed by architect Charles Barry, and featuring a park designed by Capability Brown. The 5,000-acre estate is in Hampshire, about 5 miles south of Newbury, Berkshire. Reportedly the original site of the home was recorded in the Domesday Book, and the first house was built on the foundations of the medieval palace of the Bishops of Winchester, who owned this estate from the 8th century. Highclere has been home to the Earls of Carnarvon and their forebears since 1679.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />What was originally a mansion built in the classical style was totally redesigned by Barry in 1839–1842, during his construction of the Houses of Parliament. It was re-worked in a Jacobethan style, with some Italianate touches.<br /><br />We visited on a dreary day marked by on-and-off drizzle and showers; upon arriving we discovered that our scheduled tour of the gardens had been cancelled as a result, but a substitute tour of the Egyptian artifacts and displays would be provided. This was fine by me, since ancient Egypt had always been an interest of mine, and we were all aware of the 5th Earl’s co-discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the legend of its curse.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MPTzQZcqzgh4KPfSkK6Q108Ka9TBBWS_6S5cEcJz-cMLwHamyjtjisdwdDF4JVw1EBtzQsBOJOC-D9tn5-dfeHx4l8yQJsAgiHTwSVsyHzMF_g910Et9bi7ehguEdhFPLzsYPCGrzPA/s1600/hi+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="640" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MPTzQZcqzgh4KPfSkK6Q108Ka9TBBWS_6S5cEcJz-cMLwHamyjtjisdwdDF4JVw1EBtzQsBOJOC-D9tn5-dfeHx4l8yQJsAgiHTwSVsyHzMF_g910Et9bi7ehguEdhFPLzsYPCGrzPA/s400/hi+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I found the service wing at the rear of the house to be interesting as well.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>We entered by the rear of the home for this tour, and I must note that the service part of the house at the rear is almost as interesting as the front. Built in an ancient-looking red brick, in a simpler, Tudor-inspired style, it welcomed us out of the rain and then down a long, dark hall toward the display rooms inside. We found the Egyptian displays fascinating—many were original and authentic, while most all the better-known examples were exact copies of the originals, which are now in museums.<br /><br />After the tour, we made our way through the guest tea room and out to a large hospitality tent that was set up just behind the house. Here, with approximately 100 other visitors and guests, we were treated to a very nice box lunch as it continued to rain outside. Indeed, the event scheduling caused us to have a great deal of time to fill between the Egyptian display and our tour, which was to include a presentation covering Jane Austen’s association with the Highclere and the literature and popular culture of the early 19th century. Eventually we made our way back into the house, relaxed in the tea room briefly (with a beer) and then were called back out to the front door of the house for our tour.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYk4vv5d3BPFsfDMI7gByhieaisLuVxofTAV1ihbuL4HFPlqI1-MnJPXsMvYIoNVTc47Lf5tbu0wW1dEdnyhk_ug0JFA8uaCt6TvBnbzCyDN040whQhukVmsaL0gKwtrLstvpnwQkAza4/s1600/hi+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="582" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYk4vv5d3BPFsfDMI7gByhieaisLuVxofTAV1ihbuL4HFPlqI1-MnJPXsMvYIoNVTc47Lf5tbu0wW1dEdnyhk_ug0JFA8uaCt6TvBnbzCyDN040whQhukVmsaL0gKwtrLstvpnwQkAza4/s320/hi+corner.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>We were ushered through the front door and into the soaring central hall of the house, which fans of the TV show would instantly recognize. It is a grand space, to be sure, but it also seemed smaller to me that I had expected, based on photographs I had seen. This did not diminish it in any way, as I found the scale to be more human and more comfortable anyway. We sat with a group of about 60 people and enjoyed the historical presentation, which was provided by Jane Austen scholars and two vocalists dressed in early 19th century garb, who sang a selection of period songs. Not my favorite period in terms of music, but it was highly enjoyable, just the same.<br /><br />This was all followed by a tour of the principal rooms on the ground floor of the house, and a few bedrooms on the first floor. Apparently, we were asked not to take photos inside the house, as I could not find any on my phone. That said, the interiors—which would be immediately recognizable to fans of Downton Abbey, were all in fine form, and very impressive. We can all be thankful to the efforts of Lord and Lady Carnarvon in maintaining and restoring this fine example of Victorian architecture.<br /><br /><span style="color: purple;"><strong>Visit Highclere</strong></span> / <span style="color: #0b5394;">Information Here: [<strong><a href="https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Official Site</a></strong>]</span><br /><br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-51552130592305772432017-11-05T19:00:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:53.062-08:00Tudor House Continues to Serve Portage Lakes as a Community Treasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_oPkHVocydzwG4D2vjRftyiyql9XVXXu633exp_vFsW94EOO7b7v7Asw_vQ936YQaJbMIuYQ1HopxTmPoBMAFUX-yJ1dlrEUFvPNtD796WenT0811MvD4L4bsAnFO4WgbE1gJgVUzBc/s1600/tudhse2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="705" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_oPkHVocydzwG4D2vjRftyiyql9XVXXu633exp_vFsW94EOO7b7v7Asw_vQ936YQaJbMIuYQ1HopxTmPoBMAFUX-yJ1dlrEUFvPNtD796WenT0811MvD4L4bsAnFO4WgbE1gJgVUzBc/s400/tudhse2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>When Frank Mason, a senior executive of the B. F. Goodrich, built this grand home on Turkeyfoot Lake and gave it to his grandson and his newlywed wife, Zeletta Robinson, he may not have dreamed that it would one day be a local civic center. Today, the Frank Mason Raymond home—known locally as Tudor House—or the Franklin park Civic Center, continues to charm guests as a serves as a popular wedding, meeting and banquet facility, often available without charge to non-profit organizations.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yb5CdfZ_tsqSA7rIRJJM4ehuZ9LjLU0ShOwyGDpD2slwP7YGC6ks7a7fejy4X2LhMctING4aSKaWMEXTof9WY3RvBzqvmjNz1EqXmi7AEff-oH_RygLHxlPA8upl8WNTB0vI5ZRJmTo/s1600/tudhse1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="679" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yb5CdfZ_tsqSA7rIRJJM4ehuZ9LjLU0ShOwyGDpD2slwP7YGC6ks7a7fejy4X2LhMctING4aSKaWMEXTof9WY3RvBzqvmjNz1EqXmi7AEff-oH_RygLHxlPA8upl8WNTB0vI5ZRJmTo/s400/tudhse1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Located at 655 Latham Lane, in the Portage Lakes area of New Franklin, the beautiful 20-room, 2 ½ story, brick and stucco mansion sits on 5.8 acres, adjacent to Portage Lakes State Park, and has 335 feet of frontage on the west shore of the lake.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Built in 1927 by local builders William F., Samuel G. and G. Edward Schweikert, the home is a distinctive example of the Tudor Revival style of architecture, with its arched doorways, carved wood staircase, prominent Tudor arch fireplace with oak paneling, and exposed beams in the living room. Typical of so many large houses of this type, it displays a rambling, asymmetrical composition—designed to appear as though rooms have been added on over many years. The exterior also reflects Tudor design elements, with its gabled front entry, featuring stone trim, massive stone and brick chimneys, slate roof with prominent cross gables, and copper gutters. The gardens include an embanked grotto, constructed of stone.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4SVqnGjrxDCExpZH1DP3L-XBMEv95rzuEqTI7R_A_pX9vYeZ6uWWHMJOPLP5ZnlxEA-Ph4XJbIGaNsrcPlWv7vB8Q-NpntYyyiGYsVHF92s6lK8EGYQZ-WBg2TRTPJ4lzo9vUGSaHdM/s1600/Spots-Lakes-tour-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="523" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4SVqnGjrxDCExpZH1DP3L-XBMEv95rzuEqTI7R_A_pX9vYeZ6uWWHMJOPLP5ZnlxEA-Ph4XJbIGaNsrcPlWv7vB8Q-NpntYyyiGYsVHF92s6lK8EGYQZ-WBg2TRTPJ4lzo9vUGSaHdM/s400/Spots-Lakes-tour-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After the Raymonds moved to Bath, northwest of Akron, Tudor House was rented by Goodrich VP George Vaught and his family. In 1943, prominent Akron jeweler Henry B. Ball and his wife, Helen, bought the mansion. They lived there for 25 years with their children, Skip and Betty (Mrs. Dick Walter) who was married at the mansion. From 1968 to 1974, Akron contractor Robert Fabbro and his family of six children occupied the home. In 1974, it was sold to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and in July 1977, a 50-year lease was signed with the State for the facilities to be used as a civic center.<br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-71134753995250621692017-11-03T18:43:00.000-07:002018-01-04T16:15:53.264-08:00OUT FRONT: Fences and Flower Beds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVX-9ZCXifM1VECdoXEqsGrMCHJsVnAH5cGG80xS-sJtwPwZxbQqv7ETtf5N007EBvjI3KonpaRHLvf8cgi9GfnwHqHnQ-2OrWeUXN7wYfouQFDVM_bLSi7b2GAgvcG8dVK75-Q3XlB3g/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVX-9ZCXifM1VECdoXEqsGrMCHJsVnAH5cGG80xS-sJtwPwZxbQqv7ETtf5N007EBvjI3KonpaRHLvf8cgi9GfnwHqHnQ-2OrWeUXN7wYfouQFDVM_bLSi7b2GAgvcG8dVK75-Q3XlB3g/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Nothing like a fresh coat of white paint.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>As I noted in my previous post, I regret not getting more done this summer around the house. What did get done focused mostly on the backyard and pool area; while my efforts to get the front lawn back in order bore some fruit, it was not until September that I was really able to get to work on the front of the house.<br /><br />As I noted in previous posts, I have been working to restore the fence that flanks both sides of the house. I was finally able to complete the restoration of the large post at the west side, and then continued sanding and repainting all the fence pickets in-between. As of this writing, I have completed three of the eight 8-foot sections of fencing. With the sides facing the front of the house, I applied a very high-quality latex, working it in with a brush; I may use my new paint sprayer for the rest, to save time. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl-bLeLftXsUwJmNLgWAgISio10LOAzMOkAtegG2gehmqeQ3WpeVQrHnUs4aEDaIlaQQlqPjHgzaEnzw8iQOiKDR_EDZ0sqwWto_DOCn9Z__KFYbK6s2FjhhEFDpOp7a5tE6J98omoOQ/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl-bLeLftXsUwJmNLgWAgISio10LOAzMOkAtegG2gehmqeQ3WpeVQrHnUs4aEDaIlaQQlqPjHgzaEnzw8iQOiKDR_EDZ0sqwWto_DOCn9Z__KFYbK6s2FjhhEFDpOp7a5tE6J98omoOQ/s1600/image1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Just need to define this flower bed a little more...</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I think I have re-painted this fence maybe twice in 25 years; this was by far the most complete wire-brush-and-sanding job that I have ever done, so hopefully it will last for a while. The treated cross beams are fine; a few of the cedar pickets (especially where they have been in contact with the ground) have seen some rot. This will be hidden by a treated 1” x 4” that I am adding at the bottom, which will not only look better buy hold back some of the soil and mulch I am adding in front.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Thus, I gave the flower beds (which reside in front of these fences) a thorough weeding and tilling—since it seems grass grows better in a flower bed than it does in the yard—and they had also been invaded by assorted weeds and vinca vines that had creeped in. