This week’s topic is right up my alley. To start with, my favorite styles of architecture are Art Nouveau and Art Deco, both from the early to mid-20th Century. Both styles involve decorated buildings, with all sorts of frilly details, very unlike more-modern buildings which have no decoration at all (and are quite boring to me). Post-World War II “Brutalist” buildings leave me absolutely cold, and I think are not only boring, but depressing.

A couple of weeks ago, I actually discovered a beautifully-detailed building right in my own downtown! I couldn’t believe that, in the 24 years I have lived here, I never drove or walked by this building, which turned out to be the old City Hall. In walking back from the new, ugly city campus, I noticed the older building right away.

This is a fine, old building, in the Art Deco style. Check out these details.

Since the City is on Puget Sound, the architects gave it some sea-wave decorations. This was a Sunday, so I couldn’t go in and see what they had done with the inside. That’s on my to-do list.

A few years ago, in search of more architectural detail, I went downtown to Seattle, knowing that there are numerous late-19th and early 20th-century buildings, that were erected after the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed much of the wooden construction. I was not disappointed!

Both these buildings are from the 1910s and 1920s. My guess is that most people walking down Seattle streets don’t know to look up and admire the building facades. Some of the most detailed building decoration is on the Eagles Auditorium, formerly the home of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and converted into an auditorium for concerts, and a theater for plays.

I have always admired this, and it’s a wonder that it still exists with no damage at all over the years.

While walking up the steep steps to the Cheekwood Mansion in Nashville, I was drawn to the shadow cast by the intricate railing along the terrace.

I like to get closer to plants, and see what their stalks and flowers may be hiding from casual observers. Patterns change, the closer you get.

I was especially drawn to these grasses, also at Cheekwood. I want some for my yard!

This is just a tiny detail of a sculpture that surrounds the entrance door of my favorite local Thai restaurant. It’s way too large to photograph all at once, so I chose the part with the musicians, playing inside the garlands of leaves and flowers.

Here’s the Link to this week’s Original Post. And Tina’s too.