The exuberant florid motifs presented in the photograph above also dress the window and doorway openings of the Art Deco style house containing this interesting balcony. In addition to that, the floral decoration unfurls as a large, eye catching, frieze under the roof eaves. The overall effect is a very cheerful, exotic appearance, where the main façade focus area is this balcony with its design that balances essential Art Deco – modernist outlines with rich florid decoration. It is a great pity that the current owner has replaced its original Art Deco balcony door with an ugly plastic frame double glazing structure. That shows the degree of ignorance and low quality cultural education among many of the Bucharest period house owners about the historical and architectural value of their property and the slow and inexorable damage suffered by the built heritage of Romania at the hand of its own, misguided, citizens.
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I endeavor through this daily series of images and small articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.
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If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 