For woodwork aficionados...

[hdrider_chgo]

Today I toured several buildings as part of the Open House Chicago event. This program, first done in New York, I believe, is sponsored by the local architecture foundation, and on a single day makes hundreds of normally private spaces throughout the city accessible to the public to view.

These photos are from a home on the south side of Chicago, in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Bronzeville was so named for being the center of African-American culture for many years. The home was built in 1893 and has had only 5 owners. The current owners have been working on restoring the home for about 10 years.

[hdrider_chgo]

A couple more

[raditrimmer2]

Love the detail in the railings! Wish we built detail like that these days.

Were these homes built for the affluent when they were constructed?

[hdrider_chgo]

Love the detail in the railings! Wish we built detail like that these days.

Were these homes built for the affluent when they were constructed?

Yes, the original owner of this home owned a furniture manufacturing company.

One of the interesting things in looking at the area, and I guess our city in general, is that in years past I don't think the wealthy lived so far apart from the common folk. Right nearby are apartment buildings built about the same time, for those of lesser means. No gated communities, no cul-de-sacs.

[tjbnwi]

A little history of the area;

http://explorechicago.org/city/en/ne...onzeville.html

Tom

[David Meiland]

In the olde days it wasn't as easy to commute in from your distant gated community. Roads were not as good, cars were slower, and there were fewer areas developed outside the center. It was probably easier to live near or even among the teeming masses.

[gburnet]

In the olde days it wasn't as easy to commute in from your distant gated community. Roads were not as good, cars were slower, and there were fewer areas developed outside the center. It was probably easier to live near or even among the teeming masses.

And the rich likely needed at least a few folks from the teeming masses to do their errands & chores for them. That commute worked both ways.

Very cool photos, Dan. Thanks for sharing them. My sister went on several of the tours presented by the Architecture Foundation over the weekend. I was very bummed it conflicted with the Remodeling Show, as I would have liked to join her.

[m beezo]

Dan,
some neat pictures there. I want to know what the term is for the "curtain" of wood that hangs over the hallway. I have seen that before in shows but only once in life here is ST Louis. Have often wondered about them and if they were site built or what. Love the natural wood that is still there. Have seen too much of such wood covered up with paint because we got tired of looking at the dark old wood or it went out of style.

Thanks for showing me around the town and pointing out some areas. Nice to see the different areas. I am guessing your truck made it back home.

[gburnet]

I want to know what the term is for the "curtain" of wood that hangs over the hallway. I have seen that before in shows but only once in life here is ST Louis.

I believe it's known as a spandrel. Anyone know for certain?

[Chuck Kiser]

I like Marks' term "Curtain O' Wood" get my vote.

[hdrider_chgo]

Dan,
some neat pictures there. I want to know what the term is for the "curtain" of wood that hangs over the hallway. I have seen that before in shows but only once in life here is ST Louis. Have often wondered about them and if they were site built or what.

As far as I know, it's just called fretwork. It's a very common detail in Chicago in buildings built before 1900, even in small cottages. Several buildings on my block still have it in place. It's usually in the front entrance, or between the living room and dining room.

More than likely, it was made in a millshop, and installed on site by a trim carpenter.

[hdrider_chgo]

I like Marks' term "Curtain O' Wood" get my vote.

Okay, before this gets ugly, I pulled out one of my old millwork catalogs. They called them "Grilles" You could order dozens of different designs right out of the catalog.

[hdrider_chgo]

cars were slower, and there were fewer areas developed outside the center. It was probably easier to live near or even among the teeming masses.

Yeah, in 1893, cars were probably even slower than horses.

[RJCarney]

Dan

Thanks for the pictures, beautiful millwork. We also went on the Open House Chicago tour, but only had time for 1 house, and I chose the Emil Bach house by Frank Lloyd Wright, built in 1915

.http://www.mcnees.org/architecture/p...hicago_sw1.jpg

Drove by that house for many years, always wanted to see it.

RJC

[okmrazor]

Fretwork sounds right, but I'm not 100% on that. (edited:just read the answer: Grills. That seems even more right... I'm such a follower.)

Spandrel refers to the paneling that follows the curve of the elipse... At least that's how I've used it in conversation. Then again, I used the word "donserly" to describe bright, or brilliant, or gleaming many times before actually reading the national anthem on the big screen at a game in my 20's.... oh... "dawn's. early." light.

This is the first time I ever tried to spell donserly, and I'm now acutely aware of how stupid my error was. Phonetically, it kinda worked though.

I would like to live in that house. Very much.