D is for doorway

Spanish-style architecture has been popular for a long time in the Bay Area.  As in LA, it dates back to the 18th century land grant era.  This old 4-plex, possibly from the 1920s, has many of the style's components:  tiled entries, wrought iron, arches, and terracotta roof tiles.  Lovely, don't you think?  Spotted in the Bella Vista neighborhood.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: lawn bowling

The Oakland Lawn Bowling Club, established in 1903, is now housed in Lakeside Park along the shores of Lake Merritt.  Too bad no one was playing the day I walked through the park.  But I took advantage of the sunny day to snap the tiled murals that decorate the clubhouse.  This mural is signed R. Howden, whom I believe to be Robert Howden, owner of the early Oakland tile company previously featured here.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.  I'm out of town for several days but will do my best to leave comments.

Monday Mural: Dufwin Theater

The Dufwin Theater, located Uptown at 17th and Telegraph, was built in 1928 and adorned with these tile mosaics created by the local Gladding, McBean Company.  Two years later the theater was converted to a movie house and renamed the Roxie.  Somewhere along the way the murals were covered up and forgotten.  In 1983 the building was again renovated and turned into office spaces.  During the renovation the tile murals were uncovered and restored.  They appear to represent drama, dance, and music.

 If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

tiles at night

Spotted outside of the gates of Mt. View Cemetery.

Weekend Reflection: mural and tiles

After I took a picture of this mural, I noticed it reflected in the tiles on the building across the street.  Since I also love the old tiles that decorate so many of Oakland's buildings, I had to take a picture of this one too.  I like the abstract, watercolorish, fractured quality of the reflection.  But I agree, without an explanation, you don't know what you've got here.  For more reflections, visit James' meme Weekend Reflections.

blue and white tiles

More Oakland tiled buildings.  This one is on San Pablo Avenue at about 59th St.

ABC Wednesday: T is for tiles

Many Oakland buildings are trimmed or decorated with hand made tiles.  Most are from the 20s and 30s.  Here's a sample.  For more takes on "T", visit ABC Wednesday.

decorative tiles

This tiled "fountain" is in the entryway of a Spanish style building near Lake Merritt.  The building was closed when I walked by and I had to stick my camera through the wrought iron gate to get this shot.  I love the old tiles that decorate so many of our buildings.

Weekend Reflection: Howden Building

The Howden Building is located at Webster and 17th St.   The tiles above the entry hint at the tiled facade and a wide variety of tile within.  It was built in 1925 by Robert Howden, who had a tile business in Oakland for 30 years.  Originally from Scotland, Howland is also known for building a castle home in the Santa Cruz mountains.  This building now houses many different retail and office spaces.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.