7/26/07
GAVIN CLINKERS
Clinker bricks are bricks used in the construction of buildings. In early brick firing kilns, the surface of the bricks that were too close to the fire changed into the volcanic textures and darker/purplish colors, and were called "clinkers". They were originally discarded, but around 1900, these bricks were discovered by architects to be usable, distinctive and charming in architectural detailing, adding the earthy quality favored by Arts & Crafts style designers. Modern brick-making techniques can recreate the appearance of these bricks and produce a more consistent product.
In the United States, clinker bricks were made famous by the Pasadena, California architecture firm Greene and Greene who used them (often in combination with native rocks) in walls, foundations, and chimneys.
The name "clinker brick" is said to come from the sound that they would make when banged together, being heavier than regular bricks; however, this term is also used for the hardened residue of coal fires, that can have a similar texture.
Ripped from the Net.
In the United States, clinker bricks were made famous by the Pasadena, California architecture firm Greene and Greene who used them (often in combination with native rocks) in walls, foundations, and chimneys.
The name "clinker brick" is said to come from the sound that they would make when banged together, being heavier than regular bricks; however, this term is also used for the hardened residue of coal fires, that can have a similar texture.
Ripped from the Net.
JEANNE WALKING IRON
I love Jeanne.
She's a welder, lives in the Castro in San Francisco. That's her standing on that I Beam. Since I suffer from acrophobia this photo gives me the willies so know I didn't take it.
myspace.com/girlofsteel377
On Golden Gate Bridge
She's a welder, lives in the Castro in San Francisco. That's her standing on that I Beam. Since I suffer from acrophobia this photo gives me the willies so know I didn't take it.
myspace.com/girlofsteel377
On Golden Gate Bridge
7/21/07
The RED DIAMOND - Benton Park West
When I first met Chris he was living in this building in Benton Park West. This made sense to me since the Red Diamond is the rarest of gems and accurately describes the inhabitant.
I love Chris.
I love Chris.
ALTON BRICK - GIFT FROM ERIC
Thanks Eric!
This brick is a gift from Eric, it's from his house in Gravois Park. Hopefully he'll provide the details of finding this brick.
This brick is a gift from Eric, it's from his house in Gravois Park. Hopefully he'll provide the details of finding this brick.
GLAZED BLUE BRICK
38 Wyoming - TGS
I spied this BLUE glazed brick one day last year when dropping off something for Caryn and Tim who own the building. We had dinner at their house last week, I begged for a photo (camera DOA) and they graciously supplied this photo.
I spied this BLUE glazed brick one day last year when dropping off something for Caryn and Tim who own the building. We had dinner at their house last week, I begged for a photo (camera DOA) and they graciously supplied this photo.
6/8/07
Fleu-de-lis
LOCAL HARVEST GROCERY
Just opened in my neighborhood and I've been meaning to pix this fleur-de-lis lock plate for months. What a score! Also picked up loads of groceries.
Just opened in my neighborhood and I've been meaning to pix this fleur-de-lis lock plate for months. What a score! Also picked up loads of groceries.
5/31/07
HOOSIER REHABBING - TGS
Hoosier Rehabbing
If you look at the first post on this blog you will see the front porch of my childhood home here in TGS. Here it is again, how it looked as of two years ago.
( The bricklaying bond on the face of the porch is called Stretcher.)
The address numbers were framed behind the beveled glass above the mail box and original to the house. The front porch used to have a wood swing where I reclined and read The Post as a teenager. It was also a great hiding place while playing hide and seek. A perfect view of the whole block, the portal to the Outside. Incredible face brick!
A shrine to my childhood. 3964 McDonald Avenue. Home!
Recently a rash of hoosier contractors have bought homes in the neighborhood including my old house. I noticed the tell tale rehabbing dumpster out front one day so I introduced myself to the dipshit idiot who is rehabbing my old house and asked for a tour.
