Saturday, April 4, 2009

painted lady

I'm having a bout of nostalgia. The Rat Pack's version of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" keeps coming on in my shuffle (it's the one where Dino Crocetti says Fran Sancisco)...

I was thinking about how much I'd like to have a rounded window so that I could really be a hobbit, and began thinking about this building that I used to pass by on the 5 Fulton to and fro school/work.

1347 McAllister Street
Architect: James Francis Dunn

Late 1890s

It's a good example of the Second Empire Victorian (also called French Baroque or Parisian Belle Epoch) style that was made in imitation of Parisian opulence. Characteristics include mansard roofs (two slopes on each of four sides, adds extra level/attic space), big bay windows w balconies, peaking dormer windows, cornices.


Can't help but swoon every time I see this. Art nouveau influence w oeil de boeuf windows. I've never really succeeded in counting how many exterior colors are used (partly because there's so much stonework to match), but that's one of the things I love about San Francisco Victorians. Can you tell? Is this one 10 paints?

5 comments:

Christopher Herz said...

I actually used to live in this house in the early 90s. The place was full of vampires. Not as nice on the inside.

Let me know if you want to know more...

mockumentary said...

In the early 90s! That's awesome. Has the interior not been updated sufficiently since the 1890s?

Unknown said...

I too lived there in the early 90's, the floors get progressively less ornate as you go up, but it is a lovely place & I have very fond memories

Unknown said...

I too lived in this gorgeous home in the early 90's...the space gets considerably less ornate the further up you go, but I have very fond memories of my time there.

Francis said...

Found this image in a google image seach I was doing for references for my 3d modelling. Gorgeous gorgeous building! Pity the image isn't higher res...

Thankyou though for putting what you consider beautiful up in your blog and sharing it with me ^_^ Lovely read.