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMteVjKe77MGRs61jS5oo5Z94DmmYN6bu4SGQvpIEN5Dq1tCJt0vqlYd3WO4WKgDuVWdxB497SXnrE6dCC9tk6e_1nWN7Siskxj8iZktP06BdxLfQdL0ItVwvVAGL-6loufHhGQ_3Mwpk/s1600/00hollypicket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMteVjKe77MGRs61jS5oo5Z94DmmYN6bu4SGQvpIEN5Dq1tCJt0vqlYd3WO4WKgDuVWdxB497SXnrE6dCC9tk6e_1nWN7Siskxj8iZktP06BdxLfQdL0ItVwvVAGL-6loufHhGQ_3Mwpk/s320/00hollypicket.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>Yeah - that's what I'm talkin' about.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>This also gave me an opportunity to consider a much-needed update to my planting scheme. When we first built the house, the trees in front were not so large, and the flower beds there got a lot more sunlight throughout the day. As a result, the tall tiger-lillies we inherited form my mother-in-law’s garden did wonderfully, combined with a nice purple spiderwort and a few small daylilies.<br /><br />Time has taken its toll, however. Only two of the sections get sufficient sunlight these days, and the tiger lilies have more recently suffered from some kind of blight, which renders the bottom of the stalks and leaves yellow and brown. It may be a lack of oxygen or a similar issue, since they had never been divided. Remembering the wonderful old hollyhocks we had at the back of our old house, I am planning on replacing the tiger lilies with those—a more “English-looking” garden flower. I’ll leave the spiderwort in front of these and may also include a few four-o-clocks, which we also had at our old house. On the west side, something else will be called for, since the big oak tree out front (a beautiful specimen, with a trunk straight enough for a ship’s mast) casts that side of the yard in shade/semi-shade much of the day. I’m thinking maybe planting some foxglove on this side, and perhaps something else that can tolerate the light conditions.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xSc0H6cCkDRN2v8D2MMQfSu9NLaEXtK3bOGSiCZX9b59mbOX0YlqARI8cHUltIGEdIx4vQk5LII-a_x3cNh3b6bEMLlXl4A6qBA7lz2EbC4TAt1hmQoSCf8kLwG_zdvzASZlqRTWmxU/s1600/00foxglove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xSc0H6cCkDRN2v8D2MMQfSu9NLaEXtK3bOGSiCZX9b59mbOX0YlqARI8cHUltIGEdIx4vQk5LII-a_x3cNh3b6bEMLlXl4A6qBA7lz2EbC4TAt1hmQoSCf8kLwG_zdvzASZlqRTWmxU/s200/00foxglove.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>These three beds are each approximately 8 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Till now, I had simply edged them with a spade, but to keep out the weeds I am considering a raised border of some sort. My first inclination is to use timber; I’m leaning toward using 2” x 8” with the bottom 2” buried. This will leave about 6” above ground, but then I am also planning to route the boards with joint grooves to give it a stone/masonry look—then staining it a beige/gray to match the house foundation color. I need to work in a couple inches of improved soil, compost and leaf mulch as well, so the raised border will help hold it in.<br /><br />If I can just get all this remaining work done before the snow falls, I guess I’ll be satisfied. There’s more on my to-do list, but it’s possible that those parts-and-pieces will have to be built over the winter and installed in the spring. Even that will be a challenge, since I have a basement upgrade to get back to…<br /><br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-24079030795712633002017-10-12T18:00:00.000-07:002018-01-04T16:15:53.466-08:00A Pox Upon Both Your Houses<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsjkPnBph7UrWYM8_qbhPcyusLHYoVt-X-yLZsw-dd5WN0DM7Mmr7yxQHLBYTVRXEnGQp5e9h5-n43Dq4JO04XjxGl4cIhaTSkjEVTPIZKD_BNEMd_0ajftCuLS2MnyB9FJJEmLHc1uM/s1600/00-gables.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="798" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsjkPnBph7UrWYM8_qbhPcyusLHYoVt-X-yLZsw-dd5WN0DM7Mmr7yxQHLBYTVRXEnGQp5e9h5-n43Dq4JO04XjxGl4cIhaTSkjEVTPIZKD_BNEMd_0ajftCuLS2MnyB9FJJEmLHc1uM/s320/00-gables.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Similar treatment. Totally different plan.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I recently came across this <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/10/05/forest-hill-homeowners-claim-neighbours-duplicated-their-house-design.html" target="_blank"><b>Toronto Star</b> story</a> about two couples in Canada who were involved in a lawsuit regarding the appearance of their houses. Apparently the owners of a 1935-era Tudor Revival home—which they had spent a lot of money to renovate in 2006—had many of its features “copied” by owners of a newly-built neighboring house nearby. The owners of the older home sued the couple who built the new house for $1.5 million in damages, including $20,000 in copyright damages and $1 million in punitive damages.<br />The owners of the existing home claimed that the neighbors copied a number of features from their home, including similar gray stonework, the same shade of blue on the windows, similar treatments in the gables and other unique design cues that made their house “one of the most well-known and admired houses in the neighborhood” - according to the lawsuit.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNxdY2CboOfNDTzhOxNwt6QOKt7vhH_RkC2YwJdIY3H1qUNs0c-yCcoI6q34Rp96-eZMfJfHDinZj_-C0SeU_L7JSDOP5yO7Ws97tojo_brsBIer1j3UoS55LI1Gv02JxjMd_43q8GWw/s1600/00chimneys.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="738" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNxdY2CboOfNDTzhOxNwt6QOKt7vhH_RkC2YwJdIY3H1qUNs0c-yCcoI6q34Rp96-eZMfJfHDinZj_-C0SeU_L7JSDOP5yO7Ws97tojo_brsBIer1j3UoS55LI1Gv02JxjMd_43q8GWw/s320/00chimneys.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">LEFT: Couldn't spring for a proper chimney pot, eh?</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Of course, I am aware that house designs and plans can be copyrighted, although it is seldom an issue for the courts; it’s not easy to prove infringement, since even the average builder would not normally think to copy a plan in such careful and exact detail to leave no doubt as to its origin. <br /><br />In this case, the plans of the houses are totally different—only some of the architectural details were copied, and I don’t think using a particular stone type or paint color constitutes a violation of copyright.<a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/10/05/forest-hill-homeowners-claim-neighbours-duplicated-their-house-design.html" target="_blank"> If you look at some of the side-by-side photos in the article</a>, you’ll see some clear similarities, but you’ll also see clear differences as well.<br /><br />Both couples claimed to have been inspired by Tudor architecture, and that is clear, though the results vary in their quality. A stepped stone or brick chimney is a common Tudor feature—you can’t copyright it. Arched doorways and stone construction are not uncommon either. The owners of the older home claim that the copycat house “devalued” their own, but I don’t buy it.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtkhBsh3Mv5BH9iXRmCAZpz_VhdEfKtMRScCM6R9Z29wJbZRxx11oR4GtQlTT_eLwU2588wCiixrlZRXSoc4VmnA0KuNcy3pVI2RSbkxQGfhELDH7bFvVjaXWYpBfH5dMzy9vQ9Jc3AI/s1600/00doorways.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="716" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtkhBsh3Mv5BH9iXRmCAZpz_VhdEfKtMRScCM6R9Z29wJbZRxx11oR4GtQlTT_eLwU2588wCiixrlZRXSoc4VmnA0KuNcy3pVI2RSbkxQGfhELDH7bFvVjaXWYpBfH5dMzy9vQ9Jc3AI/s200/00doorways.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Shape is all these two have in common.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>When we built our house, I was the first in the neighborhood to use “scalloped” shingle-style siding over a prominent portion of our house. Shortly thereafter, another house built around the corner included that feature over its center gable, as did another home several doors down the street that was remodeled a few years ago. Did they copy what we did? I don’t know—but even if they did, I would take it as a compliment. I think that would have been a more mature and appropriate response here.<br /><br />As for the builders of the new house, I really can’t imagine why anyone with a brain would slavishly copy features of a nearby house like paint color, adding weatherboarding to a gable, etc. without looking at other options. If you’re a Tudor-lover, there are too many sources of inspiration out there to have to resort to something so craven. Seems like a lack of imagination. Or just laziness.<br /><br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-50212900864647495782017-09-04T15:30:00.000-07:002018-01-04T16:15:53.673-08:00Another Summer Come and Gone...Sadly, this summer ended up being far less productive than I had hoped. Reviewing my “to-do” list of items that needed addressing, it seems I have only been able to complete a few of them. Now there is only the hope that the coming Fall may serve to be a more productive season as far as the house is concerned.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVMoZyOrtZCQqhihUT2yUbDbO0bj-mLOAb505sSJbwbRaO-PwsW8X1w9ZxVXtEgR7Dslxr3ylx4qhupFXnlJRuIQ-fx2PnBSQivWTwMaqF46d5tnjaIgDASqZXBFHzB5p4iPQG1PIzks/s1600/000wind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="640" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVMoZyOrtZCQqhihUT2yUbDbO0bj-mLOAb505sSJbwbRaO-PwsW8X1w9ZxVXtEgR7Dslxr3ylx4qhupFXnlJRuIQ-fx2PnBSQivWTwMaqF46d5tnjaIgDASqZXBFHzB5p4iPQG1PIzks/s400/000wind.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">No, this is not the reason for my lack of productivity. A nice addition to my tiki bar, thanks to the good people at Windsor & Eton Brewery.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>A large part of this was due to <a href="https://thelonggallery.blogspot.com/2017/05/uk-trip-2017-london-and-environs.html" target="_blank">our trip to the UK in mid-May</a>; between holiday planning and the weather upon our return, this set me back about 3-4 weeks in terms of my usual summer work schedule. In recent years, we’ve been able to open the pool during the first week of May, with another week or two after that to handle annual chores like cleaning the patios, doing touch-up painting on the decks and some outdoor furniture—which all has to be hauled out of storage—tidying up the perennial beds, setting up our tiki bar on the back deck and bringing all the seasonal decorative items out of the garage, shed and basement. This is then followed by planting of tropical-looking annuals in beds and in pots all around the pool.<a name='more'></a><br /><br />New this year was an effort to grow more grass in the backyard bare spots (initially, this appeared to be successful, but a hot, dry July and August rendered these efforts fruitless) and I also wanted to test some of that specially formulated spray paint on our plastic outdoor furniture, which was in serious need of restoration. Our four white chaises were seriously stained and dirty—totally beyond cleaning—and I also wanted to paint a few other items (a cooler and a trash bin) a dark brown. It’s also important to note that all of this work was limited to the backyard, which is where we spend most of our time during the summer. Other than fertilizing, raking and mowing, planting a few annuals in the porch planters and setting some pots out on either side of the steps, little happens in the front of the house until the backyard is totally in order.<br /><br />As it turned out, June was spent by the time this work was all completed; after another week of enjoying the fruits of my labor, I took the first weekend in July to head up to Michigan for some camping, sightseeing and volunteer activity. Two weeks later, my daughter visited from New York for a weekend, and four weeks after that my wife and I went to visit her again. Obviously, no work got done during those periods. Take away another weekend or so with cool or wet weather, and here I am now considering when to close the pool and start packing everything up for the winter. <em>Sigh.