apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I totally missed that fancy-pants radiator the first time around! On the West Coast, radiators aren't as common, but I had them in my dorms in school and came to love the gentle heat they provided.

I'm not sure, though, that just the Dutch are figuring out how to make older, antique styles look modern. Just look at the Phillipe Starck Ghost chair series, or the Bourgie Table Lamp available from Design Within Reach. There has definitely been a resurgence in the last few years of rococo and baroque shapes and styles -- so much so that I think that we're actually feeling design fatigue from these. (You know that when the acanthus-leaved black acrylic mirror can be found at IKEA that the style has reached its nadir.)

Honestly, I think we just find these shapes comforting. They provide the satisfaction of the modern touch -- through their sleek, laminated exteriors and monochrome color palette -- while expressing a willingness to indulge in luxurious, even excessive, use of materials. In earlier times, over building and over decorating were symbols of status, of wealth. The original modernist impulse -- pared down silhouettes, limited use of materials -- just doesn't convey that same sense. The current vogue for these decorated styles allows us to have our cake and eat it too. I also suspect that their return to the fore of decorating is also a way of calling up a mythical earlier time, when life was simple, straightforward, and when war was a distant memory.

Well, the railings aren't *purely* decorative- they do keep one from walking off the edges of the steps and falling! And keeps kids from falling off.

They are probably even required by code (not that there was "code" back then!)

Sigh... those railings are gorgeous...

Great first post!

i had to read this post many times over to understand the direction of this author. is it about decorative rails or radiator covers? is it about dutch influence? is it wall art?

maybe a clearer approach would have been "check out these cool railings", followed by the history further down.

I think the historical neighborhoods of Boston should be preserved and not be subjected to modern building design.

Radiators are exceptionally heavy. How do you hang one? And once it's up there, don't ask me to clean it!

SMM - the historical nature of the neighborhoods have such a "look" that it tends to dominate the way one would decorate their apt. Finding a way to pay respect to that, while still looking towards the future is always a challenge. Albeit, a mostly enjoyable one.

jick, My comment was more focused on exterior architectural design rather than interior. I do agree that finding the balance between old and new on the inside is a worthy aim.

ahh. Well then I doubt you have much to worry about for now. It seems that the neighborhoods with the most historical value have always been very stringent with what they allow people to get away with. On the exterior at least. :P

I doubt that the railings are needed because of building "codes," because my Boston apt sure as hell doesn't have them.

these railings are beautiful. maybe try for a wider shot showing the entire street full of railings in a future shot?