1920's Mizneresque Property for Sale in Lantana

Pecky cypress ceilings… hardwood floors… beams… archways… fireplaces… iron grillework… are typical features found in 1920’s Spanish mansions, including a 1920’s early Mizneresque mission-Mediterranean home, ”Captain’s House,” on a dead end with 75’ of picturesque intracoastal waterway frontage in Lantana. The property is for sale for $2.45-MM. The main house and guest apartment, including five bedrooms, 5 baths and 2 kitchens, can be purchased separately for $1,999-MM and the adjoining properties for $455,000. The 2-story vaulted Great Room features the pecky-cypress ceilings, newly refinished red-oak floors and massive fireplace. The room is flanked on two sides by twin enclosed loggias with arched windows and has French Doors and the original 8” sq tile floors, similar to those manufactured by Addison Mizner, famous society architect. The dining loggia was the original entry; the other loggia, formerly a screened porch, has been closed in and is setup as a music room. “Eyebrow” windows are featured. The main door was milled and shipped in the 1920’s. The kitchen has reconditioned vintage appliances. The fireplace has applied masonry that looks like stone. Original antique sconces and massive metalwork chandeliers, as well as a buggy under the staircase are included. Kitchen cabinets are made of hardwood, but facings are built of cypress beadboard from old storm shutters from a 1926 house across the street. Shower rods are brass, curtain hooks are stainless steel, faucets are high-end reproductions. It includes a separate 1930’s-era duplex with two 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartments, and 1-bedroom, 1-bath 1940’s era cottage with Spanish tile floors and leaded-glass windows and runs along Lake Worth Avenue to South Lake Drive. These units include Dade County pine, Spanish tile and a shared fireplace. Enter the main residence through a walled courtyard. A big cement pond was dug up, landscaped and made into a koi pond with a brass Cupid fountain. Careful restoration has been done to a scrolled metal gate and metalwork on the grounds. Marilyn will be happy to show you this beautifully restored 1920's Spanish Mansion (561-302-3388).

HISTORIC SPANISH MANSION FOR SALE IN FT. LAUDERDALE

A 1920’s Spanish mansion, “The Old Hood Estate” is located on a private, gated peninsula in Ft. Lauderdale in a majestic-like park setting with wide tropical water views. 168’ on the New River, no fixed bridges/docks. Included is a 2568 sq ft Guest House, all on 1 acre of land. Tall trees are centuries old. Watch large yachts cruise by and schools of ocean fish play. 10 minutes walk to Las Olas Boulevard. Price is $4,200,000. Marilyn will be happy to show you this lovely one-of-a-kind historical mansion. Call 561-988-0070.

Will be back after a short break!

I am heads (and hands and feet) down with the prep for my sister's wedding, hence the absence from posting new delicious stuff...
I will be back next week once the wedding is all done...though, folks who know me by now, also know that I just might peep in and poke in a bit with a quick post during my break!

In the meantime, why not view some whites with a dash of color?

And, also visit this link for an addictive game designed to help end world hunger!

Gaslight Square - Part One

The signs asking for volunteers & sponsors and the pleas for help spray painted on the board-ups could not save Gaslight Square from ultimate destruction. Even the fresh coat of paint applied to the buildings by Patrick Schneider of the Gaslight Square Preservation Society could not bring back the fabled block of Olive centering on Boyle Avenue.
The destruction of Gaslight Square can only be described as one of the greatest losses of St. Louis' cultural history and one of the biggest missed opportunities in the last few decades. I will not attempt to summarize the history of the Square here, as there would be too much to say. Instead, you can follow the links below or read Thomas Crone's: Gaslight Square an Oral History
I have divided this post into two parts to focus of the two major waves of demolition that occurred in recent memory. By 1993 when I took this set of photos of the remaining buildings of the north side of the street, many others in each direction had already disappeared over the years. This included the Musical Arts Building that burned in 1969 after surviving two tornados and another fire in 1962. In 1994 this entire row of buildings met their doom, leaving no trace of the former district on the north side of the street. The buildings on the sough side would last yet another decade (following post).
It seems that most of the buildings in Gaslight Square were simply abandoned after the restaurants and music spots shut their doors in the early 1970's (one lone survivor, the Prestige Lounge stayed open almost to 1990). This row of buildings was owned by the City's biggest slum lord and most notorious applicant of demolition permits, the LRA. As you can see from the photos, the exterior of these buildings appeared to be in good condition, although 20 years of abandonment had surely taken their toll on the roof and interiors. Still though, the buildings were not at all beyond saving for rehabilitation (I will focus more on that concept in the next post), but were demolished anyway.
One of the most photographed spots on the Square, the free-standing columns at the former Smokey Joe's Greecian Terrace in 1993, and 30 years earlier, in 1963 (photo from the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at UMSL). You can see the rest of my 1993 photos of Gaslight on Flickr.

