One of the great things about cycling around these parts is the chance to spot some strange houses that you normally miss when you’re whizzing by in a car. I’ve often noticed this particular house but never before got up close enough (or slowed down enough) to have a decent look. From the side, you can see that it’s an artist’s atelier. Fantastic, huge windows, three floors high.
From the front of the house, it’s more like a little church. Or perhaps the perfect setting for a gothic horror film? Thank goodness I cycled by at 8.30am – a bright summer Copenhagen morning – or else I would have had a serious case of the heebie jeebies! π
After a spot of intensive googling I managed to find out that this was the former home of Axel Poulsen, a Danish sculptor. (There are lots of fantastic pictures taken inside the house and garden in this photo archive.) He died in 1971 but the new owners of the house have kept a lot of things as they were…including the statue on the front pavement. Clutching each other, shying away from the bemused glances of passers-by? π
When I got back home (puff, puff, pant, pant) I remembered that our own house (built in 1933) has some pretty quirky exterior details of its own. Sadly our gargoyle doesn’t spit out water anymore – hmmm, maybe a future project? π
I l-o-v-e this giant cactus-shaped planter. It weighs a ton, so we only move it around every couple of years… It was probably purchased when the original garden was landscaped.
And – the absolute favourite of every child who comes to our house – this little (copper-plated) door at shoulder height in the side wall of the house. Complete with ornate knocker and the name of the original owner of the house.From the days when milk and bread were delivered on a daily basis, probably back in the 1930s. These days the door is boarded up and there’s actually a wall behind it. But we’ll never get rid of the little copper door. We like quirky! π
Have a wonderful Wednesday! π
That is SO NEAT! I want a little door!!
Our house was built in 1880– we've found the old well (we think), and a WHOLE BUNCH of coal buried in the dirt in the basement (it's unfinished). It comes in handy at Christmastime!! (In case that doesn't translate well, American custom says that Santa brings coal to naughty children, but since no one has a coal furnace anymore, it's hard to come by.)
I'm so giddy that you did this post being a huge fan of history and architecture. Ohh and I forgot quirky, I love quirky! That house is fantastic! It probably looks wonderful light up during the night, creepiness aside.
Your garden features are perfectly quirky! As is the doggy, I mean delivery door;)
I live in a mining "town" that did not exist until the mid 50's. In fact the first house was built in the fall of 1958 so there are NO lovely building details worth highlighting:(
You MUST fix the gargoyle! How cool would that be? And cut a hole through the wall behind the little door. How awesome is that???? Explain that to the delivery men who come with packages when you're not home. HA!
What a great little door! Very Alice In Wonderlandish! π I agree that you see SO MUCH MORE on a bike. We have BRAG (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia) each summer and I've made the trek across the state three times. Can't wait to do it again!
Glad you all enjoyed the post! Would indeed be grand to get the gargoyle going again…but I fear it would cost many, many Danish crowns! ;D
I love the new look of your blog! My house was built in 1927. The only quirky thing I have in my house resides in the basement. An extra door. I told my nieces and nephews it was a magic door that opened into another dimension. Scared them sufficiently to never open the door! I can only guess at one time there was a wall that made what is now my "wine cellar" into a small room.