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Saturday 12 November 2011

Doors & Windows (1)

Original 1930's front door and windows. Redbridge, London.
This is the first in a new series featuring architecturally interesting doors and windows - something I have been intending to start for some time. This fascinating original stained glass porch is two minutes walk from where I live in the London Borough of Redbridge.
Detail of above
The house was built around 1935 and most of the other houses in the area were completed with matching but much less complex designs. Most of them have now converted to functional double-glazed units which are clean but sterile and dull by comparison. I hope there is a conservation order on this house because it is next to the entrance to a park and it's always satisfying to look at whenever I pass by. It is rumoured that this was the builder's own house, so he naturally wanted to own the most outstanding house in the road. I think he achieved that!

21 comments:

Philip Wilkinson said...

Wonderful. I don't recall seeing such a good 1930s stained glass doorway.

bazza said...

I just love it Philip.
Any reader of this blog with even the slightest interest in architecture will find Philip's 'English Buildings' blog a great read, full of interest, knowledge and good research!

David said...

Dear bazza,
Mmmmm, doors and windows of the 1930s. I can't say that this was a subject which immediately grabbed my attention, although I have to agree with Philip above, that I don't recall seeing such a good 1930s stained glass doorway!
Seriuosly, though, bazza, it is a very nice front entrance ( for a house, that is- oo er, missus).
Sorry to sound a bit like a philistine, bazza, and I really do like it!
With Very Best Wishes,
David.

bazza said...

David: Philip is, in fact, a much published professional writer on architecture so I take his remark as that of an 'expert'!
I think you are far from a philistine and, anyway, it's much more interesting to have some different views.
Blogs in which every comment is just adoring of the post bore me.

Anonymous said...

The sensational Sir Tom Eagerly says:
I say Bazza, you must remind me to send you a painting of Eagerly Manor's front door some day. It's really interesting. Not.
Cheers old thing!

bazza said...

Started drinking early today have we, Sir Tom?

joanne fox said...

I would love to see that door from the inside with the light shining through. Can't you give them a knock next time you're passing Bazza and see if they'll let you do a quick photo shoot?

Our house is a 30s house and we have an original window on the landing with stained glass in it, but nothing as magnificent as that front door!

John said...

Hi bazza,
What an amazing front door! I don`t think that I have ever seen the like! I have seen similar reproductions, but there is nothing quite like an original, is there?!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

bazza said...

Joanne: It certainly does look better, even from outside, in the bright sunshine.
I also have an inferior stained glass front door but I still like it!

bazza said...

John: Quite right. There are a few modern but lesser copies of the style in the same road but they are too perfect and probably machine-made.

klahanie said...

Greetings bazza,
I thought this posting was going to be a real pane, but much to my delight, I see no reason to knock this intriguing article.
Did you know that it takes twice as long to wash double-glazed window?
On a serious note, I wish to thank you for your kind and supportive comment on my latest posting.
With respect and good wishes, your way, Gary

bazza said...

Hi Gary: I'm so pleased to hear from you. And you've not lost your sense of humour!
It's surprising how we take everyday things for granted sometimes - I have walked past that door many times and thought it would be nice to write about it. Now I've turned it into one of my many 'series' I have to search for more!
Best regards from Bazza

THE SNEE said...

Hi Bazza,

I can't wait to see where your stain glass scouting takes you for next time. The replacement of these windows with functional units, reminds me of the replacement of slate roofs with asphalt shingles. Not at all whimsical or beautiful, just useful and of course cheaper. This is a happy door. I would like to come home to it every single day!

bazza said...

Rebecca (The Snee): Hi. I'm not sure they will all be stained glass but all will be interesting I hope.
Slate roofs are certainly very attractive. I don't know if you have thatched roofs over there but in rural UK there are many and, though a dying art, there are still proper thatchers at work.

Dixie@dcrelief said...

They are gorgeious, and now I'm inspired to do a door of my own.
What a treasure you have found; glad you shared it :)

bazza said...

dcrelief: It's peach isn't it? I've admired it for years so I was pleased to share it.

Austan said...

I do love architectural bits like this. My mother's house had intricate stained glass here and there through the house. There's not enough stained glass in the world for me.

bazza said...

Austan: Hi, this area (Ilford, Essex) has lots of 1930's houses with these kind of doors and windows but this one is the best of all. I too am an admirer of stained glass. Thanks for visiting.

bazza said...

And now it's gone! Replaced with very nice modern windows throughout but it's a very regrettable loss.....

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bazza - how very very sad ... I wonder if it's preserved somewhere ... hopeful I guess, but not likely. I've not seen a 1930s style like this before ... fascinating ... cheers Hilary

bazza said...

I was hoping that someone had kept that door but I was afraid to ask the new owners. I didn't want to hear that they has put it in a skip!