For more information about Gaslight Square see: The Legend of Gaslight Square and two documentary previews on YouTube
To see over 50 photos of Gaslight Square in it's heyday, check out the Western Historical Manuscript Collection Photo Database and simply type: Gaslight Square.
Also, read a fascinating article from Time Magazine, Friday, May 18, 1962: No Squares on the Square and one from the RFT published exactly 37 years and one day later: Lights Out

Iran

I came across this photographer's work on Flickr, and kept coming back to his intense images of his beautiful country - Iran. A country rich in art, architecture, poetry, calligraphy and handicrafts, among other things. And, Abbas has captured all this seamlessly in his photographs...

Imagine such rich colors and craft in your home! You can view more of Abbas's work here to get design inspiration from the Middle East.

FAU PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER” BY BOCA BALLET

The 16th annual production of “The Nutcracker” will be held November 23-25 at the FAU Theatre. NYC’s American Ballet Theatre dancers Sara Smith and Jared Matthews will be dancing in the production. Smith began her first serious ballet training at Boca Ballet Theatre at age 11, and later attended the Harid Conservatory for four years on full tuition scholarship, and then receiving a scholarship to train at the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. She next attended Indiana University with a merit scholarship, majoring in ballet performing and nutrition science, and dancing as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Odette in Swan Lake. In January 2004 Smith joined the American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice. Jared Mathews studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts summer program and with scholarships attended summer intensives at Joffrey Ballet School and School of the American Ballet. In April 2003 he became a member of the corps de ballet of the American Ballet Theatre and was promoted to solist in July 2007. Performances are scheduled at 7 pm Friday November 23, 2 pm and 8 pm on Saturday, November 24 and 2 pm on Sunday, November 25. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for children and seniors. Call 561-995-0709 or go to www.bocaballet.org. The Boca Ballet Theatre Volunteer Guild is holding a Gingerbread Ball after both matinee performances, including punch and cookies and a change to meet and get autographs from the dancers. Tickets are $6 and must be purchased in advance, with limited availability.

An ode to color

As we feel the nip in the air (and in some parts of the world, the nip must be quite nippy by now!), we are drawn towards warm colors. Possibly that's one of the reasons why I was so enchanted by Nikhilesh Haval's photography!

Nikhilesh, an Indian based in the UK, specializes in travel, architectural, interiors and events photography. His work has appeared in many well known magazines, and his client list includes many Moroccan clients, as is evident by his rich portfolio.

Such a good way to make a striking red wall even more dramatic

Wall art that accentuates the room colors

Copper Samovar and painted trunk. Mud/plaster fireplace and lovely floor tiles

Who could possibly resist a Greece inspired textured white wall?

Warm tones of orange and yellow

Isn't the chair quaint and modern at the same time?!! Beautiful shade of blue in the tiles

Hint of color against white

Imagine having a cup of subtly flavored chai, while sitting on this diwan (day bed) admiring the gorgeous carpet

Hmm..Art deco?

The stark beauty of black and white

[All images from Nikhilesh]

100-YEAR-OLD DELRAY BEACH FARMHOUSE MOVES TO HISTORICAL AREA.

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The 52-ton Hunt House, possibly the oldest building in Delray Beach, was built 100 years ago on land owned by George Linton. Hunt House was to be demolished for townhouse construction, but the developer donated it to the historical society. It was moved to the Old School Square Historic Arts District, next to the Delray Beach Historical Society’s 1926 Bungalow and Cason Cottage House Museum. During the move, crews removed traffic signals in the way and Florida Power & Light Co. linemen held up the lines from cherry pickers. The train stopped, police blocked the streets, and small crowds gathered to watch 100 years of history go by. The move was supervised by Keith Kleppinger, president of Russell Building Movers Inc. of Miami. The move cost between $50,000 and $60,000 and was paid for with donations and funds from the city, county and state. Local architects Bridges, Marsh & Associates, whose offices were in Hunt House from 1977 to 2005, and restoration contractor Ken Blair are donating their services to renovate the house as a learning and resource center for the Historical Society, showcasing Delray Beach’s history. Blair will be stripping of dozens of paint layers that accumulated over the years and exposing the original wood inside the house. The exterior will get a fresh coat of paint changing from light yellow to its original white. It is to open in about one year, when Palm Beach County’s Centennial Celebration will begin. A new structure behind Hunt House will become home for the society’s archives.

I love you the best

Better than all the rest

I love you the best

Better than all the rest

That I meet in the summer

Indian summer

That I meet in the summer

Indian summer

I love you the best

Better than all the rest

Song by Doors

what a nice coincidence! Here are some more Doors! :-D

Grand entry

Door with faux jharokas (window)

Entry way masquerading as a peacock

Ornate door in a soothing shade of green

A door as a door is supposed to be...strong!

And a beautiful entry to a humble abode

And when it comes to doors, you also think about...

Bolts

Locks

and maybe a sentry or two if you like hiding treasures...

