Going through my photos from Paris, I came across this image I hadn't posted of the worn treads on the stairs to my Paris pied-à-terre. Don't you feel that in America this worn marble would have been replaced decades ago while the Parisians (indeed, most Europeans) let things lay for a charming affect. New isn't always better!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Worn treads of Paris
Going through my photos from Paris, I came across this image I hadn't posted of the worn treads on the stairs to my Paris pied-à-terre. Don't you feel that in America this worn marble would have been replaced decades ago while the Parisians (indeed, most Europeans) let things lay for a charming affect. New isn't always better!
I too like the look of old, worn stairs. I have seen them often in America; I especially remember them at college. However, irregular steps can be so dangerous that they are one of the few old items I would update if the choice were up to me. (Same goes with the hazardous triangular "winders" in spiral staircases--worn or not!)
ReplyDelete--Road to Parnassus
Our country has become too litigious for charming treads, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteStefan the marble and the iron railing are wonderful!! I love seeing all of your Paris images!!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I so agree with the comment from the Devoted Classicist... sadly "too litigious" to appreaciate charm...
ReplyDeleteOh I've got some stairs from Palm Beach I have to post for you!! Those details are my favorite types of travel photos, by the bye.
ReplyDeleteI got so swept up in the ironwork I forgot to mention the treads, silly me! I love the worn treads, I remember in school seeing them and feeling profoundly unimportant. Not to mention quite like I was living on the edge- they're not very stable once worn! Just kidding!
ReplyDeleteReplaced the worn marble? In America we would have knocked down the whole dang building and put in either a Walmart or high rise condos. Though maybe someday, hopefully, not.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful - it almost looks like they are melting.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, we would replace them here in N. America, but they would be ugly to start with, so it would not matter. I don't know why we have to make everything ugly here. One look at Paris and I wish design stood still...
Terri
What a beautiful image you are so right they would have been replaced over here as someone would have said they are unsafe and threatened to sue. I love these beautiful steps.
ReplyDelete