The Skirted Roundtable chats with Christina Strutt "At Home with Country"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2SeBi_bdVZw16G3htcArJq8CuY_Uhzn3IogOXLWkpqBCKPes0XGZZiiZlwX4nreQNj_v19rgrPuuNpnh_WgFfstkY8OTLVURrB5Uv6ddiwWK5S_YKLaLeLs3LnrzZYNfoqK9Bpyas_k/s1600/NEW+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2SeBi_bdVZw16G3htcArJq8CuY_Uhzn3IogOXLWkpqBCKPes0XGZZiiZlwX4nreQNj_v19rgrPuuNpnh_WgFfstkY8OTLVURrB5Uv6ddiwWK5S_YKLaLeLs3LnrzZYNfoqK9Bpyas_k/s400/NEW+COVER.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><br /><br />This week at <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/07/chatting-with-christina-strutt-of.html">The Skirted Roundtable</a> Megan, Joni and I chatted with Christina Strutt, founder and creative mind behind the British lifestyle firm <a href="http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/">Cabbages and Roses</a> and author of their latest book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1907030166?ie=UTF8&tag=chameleoninte-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1907030166">At Home With Country: Bringing the Comforts of Country Home (Cabbages & Roses)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=chameleoninte-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1907030166" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/ciu/19/84/e4fc015ae4ba0a22d17af9.L._V201740279_SL290_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/ciu/19/84/e4fc015ae4ba0a22d17af9.L._V201740279_SL290_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The book is just filled with gorgeous images of homes in England and the US and how her quietly English country textiles work in many different settings.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznDO_N3_3ahcn1YV3B39sq28KSZy75DIdS18XxTC8Jmo0QDXuESWpYAFDF-B7NB38RXeH4ogprQpUsuAzp7kYX7na17pbToKO7e9XzlaWPLG2SJ3wizojYAGk1nTboicOTBywJ-ely3o/s1600/Pg79.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznDO_N3_3ahcn1YV3B39sq28KSZy75DIdS18XxTC8Jmo0QDXuESWpYAFDF-B7NB38RXeH4ogprQpUsuAzp7kYX7na17pbToKO7e9XzlaWPLG2SJ3wizojYAGk1nTboicOTBywJ-ely3o/s400/Pg79.png" width="337" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpJZ6kzV5DBWfro2kcjrwF3kmSxfm8XAnc4fVptNmvUBGnI7AFAOyqp0lZSehXb8Lf9X1vAFaNaW7uk726hY9Jzd38tqOLT3ZZtrAkgrxD-mZGmbYlcFKfugeqvVLwj5Pk0ST3ADuCkA/s1600/Page42.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpJZ6kzV5DBWfro2kcjrwF3kmSxfm8XAnc4fVptNmvUBGnI7AFAOyqp0lZSehXb8Lf9X1vAFaNaW7uk726hY9Jzd38tqOLT3ZZtrAkgrxD-mZGmbYlcFKfugeqvVLwj5Pk0ST3ADuCkA/s400/Page42.png" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1317320152"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/07/chatting-with-christina-strutt-of.html">Have a listen</a>!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Skirted Roundtable chats with Christina Strutt "At Home with Country"

This week at The Skirted Roundtable Megan, Joni and I chatted with Christina Strutt, founder and creative mind behind the British lifestyle firm Cabbages and Roses and author of their latest book At Home With Country: Bringing the Comforts of Country Home (Cabbages & Roses)The book is just filled wi…

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Tale of two condos: why staging pays