</em><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ccsRfYKV7WD5mR8tdQ_PYFXuVlw4MhQXlwIoYSxQ5B02vLo9kBRnqN8s33DulAqXda_utuI7GWuLKk7OTfJkfdMlUB7n0OWP38OH385ua1UjiB0qLW3iE1EZyR4VSNnLynIoIoFBgaY/s1600/000sheshed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ccsRfYKV7WD5mR8tdQ_PYFXuVlw4MhQXlwIoYSxQ5B02vLo9kBRnqN8s33DulAqXda_utuI7GWuLKk7OTfJkfdMlUB7n0OWP38OH385ua1UjiB0qLW3iE1EZyR4VSNnLynIoIoFBgaY/s400/000sheshed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">This is how the "She-Shed" turned out. The space behind the curtain on the left is still needed for storage.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>So what did get done? Aside from regular yearly maintenance, I was able to:<br /><br />1) Rebuild, reinforce and re-paint a large bench I had built for the pool area some years ago.<br /><br />2) I successfully re-painted all four of our plastic chaise lounges, in addition to a large cooler/cabinet and a trash bin. This turned out wonderfully; all the items look brand new.<br /><br />3) I was able to finish staining the back of the backyard swing I moved about a year ago, and fully restored the carved wooden sign on it (dated 1997) that says Mom’s Swing.<br /><br />4) Got a coat of paint on the small oriental bridge in the garden.<br /><br />5) Repaired, added decorative trim and repainted a small open book case that sits next to the tiki bar on the deck. This serves as a summer home to decorative items like tiki mugs, candles, photos and other exotic knick-knacks.<br /><br />6) Painted the inside of our backyard shed so that my wife could use most of it as a “She-Shed” during the summer season. The inside walls (and the roof framing) is painted a light seafoam green; I had put in a sheet vinyl floor previously, and with a few decorative items and an area rug, it looks pretty good. Since I still need about four feet of the interior for storage (the shed is 8’ x 12’) I hung 2 color-coordinated shower curtains across part of the space to hide things like extra tables, chairs and other items that we still keep there. Come fall, the “She-Shed” goes away as we pack the shed with stuff again.<br /><br />There is still much to do. <em>I think I’ll cover that in my next post…</em><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-56155209180599676602017-06-12T18:29:00.000-07:002018-01-04T16:15:53.882-08:00OLD BOOKS, NEW REVIEWS: Country Life 1897-1997 The English Arcadia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiwDZUGOUKzI206L-ZVv-N5Ow-3yEvmXUB-_xNc5SrFBtIh94x1-XZhPgMQ_-qy9YnDa2_nG4iQ-1GjSYon8OG0vP6_3FCw-wPWaflZhGGb6rEItTyznQuYBOPJvfyPg26il-oQqtTEw/s1600/00facts-about-country-life-300x191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="300" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiwDZUGOUKzI206L-ZVv-N5Ow-3yEvmXUB-_xNc5SrFBtIh94x1-XZhPgMQ_-qy9YnDa2_nG4iQ-1GjSYon8OG0vP6_3FCw-wPWaflZhGGb6rEItTyznQuYBOPJvfyPg26il-oQqtTEw/s320/00facts-about-country-life-300x191.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Once again we take a brief moment to talk about one of the books in our collection; I have wanted this for some time, but was only recently able to obtain it on Ebay for a low price. Always a great fan of <em>Country Life,</em> I collected many issues years ago when it was commonly available at the local news stand (I never could bring myself to spring for an annual subscription) and I still keep some of these scattered about in the house. Lacking more recent issues, I was happy to report a successful effort to grab a single copy at Heathrow before we returned home from our recent UK trip.<br /><br />I finished reading this book right before we left, and though it certainly relates a lively and interesting story of the magazine’s history and significance, it does an excellent job of weaving that history into a vivid panorama of Britain during the last 100 (now 120) years. It’s hard for me to imagine that this book has actually been out for so long; nevertheless, the subject matter is as essential today as it was in 1997. With a fairly substantial production run, it is still easily available from online booksellers such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.abebooks.com/" target="_blank">Abebooks</a>. <a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo3neyHtPrXKTnPDTxdb067I-hulQb0MaU7Xf0dnPB2tDW4aPhCzyLAVjpPYGhD1rW2o700Mebsk_oe3tx7E1w3WLaA2oNz9cs7SW31eqIfckfx4flV0qCWjGYguLimPkKf-JXEWiG0M/s1600/019487182068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="485" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo3neyHtPrXKTnPDTxdb067I-hulQb0MaU7Xf0dnPB2tDW4aPhCzyLAVjpPYGhD1rW2o700Mebsk_oe3tx7E1w3WLaA2oNz9cs7SW31eqIfckfx4flV0qCWjGYguLimPkKf-JXEWiG0M/s320/019487182068.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>As one might expect, the photography—which was primarily pulled from the magazine’s archives—is excellent. The vintage black-and-white images are so expressive and so “of their time” that they capture the feeling of their era in a way that modern color photography cannot. <br /><br />Once surprising aspect of the book, and this is a tribute to Sir Roy Strong, is that it is an easy and comfortable read; though it is large and fairly substantial, the average reader would be able to get through it straightaway. The author pulls no punches in his observations regarding the magazine and its editorial positions; though helpful in preserving the country’s heritage and great estates in its early decades, he describes them as outdated and reactionary in the post war period.<br /><br />Controversies aside, the book provides a useful record of the magazine’s history and outlines its role as a cultural icon. Outlining a long list of editors and contributors (including Strong himself) and surveying 100 years of social change, editorial policies, preservation issues and matters of taste, this book provides a great insight into a central period of English architectural and social history.<br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Country Life, 1897-1997 </strong><em>An English Arcadia</em></span><br />Hardcover: 128 pages<br />ISBN-10: 0752210548<br />ISBN-13: 978-0752210544<br />Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.2 x 1 inches<br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-29176561217341952182017-05-23T19:08:00.000-07:002018-01-04T16:15:54.090-08:00UK TRIP 2017: London and EnvironsThings have been quiet for some time, as I have become involved in a <a href="http://www.historicgoodyearheights.com/" target="_blank">local historic preservation project</a> as well as ongoing work at my own house. But over the coming weeks I’ll try to fill you in on the highlights of my recent trip to the UK, where I was able to take in a number of memorable sights and enjoy a fair amount of good pub ale.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaru1JBKz1tJzKqnFNxI_WF73paAnOfuZuGrapJBDgVGFRGdAUNoh4sONqQq3Ei_ZBEAWo0CBeSFs20inrrtdBXSBmuncJ0z8KjLYVHre219Zkjl6z2ScAcKyhqSDAwGeXepisxQP-6u8/s1600/000hampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaru1JBKz1tJzKqnFNxI_WF73paAnOfuZuGrapJBDgVGFRGdAUNoh4sONqQq3Ei_ZBEAWo0CBeSFs20inrrtdBXSBmuncJ0z8KjLYVHre219Zkjl6z2ScAcKyhqSDAwGeXepisxQP-6u8/s400/000hampton.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A grand staircase at Hampton Court Palace</span></td></tr></tbody></table>To simplify things, we based our stay in London; I had initially planned to book accommodations in three different cities, but there was simply so much to see—and with a pre-booked single day-trip via Eurostar train to Paris—we figured it would just be simpler to stay in one place, which in this case was a wonderful small hotel in Belgravia.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFstoFURaAqU7pOtYPFT6FIBocpTKOrca9Sd9itXiEEV7lcQvnmijiWEnaRe9D5JV2u0B4ND4ZNPnBOTc0KnPOZu101hAeAsBgNu3LY38i7qpiJZ7swoVT18diPrNMaPcki-7RnL5YBAc/s1600/000liberty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="640" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFstoFURaAqU7pOtYPFT6FIBocpTKOrca9Sd9itXiEEV7lcQvnmijiWEnaRe9D5JV2u0B4ND4ZNPnBOTc0KnPOZu101hAeAsBgNu3LY38i7qpiJZ7swoVT18diPrNMaPcki-7RnL5YBAc/s400/000liberty.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Liberty of London. This department store is just as amazing on the interior.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>We took in all the obligatory London sites—Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London, St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, etc. as well as personal favorites like Shakespeare’s Globe and Liberty of London. Half-day jaunts to Windsor Castle and Hampton Courts were also on the list—as was a visit to Highclere, which my daughter requested, being a fan of Downton Abbey. Not my first choice for a country house tour; I would have preferred something more in the vein of Wightwick Manor or Cragside…but that must wait for a future visit.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvb85VxtrBsVIDT7Gz0QrXSur4L0WFfkTmKSA4JRgLDy2GLClHRxONhSU9VIhmBJ5UtcfkLRfqcIq_pS4W8v5QmiuCkSsr1MTqoP3UuEITjPM1EctTKJt0YAVs3_BOfY2ACR7gs-Eors/s1600/000thames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="640" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvb85VxtrBsVIDT7Gz0QrXSur4L0WFfkTmKSA4JRgLDy2GLClHRxONhSU9VIhmBJ5UtcfkLRfqcIq_pS4W8v5QmiuCkSsr1MTqoP3UuEITjPM1EctTKJt0YAVs3_BOfY2ACR7gs-Eors/s400/000thames.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The Thames at Windsor. Had a lovely lunch at the restaurant across the way.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I will get into more detail in follow-up posts. Suffice it to say that the trip was all that I had expected; the London Underground was superb and so easy-to-use, the pubs were picturesque and delightful, the people were friendly and the architecture was sublime. Everything you could hope for.<br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-24762201752952098152017-03-03T19:13:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:54.429-08:00Basement Renovation: Part 2: A Modest Wine Cellar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Let me first come clean and explain that I am not really a wine enthusiast. I do drink and enjoy it at times; usually at a meal, when paired with the right food. When my wife and I travelled to Napa a couple of years ago, I loved the wineries. I loved sampling the wines—<i>especially when they served them with some really tasty chocolates.</i><br /><br />Nevertheless, when it comes right down to it, I am a Beer Guy. Not the vapid swill that passed for beer during most of the last 50 years, but better quality craft beer and exports.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVeTq-cucwD6S4WienrpaLxu0WZ3BT9ctGsnbM_4T5_5a9SGrYhng4fdhe0YekP-eW-MTHAVZjlijZFS4KlE9JrEuwRBxvDEMJPTorUMmU8vcb6Wwwj366MCnFDIFBYxP7MRf3mE2cTI/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVeTq-cucwD6S4WienrpaLxu0WZ3BT9ctGsnbM_4T5_5a9SGrYhng4fdhe0YekP-eW-MTHAVZjlijZFS4KlE9JrEuwRBxvDEMJPTorUMmU8vcb6Wwwj366MCnFDIFBYxP7MRf3mE2cTI/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Finding this door for $50 was one of the best <br />things about this project.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>My wife likes wine, but generally she prefers very sweet wines—Muscato, Prosecco, ice wines or an occasional Reisling. For the most part, these are not the kind of wines that hang around very long—or that improve significantly with aging.<br /><br /><i>So, why a wine cellar</i>, you may ask? <br /><br />Well, for one thing, we have friends who like to drink wine, maybe before, during or after dinner. So it’s always a good idea to have some on hand. <br /><br />In addition, I planned to store some craft beers in the cellar as well—in particular, those high-gravity stouts, porters, ales and barley wines that do age and mellow well.