Old doors of Ipanema
Last week I discovered two streets tucked in between the Lagoa and the beach that are almost exclusively older houses and apartment buildings built, by the looks of them, in the 30s, 40s and 50s. [I did a small search on Ipanema hoping for historical dates of when this area began to be vacation hot spot and didn’t find anything to put a definite age to these homes – so I am guessing based on some information tucked back in a back corner of my brain. Time to search for a book.] I use this time frame because by the mid 60s the buildings were flat, square, with aluminum windows and 
the 80s on were coated with blocks of marble or granite, and now the apartment buildings have large panes of glass – windows of glass, doors of glass, balconies of glass – no personality or grace.
These streets are filled with homes with wooden doors and shutters, balconies, thick stucco, stone work, inlayed tiles and real wrought iron. I’ve been back three times. I am going to get called into the police for casing the buildings with my 
camera. Each time I’ve walked through the area, I found different details that make my heart pitter-patter with affection for an era gone by and a history not protected by the locals. The apartment buildings 
are 3 or 4 story with one, maybe two apartments per story. The private homes are becoming dress shops, beauty salons, daycares, doctor and attorney offices.
They have been update but the taste, the flavor of each building is being preserved. Many of the homes are surrounded by high, thick walls but I was able to find a glimpse of the beauty lying within.
More buildings, doors and windows seen along the way.
I see the window air con in the red building. The door to that room will be very welcoming.
ReplyDeleteI love those intricate metal designs for the doors and window, very similar sight here too.
ReplyDeleteVery elaborate doorways, I love the semi circular railings in front of the door/window, very inviting.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL STUFF! I especially appreciate the 2nd white door with the entry way- it looks like a church, and it's nice to have a place where you can out your umbrella up before going out into the elements.
ReplyDeleteMetal work really does add character and beauty!
I agree with Jennifer the metal work really adds to the beauty. The old architecture is where we find the most beautiful. Great selection.
ReplyDeleteQMM
My favourite is the first one with its two doors - very exotic to my UK eyes.
ReplyDeleteAh..what a beautiful neighborhood - just judging from the doors. What a joy to walk those streets. And I understand about waiting for the police to come and ask what you are doing. Probably the reason that I didn't shoot our local penetentiary.
ReplyDeleteI took no chances on having someone call the police this week, I knocked on doors and asked permission to take a couple of the photos. I love the wrought iron work in your shots, it doesn't seem to have ever been a feature in NZ design as it was where I grew up in Aust. I think my favourite is the one with the pink arch.
ReplyDeleteI like the look of the vintage doors. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThe wrought iron does add some sophistication to the design. I love the old historical architecture. The doors seem much more stately and grand whereas, todays architecture really doesn't have any personality at all. I think that's part of the reason I want to move to a southern state. I want to relish in the beauty and imagine the stories behind the doors and walls.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures Ginger. I like them all very much.