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQJ6ZSWkn1L9Cc1ibvtzOXYExG3s1aOzaT4zVALC8CQGU8zRJsUZV6dfuye6g_-HKlSVjFGBW7SAYouB-cU3js4n-5eRLY84BBta_qtsyW3PEZx0I9_l_PDC8eqjrQ3RyX48KABROLiWs/s1600/Regatta+Riverview+Residences_1280203336229.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQJ6ZSWkn1L9Cc1ibvtzOXYExG3s1aOzaT4zVALC8CQGU8zRJsUZV6dfuye6g_-HKlSVjFGBW7SAYouB-cU3js4n-5eRLY84BBta_qtsyW3PEZx0I9_l_PDC8eqjrQ3RyX48KABROLiWs/s400/Regatta+Riverview+Residences_1280203336229.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />I've done some home staging for a few clients over the last few years, but more often in my area, sellers don't see the value and don't want to spend the money. And, honestly, it's always a bit of a crap shoot. I did one home a few years ago and it sold during the first weekend on the market in a bidding war. But another house I worked on, which was on the market for nearly $9M, is still on the market after several years and several price reductions. There are no guarantees.<br /><br />Last week, I was condo shopping with a friend and client who is looking for a small pied a terre in Boston. He has a country house on the Cape and he's looking for a small city place so he doesn't have a long daily commute to and from work at Harvard.  One of the buildings we checked out is a full service concierge type new building - lots of amenities including valet parking (which I would love!) We saw two basically identical units on different floors and with different views. The first unit we saw was empty, the second fully staged. The difference was amazing and I wanted to share just what a difference staging can make.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 1 Living room - unstaged</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4832705503_410f6dcb78_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4832705503_410f6dcb78_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4833314354_1c144d7f99_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4833314354_1c144d7f99_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4833314554_cdc27f0b44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4833314554_cdc27f0b44.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 2 Living Room - staged</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4833316680_64064a4879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4833316680_64064a4879.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4833316828_3a8dfd2e86_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4833316828_3a8dfd2e86_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4833317030_0b222278b1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4833317030_0b222278b1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4833316476_cdd7e9f48e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4833316476_cdd7e9f48e.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 1 Kitchen - unstaged</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4833314716_7d370ecf73_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4833314716_7d370ecf73_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4832706439_4840156952_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4832706439_4840156952_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 2 Kitchen - staged</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4832706639_469ec9a862_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4832706639_469ec9a862_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4832706841_87a7282228_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4832706841_87a7282228_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4832708543_628c42a7ee_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4832708543_628c42a7ee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 1 Bathroom - unstaged</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4832705331_d70f49bae4_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4832705331_d70f49bae4_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 2 Bathroom - staged</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4833315628_20e0d55f7a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4833315628_20e0d55f7a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 1 Bedroom - unstaged</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4832705011_3b170030cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4832705011_3b170030cd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4832705169_a748b225ed_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4832705169_a748b225ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Condo 2 Bedroom - staged</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4832707357_242832d302_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4832707357_242832d302_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4832707585_6a1db97ecf_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4832707585_6a1db97ecf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For 500 sq. ft. these are nice little spaces. Now, clearly, there is little difference between the two units. And the staging is pretty basic and not at all upscale. However, the difference between the two units was like night and day.  Both my client and I have pretty good imaginations when it comes to mentally placing furniture, but even for us, just seeing it laid out made all the difference. He even said the words "I could live here".  Music to a seller and realtor's ears. <br /><br />Still, staging remains a pretty uncommon thing here in New England. Sometimes Yankee frugality gets in our way. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Tale of two condos: why staging pays

I've done some home staging for a few clients over the last few years, but more often in my area, sellers don't see the value and don't want to spend the money. And, honestly, it's always a bit of a crap shoot. I did one home a few years ago and it sold during the first weekend on the market in a bi…