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />I also wanted a place to store and display related items, like glassware, books on wine and beer, and related memorabilia, in addition to some of my home brewing equipment.<br /><br />Last of all, I think the house <i>deserved</i> a wine cellar. And why not? I had a perfect space under the stairs, and I thought if done reasonable well, it would be a nice feature in terms of future resale. So there’s the logic. <br /><br /><b><span style="color: #990000;">THE PROCESS</span></b><br /><br />First I had to enclose the area under the basement stairs with a stud wall, which was pretty straightforward. The main consideration here was the position of the doorway, ensuring plenty of full height opening clearance on the right side while leaving enough room to squeeze in some built-in bottle/book/glassware shelves on the left. Inside, on the right (underneath the descending stairway) I’d have room for an old wooden cabinet that fit nicely into the space, leaving some room for hidden storage behind. The whole space used for the wine cellar was about 3.5 ft deep and about 7.25 feet wide.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0aHHSDukOQsRAC-_Khnp4xlbKVVW0aPus0ZidpaaGXzgRRmze2Q1RuphI0LQ6_-q_7r1Qkymal4yxrvQfgNn_YUqQC9E8iftCv7stY5qI6dKM3Tr16YQx00n-5YGUIELG-_lNJcrVL0/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0aHHSDukOQsRAC-_Khnp4xlbKVVW0aPus0ZidpaaGXzgRRmze2Q1RuphI0LQ6_-q_7r1Qkymal4yxrvQfgNn_YUqQC9E8iftCv7stY5qI6dKM3Tr16YQx00n-5YGUIELG-_lNJcrVL0/s400/IMG_0078.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Clearly we require more wine. All good things in time.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The stud wall went up without too much trouble; the best thing I did here was finally invest in a nail gun, which made things so much faster and easier. I must admit my drywall skills leave something to be desired—the main problem being that I didn’t use enough mud at first, and then spread it out with a blade that was not really wide enough. This makes it necessary to go over the joints more than is necessary, and sand more than usual. I suppose the results show a little here and there. Next time, I resolve to get the proper tools and perhaps do a skim coat over the whole surface.<br /><br />Once this part was complete, I set to do some carpentry. Most of the large 22oz beer bottles would store on wooden shelves I was building in—since beer is supposed to store vertically, unlike wine. For reasons I already mentioned, I didn’t require a lot of wine storage, but I did go the dramatic route and build a 6 foot tall vertical display that holds about 12 bottles horizontally against the wall—so you can see the labels. As a supplement to this, I have a small wine rack on top of the cabinet that holds an additional 3 or 4 bottles.<br /><br />The surfaces of the tiny room feature various materials which all seem to go together. The wood shelves and trim inside are mostly mahogany-stained pine. There is some cork on the back wall between the upper and lower shelves on the left, and about 18” of the back wall (originally sheathed with paneling) is now covered in some 30-year-old wallpaper that I saved from the time I worked at Wallpapers-to-Go. It was a heavy, saddle brown paper with nice images of vintage French wine labels; I knew I’d eventually find a spot for it…and I did. <br /><br />Most of the remaining back wall is solid concrete in a rough molded brick pattern; this was painted a dark tan. One advantage this offers is that the concrete remains cool at all times, and with the wine being stored on this wall, it remains at a fairly even temperature. I also used a bit of the wine wallpaper underneath the stairs on the right, trimmed out in some mahogany-stained pine. At about the 5.5-foot level, I hung a roll-up blind down from the bottom of a riser, so it extends to the floor. This serves as somewhat of a “false wall” behind my storage cabinet, which is about 30’ high, and I use the 2’ of useable space behind the blind to store (and hide) large seasonal items, like a couple of Christmas tree boxes.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEQ9KIe0Fy7John5OtqGv6tT-Q02D92OiyxBIi6mgBnZQHgIUWI_SU2VX8tAauU0r5_AJenL0pQL1-j27qPcNr2m4cWbzF7kT29BMVZux88MlhVLAhzx569jHQ_XrXCINtyoYl7-UdM8/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEQ9KIe0Fy7John5OtqGv6tT-Q02D92OiyxBIi6mgBnZQHgIUWI_SU2VX8tAauU0r5_AJenL0pQL1-j27qPcNr2m4cWbzF7kT29BMVZux88MlhVLAhzx569jHQ_XrXCINtyoYl7-UdM8/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The shelves provide lots of room for wine & beer books, and <br />bottled beer storage.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I managed to get a open box of premium vinyl wood planks at the Habitat store for about $10—just enough to cover the 18 square feet or so I needed in a nice dark brown. I haven’t decided what to do for the ceiling yet, but I’m thinking some wood, maybe pallet boards. <br /><br />Of course, all this effort goes for naught if it’s hidden behind a door, and I hit the jackpot at the Habitat store once again, nabbing a beautiful wooden 30" French door for just $50. It was already painted white (and really didn’t need re-painting) and best of all, it even had beveled panes of glass! <br /><br />I have tested some temporary lighting, and it’s clear that some nice wall spots inside the little room would make for a very dramatic look, so I’m thinking a couple of small units on the ceiling.<br /><br />We completed the look with a couple of framed prints I made—they are some of the places we really enjoyed during our visit to the Napa Valley. I’ve added a couple of other chotchkes, like an ancient beer bottle capper, but am still looking for just the right thermometer to hang in here somewhere…<br /><br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-7852487633221701172017-03-03T08:41:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:54.633-08:00A Bird’s Eye for Country House DesignWhile I imagine a number of people throughout the UK are familiar with the handsome work of artist Jonathan Myles-Lea, he is clearly not a household name here in the US. Best known for his house and landscape portraits, his work recalls past masters like John Constable and Johannes Kip. My personal favorites feature the traditional “bird’s eye views” of country houses—a style popular throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFjlxjCrjW6uOhCmvj1U9sXXRbwNmtTtH_1GZieHXGCnx5Bqm9dtmlfN9sYdQxWdS253k2l-LJdAH1AH1yaWuH-PgEDcLYKYBz1x9C2FXsxahXFflEgz58J2-KpaOs74TBPqrZ_eZluk/s1600/Burghley%252Bwest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFjlxjCrjW6uOhCmvj1U9sXXRbwNmtTtH_1GZieHXGCnx5Bqm9dtmlfN9sYdQxWdS253k2l-LJdAH1AH1yaWuH-PgEDcLYKYBz1x9C2FXsxahXFflEgz58J2-KpaOs74TBPqrZ_eZluk/s400/Burghley%252Bwest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">A view of Burghley House - from the west. Image Rights: Jonathan Myles-Lea.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Though Myles-Lea had been well-established as a noted painter of landscapes and houses, the commission he received for the April 29, 2009 cover of Country Life, featuring a fantasy 10-acre estate, clearly solidified his reputation as a worldwide talent. The resulting Dream Acres project was a central part of the 10-week series appearing in the magazine—featuring the stylized aerial views for which he has become particularly celebrated.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL-e5ADQX2nD2A47CBtF7fSxXAFjWC0t-HEXPAEefsV2CzVp_m8H1CrqBsTUoaIVRT65ZCcr-sdnFV2T5bA0f1sAFQ_IY9N4FmDd9L3aOvhMMEltx8gS-rvK0_BiKHKlaBv4GuTZ03nE/s1600/00Myles-Lea_DreamAcres_CountryLifeCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL-e5ADQX2nD2A47CBtF7fSxXAFjWC0t-HEXPAEefsV2CzVp_m8H1CrqBsTUoaIVRT65ZCcr-sdnFV2T5bA0f1sAFQ_IY9N4FmDd9L3aOvhMMEltx8gS-rvK0_BiKHKlaBv4GuTZ03nE/s320/00Myles-Lea_DreamAcres_CountryLifeCover.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>Other work which Myles-Lea has become notably associated with are his projects for Prince Charles at Highgrove and his aerial illustration of Sir Roy Strong’s garden, The Laskett, in 1994. It is no surprise that gardens and houses have become his primary subjects, as he graduated from The University of London with a Bachelors Degree in The History of Art & Architecture. As you might expect, his high standards and superlative work has resulted in one notable commission leading to yet another.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLa5KLg7m10WACfPRv7f2f84BqLm0jtdaKKeo0-a7kaRLfRQwdKLBW3vV4OC1FC5aw_IrElFvCIpxZT3K0VJ2uHmRroC96g4NZgfMAUYFJFC9Kxy5FxSgnTFkVhmIbiISvX5qrSph6WA/s1600/1992%252BPlas%252BTeg%252Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLa5KLg7m10WACfPRv7f2f84BqLm0jtdaKKeo0-a7kaRLfRQwdKLBW3vV4OC1FC5aw_IrElFvCIpxZT3K0VJ2uHmRroC96g4NZgfMAUYFJFC9Kxy5FxSgnTFkVhmIbiISvX5qrSph6WA/s400/1992%252BPlas%252BTeg%252Bsmall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Plas Teg, Clwyd, North Wales, 1991. Image Rights: Jonathan Myles-Lea</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table>The artist maintains studios in both England and the Unites States, and can be commissioned to paint portraits of your own home and garden. Much of his sketches, photos and other archival material are being collected by The University of Oxford and a book is reportedly in the works.<br /><br />Personally, I have always found these traditional “bird’s eye views” rather enchanting, and having recently viewed my own house in a 3D view on Google Earth, I may attempt to use it as a guide to paint my own house portrait in this manner. A task for another time, however…<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEjGgXnfnVDAIDRNq5yxnOJS3xOhubCr1Sdnd_-BXBr9x5cTi4CESIQg-ghKMhvtel6h0KLl22s-dI300BNnkeO6lOj_o5iAI7V9S3limQNmF4aV_qNzFWGQa6OoxGYYxHHT4gSyAwM0/s1600/00birds+eye.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEjGgXnfnVDAIDRNq5yxnOJS3xOhubCr1Sdnd_-BXBr9x5cTi4CESIQg-ghKMhvtel6h0KLl22s-dI300BNnkeO6lOj_o5iAI7V9S3limQNmF4aV_qNzFWGQa6OoxGYYxHHT4gSyAwM0/s400/00birds+eye.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Inspiration for a future work of my own? Perhaps...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-13437026785525868882017-02-21T20:21:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:54.838-08:00National Trust for Scotland Launches House Tour Program for AmericansThrough its <strong><span style="color: #20124d;">Grand Houses and Gardens Tour Program</span></strong>, set to run from September 15-23, 2017, <a href="http://www.nts.org.uk/Home/" target="_blank">Scotland’s National Trust</a> has developed a deluxe travel package that will offer visitors a chance to explore a number of historic properties, including C.R. Mackintosh’s Hill House, Fyvie Castle, Falkland Palace & Garden, Craigievar Castle and many others.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6YXfvn-yhSSH1tG9sabgvzShlg5JKBPWsn3PIjK9OgoQ-2LkGda6KF0vFDnDz57Sq_dpcMc4-Mxoo7rtla_PTJFrQ6fojyimPN_IV_x3SmfUVJl77xOsLdmg7ZfyABUAVe_LzYpKx18/s1600/000HILL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6YXfvn-yhSSH1tG9sabgvzShlg5JKBPWsn3PIjK9OgoQ-2LkGda6KF0vFDnDz57Sq_dpcMc4-Mxoo7rtla_PTJFrQ6fojyimPN_IV_x3SmfUVJl77xOsLdmg7ZfyABUAVe_LzYpKx18/s400/000HILL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Charles Rennie Mackintosh's best known house - Hill House</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The trip package is the first of its kind offered by <a href="https://www.ntsusa.org/" target="_blank">National Trust for Scotland Foundation, USA</a> (NTSUSA), which helps raise funds for the charity in the United States. Among the many trip highlights, art historian Dr. Evelyn Silber will lead a tour of Glasgow, taking in Charles Rennie Mackintosh's buildings, including the Glasgow School of Art as well as Hill House in Helensburgh, currently the subject of a fundraising appeal.