I braced myself as we walked in. The walls remain and the addition my Dad added is there. The basement was stripped of everything my parents built down there in the 60's (outdated, I was told by the 'rehabber'). I gasped. The framed walls, the built-in closets and desks were all gone. It was a bare basement.
He had pulled out the grape vines (my dad made wine), removed the three fruit trees (we canned) and yanked out my mom's iris in the back yard.
The worst was the stupidly placed new address plaque and, what I call, hoosier wrapping (this is a new fad in rehabbing, covering rotting wood with metal instead of scraping and repainting or even replacing wood).
New address plaque:
I commented that the metal seams hadn't been caulked which of course will lead to a larger problem for the new home owner.
And what's up with this inane black ornament above the porch?
If you look at the first post on this blog you will see the front porch of my childhood home here in TGS. Here it is again, how it looked as of two years ago.
( The bricklaying bond on the face of the porch is called Stretcher.)
The address numbers were framed behind the beveled glass above the mail box and original to the house. The front porch used to have a wood swing where I reclined and read The Post as a teenager. It was also a great hiding place while playing hide and seek. A perfect view of the whole block, the portal to the Outside. Incredible face brick!
A shrine to my childhood. 3964 McDonald Avenue. Home!
Recently a rash of hoosier contractors have bought homes in the neighborhood including my old house. I noticed the tell tale rehabbing dumpster out front one day so I introduced myself to the dipshit idiot who is rehabbing my old house and asked for a tour.
I braced myself as we walked in. The walls remain and the addition my Dad added is there. The basement was stripped of everything my parents built down there in the 60's (outdated, I was told by the 'rehabber'). I gasped. The framed walls, the built-in closets and desks were all gone. It was a bare basement.
He had pulled out the grape vines (my dad made wine), removed the three fruit trees (we canned) and yanked out my mom's iris in the back yard.
The worst was the stupidly placed new address plaque and, what I call, hoosier wrapping (this is a new fad in rehabbing, covering rotting wood with metal instead of scraping and repainting or even replacing wood).
New address plaque:
I commented that the metal seams hadn't been caulked which of course will lead to a larger problem for the new home owner.
And what's up with this inane black ornament above the porch?
4/30/07
1/21/07
BRICK TOSSED BY THE PACIFIC OCEAN
This little piece of a brick with mortar was sent to me by my dear friend Pat Fish who owns Tattoo Santa Barbara.
While running her dogs on the beach recently, she spotted this piece of a brick that had been pounded smooth by the surf. I LOVE IT!
Months later, Pat Fish came to visit me.
While running her dogs on the beach recently, she spotted this piece of a brick that had been pounded smooth by the surf. I LOVE IT!
Months later, Pat Fish came to visit me.
1/9/07
1/8/07
BLACK BRICK, BABY
Tim thinks this Modernist building in Granite City was designed by Harris Armstrong. The building was once a bank and is now the HQ for Granite City Steel. Part of the old bank interior has a bank of marble teller windows with a steel rail a la Mondrian. There's three little windows with chunks of Dalle glass.
The bank entrance has a modest steel slab sculpture in the front corner and enameled steel boomerang art on the interior wall (photos will follow if I get in later this week).
While we were looking in various windows a security guard pulled up and shooed us. The only information I culled from him was that all the steel used in the building had been produced at the Granite City Mill.
Here's Tim on the side of the building below enameled blue steel panels.
Full view of the building from the back:
Elevator tower with geometric design on the brick face:
Black brick with yellow flecks:
The bank entrance has a modest steel slab sculpture in the front corner and enameled steel boomerang art on the interior wall (photos will follow if I get in later this week).
While we were looking in various windows a security guard pulled up and shooed us. The only information I culled from him was that all the steel used in the building had been produced at the Granite City Mill.
Here's Tim on the side of the building below enameled blue steel panels.
Full view of the building from the back:
Elevator tower with geometric design on the brick face:
Black brick with yellow flecks:
11/17/06
11/7/06
DO NOT SPIT ON SIDEWALK
Turn of the century brick requesting no spitting due to the spread of tuberculosis
11/3/06
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