ADVERTISEMENT
You will be redirected to your destination in 15 seconds.
You will be redirected to your destination in 15 seconds.
Awnings for Today
August 3, 2010
210 Fifth Avenue, New York
In the mid 19th century, when fabric became cheap enough, window awnings grew to be a common sight. Until then, wood shutters were relied on for protection. Sometimes these shutters had louvers, but more often they were just solid boards. Today we obsess about the most nuanced levels of light and how to achieve it using complex lighting systems and (especially to the delight of all decorators) dimmer switches. However, in the 19th century, awnings were a major innovation for controlling the light and heat of the sun. Imagine at one point in history a room with awnings was considered revolutionary.
Original Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island
Current Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island
By the turn of the 20th century, almost every important building had awnings, or as they were sometimes called in the period, window bonnets. This week I was reminded of their presence by a photograph on a historic photo website called Shorpy.com of our building at 210 Fifth Avenue and by pictures of the Breakers in Newport that I found while researching new additions to the Newport Mansions Collections line of furniture I advise on for E.J. Victor in Highpoint.
The south portico of The White House in 1922
Clearly, this cloth element of the awnings changes the character of the buildings, adding a rich dimension. Early in my career, inspired by Holly Golightly's house in Breakfast at Tiffany's where the real life owners had kept the green and white awnings from the movie, I tried to reintroduce them to a New York brownstone. Apparently, Holly Golightly got an exemption as I found myself at odds with current building codes for both Landmark and the Buildings Department and was denied. At that time, awnings were not encouraged on residential structures though given a pass on commercial buildings. Luckily, recent rules are more favorable and there is greater accommodation for them.
In this green age it seems a pity that they are not used more often. I hope we will start to re-employ them again and one day find them a regular part of our streets.
A still from Breakfast at Tiffany's showcasing awnings on townhouse
Posted by Thomas Jayne on August 3, 2010 |
Comments (7)
June 18, 2012
In response to:
Awnings for TodayJoicianne commented:
The best colour for a porch floor is a mieudm tone colour. It shows the least dirt. That's why grey is popular. But seeing as you have a light brown front door, maybe a mieudm brown would work. Or, actually, if this was my house, I'd use grey for the porch floor and paint the door another colour, probably black or another strong colour.
June 16, 2012
In response to:
Awnings for TodayJoel commented:
Designing window shteturs are a part of science & art together. The shutter source design consultants will walk you through many choices of materials, louvers, colors & trims that help you make the right choice. You should expect relevant questions from our expert consultants & answer them properly to get the best experience while installing the most suited window shteturs design for your house and office.
August 9, 2010
In response to:
Awnings for TodayConnie Long commented:
Love the awnings. Of course they would have been retractable to let in the light solving the light control problem. I definitely want to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's again. The awnings are something I never caught and I frequently miss the narrative in old movies because I am looking at the settings.
Thanks.
August 7, 2010
In response to:
Awnings for TodayJohn J Tackett commented:
I have seen a great photo of the White House with louvered shutters, a very flattering addition in this case. I thought it also looked better in this photo with awnings. Unfortunately, most firemen consider awnings to be a a big problem to personal safety in case of fire, so rulings can vary greatly, even from firehouse district to district.
August 5, 2010
In response to:
Awnings for TodaySuzi Legowne commented:
what a wonderful coincidence as I was just struck last week by an idea for a south-facing terrace in a mid-century building that gets tons of light. I was reminded of the colorfully striped awnings that give such character to the apartment buildings that dot the hills in the south of France. I had no idea that awnings were such a feature of old New York. Thank you. very nice new picture, Mr. Jayne!
August 5, 2010
In response to:
Awnings for TodaySandra Jarvis commented:
GREAT PHOTOS of fabulous Historic Buildings!!!!
Awnings can really add some character to a otherwise boring building!
August 3, 2010
In response to:
Awnings for TodayClarice commented:
I wonder if the darkness of rooms protected from the summer heat by awnings limited activity in them -- but maybe a nice siesta on a hot August afternoon was not such a bad thing before the advent of air conditioning...
Advertisement
Advertisement
