Cherry Hill Museum

"The historic house was built in 1789 and was home to 5 generations of hoarding Van Rensselaers. The collection if items collected by the family over time include over 3,000 photographs, 7,000 textiles, 20,000 objects, 30,000 manuscript among other things. It is a naturally accumulated time capsule of the family and the time periods in which they lived. In 1963, the last remaining member of the family died and the house became a museum." (source)

Historic Cherry Hill House Museum Website
Help Save Cherry Hill Museum

Ludwig II of Bavaria

Bed

In bed we laugh, in bed we cry;
And born in bed, in bed we die;
The near approach a bed may show
Of human bliss to human woe.
Isaac de Benserade

A poem by William Morris

For the Bed at Kelmscott
by William Morris

The wind's on the wold
And the night is a-cold,
And Thames runs chill
Twixt mead and hill,
But kind and dear
Is the old house here,
And my heart is warm
Midst winter's harm.
Rest then and rest,
And think of the best
Twixt summer and spring
When all birds sing
In the town of the tree,
As ye lie in me
And scarce dare move
Lest earth and its love
Should fade away
Ere the full of the day.

I am old and have seen
Many things that have been,
Both grief and peace,
And wane and increase.
No tale I tell
Of ill or well,
But this I say,
Night treadeth on day,
And for worst and best
Right good is rest.

Pugin: God's Own Architect

Also see: Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin

Thorne Miniature Rooms

Victorian Interiors

Victorian House CAD

The Victorian Gothic Church Interior

The Victorian Gothic Church Interior

Victorian interior painting

A great Victorian interior painting


Dante Gabriel Rossetti reading proofs of Sonnets and Ballads to Theodore Watts Dunton in the drawing room at 16 Cheyne Walk, London 1882 painting.

Modern Architecture: "The Principle of Non-Decoration"

Some interesting posts on the Thinking Housewife blog:

"The Principle of Non-Decoration"

Modern design and fashion are characterized by a love of uniformity, monotone colors, and visual barrenness.

And...

The Principle of Non-Decoration at Work

On the ugliness of churches...

‘Terrible is This Place’

The state of ecclesiastical architecture is abysmal and is not likely to become non-abysmal anytime soon. The most beautiful churches in America and Europe were created in places and times where entire communities were united behind a single building project, a collective monument to the sacred...

And Schools...

“Why Are Schools So Ugly?”

Most people probably would say that America’s school buildings resemble prisons with windows – and without the barbed wire - because it would be too expensive to make them otherwise. But, that doesn’t make sense. Some of this ugliness is enormously costly…

Modern houses are soul-crushing to those who live in them...

Modern Architecture and its Crusade Against Intimacy

It is essential traditional architecture be revived both in our sacred structures as well as our homes. Note how the homes the wealthy and powerful today inhabit are barren and cold, empty of life and progeny...

And update 4/8/2011 from Home Living: "The Effect of Architecture on Home Living"

Windmills

Windmills are a very useful bit of technology for farm and home; they can pump water, grind grain, and even make electricity.

Windmill World

From the primitive windmill to the well-known American-style windmill

Plans for a homemade "All-Wooden Wind Generator"

Wind Power Projects

Bunker Hill, Los Angeles in 1898

A great video of a Victorian House

Looks like it has had some modernization and modifications done it, but fairly tastefully done for the most part.

Victorian Home For Sale

Built in 1885, this classic Victorian mansion designed by Architect Willis E. Keller is a masterful blend of East Lake and Queen Anne Victorian architecture. Known as the Winan House after its original owners, it is one of the few Victorian homes in Los Angeles that stands in its original location and that still stands up to the beauty and admiration these homes deserve. This home features classic moldings, original windows, original doors & hardware, period details and wonderful original wood and stone work throughout the property. After ungoing an extensive renovation, the home is a delightful blend of modern upgrades with the overall integrity and craftsmanship of the 1880's original design intact including the much adorned original Douglas Fir softwood floors throughout. The interior details are beautifully preserved, and the generous sized rooms and gated grounds provide ample space for enjoyment and entertainment. The design includes bright spacious living areas from top to bottom, a dry bar in the media room with a walk-out to the estate grounds.

"Two Story Victorian House On The Road"

"Two Story Victorian House On The Road"

Old Style Swedish Paint

Old Style Swedish Paint

I found this while doing some research, looks interesting, a classic nature mineral pigment and linseed oil paint.

Falun Red Paint from Sweden

Classic exterior paint used for centuries in Scandinavia for under $20.00/gallon. Never scrape this paint - and it never peels. It lasts for decades.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1 March 1812 – 14 September 1852) was Great Britain's foremost architect, designer, and theorist of design of the nineteenth century, a man with extraordinary talent, verve and perspicacity. A man who believed in himself, and harboured a passion for Gothic and the Roman Catholic Church. Best remembered for his work in the Gothic Revival style, particularly churches and the Palace of Westminster.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin 1812-1852

Augustus Welby Pugin: An Overview