Category: Architecture

Merry Christmas Lion

These are the lions outside the NY Public Library Main Branch on the corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It actually takes up a city block between 42nd Street and 41st Street.

Behind the library is Bryant Park. Grand Central Station is a short walk away.

Merry Christmas Lion

In Christianity the Lion is a symbol of the coming of Jesus and strength. In Revelation 5:5 it says “behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David, has conquered so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” So it is kind of fitting they incorporated a wreath onto a lion into their holiday decoration.

Merry Christmas Lion

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it. I understand this year the first night of Hanukkah starts on Christmas. Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate it! Happy Kwanza!

Bath Telephone Booths

Bath, England has a rather nice city centre that is walkable. Several streets across from the train station are closed to most vehicle traffic. There are a lot of restaurants, shops, and pubs. One thing they do is decorate the telephone boxes and streets in the shopping area. Below are just a few of the Bath telephone booths that are decorated.

Bath Telephone Booths – This one is next to the train station. Warning this one was hard to get a picture by itself on a Saturday. It seems to have a full schedule of photoshoots with Instagrammers.
Bath Telephone Booths – An artist had fun with this telephone booth.

The photos above and below are made of Cotswold stone. Bath is at the edge of the Cotswolds.

Bath Telephone Booths

The British love flowers. I love it when towns do something different to spuce up their city centres. What do you think? Do you have a favourite?

House Signs of Rye

In England it is not uncommon for people to name their houses. This custom started with gentry naming their castles and manors. Later the common folk would adopt the practice. Rye is close to the sea, so words related to ships and the ocean are popular to use. These are just some of the house signs in Rye.

House Signs of Rye – Landgate Cottage

One way people may name their house is by what is on the property or near the house. This one is close to Landgate in Rye so hence the name.

House Signs of Rye – Arbella House

This house may have been named after the Arbella that was one of the first ships that carried about 20,000 English to New England between 1630 and 1640. The Arbella traveled from Southhampton, England to Salem between March 22 and June 12, 1630. The ship was named for a prominent puritan, Lady Arabella Johnson, who was on the ship traveling with her husband.

House Signs of Rye – Neptune Cottage
House Signs of Rye – Smuggler’s Cottage

Smuggler’s Cottage may have been the site of a smuggling operation or it could just be a name that was picked years ago.

House Signs of Rye – Old Stable

Some houses are named after what the former purpose of the building was. This one is named Old Stable so it may have been a stable converted into a house. The name Stables is in the top 50 names of houses in England with 549 houses using that name.

House Signs of Rye – Quaker House

This house was most likely old meeting house of the quakers. The Old Rectory, The Old Vicarage are two of the top 50 names in England of houses.

Are there any of these names or signs you like the best? Would you name your house if you had the option to do so?

Windows of Rye

One of the little towns I visited in England on this trip was Rye. One of the things that stood out for me was some of the windows. Below are some of them.

Windows of Rye

I love this curved window. It seems a great place to display something like this vase.

Windows of Rye

One of two windows I tok photos of that had sailboats in them.

Windows of Rye

I love inside shutters. When I stayed at Oxford University they had something that closed on the inside as well instead of blinds.

Windows of Rye

The second window displaying a sailboat.

Windows of Rye

This one was just an interesting shape.

I love the architecture of windows and doors that are older. They seem to have more character. Which one do you like best?

Fishkill Doors

I found some more doors! This time in Fishkill, New York. Many of these doors may be newer ones, but they have character. They also have nice wreath displays. 

Fishkill Doors – with a wreath that is unique
Fishkill Doors – this family totally renovated this old house over the past few years
Fishkill Doors- the Old Dutch Church built in 1725. It was used as a prison during the Revolutionary War
Fishkill Doors -I believe this house had several nice things as a part of the display spread out across the porch. The husband came out and said the wife does these displays herself.
Fishkill Doors – These doors look original.
Fishkill Doors – more likely a modern one
Fishkill Doors – cemetery chapel I am not sure how old this building is.