This was a glimpse into some of the doors as seen in old palaces and forts in India...more towards North India. In upcoming posts, I will also cover doors from other parts of India :-)

(Images courtesy: Jyothi Karthik Raja and Gul Chotrani @ Pbase; Meanest Indian and k3llissima @ Flickr)

The Syndicate-Century Three Years Later

The title of this post could have easily been "life and death on block 273". Like day and night, the contrast of the two halves of the black are stark. On the west half, the beautifully restored Syndicate Trust is closing in on completion. Apartments on the lower floors appear to be ready for occupancy. The building's exterior is freshly painted (the building had been painted long ago), windows are in, and new storefront is finished on Olive Street.

To the east stands the 9th Street Garage, completed earlier this year, where demolition of the Century Building began a little over three years ago. At night harsh bright light floods the empty sloped concrete floors and spills out onto Olive and Locust Streets through the unscreened openings. The ground floor is still dark and empty months after the space was ready for its supposed tenant Schnucks, who seems to be playing the "I'm afraid to commit game", leaving City Grocer's earlier announced expansion plans in limbo.

Across 9th street is stands the Old Post Office, which has turned out to be largely lifeless itself. While the Library and Pasta House bring are a pleasant additions along Locust, but instead of retail as was originally promised, the remainder of the ground floor was given over to office space, which does nothing to activate the streets around it. Even the lobby off Olive and the grand sky lit atrium space at the center are completely void of any furniture, sending the message that the State of Missouri does not want anyone spending any more time in the building than absolutely necessary.

So after more than three years since the pounding of the headache ball against grey Georgian marble began, we must ask ourselves: Is downtown really better now?

Picadilly Please!

Through the rain, to the soul of everything.

The day I welcomed Diwali, and You, to our home...

Never have I been such an enthu pataka ('enthusiastic cracker' for the uninitiated) about taking pictures on Diwali! But, I promised you, my beautiful friends and readers, that I will share images from my home, and I being quite the gentle(wo)man when it comes to 'published on net' promises, I did exactly that! And had a lot of fun in doing so too!


Let me re-live with you the beautiful day it was yesterday, when we celebrated Diwali....

Welcome...

Lord Ganesha (made of brass) presides in his niche, content with the offerings of marigold. The two brass bowls belong to my grand mom. The smaller one was used by my mom for her meals when she was a baby and hence holds a very special value for me

In anticipation...during the day:

Took out the brightest of colors...in this case, a red bed cover and cushions with gold block print. A recently acquired rug now proudly hangs above our bed. The corner chair in my bedroom is one of my favorite places in our home during winters..


Waiting to be lit up as the dusk falls. Marigold and Orchids. Bougainvillea petals from my garden

And 'this' also waits to be placed at the proper place! 'This' being some of the booty from my recent trip. Iron grill candle holder and various tableware from Boston (Crate and Barrel and Target primarily...I was pleasantly surprised by some of my finds at Target), and Mr. I.M. Aboy magnet from Camden. The mirrors are from Ikea (from an earlier trip) that I got polished to this shade of wood to match the rest of our woodwork

And as dusk falls, the festivities begin:

Three different kinds of lights welcome you to our home! First one is a Bastar iron candle stand, and then we have.. who else but the mighty elephant taking on the load of diyas, and finally, a flaming mashaal (torch) right at my doorstep


And as you step in: a deep pink lantern; cut work diyas in a row; and my latest obsession - hammered brass urn with pink and yellow dried leaf lotuses - all greet you with open arms!

And not to be left behind, some other nooks from my home adorned with tea lights and cane lamp. The silver chowki (small stool on which the tea light stand is kept) was used for some purpose at my wedding (don't remember what purpose!)

But who gave the permission to light up all this fancy stuff? Well, everything was lighted only after we did a small puja (religious ceremony) in front of Lakshmiji (Goddess of wealth) and Ganeshji (God of everything good and auspicious). The figurines on the left are made of terracotta, as is the small house known as 'hatri'. A new set is bought each Diwali...
(And Constance, I lighted a candle for you while we prayed...)

And, finally, we wrap up another Diwali...

Still warm but now vacant chair after family and friends left; solitary lantern providing some warmth to the black cushion; 'not-wanting-to-be-left-out-even-though-I-am-regular-and-not-related-to-Diwali-decor' lamp (my favorite one!); and the metal candle lady (whose head was cut off by the mosaic maker!) looking at the other black cushion push the pink cushion off the couch when it thought no one was looking...

Some afterglow of solitary votive; two (oh %^&*! I have forgotten a word again...what do you call this flower?!!)...well, anyway, the two flowers dozing off on my kitchen counter; brave bastar camel guarding the only two books on my newly built additional book shelf and orchids playing the last game of peek-a-boo with the stairs..

Thank you for visiting me on Diwali...you made this beautiful festival even more special for me this year :-)

P.S: All terracotta diyas and other terracotta items were bought from The Blind Relief Association at N.Delhi, where each year, visually challenged children make these products, while pursuing their education. I strongly recommend (specially if you are in Delhi, or are visiting) to help this non-profit institute by buying at least something made by these children. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed when you visit their workshop. :-)