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Lately I've been obsessed with design; particularly design that includes brick and stone.

And Philadelphia, being a very old city, has a great deal of brick and stone in its exterior and interior architectural design.

I remember when I first moved back to Philly and attended a holiday party in an old brownstone home that had recently been purchased by the friends of a friend who had invited me there. And I have to say that the home was simply gorgeous. But what made it gorgeous was that the owners had refreshed and restored much of the interior architecture to as was. Things like: the original hardwood floors, the molding, the stair banisters, and the exposed brick walls. As you walked through the three-story home, it felt as though you were walking through the past within the present. In fact, I recall running my hands over the exposed brick walls in one of the rooms on an upper floor and thinking to myself, "Wow...they don't make homes like this anymore."

What is it about interior brick and stone exposure that I find so beautifully attractive?

Well, there are several reasons. 

I love how motley-looking and raw it can often appear. I love how it seems as though the outside is being exposed from the inside. I love its rough and uneven texture. And I love how when I look at it or touch it, I actually feel more grounded and connected to the earth.

There is something 'unfinished' yet, completely finished about brick and stone exposure.

Earlier this week I searched the Internet for images of interior brick and stone, so that I could share my attraction to its look and feel.

Please enjoy...


#1) Corner of a room


#2) Bathroom (I had a bathtub just like this in one of my apartments in Florida)


#3) Bedroom (I love this bedroom and how raw and rustic it is)


#4) Kitchen


 #5) Foyer


#6) Breakfast Nook (how cute is this nook?)


#7) Restaurant (this restaurant almost looks like a wine cellar)


#8) Small Bedroom (what an airy and cozy room)


#9) Restaurant Restroom (I love this because I actually have a wall in my apartment with different kinds of mirrors arranged in a grouping).


#10) Restaurant (totally in love with the look of this place)

Have a beautiful Monday, y'all!
X


50 comments:

  1. I absolutely LOVE the look of exposed brick too!! I worked with a woman at the U of R and her and her husband lived in a gorgeous loft in downtown Rochester. The entire inside was ... you guessed it ... exposed brick! It was simply AWESOME!! I would have moved there in a heartbeat! Except I would have been afraid to set foot outside. But that's a whole other story! LOVE each and every single picture Ron!! Happy Monday! xo

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  2. Now look here, Ron, if hubby finds me suddenly ripping off wallpaper I shall blame you.


    I love brick, the warmth and colours that is lacking in other materials. It's so good the wallpaper manufacturers even do brick-like papers which, of course, will never be the same as natural brick.


    That first bedroom picture is brilliant... what I wouldn't give for that room!


    Thanks for this post, it's brilliant.

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  3. I like the foyer picture best, and that front door is amazing! Decades ago, we looked at a house that had their wall ovens surrounded by brick. We thought it was the coolest thing, but it was the only thing we liked about the house, so we kept looking.

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  4. "There is something 'unfinished' yet, completely finished about brick and stone exposure." I love how you said that, Ron. I miss certain things about living back east and one of them is the old architecture. I love the look of exposed brick too. I had an apartment once with one exposed brick wall in the living room area. And instead of placing the couch against it, I positioned it on the opposite of the room so that I could always look at it.


    I love the #6 (the breakfast nook). It's so my style!


    I enjoy these design posts, Ron. Have a wonderful week x

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  5. Great photos, Ron! And I totally agree with you on this.


    We're so obsessed with perfection in this society that exposed brick tells us there's beauty in so-called "flaws" and that unfinished is all the finish we need. Thanks for sharing, buddy, and do take care!

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  6. Helloooooo Jeanne!

    "her and her husband lived in a gorgeous loft in downtown Rochester. The entire inside was ... you guessed it ... exposed brick!"



    OMG...it sounded faaaaaaaabulous! Much like the lofts you see in SoHo. I always wanted to live in a loft. I like the idea of having one LARGE living area and separating each section with screens.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Happy Monday and week!


    X to you and the girlz!

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  7. Gooooood morning Valerie!

    "Now look here, Ron, if hubby finds me suddenly ripping off wallpaper I shall blame you."

    HAHAHAHAHAHA! Okay, you can tell Joe, "It's all Ron's fault!!!"

    " It's so good the wallpaper manufacturers even do brick-like papers which, of course, will never be the same as natural brick."

    I agree. As clever as brick-like wallpaper is, nothing can replace the look and feel of the real stuff.

    "That first bedroom picture is brilliant... what I wouldn't give for that room!"



    OMG...me too! Is that bedroom not faaaaaaaabulous? How wonderfully raw and rustic.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Have a lovely week!


    X to you and Joe!

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  8. "I like the foyer picture best, and that front door is amazing!"

    I agree, Bijoux! That door almost looks like a door you would see in a cathedral or church. And I love how the brick wraps around the staircase.