<br /><br />In the northeast, highlights will include Pitmidden Garden, the Robert Adam-designed Haddo House, pink-turreted Fyvie Castle, and Drum Castle, which now houses a contemporary art gallery.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlm_6nxokqJyGR71CBCxYuxpPBSk3KsGS4QHp3z4zX68pq0Le_qBWBEY4eAJs-591RxX001HOXbVutWhsSvIRGpdKoiOR6ge5kC1GO3nT6G5-uyCclPpzoz8rgl8B_n6ToL7U21S8N7k/s1600/CRAIIGEVAR.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlm_6nxokqJyGR71CBCxYuxpPBSk3KsGS4QHp3z4zX68pq0Le_qBWBEY4eAJs-591RxX001HOXbVutWhsSvIRGpdKoiOR6ge5kC1GO3nT6G5-uyCclPpzoz8rgl8B_n6ToL7U21S8N7k/s320/CRAIIGEVAR.jpeg" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Craigievar Castle was home to the Forbes <br />family for over 350 years.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>"We are so pleased to offer an exceptional tour to Scotland designed with an American audience in mind, said Kirstin Bridier, executive director of NTSUSA. "This trip combines visits to iconic sites like Edinburgh Castle with behind-the-scenes access at National Trust for Scotland treasures including Haddo House and The Hill House. We can't wait to share the extraordinary beauty and history of Scotland with individuals from the US."<br /><br />You can find out more <strong><a href="https://www.ntsusa.org/2017/01/grand-houses-gardens-aaa/" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong>.MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-75772525221530649212017-02-15T18:30:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:55.170-08:00A Refreshing Houzz Take on Tudor Revival Interiors<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MX_zOQMYdnVt2YHS2JK6mamT7sONhIrSNvpGwXyNcxmTwIyAgFkW4wIEJwK2mxGAz2l83gO2CDY4kop60XFdisdvIetOXjWKtL7Z_WS39QafdKxO9bXxc4DLcqt1AZMhv2o2TScwnR4/s1600/tudor+room.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MX_zOQMYdnVt2YHS2JK6mamT7sONhIrSNvpGwXyNcxmTwIyAgFkW4wIEJwK2mxGAz2l83gO2CDY4kop60XFdisdvIetOXjWKtL7Z_WS39QafdKxO9bXxc4DLcqt1AZMhv2o2TScwnR4/s400/tudor+room.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">A Tudor Revival interior that embraces its unique details and original <br />woodwork. Courtesy Stonewood, LLC</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I was heartened to see a story on <strong><a href="http://houzz.com/" target="_blank">Houzz</a></strong> the other day regarding the continued popularity of the Tudor Revival style in American homes, including an outline of its basic visual elements. Architect <strong>Steven Randal</strong> does a fine job of distilling the style's most essential design cues, and best of all, the story includes some excellent photographic examples of contemporary Tudor Revival interiors. The collection of images included with the article fully dispels the notion that these rooms are dark and dusty museum set-pieces.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiWus4vAR_HluSASdKKGGkDx86GfMew8x8X5MaUkyxA5ZtP1jnqj8-ZnfNj59UERdgOZZygJLxH3yFP-vhAx7grI3CrzvkZwyU5Hb2-omkMkE9PRFqZ2tgSY0sJ_690Qm-QAVLaypg50/s1600/tudor+room2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiWus4vAR_HluSASdKKGGkDx86GfMew8x8X5MaUkyxA5ZtP1jnqj8-ZnfNj59UERdgOZZygJLxH3yFP-vhAx7grI3CrzvkZwyU5Hb2-omkMkE9PRFqZ2tgSY0sJ_690Qm-QAVLaypg50/s320/tudor+room2.jpeg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Another room that blends with contemporary style.<br />Courtesy Margot Hartford Photography</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The story was refreshing for another reason (one which I have noted more than once) regarding the “typical” rooms one sees when visiting Houzz. More and more, it seems that almost every room featured on the website is bathed in white; white woodwork, white cabinets, white floors, white furniture…all combined with a very trendy, “hip” design aesthetic that looks like it was inspired by any one of a hundred DIY-design-craft -blogs. I’ve found this to become fairly tiresome, and it’s only remedied by entering a more specific site search for rooms offering more traditional styles, more color, or more of anything not defined by “trendy.”<br /><br />As I noted, the photos accompanying this story are helpful, in that they offer a clean and contemporary look that embraces each home’s Tudor details instead of painting them out (in white) or de-emphasizing them. This is not always an easy problem to solve, as we will eventually be looking to update the interiors of our own house, and need all the inspiration we can find.<br /><br />You can reference the full article <strong><a href="http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80370137/list/lush-tradition-elements-of-the-american-tudor-living-room" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong>.<br /><br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-45383181466960126952017-02-13T20:22:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:55.373-08:00Not a Change in Direction. An Expansion of Subject.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>When I first created this website, I wanted to have someplace where I could talk about the kinds of houses and buildings I loved, remember the people who designed and built them, recognize people who maintain, live in and restore them, and survey related topics in design, the arts, lifestyle and popular culture—including books.<br /><br />Having utilized much of this accumulated information in the design of my own home—I have chosen from time to time to write about some of the projects I’ve worked on since building our house almost 25 years ago. Some of the posts have involved thoughts on decoration, some are how-to’s (or maybe how-I’s) - that discuss things I’ve had to fix; other posts have simply touched on my own thoughts about building and design.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-cMLN5Y8QJbQXS9aL6u1T1JBrsKcdg8bmkoqShC0pqQztCcdiJ0iVfqqq_nVWLoEh-pP2Gp9N9qy0vXiyYanButwRTEWBiFh75dmglW6z9RP8aqNcEBrj27LEG_R_S-7FpS6Gm-5-u8/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-cMLN5Y8QJbQXS9aL6u1T1JBrsKcdg8bmkoqShC0pqQztCcdiJ0iVfqqq_nVWLoEh-pP2Gp9N9qy0vXiyYanButwRTEWBiFh75dmglW6z9RP8aqNcEBrj27LEG_R_S-7FpS6Gm-5-u8/s400/IMG_0074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">This is a bar-height island I am building in the basement using 2" x 4" framing and some used bi-fold doors. More on this project later...</span></td></tr></tbody></table>As I’ve mentioned before, while I had very specific ideas about the design of my own house, budgetary issues (I was 34 when we built, and modestly employed) forced a number of compromises, some of which I have been able to remedy over the years. Many still remain, and I will increasingly use the website to discuss how they are being addressed, for after all—when is a house ever truly finished? When we built, I knew I would have to plan for the long term, assuming that some materials, designs and finishes would make an appearance at a later date. Sometimes much later, as it turns out.<br /><br />I am a notorious procrastinator, so the fault is mostly mine. After some deliberation, I find myself in a good position now to make it down the home stretch and finally get things as I originally envisioned them years ago, when I set plans to sheets of vellum (yes, no 3D renders for me) and started searching for a general contractor.<br /><br />So, interspersed among the posts on historical houses, old architecture books, preservation/heritage issues and related commentary—you can expect to see more “hands-on” bits and pieces about things I am doing inside the house. <br /><br />I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that I have clearly noticed the popularity of so many design and “how-to” blogs; so I feel it is a natural course to develop this approach as I go along. It’s a chance to further explain—in practical terms—how I try to integrate whatever knowledge I have accumulated and my own design sensibilities into the projects I take on inside these four walls.<br /><br />If, Dear Reader, you care to comment, share your thoughts or experiences, or ask questions, I will sincerely appreciate it, and would love to hear from you. MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-84678023079030469872017-02-09T18:02:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:55.576-08:00A Tale of Two TudorsWhen talking or writing about Tudor Revival homes here in The States, it’s clear that in terms of quality, they clearly run the gamut—from beautiful and authentic-looking examples like Akron’s Stan Hywet Hall, to decent-looking suburban homes, to less-convincing modern interpretations—and then to what can only be considered abominations, like a Tudor ranch or split-level. Whatever type you might happen to encounter, it’s best to always be ready for a surprise.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH0cAC9Qga0Q9UaozGNQrgKgBxHN1lxfOzfcUdyQx8c6s02j6Cz_F4nAI2Cm5lcD1b1Uq99M9_wya2A5q559j8jA2fCVgUz4eQq1v6iFpjRG1cWBgS9Qzht2W8HwugsI6vLkH9gYn8Xc/s1600/good+bad.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH0cAC9Qga0Q9UaozGNQrgKgBxHN1lxfOzfcUdyQx8c6s02j6Cz_F4nAI2Cm5lcD1b1Uq99M9_wya2A5q559j8jA2fCVgUz4eQq1v6iFpjRG1cWBgS9Qzht2W8HwugsI6vLkH9gYn8Xc/s400/good+bad.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Sometimes it's all in the details...</span></td></tr></tbody></table>So it was on a recent winter Sunday. There being no football (it was the week before the Super Bowl) the wife asked if I would go with her to look at some very large “open houses” for sale on the other side of town. Once in a great while, we do this for pure entertainment—or what I like to call <em>“shits & giggles</em>”—to see what is out there on the market and perhaps collect ideas for our own home. <br /><br />All of the homes we visited were significantly larger than our present home, and about three times as costly. None were really practical for us, since investing in a far larger house at a time when most couples are getting ready to downsize for retirement doesn’t make sense. Nevertheless, we got in the car and headed out.<br /><br />Only two of the homes we visited were really worthy of note; both were Tudor Revivals, and both had both good and not-so-good elements that caught my eye. They were built almost 20 years apart (1971 and 1988) and both had some interesting stories to tell.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfcR2v7mz5tQ-86HG9oECz_EwphIdTFKEtprbbaLFIFIMdcJR0KmXNC0EMtPBAnchHJz4_v5kSGPhklI4nhNwAEzHp5YZtO8404UHEPC-we39AuE4dphd9MzkSsqNHwOnFrudYQw06OI/s1600/sanct1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfcR2v7mz5tQ-86HG9oECz_EwphIdTFKEtprbbaLFIFIMdcJR0KmXNC0EMtPBAnchHJz4_v5kSGPhklI4nhNwAEzHp5YZtO8404UHEPC-we39AuE4dphd9MzkSsqNHwOnFrudYQw06OI/s400/sanct1.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Not a bad looking house at all - considering it's a relatively recent effort. <br />Almost there</span>.</td></tr></tbody></table>The first of these houses I remembered quite well, having seen it well before I built my own house in 1992. The exterior is in excellent shape after almost 30 years, and I must say that in terms of overall design and massing, it is one of the better Tudor Revival-style homes I have seen built in recent times. The roof pitches are fine, the half-timbering work is reasonably robust—not thin and chintzy like so many other recent examples—the plan is angled and irregular, and the stone and brickwork is competently done. Parts of the second floor are even jettied-out over the ground floor, which is also nice to see. