So what is this a photograph of, I hear you ask. It is a cast iron downspout on a Chateau in Normandy. Why the downspout is cast iron, instead of something cheaper or easier I don' know. Why is was cast in a swirl, rather than a simple round pipe, I don't know. Why someone took the time to incorporate a leaf emblem in the casting, I don't know. What I do know is that these details add enduring beauty. The routine things in life, a simple pipe to carry rain water away from the roof, becomes a thing of beauty because someone made it out of a durable material, added a twist and a flourish. I need to remember to add a twist and flourish to the routine things in my life.
What have you seen recently that was wonderfully decorative when it didn't need to be?
I am all for decorative over utilitarian, I was recently at the Orpheum Theatre which has spending decorative design alas not done anymore.
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