    "Decades ago, we looked at a house that had their wall ovens surrounded by brick."



    OMG...how faaaaaaabulous!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!!!!!


    X

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  9. Hola Denise!

    "I had an apartment once with one exposed brick wall in the living room area. And instead of placing the couch against it, I positioned it on the opposite of the room so that I could always look at it."

    Oooo....how fabulous! And I would have done the exact same thing.

    "I love the #6 (the breakfast nook). It's so my style!"



    Isn't that nook adorable? And I love the little balcony! It's a photograph of an apartment in Sweden.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful week!
    X

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  10. Well there has to be one dissenter, right? I dislike interior brick walls - I think they are cold and lumpy and bumpy and crumbly and the devil to hang anything on and I hate painted brick so the color would never work for me...I could go on and on...But then my taste in decor is never featured anywhere -

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  11. "We're so obsessed with perfection in this society that exposed brick tells us there's beauty in so-called "flaws" and that unfinished is all the finish we need."

    Rob, I freaking LOVE how you said that! And I agree!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a super week. And welcome back!

    X

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  12. "Well there has to be one dissenter, right? I dislike interior brick walls..."


    Ha! That's okay, Grace...we all have our own taste in style about what we like and dislike. I mean that's what makes the world go round :)


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!!!!!


    X

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  13. Ron, my favorite three are the first bedroom, the restaurant restroom, and the final one.

    "I love how motley-looking and raw it can often appear." I agree! Perhaps that's due to our mutual admiration for all things Goth and bohemian.



    In the final photograph of the restaurant, that wall looks like a piece of art. I would love have dinner there. What great atmosphere!


    Cool post, dude.

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  14. "Perhaps that's due to our mutual admiration for all things Goth and bohemian."

    HA! I think so, Matt!

    "In the final photograph of the restaurant, that wall looks like a piece of art. I would love to have dinner there. What great atmosphere!"

    I agree! And that was actually the last photograph I found for this post. I love the light fixtures on the wall and how you can see the wires running down. I also love how the cushions on the seats match a splash of blue on the brick wall. GREAT atmosphere is right!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, bud. Have a most excellent week!

    X

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  15. We remain kindred spirits, Ron...I have an affinity for brick, as well. Exposed or not! In fact, I've always wanted a brick house. I know they're commonplace back east, but you rarely find them on the West Coast. It's mostly wood or vinyl siding out here, and adobe in California. For now I'll just have to settle for this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrBx6mAWYPU

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  16. Cool pics! I've been in homes and restaurants with exposed brick, but never lived in a place with it.

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  17. I gotta say I am absolutely with you on the love of exposed brick. When I was first looking for an apartment, my dream was to get a studio with exposed brick walls. I love all the decorating possibilities. Sadly the dream apartment I almost had burnt down two weeks before I was supposed to move in. Don't think it was meant to be!

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  18. Do you know what you need to do Ron? You need to be a designer for huge storefront windows... and you need to be given tons of camera equipment and you need to be able to take fabulous pictures and have them blown up and put in these displays. Then after people see all your work, you need to have someone offer you a big deal on a photography/design book. You are SO TALENTED.

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  19. Hiya Suzi!


    Many of the homes, apartment buildings, office buildings and stores here in Philadelphia have a lot of brickwork, both external and internal. And I love it because it adds such a wonderful atmosphere of history.


    And it amazing because you just don't see that kind of craftsmanship anymore.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantabulous week!

    X

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  20. Hey there Shae!

    ". Sadly the dream apartment I almost had burnt down two weeks before I was supposed to move in. Don't think it was meant to be!"

    OMG, bummer. But you're right, it wasn't meant to be.

    "I love all the decorating possibilities."



    Me as well. You can either hang things on a brick wall or leave it completely bare because a brick wall is so beautiful that it can just stand on its on and be a work of art.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a FABU week!


    X

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  21. Helloooooooo Nitebyrd!

    Yes, that's one of the things that is so different from up here and down there. Florida is more new and pristine-looking, whereas the northeast is more raw, rustic and disheveled-looking.

    "There is a hotel in New Orleans, The Ambassador, that was a coffee warehouse that has rooms with exposed brick and hardwood floors. Magnificent!"



    And it SOUNDS magnificent! I've never been to New Orleans but the photographs I've seen of it are faaaaaaabulous because it's got that 'older' feeling to its architecture.


    Thank so much for stopping by, Sis. Have a super week!


    X ya!

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  22. Hello there Katherine!

    " The last one with the peeling paint - looks like an old abandoned building so you KNOW I love that."

    HA! Yes...and I KNEW you would love that one!!!! Don't you love the peeling paint on the brick? Faaaaabulous!!!! That photograph was the last one I found for this post and fell in love with it.

