Perfection......

I have to say that this front door which isn't in use but can be found, admired, seen on Brook Street W1 with the junction of Davies Street W1 is probably the closest you could get to perfection for a door and surround on a period property.

Just admire the simply wood work of the door and then compare the intricate surround and the wonderful skill of a craftsman that has actually carved the wood of the canopy.

Brook Street W1 just perfection in my opinion...

Bankers...!

No.37 Fleet Street is the home to the private bank called C. Hoare & Co they have occupied this site since approximately 1690. The bank was set up in Cheapside under the sign of the golden bottle in 1672 by a Richard Hoare.

This present frontage dates back to the early part of the 19th century in fact the years 1828-1830. So let us look at this rather pleasant and understated door/entrance. I must say I like the small porch way and the excellent numbering of this building. Plenty of good signs and even a blue plaque informing us this was once the site of the Mitre Tavern.

Now the doors are solid wood with a predominately square/rectangular pattern inlaid into the door. I do like the gates low but effective and the small balcony above the porchway with the sign of the Golden Bottle. This could end up in a Dan Brown novel if I'm not to careful.

But please do take a walk down Fleet Street and find No.37 and just admire the splendor of 19th Century architecture.

Mount Street, Mayfair W1...

What can I say except this is a front door that you would only expect to find here in Mayfair, London.

It is a double door with a letterbox to right and a door handle on the left. Two thirds of door is glass with remainder of wood with a hexagon inlaid pattern with these amazing gold painted studs that appear all over the doors. Above the doors we find an irregular shaped glass area surrounded by stonework with intricate patterns upon it.

This door says a lot about Mayfair and certainly sets the right tone for this part of London, worth a walk down Mount Street just to see this door and of course pop into the wonderful Audley Arms PH...

Blue is the Colour...

Well we're back in Mayfair and here in Bruton Street W1 home to many a fine art dealer we have a beautiful blue front door that is quiet simply to die for.

Just admire the lovely canopy the ornate lamps to the left and right attached to the door frame. The steps leading to the door have a inlayed coloured border with decorative guard rail flanking the door frame.

Now the door itself is predominately glass with a semi-circular pattern towards the top and then the rest of the glass area is devided into 15 square sections. I have to say this door stands out from the crowd on Bruton Street and so do the lamps (have a look at http://www.lampsoflondon.blogspot.com/).

So if you are walking around the Mayfair pop along to Bruton Street W1 and see some amazing shops but more importantly wonderful front doors...

Is This London's Finest Door ?

I'm back at Millbank outside the front door of "Ofgem" and what have we hear but an amazing iron door that seems to be telling a story with castings containing images of different times in our wonderful rich history.

From a world war I/II gun to a debate in parliament but just look at the door frame the intricate stone work with what appear to be faces on the head of boats with a keystone at the top of the curved arch which is of a bearded man.

Now this is something that I've noticed whilst looking at the picture a little more closely the studded part of this double door seems to create an image of the cross ? It seems this door certainly tells a few tales but I reckon you must agree this is certainly one of the finest we've found so far.

No.1 Millbank SW1...

I drive past this particular front door most evenings and always thought it was interesting but when you get up close you suddenly realise house intricate the wood work is upon the door let alone the stone surround.

The top half of the stone surround is semi-circular in shape with carvings. The door is a solid wood construction with an actual wooden frame the top part of the frame has a peculiar almost Egyptian looking figure in the centre. This is not a door you would consider leaning against for too long for it seems it is covered with many carvings.

We can also see the coat of arms of the Crown above the stone surround and a bell lower down on the right hand side if one requires assistance. You many also notice the small circular windows near the half stone columns plus the odd side window to the left of the picture. This is a very old and interesting door and is more than likely a Government or Church Commissioners property, either way it is a marvel and a monument to craftsmanship...

Marylebone Library...

Here is the old front door of the Marylebone Library which can be found just west of Gloucester Place along the very, very busy Marylebone Road.

The door is set back from the road and is actually sited behind a number of rather large stone columns. The door itself is made from wood and splits in two straight down the middle. The most exciting thing about this door is the surround and the most beautiful depiction of the Virgin Mary above the stone ledge.

The glass area immediately above the door is patterned in a symmetrical manner with rectangles which actually join each other. The stone work is pleasant but not too flamboyant and is remarkably clean considering it is next to a very busy road.

Marble Arch...?

Yes here is one of the very plain but simple front doors of Marble Arch, yes that great stone triumphal arch which traffic gyrates around on a 24 hour basis contains above its too smaller flanking archways apartments.

If you doubt my word please take a visit to Marble Arch and just walk around the magnificent stone structure and at each end you will notice at a reasonably high level three circular windows. Then walk through each of the arches and you'll come across two front doors, rather plain and simple black in colour with a rather practical but cheap door handle. Notice to how the stone is cut away to incorporate the doors look how deep it's set back and how solid this arch actually is.

You may notice the good old Yale lock accompanied by two deadlocks I suppose this is a sign of the times we live in but let's be truthful you wouldn't want anybody living here. I understand English Heritage may even consider renting these out on the odd occasion but other than the most die hard of urban dwellers I do wonder who could put up with the constant barrage of traffic noise.

London holds many secrets and this is certainly one of them...

Victoria and Albert Museum...

We have one of the most elegant front doors in the United Kingdom here and let us be totally honest I would expect no less from a building designed by the lead architect Sir George Gilbert Scott.

This man designed buildings in a Gothic revival style which certainly stood the test of time mainly due to the materials used. Stone lasts much longer than a pane of glass and stone also allows the masons to get to work carving rather intricate and ornate patterns and statues upon parts of the building.

This entrance especially the surround is out of this world with two main doors separated by a centre column rather pleasant glass above the doors and this tapered/ layered effect of the stone work welcoming you to the building.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is a real amazing place so if you do get a chance to visit take a step back and just marvel at the stairs and doors that lead you to this oh so wonderful entrance to the greatest collection of costume and design on the planet...