mixed wrought iron works and some before and after pics

Even if I risk to bore you with my posts about wrought iron, I need to post one more time about that subject. I need to summarize for us what we have at our Italian home so far. There are a lot of different designs, but also patterns that are repeated. Above an older sketch of mine and below some pictures:

BEFORE : my favorite - in the appartment for guests.


AFTER : this rail needed to be higher for saftey reasons. The craftsman repeated the "S" style that we have allover the house. (I liked it right away when I saw this picture for the first time. But in comparison with the old before picture I realised the modification and would have prefered it more simple. - And the windows, inside white outside brown is another subject... Yeah, I am difficult, sorry. I should not complain with such a view!!!)


BEFORE : the facade and its windows and balconies with different wrought iron before the renovation


AFTER : the facade after renovation (with colored plaster) - the balcony rails are painted black and the windows got new iron grids which repeat elements of the arch over the main entrance and the "S" from two of the balconies.

Better details in the next pictures:





BEFORE and AFTER : renovation in progress, the old rail on the left was replaced by the rail on the right (already by the pre-owner)


The new rail is not only used for the balcony in the first floor (piano terra) but also for the garden floor (semiinterrato) where we will have the appartment for our guests (small left picture).



This is another tiny seaside balcony. I have no information about its renovation, wheather it is just painted black or if it was adjusted to the other balconies
by adding
some "S" like these ...
... to become
like this:




On the inside of the house we do have iron stairways railing, again with some "S" design






On the left is the craftman's drawing, the proposal for our garden doors. And we decided to do it that way and not as I have posted before.
No scrolls, no "S". Just classic and save.

Wrought Iron for Windows and Balconies

For those who are looking for wrought iron solutions for their windows or balconies, here are some samples from Italy, and one from Spain:

Beautiful iron grids for windows in Chioggia (VE)


wrought iron grids for round windows in Venice


Canal railing in Venice


wrought iron grating for windows, including the window above the entrance door, Venice


stunning facade in Venice


pretty eyes for a wooden door in Venice


unusual red, window protection in Venice, flick find via Donna Corless


entrance in Venice


entrance to a shop at Piazza San Marco, Venice


lattice above the Zegna shop in Venice


Roman iron by dmmaus via flickr


Beautiful wrought iron work for a window in Pizzo (Calabria)


in the neighbourhood in Pizzo


white balcony balustrades in Tropea (Calabria)


Tropea, same style, different palazzo

old palazzo with beautiful iron balcony in Lipari (Eolie islands)


window dressing with blue iron and iron flowers on the vulcano island Stomboli (Eolie islands)


blue balcony balustrade in Stromboli (click on picture to enlarge)


Balcony in Stromboli


Last but not least: Spain - beautiful flickr find via lyngy


*
When you are in particular interested in one of the wrought iron work design in the picture, click on the picture to enlarge for details.
*
*

New: Calabria Guide Book

UPDATE: New 2nd Edition available now:

--------
1st Edition:
Travellers Calabria (Travellers - Thomas Cook)
This English guide book is written by blogger friend Lara Dunston and her husband Terry Carter who also does the photographs.

Book Description (via amazon)
New for 2009, "Travellers Calabria is Ideal" for visitors to Italy's southernmost region, a beguiling fusion of wild mountains, pristine beaches, crystal-clear seas and delightful hill towns. Expert advice guides you straight to the best sights and experiences. Suggested Itineraries and Highlights sections to help you make the most out of your trip. The book features detailed background on people, geography, culture and history; clear and accurate mapping including suggested walks and tours; full colour photography throughout; impartial and dependable sleeping, eating and entertainment listings; and, comprehensive coverage of the region's best, including: Catanzaro, Cosenza, Reggio Calabria, Aspromonte, Scilla and Tropea.
Product Details
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Thomas Cook Publishing; First edition (May 19, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1848481403
ISBN-13: 978-1848481404



Lara reflects on her travelling at cool travel guide. While in Calabria last year, researching for the above book, she posted the following:
Calabria: Europe's best value destination
10 Reasons to travel to Calabria - part I
10 Reasons to travel to Calabria - part II

I will make sure to order my copy on time before my summer holiday in Calabria !

window draperies

Looking for various window dressing I came across this beautifully fabric by Nya Nordiska. "A combination of high-tech and folklore, results in this extraordinary decoration fabric Isabella. A parchment-like, almost stiff base with a sheen like mother-of-pearl is embroidered with fleece or Lurex yarns." It already won four awards for design and material.

Not less interesting is the curtain rod "Spannstange" an innovation from Artline by Nya Nordiska. This rod made of Ø 6 or 8 mm stainless steel is able to bridge mounting distances up to 5 m without intermediate brackets! "Following the trend to more delicate curtain rods Artline designed this excellent problem-solver" that was honoured with the Busse Longlife Award 2008.



And these clips that hold nonchalantly fine curtains are a cool alternative to the usual rings:





All above products are made by the same company which name sounds so nordic, so scandinavian. But, who would have thought, it is German !

Source: all pictures via website and brochure of Nya Nordiska

wrought iron doors - part II

Since we knew that we need to think about wrought iron doors, I always took pictures on our trips to Italy when I saw an interesting design of wrought iron work, no matter for doors, archways or windows.

Since we talk doors, I will post doors first. The following pictures are taken by myself or taken from the WWW, mainly via flickr. (You need to click on the pictures for better details.)

Let's start with Italy:

Iron gates at the Colosseum in Rome - very simple but colossal




Two small iron gates at the Castello degli Angeli in Rome. The first one is a very pretty small two wing gate.



Venice and an impressive iron door gate on the canal.


A beautiful watercolour impression by Donna Coreless (via flickr): iron portal in Venice



Sarzana, near La Spezia in Liguria: this is a very beautiful little medival town with lots of antique shops. These shops are protected by tall two wing iron gates that are leaned against the outside walls during the day when the shops are open. It is a very simple and elegant solution for wrought iron door gates. I also could picture these as a solution for us.



This is a little church in the middle of a forest in Calabria. When the church is 'closed', the altar is protected by this simple round but pretty two wings gate. I like the idea of having a more dense structure until mid hight.



This iron gate with simple "s" decor opens up to a garden in Seminara, Calabria. Seminara is famous for its unique ceramics.



This is an old iron door in Monteprandone, Marche via flickr (by pizzodisevo).



This door has a plane iron part at the bottom. This could protect from rain (splash water) and dirt. The decor is not special but the position at mid hight and upper end are interesting. Although, here, I would prefer arrows at the end.



Last Italian photo shows how the iron gates are fixed to the wall or stone door frame. The inside doors open to the inside and the iron gate or door opens to the outside.




More doors:

An iron door in Honfleur, France via flickr (Rudy Vega)



A castle door in France



A gate to a secret garden via flickr (by visionsbyccat).



Beautiful entrance to a church via flickr (by Sator Arepo).



Are very elaborated wrought iron gate from the 16th century (Germany?).



'Merletti in ferro battuto' - fine lace in wrought iron, via flickr (by piesse/patrizia)



And if you have followed me this far, I thank you and say bye for now with this beautiful impression:

'Iron shadows' via flickr (by Simon Monk).