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a>It is not perfect. The house could stand some more detail in the timberwork. The windows are a little too tall, and feature a combination of both square and the cliché diamond-pattern grilles that are always too large and out of scale. Worst of all, they are all white, when they should be the same dark brown as the timber. The overhanging jetties also lack any corbels at the ends or other supporting structure, which gives them a stark and unfinished character.<br /><br />Overall, the exterior provides an example of a fine, custom-built house (I would assume the work of an architect) that could have greatly benefitted from a little more care and research. I think a lot of American designers use houses built in the 1920’s and 30’s as traditional design guides, instead of resourcing original English examples or even old pattern and style books, like Garner & Stratton’s <em>Domestic Architecture of England during the Tudor Period.</em> The result is often a loss of detail and in less adept hands, some clumsy or incomplete results. The good thing about the exterior of this home is that it could be easily remedied with a few additional elements.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRMbJ5iPrsEFXv9tuV4wM8GbOURDwHiEwPxVdw4opCA_SnlNLZv0Pukkx2GiuHx6q-LkUVa0LxBrM03dvdmejWr4OLS__Ft2RdyW-7QCPiVDzTFFIibKER4FSCgDHu9EXzfgArBY3bXk/s1600/sanct+stair.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRMbJ5iPrsEFXv9tuV4wM8GbOURDwHiEwPxVdw4opCA_SnlNLZv0Pukkx2GiuHx6q-LkUVa0LxBrM03dvdmejWr4OLS__Ft2RdyW-7QCPiVDzTFFIibKER4FSCgDHu9EXzfgArBY3bXk/s400/sanct+stair.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The door is nice. Not a fan of the parquet. The stair rail belongs in a <br />colonial house</span>.</td></tr></tbody></table>As solid as the exterior was, the interior featured little if any historic detail. There was plenty of brown oak, yes, and a nice arched front door—but inside I found the traditional-style woodwork you’d see in any nice home; a spindly staircase with thin balusters and a curled volute newel detail at the bottom and the ubiquitous six-panel colonial doors. Where one might have employed a Tudor arch, or even a curved arch over a wide doorway, the builder had substituted rather crude-looking openings with the upper corners cut and cased at a 45-degree angle. The home’s fireplaces were either stone or brick, but were utterly plain and ordinary, and could have been found in almost any home. There were some nice built-ins and storage, but nothing extraordinary, though the master bath did have some very fine English-style cabinetry. One interesting feature was the slim doorway/balcony in the master bedroom that overlooked the two-story great room—a historical nod to the “squint” or “chaperone” window found in many ancient Tudor homes.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XBS1oXKAn_DybGy9x4mrk9gnm5YdWITzQXs-ygrvh4ns7xGIRDacbLZjvtu9Orz5TnUCB7rH4SiMidn5rhO3kz_tyum0jpERKoe8p4C_BNdd5hE1dvHpa82bj0Zs2Ns2pEaNSOVC_sE/s1600/sanct+3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XBS1oXKAn_DybGy9x4mrk9gnm5YdWITzQXs-ygrvh4ns7xGIRDacbLZjvtu9Orz5TnUCB7rH4SiMidn5rhO3kz_tyum0jpERKoe8p4C_BNdd5hE1dvHpa82bj0Zs2Ns2pEaNSOVC_sE/s400/sanct+3.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The way the cased opening here is handled leaves a lot to be desired.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>All in all, for about $650k it was still a very nice house on a large and attractive treed lot, but one that deserved a little more attention in terms of detail. I was thinking another $50k of proper detailing and upgrades could bring it into line.<br /><br />I found the other Tudor Revival home on our tour to be a great curiosity. My first impression was that someone had taken a rather straightforward two-story colonial home and tacked a brick Tudor-style entry porch onto the façade. I see this feature on a fair amount of Tudor Revival houses, both new and old—when the entry roof pitch is too steep, it borders on the cartoonish. This one was a pretty close call. The front was extended a little to the right, ending in a long side-entry garage featuring a second story with shed dormers. The windows were too large for the style. From the street, it did not appear to be such a happy composition.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9nQ3Ixpadw6ZXezVz4i4pqRKvFpnPcZyX1H9TVEn5djsqDGzNu9DnXFkUKNYo78Vv1sWrq-8opZcu9dzj8XrDl1DjpZzaRCSv_ANhCA3r0fcLmVUEcGkZNLeIF5Fd1dUSUCTMWNM4I/s1600/fireplace.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9nQ3Ixpadw6ZXezVz4i4pqRKvFpnPcZyX1H9TVEn5djsqDGzNu9DnXFkUKNYo78Vv1sWrq-8opZcu9dzj8XrDl1DjpZzaRCSv_ANhCA3r0fcLmVUEcGkZNLeIF5Fd1dUSUCTMWNM4I/s400/fireplace.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">One of the only houses I've seen that looks better up close than at a distance.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Going up the driveway and standing up close, however, I found the overall effect to be far more pleasing. Closer inspection revealed that the ground floor was clad in fine, old-style brick all around—the same as on the high-peaked entry front. The upper story was covered in rough clapboards, but the edges were cut in a wavy, irregular style and finished in a very dark, almost black stain. The stonework around the entrance was very fine as well, and the doorway was flanked by some very large, black iron torchieres that looked like they were a hundred years old. Clearly, whoever selected the materials knew what they were doing, because the resulting combination of colors and textures felt very natural and appropriate.<br /><br />Remember, <em>this was a 1970’s house.</em> I didn’t expect much from the interior other than harvest gold Formica and tired, avocado carpet. I was right on that count, and the furniture still in the house was from the same era. It was almost like a time machine.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyew9TQmGCyjGnSYCnnGZQh4Xl6DRb4TQ2YJV8M0wwCZVsx-zpoI1LGdGFnxLgrwVkA4Fktt4J-rEVSKdChnpGNM2Fz6CCcO8s_9rrFYlBEYvJ4zmohsNxZWELlg-qBHTJCtFkrr_a_c/s1600/fireplace.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyew9TQmGCyjGnSYCnnGZQh4Xl6DRb4TQ2YJV8M0wwCZVsx-zpoI1LGdGFnxLgrwVkA4Fktt4J-rEVSKdChnpGNM2Fz6CCcO8s_9rrFYlBEYvJ4zmohsNxZWELlg-qBHTJCtFkrr_a_c/s400/fireplace.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The plaster fireplace surround and crown molding was superb - and <br />terrifically Tudor!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>But here again, there were many surprises. There were beautiful, authentic plaster details found throughout the house, and best of all, they were actual Tudor designs, including a splendid mantel, excellent cornice and crown moldings, ceiling medallions—each one looked like it had been picked out of a 1920’s catalogue. The doors were solid wood, and were of the appropriate 8-panel Tudor-style. Some of the rooms featured coffered ceilings or peaked ceilings with beams, and a couple of the bedrooms combined that with walls paneled in wide, hardwood boards. I had mixed feelings about the foyer stairway, it was broad and curving—and open to the basement level as well as above. Rather than wood, the stair had a curved iron railing, which would probably look much better if refinished in black rather than its current funky 70’s gold. Removing the carpet on the stairs would help too, I am sure. Then again—<em>there was carpet just about everywhere;</em> being a 70’s house, I wondered if there was hardwood underneath any of it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XpRV4XDQMlyB2Y7jueyXu0yolwdfuxMExPXYlTnwpicteYU4mgat7MWxqICMwTkfQ1-9dSrd4hcHECDFC7mmiz8Ie87A7aavW89DmZLVZ-kGyoAG76zleTCsZoMzD2FPKbfOJKPjJ_A/s1600/lanc+room.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XpRV4XDQMlyB2Y7jueyXu0yolwdfuxMExPXYlTnwpicteYU4mgat7MWxqICMwTkfQ1-9dSrd4hcHECDFC7mmiz8Ie87A7aavW89DmZLVZ-kGyoAG76zleTCsZoMzD2FPKbfOJKPjJ_A/s400/lanc+room.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Peaked ceiling...and paneled with real hardwood boards...not the <br />cheap stuff you'd expect.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The kitchen and bathrooms all needed to be re-done. The fixtures and cabinetry, while clean and in very good shape, were old and outdated. The house even had an elevator, and the Realtor whispered to us that there was a secret staircase that went from the owner’s suit up to the attic and down to the basement. <em>A secret staircase!</em> How Totally Tudor of them.<br /><br />Exterior aside, I left that house being quite impressed by the attention to detail and high standards of the original builder and owner. Though the exterior elevation left something to be desired, some of the interior details were totally unexpected. I can’t imagine many of the architectural products were commonly available when the house was built—as Tudor homes were seriously out of style in 1970. They must not have been that easy to source. Even today, with the help of the internet and its worldwide reach, it’s not always so easy, <a href="http://thelonggallery.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-challenge-of-sourcing-appropriate.html" target="_blank">as I have noted previously</a>.<br /><br />Now if you combined the exterior design of the first house with the attention to detail of the second house, you'd really have something.<br /><br />As I said, <em>always prepare to be surprised.</em><br /><br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-1489079392998986792017-02-02T20:10:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:55.782-08:00Basement Renovation: Part I<em><span style="color: #660000;">The following story is somewhat of a “catch up”—since the process of improving and finishing our basement has involved years of procrastination, interspersed with periods of creativity, hard work, rudimentary planning, adaptive reuse and carpentry. Here goes…</span></em><br /><br />I suppose I am not alone in saying that the state of our basement (or cellar, if you prefer) has always been a sore spot in our household. It seems this is the case for many homeowners.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3ICDalQyVCLuNny5YYVCjahD09lASha2KV-Hi3WWH6GPDOORtLqyHrdHAwGgjxVe5FbqcaDsmMzwxqHCogsclhLb2X52eVsfeniVJ1iDFBWYpPctliT6IX7UiTrz20szyiJoi9sY6Ds/s1600/work-breakdown-structure-project-manament-important-tool-1200x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3ICDalQyVCLuNny5YYVCjahD09lASha2KV-Hi3WWH6GPDOORtLqyHrdHAwGgjxVe5FbqcaDsmMzwxqHCogsclhLb2X52eVsfeniVJ1iDFBWYpPctliT6IX7UiTrz20szyiJoi9sY6Ds/s400/work-breakdown-structure-project-manament-important-tool-1200x480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When we built the house almost 25 years ago, the basement served only as storage for a growing accumulation of little-used “stuff” and a place to do laundry. The best thing about it was that due to the poured concrete walls and our well-drained lot, it was always dry as a bone.