On our Bower family vacation, I mentioned that we visited Fort Clinch. What I didn’t mention was that I was obsessed with taking photos of the doorways & windows while I was there. Seriously obsessed. If licking the entire fort would make it mine (sortof like that old VW commercial), you better believe I would be picking 19th century splinters outta my tongue for a while. I loved the rustic doors with the exposed rivet heads and the brickwork details. And even though most of the rooms were roped off, I was able to snag some shots of those beautiful arches, light-infusing transoms, and black painted sashes.
The blue door is one of my favorites. I love the color. It seems new. Like someone chose the blue-gray from a Restoration Hardware catalog. And speaking of trendy – don’t you just love how classic the black painted sash looks against that brick? I mean, seriously…we’re those civil war soldiers hip or what?! And I adore the arched doorways – especially when you can see the decay of the bricks were the hinges of the door would have been.
Iron bars haven’t looked this hot since Prison Break. And this might just be me but do arches remind you of engagement pictures? And that door…lordy…it was humongous. and totally riveting. heehee.
The first door was the entrance to the bathroom. It’s probably not that old…but I loved how they tried to make it look like it fit in with the rest by add some iron handles and bars across the top & bottom. Obviously I couldn’t capture doors & windows without giving a shoutout to the cool old hardware. If only the painter had been introduced to Frog tape. And last is a pic of the window in the 19th century bathroom. Yes, there is a theme here. It’s funny that the loo has a full window. HELLO!
Speaking of themes…let’s do arches. Oh arches arches arches. You bend my frown and turn it upside down. Arched ceilings, arched doorways, arched windows, golden arches…be still my beating heart. That center door is awesome no? Like something in a JCrew ad. Obviously there would be leather equestrian boots involved. And possibly an overly skinny girl in weirdo ankle socks with fancy strappy heels.
Lastly we some more doors and a window…seriously folks, nothing clever here. Just more of the same. Except I did want to mention that I liked the little shelf on the wooden door. Perfect spot for a cup of tea with a saucer. And an empty amber bottle with a single flower bloom. I could sip the tea and lean against the arched doorway as I waited for my soldier boyfriend to come kiss me before heading off to join the garrison. And that transom is dreamy too. I loved how they painted the other side of the door (not shown)…they did the door white but with buttery yellow insets. Just darling. And that last window is looking out to the sea…it was a fort afterall. The small little window makes me want a musket. And muskets make me want jewelry. Don’t ask why…it has something to do with an old Friends episode.
Now was this post random enough for you?! Let’s file it under photography…because it isn’t really informative. But I would love to hear what you like…any other arch lovers out there? Or perhaps you are still picturing a soldier with his knickers around his ankles sitting on the old timey john? Or maybe you just want to say that I’m stranger than the JCrew sequined harem pants for taking photos of doors and windows…
I can totally see all those pictures in a large 20 x 30 collage of sorts hanging in my family room – I love the rustic tones and the colors.
Agreed! They are beautiful! 🙂
I’m going to agree with the above! Katie..I would totally buy these pictures!! I love me some arches too! My boyfriend (I love that sentiment by the way!!) and I are saving for a big arch door for our new house. And the licking comment made me laugh out loud..just love your wit!
I love all the brick work. I miss bricks so much. Everything was made of bricks back home in New Orleans. Everything here in San Diego covered in stucco. Yuck
These pictures are beautiful, you should do a big collage.
A girl after my own heart! I too, love arches, historic doorways and unique windows. Your photos are beautiful. We took a trip to Valley Forge earlier this year, and I snapped a few shots of the architecture, hardware and even a blue door that matched my shirt!
http://sohldesign.blogspot.com/2010/04/valley-forge-national-historical-park.html
Thanks for sharing this post. I love what you’ve been doing with your blog. Keep it coming!
I, too, fancy doors and arches! I found myself constantly taking pictures of awesome architectural elements on our trip to Europe last spring. Meanwhile, my husband snapped a photo of each bird he spotted perched a top a statue, ha ha. We have quite a collection!
I love the collage idea that a few other readers suggested! This is probably a ridiculous idea, with a five-month-old and everything, but I think you could totally start an online shop to sell your amazing photos and maybe a few other cool items like the Tennessee and New Jersey art you made a while back.
I love the look of old doors. My MIL just bought a photo series of old doors in Charleston. So cool!
It might be a random(ish) post, but I love photos of doors! That probably makes me weird, but then again we are doing a wall of just photos of doors in our house: http://hernandohouse.wordpress.com/2010/08/01/the-frame-game/
I love touring old houses, forts, buildings, etc. One picky comment I have to make is that instead of saying that the fort looks like a J Crew ad maybe you should say the J Crew ad looks like the fort. I’m pretty sure the fort came first 🙂 I’ve seen some “new old houses” where they purposefully get paint on the hinges to make them look old and give them some character. I don’t think I could do it though, I’m too anal retentive, or as I prefer to call it, detail orientated ;0
Thanks for sharing the pics!
Well no wonder you were taking so many photos of them! They are very cool! I would love to have windows and doors with that much character. 🙂
oooh Sarah – I loved those photos with the magnolia tree. Gotta love a tree covered in pale pink!
XO – kb
Wow! Amazing pics Katie. I love arches too, and you’ve captured them with such beauty. Keep up the great work!
you should really come down to Charleston and you could get more than your fill of old doors/archways/buildings, etc! My hubby’s a freelance photographer and we’ve definitely spent plenty of days just walking around admiring the architecture!
Love the photos! I leave near Fort Morgan, AL and I have three photos of the brick and arches in my house and they make my heart swoon every time I get to look at them. I was a history major so I think that is part of it as well.
Hi Katie! I am a follower of the Petersik blog (and a fellow Richmonder), and I followed them over here back when you guys did your first table setting video. 🙂 I LOOOVE those door pictures–how did you get those shots? Did you use a fisheye lense? I know you were really excited when you got a new camera, and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on that because my “boyfriend” has finally consented to using joint funds to get a dslr!!!! p.s. show that pic of your child with the headband on to his first girlfriend, hehe
Hi Charlotte,
Here is a post that explains my camera and my lenses. Some of those shots were using the fisheye attachment 🙂
xo – kb
p.s. I hope Sherry showed Clara that photo…to keep Will from getting a big head 🙂
I’m a new reader, so I’m scouring the archives, which is why this comment is a little late. But I love the photos! Everywhere I go I also find myself taking pictures of doors/windows/arches – it make me feel artistic, ha. And I love the Phoebe in the jewelry store reference. Cracks me up everytime. 🙂