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Keeping a weather eye

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgTMtXlRPTyBviWbS4KbiK_W3qGITZYZ7D0T5CA8NY-kdHadRTyZgkUuAeSTkNO1Owi02oPjsgJ9-YXJogSGZ2kOKzL54__pcd0XTUHYMZgwPQeISgJsmYG2i4gvWQJYzMk9fM4sl6Bow/s1600/DSCN3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgTMtXlRPTyBviWbS4KbiK_W3qGITZYZ7D0T5CA8NY-kdHadRTyZgkUuAeSTkNO1Owi02oPjsgJ9-YXJogSGZ2kOKzL54__pcd0XTUHYMZgwPQeISgJsmYG2i4gvWQJYzMk9fM4sl6Bow/s400/DSCN3329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was recently doing a photos hoot on Charles Street in Boston for an upcoming project and we were in the Period Furniture and Hardware Company where they had this fun cricket weathervane in the window. I was reminded how fun they can be. Beautiful works of art that we rarely get to see up close. My father had put up a small shed in my parents backyard many years ago and he built what we liked to refer to as "Cape Cod's most expensive cupola" because of the tools he needed to buy to build it and on top he mounted a whale weathervane. It was new when purchased and family lore has it that he peed on it to get a good patina going.  Well, there were no witnesses, but it's a funny story. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4819658713_cf28dca922_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4819658713_cf28dca922_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I was doing a little drive-by shooting this week in my town and came across a great collection of weathervanes.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4820279896_31ee01984f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4820279896_31ee01984f_b.jpg" width="614" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4820279950_66bea4e7b5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4820279950_66bea4e7b5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4820280026_37d91c1374_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4820280026_37d91c1374_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4819659023_82b0be437f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4819659023_82b0be437f_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4819659213_e21276c48d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4819659213_e21276c48d_b.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4820280586_4e6d3cfaaf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4820280586_4e6d3cfaaf_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4820280644_5528a5e13d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4820280644_5528a5e13d_b.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br />This next pic is a little blurry, I was driving.  Remember, I'm a professional blogger. Kids, don't drive and shoot!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4820280780_7dcfcbe3e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4820280780_7dcfcbe3e2_b.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br />I love the big weathervane on the tiny garage. Funny looking. To bad they just plopped onto of their tiny cupola.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4820280720_9365d4aeec_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4820280720_9365d4aeec_b.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><br />On the other end of the spectrum,last simmer I visited The Mount in Lenox, MA. Edith Wharton's majestic home boasts quite a petite weathervane. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4819677875_3e46e4bb17_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4819677875_3e46e4bb17_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I shot this pic of Chenonceau castle in France several years ago. It boasts two identical flag weathervanes.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY9OIwKyTdePtZRmHh5naIoP3YT3NZhGmG23WF7qqmNyVDRSFS1945e4sqisJEhu5HPZtSoYzJ1gMSkQTcO_pYYLOX0I6MgVhu-YKwKesKW9ZHUPuJGiZ8aMz0J1SH9j9YLIKG9RR-qig/s1600/Chenonceau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY9OIwKyTdePtZRmHh5naIoP3YT3NZhGmG23WF7qqmNyVDRSFS1945e4sqisJEhu5HPZtSoYzJ1gMSkQTcO_pYYLOX0I6MgVhu-YKwKesKW9ZHUPuJGiZ8aMz0J1SH9j9YLIKG9RR-qig/s640/Chenonceau.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here's a roundup of some pretty fantastic weathervanes around the world:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Lord%27s_weathervane.jpg/498px-Lord%27s_weathervane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Lord%27s_weathervane.jpg/498px-Lord%27s_weathervane.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Father Time weather vane atop the Lords Cricket Ground in London</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.londonconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/450px-Old_billingsgate_london_weathervane1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.londonconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/450px-Old_billingsgate_london_weathervane1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Flying Fish at the Billingsgate Fishmarket, London, dates to the 1870's</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.londonconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/1304674_27c3b0e8-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://blog.londonconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/1304674_27c3b0e8-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Dragon weathervane atop Mary LeBow is the oldest weathervane in London, dating from 1679<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.londonconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/weather-vane-on-the-tower-of-london1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://blog.londonconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/weather-vane-on-the-tower-of-london1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sailing Ship weathevane atop the Tower of London</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/387254044_48a932a1f8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/387254044_48a932a1f8.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dove of Peace weathervane atop Mt. Vernon</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.robink.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/20070308-20070308_img_4233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.robink.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/20070308-20070308_img_4233.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A fabulous weathervane atop a tv station somewhere,<a href="http://www.robink.ca/blog/byward-market/"> via here</a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.walkingboston.com/tour/ColonialBoston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.walkingboston.com/tour/ColonialBoston.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A view of Boston engraved in 1770 by Paul Revere. It is just to the left of the New Brick Church (rooster weather vane) and a few blocks south of Christ Church (Old North), the town's tallest building. </div><br /><br />Weathervanes have been around since at least 48 b.c. (the oldest documented weathervane which was in Greece) and so antiques and vintage pieces are pretty easy to come by. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1stdibs.com/archivesD/upload/8516/181/8516_1275580496_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1stdibs.com/archivesD/upload/8516/181/8516_1275580496_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Antique <a href="http://1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=417245">Gabriel weathervane</a> at 1st Dibs</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1stdibs.com/archivesD/1stdibs/103109_sb/EastMeetsWestLA//10/x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1stdibs.com/archivesD/1stdibs/103109_sb/EastMeetsWestLA//10/x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">20th Century <a href="http://1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=355465">Horse and Rider</a> weathervane at 1st Dibs</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1stdibs.com/archivesB/upload/8709/29/justfolktr063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1stdibs.com/archivesB/upload/8709/29/justfolktr063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vintage <a href="http://1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=316370">Farmer and Pig</a> weathervane at 1st Dibs</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.villageantiques.ch/objets/signs/carnivalsign1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.villageantiques.ch/objets/signs/carnivalsign1.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Antique French  weathervane (or sign) at <a href="http://www.villageantiques.ch/objets/signs/carnivalsign.html">Village Antiques</a></div><br /><br />And, of course, there are many new weathervanes of all shapes and sizes on the market:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lakesideornamental.com/imgs/fullsize/mermaid-weathervane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lakesideornamental.com/imgs/fullsize/mermaid-weathervane.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lakesideornamental.com/mermaid-weathervane.php">Mermaid</a> weathervane at Lakeside Ornamental</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://swenstore.net/images/1140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://swenstore.net/images/1140.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://swenstore.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1140">Easy Rider</a> weathervane at Swen</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EHJK8A03L._AA400_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EHJK8A03L._AA400_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.target.com/Verdigris-Copper-Sailboat-Weathervane/dp/B00063SVCA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=weathervane&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-5&qid=1279862982&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=Verdigris%20Copper%20Sailboat%20Weathervane&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0">Copper Sailboat </a>weathervane at Target</div><br />What's your favorite weathervane style? For me, it's always about the mermaids!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Keeping a weather eye

I was recently doing a photos hoot on Charles Street in Boston for an upcoming project and we were in the Period Furniture and Hardware Company where they had this fun cricket weathervane in the window. I was reminded how fun they can be. Beautiful works of art that we rarely get to see up close. My…

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