<a name='more'></a><br /><br />About 15 years ago, I embarked on a project that divided the open space into a couple of workable areas devoted to specific tasks. First of these was a workshop for myself, which included the mechanical systems like the furnace and water heater, followed by another area that was used for storage and laundry. The storage and laundry areas were enclosed by simple stud-framed walls. The workshop was a slightly different matter—the “wall” separating it from the rest of the basement was simply formed from 3 large matching bookcases and a desk/bookcase unit, all connected together, then with the 2-foot gap between the top of the cases and the floor joists above filled in with 2’’ x 4’’ framing. A 32” gap between the bookcases became a convenient doorway, and the upper stud-framed portions sections above the bookcases were covered in paneling. The result looks like a wall of built-in units, which they truly are—and since they are not load bearing, they fit their purpose just fine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmhOSFecsgdTb499eECCOtURC8k1Cgi8jDOfqgBZg4dCGM0UB_W2NO0VWk9gtoEVcaD-K-IUjSnEJlnz-0jwMet0PUDeOKGxZJXm2ZkDqiUo9iEGya7NJmPPW7SmgSdeHxB7g7l-54bY/s1600/base+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmhOSFecsgdTb499eECCOtURC8k1Cgi8jDOfqgBZg4dCGM0UB_W2NO0VWk9gtoEVcaD-K-IUjSnEJlnz-0jwMet0PUDeOKGxZJXm2ZkDqiUo9iEGya7NJmPPW7SmgSdeHxB7g7l-54bY/s400/base+plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The storage room I had created included a half-dozen large steel shelving units, which were filled rather quickly. After a few years, it became clear that more storage was needed for the overflow, so I built in some closets toward the front of the house, near the foot of the stairs. This area was relatively convenient to the kitchen, and would offer a fine place for my wife to store some of her larger serving items like large chafing dishes and pans, food warmers and seasonal serving and entertaining accessories that she uses just a few times a year. <br /><br />Originally, I had intended this closet wall—which was about 10’ across—to include a central 4’ wide, 2’ deep inset where I had planned to place yet another one of my many bookshelves. This would have been flanked by a storage closet on each side. Unfortunately, once I had already framed the wall for this, The Boss said she preferred a whole wall of closet storage, and the inset was walled across and another door added. The end result looks fine but the change in plans on-the-fly resulted in a wall of three 24” bi-fold doors where two 36” bi-fold doors would have saved installation time and been slightly more practical. Henceforth, I resolved to consult The Boss prior to framing.<br /><br /><em><span style="color: #660000;">That covers most of the preliminaries up to the present time, with the exception of the wine cellar built under the stairs. That feature deserves a post of its own, and that’s where we will continue this saga…</span></em> MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-54463168990143148002017-02-01T18:00:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:55.988-08:00The Challenge of Sourcing Appropriate Period Items<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidin3ixkFRLjZKrIl89uvSD7AZKh0C_OO7qjJCQw89jRIiCL9fGAzNEyTW5g_NmdI9nemMpLIKfNGaacX3pj8Mk3Mym7T2dWa6Engp30keX1aymnkwpENCVNePOR5XEfvGmmMCLPk5pcs/s1600/tudor+artisans3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidin3ixkFRLjZKrIl89uvSD7AZKh0C_OO7qjJCQw89jRIiCL9fGAzNEyTW5g_NmdI9nemMpLIKfNGaacX3pj8Mk3Mym7T2dWa6Engp30keX1aymnkwpENCVNePOR5XEfvGmmMCLPk5pcs/s400/tudor+artisans3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Decorative plaque - provided by <a href="http://tudorartisans.com/"><strong>TudorArtisans.com</strong></a> - USA</span></td></tr></tbody></table>If you are interested in architectural and interior design of the Tudor and Elizabethan periods, or you’re looking to restore a home built in a revival of these styles, one of the primary challenges is to find appropriate materials here in the States. Eighty years ago, it was easy to source such items as plaster cornice and mouldings, fireplaces, brackets, corbels, light fixtures, hardware and furniture that would look right in a Tudor-revival home. Today, there is little available. Other than the handful of legacy remnants available from old line US suppliers like <strong><a href="https://www.decoratorssupply.com/" target="_blank">Decorators Supply</a></strong> or <a href="http://www.fischerandjirouch.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Fischer & Jirousch</strong></a>, almost no one makes them anymore, aside from high end custom crafters and cabinetmakers.<br /><br />Today, most suppliers offer a range of classically-inspired products that would fit well into a colonial or Georgian home, but provide almost nothing that is suitable to an earlier time period. Whether it’s a chair rail moulding, a wooden mantel, or even a wooden interior door—the choices are generally limited to very common traditional designs. Think of egg-and-dart, dentil mouldings, colonial casings or the ubiquitous colonial six-panel door and you know what I mean.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />Even in my own house, built in 1992, I was limited to these sort of items in terms of availability and budget. I did demand a rather chunky staircase balustrade and had a very large, custom newel post built—I also had a custom mantelpiece made for the family room that was essentially Arts & Crafts in design. Any other resulting detail items I could manage were best described as Victorian (small carved wooden brackets in the dining/living room openings, and faux-plaster ceiling medallions over the kitchen and dining room lights. My doors were six-panel colonial, since the only other affordable and easily-obtainable alternative was a plain surface hollow-core slab door.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtjWmMd0PTs70ggNtDS2DH9BR5DqZ2ycKWmO-JJjTrYKA3FnbkFsOitcGRfNpIf7v4dINVctLBsHfGEMn7D5wfMUxW8ooxr1YhOnsUFJnI49EHvt5eVC7zZHIbyeORz2iUvYRDLCp5-E/s1600/fireplace2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtjWmMd0PTs70ggNtDS2DH9BR5DqZ2ycKWmO-JJjTrYKA3FnbkFsOitcGRfNpIf7v4dINVctLBsHfGEMn7D5wfMUxW8ooxr1YhOnsUFJnI49EHvt5eVC7zZHIbyeORz2iUvYRDLCp5-E/s320/fireplace2.jpeg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Staircase - courtesy <a href="https://www.distinctivecountryfurniture.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>Distinctive Country Furniture</strong></a> LTD - UK</span></td></tr></tbody></table>As it turned out, the result was ok; many of these items might have been found in similar combination in an “Old English” house of an earlier time—particularly here in America, where styles were often blended together. As time goes on and I embark on future projects, I may remedy this situation to some extent, as far as time and budget allow.<br /><br />If one has the means to import items from the UK, the issue is not quite as severe. A better selection is available, not to mention salvage items available from both online and brick-and-mortar vendors. In addition, my Twitter feed is full of highly skilled craftsmen who work in stone, plaster, glass, iron and wood, and almost any of them can create something both appropriate and beautiful—for a commensurate price. Sadly, the exchange rate and shipping across the Atlantic remain serious considerations, but for many, this remains a worthy option.<br /><br />For those who are fearless, and who possess some level of skill and imagination, the remaining alternative is to make these items yourself. If one is able to obtain at least one appropriate decorative item, it is not so hard to make a mold and cast (in plaster or resin) the additional number required. Originals can be shaped in clay, or carved from wood, if one has the patience and requisite skill. Even if one lacks the ability to do hand-work, modern technology makes it possible to model a decorative piece using 3-dimensional software and send a file to a woodshop with a CNC router that can carve the item from a block of wood in a matter of minutes. Not inexpensive, but often less costly than paying a craftsman to make it by hand. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW4w5pnfQirnOox8W5Gp3hrVrYpKX2KRbZA47OhcAw1Q7Nj2dWvIgK2i35StsfYYZIZyUSRilYzl03C57jihGbtleE4HsHTTnAWsACplICdec9LNAGb9kOEoIC1CA1vtT41P-pZRoUnI/s1600/00chest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW4w5pnfQirnOox8W5Gp3hrVrYpKX2KRbZA47OhcAw1Q7Nj2dWvIgK2i35StsfYYZIZyUSRilYzl03C57jihGbtleE4HsHTTnAWsACplICdec9LNAGb9kOEoIC1CA1vtT41P-pZRoUnI/s400/00chest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Lovely medieval floor chest - courtesy <strong><a href="http://www.earlyoakreproductions.co.uk/" target="_blank">Early Oak Reproductions</a></strong> - UK</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Perhaps the best solution is to use a combination of all these methods when it comes to sourcing decorative items for your period home. Where common or traditional materials can be made to “fit the bill”—feel free to use them and flip the resulting savings into cash that can be used to purchase those few specialty “feature” items that will set your project apart. <br /><br />Likewise, do not be afraid to try your hand at creating a decorative detail yourself. If it doesn’t turn out quite as perfect as you would have liked, you don’t have to use it in your entrance foyer; integrate it into a bedroom, a back hall, or even a basement rec room—places where any shortcomings will be slightly less visible.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPMrs7rUwmWY4ck90YVeiqhwaGiCV0-s_p3yhApJptS0bdGBrtKeMDpwQEArWJK310s3JnduPdIEpgwI4ay4QR5Fkvx5e5vZoX7E-C9tuJI0F6GtpPfOzWKb1yKuQTQkcT3JCfhuNloA/s1600/st-pauls-heads-nick+roberson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPMrs7rUwmWY4ck90YVeiqhwaGiCV0-s_p3yhApJptS0bdGBrtKeMDpwQEArWJK310s3JnduPdIEpgwI4ay4QR5Fkvx5e5vZoX7E-C9tuJI0F6GtpPfOzWKb1yKuQTQkcT3JCfhuNloA/s320/st-pauls-heads-nick+roberson.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Stone carved head - courtesy <a href="http://www.robersonstonecarving.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>Nick Roberson</strong></a> - UK</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I would also suggest that at some point you spend the money and have a craftsman build or create some feature item that you can integrate into your interior or exterior design. It may only be a single door, a carving for a fireplace, a plaster panel or a bit of iron hardware, but it will add both value and pride to your finished project. In this age of technology, traditional crafts cannot be allowed to disappear, and it is important that we support them so they will be available to future generations. Today’s best craftsmen work hard to learn their trade and spend many hours researching proper design and technique—whether it involves carving stone, building furniture or modelling in plaster. The results of this speak for themselves. Make use of them if you can. <br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-18888477700047556402017-01-31T20:46:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:56.195-08:00The Curse of Current Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy2mEGnlNhtEgnKlFqqdEWW213l8pr12RFtY_G6g-oAqTCWlM5JOwl2mOjvy0_UVHwcq17AXGDwS38A4cyyMODxpuMtzs6oEoph4EwYlSwnO1p6qZ_542bS9Qz1p1S4GKeKe0YxHb0Uw/s1600/twitter-social-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy2mEGnlNhtEgnKlFqqdEWW213l8pr12RFtY_G6g-oAqTCWlM5JOwl2mOjvy0_UVHwcq17AXGDwS38A4cyyMODxpuMtzs6oEoph4EwYlSwnO1p6qZ_542bS9Qz1p1S4GKeKe0YxHb0Uw/s400/twitter-social-04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Even I am subject to letting my feeling be known when it comes to politics and current events in the news. As are many, I am deeply troubled by the course things have taken since the election of Mr. Trump to our land’s highest office—and I have made mention of it at least once in my TLG Tweets. But I think…<em>only</em> once.<br /><br />Which is precisely the reason I maintain multiple accounts; most of my gripes and tirades are on my personal account, which is where I focus on other interests like book publishing, advertising, marketing and urban development in the town where I live. Political and personal tweets, as they are, seem to fit in much better there; I don’t feel right subjecting my TLG audience and followers to my political views, even though I expect that, for the most part, their views may be largely sympathetic to my own.<a name='more'></a><br /><br />This is especially the case since many of my followers and readers are in the UK. I’m sure many of them are already aware of the issues here in the US, and they have their <em>own</em> to deal with—namely Brexit. In the same way as Trump, that issue has “infested” many of the UK accounts I follow. This is really not surprising, since the subjects are inexorably linked.