    "Several of these remind me of old Italian restored houses. LOVE!"



    Yes, you're absolutely right about that, they do!


    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a most excellent week!


    X

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  23. Aw...thank you, Katherine :) You are such a sweetheart. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement, my friend.


    X

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  24. Aw...thank you, Sis. And thank you so much for support in purchasing one of my photographs.


    (((((((( You )))))))


    X ya!

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  25. Ron, every single one of these photographs is fabuloso! I love brick and stone exposure too. And the way in which you described your reasons for why you find it attractive and beautiful are my reasons as well. It's true, there is something very grounding and earthy about brick and stone.


    I especially love the first and third one, but the last one would be my favorite. There is something incredibly sexy about that last one. Not only the wall, but the chairs and the colors as well.


    You always come up with interesting and unexpected posts, Ron.

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  26. Hey ho Robert!

    " but the last one would be my favorite. There is something incredibly sexy about that last one. Not only the wall, but the chairs and the colors as well."

    I TOTALLY agree...there IS something very sexy about that last one. And like you said, it's the whole atmosphere of the restaurant design that makes it look that way. I love the chairs. They look almost Japanese/Asia in style, don't they?

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a terrific week!!

    X

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  27. Ron, these are simply lovely -- each more beautiful than the last!

    Love #5, the foyer, with that teeny little door under the stairs. Reminds me of the Harry Potter books! I also love the brick on #1 and #2, though I'm a shower-kind of girl, and I wouldn't appreciate the tub much! #7, the restaurant, is fabulous, and I love how the modern appliances contrast with the old feel of the kitchen in #4.

    You're lucky to have so many old buildings to photograph. Central Illinois isn't as old as Philly, and when things start looking interesting, we have a tendency to bulldoze them and rebuild. Pity, you know.

    Have a wonderful Tuesday!

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  28. Hello there Debbie!

    "Love #5, the foyer, with that teeny little door under the stairs. Reminds me of the Harry Potter books!"

    HA! Yes...you are spot on about that!!!!

    " though I'm a shower-kind of girl, and I wouldn't appreciate the tub much!"

    Me too. The only time I love to soak in hot bath in during the cold winter months. The similar tub that was in my apartment in Florida also had a shower curtain around the tub, so I could also take a shower.

    "Central Illinois isn't as old as Philly, and when things start looking interesting, we have a tendency to bulldoze them and rebuild. Pity, you know."

    That's one of the things I like about Philly, it is very much into preserving its historical buildings and architecture.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific Tuesday!

    X

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  29. Robert, thank you so much for sharing that link because I never knew the technical name for those arch/gate thingies. A torii.

    And yes, they definitely look like that.

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  30. Funny you should have this thing for stone and brick. I live in an area that quarries limestone. It's not just for crunching up and using for gravel....we're talking houses, foundations, paving, fences......quite the deal--they ship it all over the place. And it's gorgeous. Toss in some brick makers that have 100+ years under their belt....it's no lie when I say their houses, churches and streets are works of art. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
    Oh...and the only thing I didn't like about the photos--they weren't YOURS. Get the camera out. :-/

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  31. Just gorgeous, Ron! How one brick wall can change the entire feel of a room. And the more rustic the better. And yet, I could easily live with the foyer in #5.
    I have a photo of my mother when she was about 15, standing arm in arm with her girlfriend within the rubble and bombed buildings in Hamburg, Germany after WWII as she was born not far. She looked absolutely beautiful against it. The juxtaposition of beauty with the rawness is what, I believe, attractive and mesmerizing! Like Quasimodo in the Notre Dame.
    Ah, to own a townhouse in Washington Square as in The Heiress; not to mention Montgomery Clift. ;)) Dream on, Petra! LOL Have a wonderful week, Ron! :))

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  32. Hiya Mel!

    " I live in an area that quarries limestone. Toss in some brick makers that have 100+ years under their belt....it's no lie when I say their houses, churches and streets are works of art. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G."

    Wow...and that SOUNDS amazing! I bet the brick and stonework are stunning!

    "Oh...and the only thing I didn't like about the photos--they weren't YOURS. Get the camera out. :-/"

    HA! Yes, this is one of those posts in which I had to borrow photos :)

    Thanks oodles for stopping by, dear lady. Have a faaaaaabulous Wednesday!

    X

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  33. Hey there Petra!

    "How one brick wall can change the entire feel of a room. And the more rustic the better."

    I agree!

    "I have a photo of my mother when she was about 15, standing arm in arm with her girlfriend within the rubble and bombed buildings in Hamburg, Germany after WWII as she was born not far. She looked absolutely beautiful against it."

    OMG, I got chills when I read that because even without seeing the photograph, I could see and feel the "beauty" of what you were referring to.

