History buffs, take note! I must pass along a couple of interesting websites...The Victorian Web and Victoriana.com are two of the most comprehensive resources for all things 19th Century. I happily lost a few hours exploring these sites, after shooting pictures of a few more South Pas Victorian treasures.
Victorian homes are wonderfully complex examples of the 19th Century's broad and expansive age. No Victorian house is ever exactly what it appears to be from the curb. You'll always discover weird little details, and possibly a few secret passageways. That's what's so much fun about this period in history with its upheaval of hierarchical order and experimentation with so many artistic, philosophical and literary styles. The Victorian era was much more than corsets and smelling salts. It was the bridge from antiquity into modern times. Maybe that's why houses like this feel both old and new at the same time.
15 comments:
Old and new is exactly what I thought. This is so neat and tidy. What color is it?
Yep, you and Wayne are on the same wavelength today which could be scary! Nice one. Pasadena seems to have such interesting homes!!
V
And lets not forget Angeleno Heights, next to Dodger Stadium, with its huge collection of restored Victorian homes.
I love the little round window.
Also, it's so great that the porch wraps around the side of the house. I've noticed that these Victorian homes often present a different face on every side... whereas modern homes have a "front" face and nothing on the sides to make them interesting.
Makes t seem that the Victorians knew how to "think outside the box" before our era invented that buzz-phrase.
Another shot that needs to clicked for maximum effect. I didn't even notice the widow's walk at first.
A lot of work and expense goes into to keeping these old homes in good nick. Thankfully there are some who are willing and able to do it.
At first I thought it looked a little spooky. But then I took Wayne's advice. Up close it has a whole different, far more comfortable feel.
At first glance, this house is in such pristine condition it looks like a new, reproduction - the kind you see in some housing tracts. But the raised foundation, front steps, and chimney which appears to have been shortened thanks to an earthquake provide evidence this is the genuine thing. That and it's in South Pasadena. It's beautifully restored.
Judy asked a good question - what color is it? Before Laurie answers, I think we should guess and see who's right.
My pick - pale yellow.
My kind of house!
Great pic! I wish I could figure out where this one is located. I heard through the grapevine that you were highly praised and talked about at the SP Library Board meeting last week!
I'm thinking the color could very well be yellow. I can see a subtle salmon too. :~)
Yes K, particularly Carroll Avenue!
Laurie, where IS this place?
Do you know about the old adobe house in South Pas?
I love it. I want it. Turn that front lawn into oregano, lavender, thyme, and tomatoes, and it's good to go!
An upstanding home. But I'm actually drawn to the strict angles of the concrete stairs - gives the picture a Bradburyesque sci-fi quality.
Hi everyone,
First of all -- you clever color guessers Judy and Dbdubya are right. It's pale yellow. I wasn't holding out ... I just wanted to feature this house in black and white because of the stark elements of the dark shutters, and the cement steps. Oleg picked up on the sci-fi vibe I noticed. (Nice touch to mention Bradbury -- one of South Pasadena's most beloved writers!)
Virginia, you'd love to visit South Pas and Pasadena just to look at all of the historic homes. (Also much of nearby Highland Park, Altadena, and many of the neighborhoods around Downtown Los Angeles! And that's just off the top of my head in this part of town.)
Kevin, I'd love to explore Angeleno Heights. I've never seen it.
Yak, I've always disagreed with the Victorian stereotype -- all that stuff about prudishness and posturing. There was so much "out of the box" thinking during that transformational era.
Wayne, it's pretty cool that you and I posted Victorians on the same day. Now... stop copying me! :-)
Dbdubya, I had the same thought about it looking new/old.
Jacob, mine too! (And welcome!)
Leslie, it's so nice to hear good things through the grapevine. I love the South Pas library so much, I'm glad to know some of that feeling is reciprocated! Wow!
Mister Earl, I have a few shots of the adobe house that you will soon see. There is some fascinating history behind it and I'm working on the post...
Elaine, what a great idea for that yard! Make sure to add some chamomile, too. After all, we need to have tea on that porch...
I'm just going to leave the location a mystery, out of respect for the homeowners. I'm sure they get enough looky-loos passing by already. (Myself included.)
Thanks for all of the comments, everyone. Until tomorrow...
What a beautiful photo! I loved reading your post today!..
Thanks for sharing...
Thank you..
___________________
Andrew
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