<br /><br />The resulting situation has artists, designers, researchers, craftsman, historians, hobbyists and others—people who normally refrain from “dabbling” in daily politics—tweeting up a storm on current political events and policy. For some, it is only a mention here and there. For others, these issues now dominate their daily tweets rather than their usual subjects of interest, and it has now come to the point where they seem unable to focus on anything else.<br /><br />Being patient, I would not think to block or mute anyone over such a matter; I follow people with some consideration, and I suspect things will return to normal soon enough (or at least closer to normal, after their initial outrage fades).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdR_IZ6IVe69F-0EEYHGUt6UbeTv835gYo4ipBs-sHllmCAyvJt-PzlOjH-QTasT4BBiMAQPsWq5jiupWHNdSCUzXJRSfxpBT8_VCtCWWfEQPlehvscYxQdvQ-jP4Wa8pb7kykrQjVYs/s1600/paper_li.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdR_IZ6IVe69F-0EEYHGUt6UbeTv835gYo4ipBs-sHllmCAyvJt-PzlOjH-QTasT4BBiMAQPsWq5jiupWHNdSCUzXJRSfxpBT8_VCtCWWfEQPlehvscYxQdvQ-jP4Wa8pb7kykrQjVYs/s400/paper_li.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The biggest problem has become my daily Paper.li newspaper, <em><a href="http://paper.li/thelonggallery/archrevivalist#/" target="_blank">The ArchRevivalist Daily</a></em>. Again, I have always tried to select my news “sources” with a great deal of care—accounts that tweet useful and relevant information regarding heritage issues, traditional architecture & design, preservation, etc.—so the newspaper will offer breadth and usefulness. <br /><br />Lately, however, I have seen a number of ARD issues where the featured story and image is something to do with politics—namely Trump. This is really not what I intended at all, and these stories detract from the primary subject of the newspaper. I recall one issue in particular where one of my usually-relevant sources had perhaps four or five “Trump” tweets or re-tweeted stories posted in one day’s edition. I suppose an improved algorithm on Paper.li’s part could alleviate this to some degree; I'm too busy to do daily content edits and instead rely on their AI to select which stories to “feature.”<br /><br />As a result, I have been forced to (at least temporarily) take the approach of removing some Twitter accounts from my newspaper source list, at least until they return to tweeting relevant information. I still follow them, of course—I only removed them from the newspaper <em>source list</em> until that times comes again.<br /><br />I imagine this issue will pass soon enough, but it does pose a significant question to many of us. <em>How much is too much?</em> No one would suggest that we refrain from observing, commenting and even expressing our outrage when it comes to politics and current events. But we must remember there is a time and place to do so, and that getting overwhelmed by such matters can take us off course, muddy our focus, and in the end--make us less happy.<br /><br /><br /><br />MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-29671737492432565582017-01-31T19:58:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:56.400-08:00Magnificence in Miniature: The Models of Ben Taggart<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPBDOk2N632Al6mLJNi7FOi84j1I_ng8uQJb6wg16RPjsTr7TnEOazX_RR4ZujRaep9JAx7q1ZlyY-rfHT5q6Qutie7sTuVTZHjzjSAMjBY48wgQbkF3PbRroADaRM3mGZLScGAf2PcQ/s1600/nonesuch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPBDOk2N632Al6mLJNi7FOi84j1I_ng8uQJb6wg16RPjsTr7TnEOazX_RR4ZujRaep9JAx7q1ZlyY-rfHT5q6Qutie7sTuVTZHjzjSAMjBY48wgQbkF3PbRroADaRM3mGZLScGAf2PcQ/s400/nonesuch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Ben Taggart with his model of Henry VIII's Nonesuch Palace.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div align="center"></div>I’ve been interested in model building ever since I was a child, and even today still dabble in it from time to time—sometimes for historical miniatures wargaming, or building scenery for a slot car track in the basement.<br /><br />I suppose this is why I can appreciate the magnificent skill that <a href="http://modelhouses.co.uk/index.asp" target="_blank"><strong>Ben Taggart</strong></a> displays with his highly detailed architectural models. My first introduction to his work was seeing a photo of one of his most impressive works—a miniature recreation of Henry VIII’s Nonesuch Palace, which is now on display in South London. I suppose I was so overwhelmed by the well-researched vision of Henry’s lost palace that I did not stop to consider the time, effort and craftsmanship required to actually build the model. Consider this a remedy to that oversight.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcOYRMvz2g0Uywut_nGR4fSiAmuP-m6yeQ-Ha0HmVRbHFknc9nDrE-aBkoxnl-Zp2UQsi9mx3J1rlvfygu-r5BNsvKYqW1EZ5dacKMWQMFreJkKuE5XkTVLKOyAuCpp08VQ-4I44QvtE/s1600/00turry+taggart.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcOYRMvz2g0Uywut_nGR4fSiAmuP-m6yeQ-Ha0HmVRbHFknc9nDrE-aBkoxnl-Zp2UQsi9mx3J1rlvfygu-r5BNsvKYqW1EZ5dacKMWQMFreJkKuE5XkTVLKOyAuCpp08VQ-4I44QvtE/s320/00turry+taggart.png" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">One of Ben's wall-mounted models</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Ben applied his research and modelling skills to projects large and small. On the more modest side, he does unique, hand-framed, low-relief models of houses by commission. These present somewhat of a challenge due to the limitations in depth, so some elements of a home may be foreshortened to fit inside the frame. Nevertheless, the finished examples are quite fine to behold and would be a welcome addition to any homeowner’s wall.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />On a more advanced level, Ben tackles larger, full 3-dimensional “house portraits” for clients as well; fully-detailed and capturing the full color and texture of special buildings that are cherished by their owners. Using wood as the primary material, Ben also utilizes fiberglass, plaster, plastic and brass to achieve a remarkable level of detail in each model—a process that may take several weeks or even months, depending on the size and complexity of the project.<br /><br />The Nonesuch project represents Mr. Taggart’s range of specialist museum work, which is truly impressive. Besides the Nonesuch Palace model produced for Friends of Nonesuch, he has also created a scale model of the Auschwitz concentration camp for the Imperial War Museum’s holocaust exhibit and a brilliant model of the reconstructed Roman Baths for the City of Bath museum. All of these works represent many months of painstaking research and effort, all of which produce a significant “wow” factor wherever they are installed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7Z3vjd1gShAyDwmKdQsLj_4g-SOx1tmKArc-bpUDnXsNAtdbtXdBjsFsl_ahuhyphenhypheniIO5fi50WSVxcOG8TpnuQ0CsonQabk1Pu3seaXhDl6Z3s_eIGH0MOreQZFZxEg4E8kQ6_fk7VWzM/s1600/00taggart+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7Z3vjd1gShAyDwmKdQsLj_4g-SOx1tmKArc-bpUDnXsNAtdbtXdBjsFsl_ahuhyphenhypheniIO5fi50WSVxcOG8TpnuQ0CsonQabk1Pu3seaXhDl6Z3s_eIGH0MOreQZFZxEg4E8kQ6_fk7VWzM/s1600/00taggart+1.jpg" /></a></div>To see more of Ben’s work, be sure to visit his website at <a href="http://modelhouses.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>modelhouses.co.uk</strong></a> <br /><br />For owners who wish to commemorate a special house, government or business planning groups who might benefit from a 3-dimensional rendering of a project, or museums desiring a very special attraction, we are convinced that Mr. Taggart offers the commensurate attention to detail and skill needed to pull it off. MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260461048857036727.post-37044205968779142392017-01-17T20:41:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:15:56.604-08:00Old Books, New Reviews: The Victorian Country House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyzV7DYaB6yp9fhMKY9wBfgTymMgioIEuRKXyYvkwtQF_CNpUzw7LfDTtsBRn1earPPGqvX70pUYOV82SrtH0u-ACZS-kNmTX_PPoCu-prmqVg-vNSR5i7VCARfx-UMBH45Ebgt0rZsc/s1600/country+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyzV7DYaB6yp9fhMKY9wBfgTymMgioIEuRKXyYvkwtQF_CNpUzw7LfDTtsBRn1earPPGqvX70pUYOV82SrtH0u-ACZS-kNmTX_PPoCu-prmqVg-vNSR5i7VCARfx-UMBH45Ebgt0rZsc/s400/country+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: black;"><em>These particular reviews, while sharing some observations regarding the content, design and quality of the book, are primarily intended to highlight the personal meaning they have for me and how they have served my interest in English Architecture.</em></span> <br /><br />Back some time in the mid-1980’s I acquired a copy of Mark Girouard’s <em>The Victorian Country House</em>. At the time, we were living in a modest stucco-and-shingle English cottage in Goodyear Heights, and I was dreaming of eventually building my own “country house”—though on a much smaller scale than those rambling piles featured in Girouard’s book.<br /><br />To this day, the book remains one of the central resources in my library, and still informs my basic attitudes regarding design, building history and taste. Beginning with a thoughtful overview of the Victorian country house-building phenomenon, Girouard goes on to highlight about two dozen memorable examples of country houses—describing not only their planning and design, but also providing insights into their owners and architects. The chapters, which are clear, well-researched and highly entertaining, reveal a colorful tapestry of Victorian society: nouveau riche industrialists, landed gentry, eccentrics, aesthete artists, pious politicians and above all—original and talented architects. The main section is followed by a brief gazetteer of better-known houses built during the Victorian period. The book is very well illustrated; one might wish for more color photos, but I have always found black-and-white images to be very evocative and often highly appropriate to the subject of old houses.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe_QY2vXWfQzWwlUhZYBNR62Oh1VL0UReMAMRu9jPK7IjO5a4lQVd6NpIgC1iopqZrtD-yY4gB6MGE6EEs21FIiUYWcg2BAm_qrQ0A-SNL_ZwkBAtHJXKrpr0mihooCwU7MoCTCg8OgA/s1600/VCH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe_QY2vXWfQzWwlUhZYBNR62Oh1VL0UReMAMRu9jPK7IjO5a4lQVd6NpIgC1iopqZrtD-yY4gB6MGE6EEs21FIiUYWcg2BAm_qrQ0A-SNL_ZwkBAtHJXKrpr0mihooCwU7MoCTCg8OgA/s1600/VCH.jpg" /></a></div>As the years passed, I went on to collect most all of Mr. Girouard’s books. Along with this particular work, another book of his, <em>The Return to Camelot: Chivalry and the English Gentleman</em>, provided much inspiration for my first novel, <em>The Steadfast.</em><br /><br />The mind conjures up a great many things, and when I eventually did build my own house a few years later, it was easy to sometimes imagine myself some minor Lord, making designs, studying and evaluating plans and somehow—seeking to express my essence in a house. Like life itself, the final product turned out to be full of compromises in size, design and materials. The grand plans I first developed (I was my own architect) eventually shape-shifted from a stately, stucco-covered manor house to a broad, brick-and shingle Tudor Revival house…to finally materialize in a 4-bedroom, Old English “cottage” on a 90’ foot wide lot. Thus do dreams run smack dab into the brambled hedgerow of reality. Nevertheless, I still remain Lord of my modest manor.<br /><br />For those who are interested in the types of houses featured on this blog, I highly recommend <em>The Victorian Country House</em> as a fine place to start your reading. I feel confident you will find it not only informative, but highly inspiring, as I did.MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14495919724952916502noreply@blogger.com0