    "the juxtaposition of beauty with the rawness is what, I believe, attractive and mesmerizing!"

    YES!

    "Ah, to own a townhouse in Washington Square as in The Heiress; not to mention Montgomery Clift. ;)) Dream on, Petra!"



    HA! It's so funny you mentioned that movie because many of the homes here in Philadelphia look a lot like the home (townhouse) in the film!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have wunderbar week!


    X

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  34. I so enjoyed that walk with you Ron, I especially like the mosaics!

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  35. Oh I so love seeing other people's take on interior design and I do love exposed brick.

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  36. Me too, Pearl! And I learn things from observing other people's take on interior design, as well.

    Thanks for stopping by, m'dear! Have a super week!

    X

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  37. Glad you enjoyed :) And aren't the mosaics faaaaaabulous?


    X

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  38. I'm a door whore…Love it! Me too! Have to say I'm not much on urban living, but your photos really bring out the best in city-life! You really so have a very creative eye when it comes to capturing photo opps. Hope your day at work was a good one.

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  39. There's something about brick and stone that is so wonderfully earthy! It gives off a warmth like no other material. The shots you chose are all fantastic examples of using it as a design element. I also love brick streets….until I have to walk on them in heels! :-)

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  40. Hey there Mary!

    "Have always loved the look of interior brick/stone. The neutralness in color is great for decorating too, so many things would go."

    Good point, and you're right about that!

    "That rustic bedroom is wonderful but I'd need some books in there. lol"

    Yes, and a few area rugs as well. I could also see some candles, couldn't you?

    "nd a perfectly relaxing soak in that tub awaits."

    I love soaking in a hot tub during the cold, winter months. Feels faaaabulous!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Hope you're having a super week!

    X

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  41. "There's something about brick and stone that is so wonderfully earthy! It gives off a warmth like no other material."

    You are so right, Lisa....earthy. And that's why I think it makes me feel more grounded and connected to the earth.

    "I also love brick streets….until I have to walk on them in heels! :-)"



    HA! YES! And if you think bricks are challenging, we also have cobblestone streets here in Philly and women say how difficult they are to walk over in heels.


    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a super week!


    X

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  42. "I'm a door whore…Love it! Me too!"

    HA! You too????? Yahooooo...another door whore :)

    "Have to say I'm not much on urban living, but your photos really bring out the best in city-life!"



    I think you would enjoy visiting Philadelphia because even though it's a city, it's not overwhelming like some. And it's very European in its architecture, so there are lots of cool things to look at and photograph.


    Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a super day and rest of your week!


    X

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  43. omg i can see your site. i have been without the internet for over a week. i missed it so. now that first photo is just freaking gorgeous. i would totally frame that. all of the photos of brick and stone are just beautiful. if i had a loft, i would want those two stones for decorating and not just plain dry wall. foryer 5 is stunning.

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  44. Hellooooooooooo Val!!!!

    Yaaaaaaaaay...you're back! I was thinking about you last week and this week; wondering how you were and when you were returning home. I can't wait to hear and see all about your vacay!

    "now that first photo is just freaking gorgeous. i would totally frame that."

    Isn't that photo faaaaabulous? I love how they caught the sunlight on the wall and floor. It looks like a loft apartment in SoHo, NY!

    " if i had a loft, i would want those two stones for decorating and not just plain dry wall."

    Meeeeee too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a super rest of your week!

    X

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  45. It's funny how we like old, rustic looking finishes to things. I wonder if it's some kind of yearning to go back in time, when things were more simplistic and slower paced. I don't know.

    My BIL made me a beautiful, large wooden table and gave it to me unvarnished and ready for me to beat it up with a hammer and anything else that would put dents and marks in it, before varnishing it. That was 35 years ago and I still have that table - marks an' all :)

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  46. "It's funny how we like old, rustic looking finishes to things. I wonder if it's some kind of yearning to go back in time, when things were more simplistic and slower paced. I don't know."

    Babs, that's a GREAT thought you brought up! And yes, it may very well be. I know for me, things like brick and stonework and old, rustic looking finishes, do make me feel more nostalgic.

    " That was 35 years ago and I still have that table - marks an' all :)"

    And OMG...I bet it's faaaabulous too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope your week has been lovely!

    X to you and Mo!

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  47. I love brick and stone inside a house for it's wonderful earthiness. I'd love a home like the one in your photos. I also like going with the original intent of the the house when you can.

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  48. I love the out of focus shot the best I think. I also love the yellow color & the crispness of the colors on the Zinc bar & restaurant. The mosaic didn't do anything for me - sorry.

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  49. "I love the out of focus shot the best I think. "


    That shot was actually a mistake, but I ended up liking it the way it turned out.


    Thanks for stopping by, Benze!


    X

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