It is very hard for me to pick a favourite. They are all good in their own way. The first four are a four way tie first place for me. What do you think?

It was another dark and dreary day in a sea of dark and dreary days. Still trying to get out regardless. The walking trails in the woods are far too muddy to traverse. Don’t count out days that do not cooperate weather wise! Have a happy and safe New Year!

Red Hook Doors

I love old doors. I went on a short trip through Red Hook, New York and some of the old doors stood out to me with their Christmas greens. Included are a few I saw.

Red Hook Doors- My favourite- Unfortunately I could not get too close. I took this from the sidewalk and there was a bush in front of the view.
Red Hook Doors- single door
Red Hooks Doors- Houses with 2 doors had two wreaths
Red Hook Doors- Double Door Double Wreath

The weather has been very uncooperative this week. We have had dark skies and rain. Seeing the decorations has been a highlight. My favourite is the first one. Which one is yours?

Wizard Clock in New York City

I noticed the clock when walking south from Grand Central Station in Manhattan to a meeting last week. On top is a wizard with a sword and a blacksmith hammering something. On the side of the clock are mulberry leaves and silkworms. A lady emerges on the hour.

The clock was designed for Robert Schwarzenbach, silk merchant, by sculptor William Zorach in 1926.

This clock is on Park Avenue.

There is more than one story about the clock. The more backed story seems to be the wizard is Zoroaster. The blacksmith is a slave. He swings at a cocoon at the feet of the wizard which brings about the emergence of the Queen of Silk. She disappears when the hour is done striking.

The other story about this clock relates to one of the King Arthur stories. According to Ephemeral New York, the Lady of the Lake comes out on the hour after the wizard hits the blacksmith’s head with a sword.

In the King Arthur Story, Le Morte D’Arthur, written by Sir Thomas Malory, Arthur needed another sword. Merlin, the wizard took him to a place where Arthur saw an arm clothed in white samite (silk) holding a sword in the middle of a lake. The lady came out of the lake holding the sword. He asked the Lady of the Lake for the Sword and she gave it to him with the condition that he do what she asked.

Whether the story behind it is Zoroaster or King Arthur, it is an interesting find in New York. I understand the clock does not fully work as it originally did, but it is almost 100 years old. Walk slow if you can and look around closely. It is amazing what you can find along the path you take.

Rhinebeck Door

I love old doors with character. This one definitely is interesting. I saw this one in Rhinebeck, NY. They must not use this entrance to the house as the wreath covers both halves of the door.

Get out and enjoy the decorations in your area this time of year. To me the most interesting ones involve the old and the new. Do you agree?

Monger’s Market Finds

Monger’s Market is a vintage warehouse in Bridgeport, Ct. It is only open on Sundays. It can be closed on Sundays that are holidays. They have a variety of items you can see on their Facebook page. Some items are new while many are vintage or repurposed. These are just some of the items that caught my eye.

It appears to be modelled on an 18th Century outfit for a Scottish Highlanders regiment.. The socks resemble those of the 42 Highlanders. Feel free to correct me though if you know otherwise. This was actually in the neighbourhood of 3 feet high.
This is fancier than most antique phones I have seen.
A very unique locker lamp
Old bed twin bed head and foot frame
I really loved the colours on this lamp base.
Old Camera- I had to take a picture of this!
Parking

They have a small lot on premises and there is on street parking. I have heard it is better to get their early to get a parking spot.

Overall I would say this is worth a Sunday trip. Check their website or facebook page to make sure they are open or view some of the items they have.

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MongersMarket

Website:

https://www.mongers-market.com

Plaid Barn

A barn in CT. The weather has not been very cooperative this year.

Plaid seems to be in for blankets, sweaters, and other clothing the past 2 years. This is the first time I have seen a barn painted in a plaid pattern. This definitely stands out. It is far from the normal worn wood or red colouring. Get out an explore! You will be surprised what you may find out there.