Windows

One of the features of my home that I love are the tall windows.  They are 8 feet tall and let in lots of light.  Large windows tend to be a common feature of most historic homes.  The homes in Washington Park in Troy are tall and wide.  I could not live in a house that did not get lots of light.  Even before I became a home owner and I was renting I would not take an apartment if it didn't get lots of light.

It can be a challenge finding curtains to fit when you have very tall windows.  The only retail store that I could find curtains long enough for my windows is JC Penney.  I ordered curtains from them by Chris madden.  The length is 104".  It still doesn't quite fit perfectly length wise but it still looks great.  After 104" the next size up is 120 and that is too long, so I settled for the 104" and I am still quite happy with it.  I didn't feel like sewing my own curtains since I have 27 oversize windows.  The curtains by Chris Madden that I purchased are very beautiful interlined curtains in cool white.  They are very luxurious and very good quality.  I waited for a great sale, purchased them online and got free shipping.

   You probably can't see my curtains that well in this photo since it is white against light walls, but they are the Chris Madden interlined curtains.  They are 104" in length but still do not quite reach the floor.  I always hang my curtain from inside the window trim so that the woodwork is not covered up.  I just don't see any point in having such beautiful woodwork if they are going to be hidden behind curtains.  I had to buy heavy duty spring rods to keep the curtains up because they do have some weight to them. 

 I love the large bowed window bay of this apartment building.

 One of the things that I want to do on the exterior side of some of my windows is to install iron balconettes.

 The tall windows of this lovely brownstone had to be replaced by its owner.  Oversize windows are expensive, but so worth it.   I was encouraged by one person to lower my ceilings and get standard size windows but I wasn't having any part of that.  I bought my house because of its lovely historic details.   

 Gorgeous window bay.

 Potato vine plants look lovely in window boxes.

     

I am not sure if this is a historic house, but I love these windows.  OMG, they are out of this world beautiful and allows in floods of light. 

Encaustic Tiles

One of the wonderful features that you will find in many Victorian homes are encaustic tiles.  What are encaustic tiles?  They are thick colorful and patterned tiles made of cement or ceramic and fired in a kiln.  They make the most beautiful and striking floor tiles.  Sometimes the tiles are used on ceilings and walls as well.  I purchased some a while back from the local historic supply warehouse but I have not had them laid yet.  I have to find someone who knows how to do it.   My foyer is where I want them placed.

 This is the Bethesda Terrace Arcade in Central Park

      

You can purchase encaustic tiles at The Tile Source or The Antique Floor Company.

Washington Park

Washington Park is one of our most beautiful areas in Troy.  The park is one of only 2 private parks in the United States.  It is surrounded by 19th century mansions.  some of them are still single family dwellings.  

The Making of A Collar City

Troy New York is a city that I fell in love with 11 years ago.  I came to Troy for the first time right after purchasing my first house in Athens, NY to visit the Hart Cluett Mansion in downtown Troy.  The city drew me in immediately because of the beautiful 18th century architecture that abounds throughout.  The architecture gives Troy an old world charm that makes you feel as if you stepped back in time.  At one time, Troy was the 5th wealthiest city in America and the industrial revolution was alive and well here.  

Hannah Lord Montague, who was the wife of a Blacksmith in Troy, invented the detachable shirt collar in 1827.   

 

This is a photo of the Cluett and Peabody Company shirt factory circa 1920'S.  

Cluett and Peabody ironing department circa 1920.

 

Cluett and Peabody dampening department circa 1920.

     The is a picture of Troy's waterfront circa 1909.

Here is a view of Troy from the year 1858.

 The Gurley building downtown Troy New York.  From the cars the picture this looks to be the 1970's.  

This is the Gurley building in what looks like the 1920's.

The Burden Water Wheel

 Troy New York's Monument Square

The autumn season in Troy New York.

Loving Troy's Architectural Heritage

It is amazing that 7 years has past by already since I moved to Troy.  I find that the longer I live in Troy the more I love this city.  To me it is actually more like a big town than a city because of its small size and great neighborhood connectivity.  What made me fall in love with Troy initially is its huge stock of magnificent historic architecture.  Everywhere you turn you see old world charm.  At one time Troy was the 5th wealthiest city in America and that is certainly evident as you drive around Troy's neighborhoods. 


One afternoon I decided to drive around and document on camera some of the beautiful buildings just in my neighborhood alone.  What I captured is what you see all throughout Troy.