Architectural Woodwork and a Look at Thomas Moser

On the local library-It is a sad state of affairs when this occurs with not only the furnishings but also the interior detailing to make way for 'the new' and err, improved. The little we have in Perth Australia tends to be overlooked or dismissed, the majority of the time really only becoming visible to the public when some noise is made by a passionate interest. It is not uncommon for buildings to be demolished for new due to it being uneconomic or unviable in the eyes of the developer. This is in a city that has so little history a 100year old building is very old by our standard. Who bothers to refinish melamine? or would desire to ? Aside from cleaning it you really can't anyway. The life cycle and embodied energy in a solid timber piece makes so much more sense on so many levels including the aesthetic and historical. Mass produced composite simply cannot compete with this, except on immediate price. As far as I can see this is the crux of the issue- immediacy, superficial and temporary traits due to a lack of depth and consideration. I hope that the furniture removed from your local library went to use somewhere else and was not wasted. I think it is forgotten sometimes that a layperson, for want of a better term, let alone an enthusiast or craftsperson can appreciate and enjoy the surrounds of a space as much as its central purpose.

Gavin

Have said it before, love your posts about details in New York City. Some I know from over the years and some not.

Three weeks ago I found a jewel on Sy Marks place. Three story building that was a German gun club and assoc.
My daughter found the history of it on the web which pointed out that from the East Village to the mid 40's on the east side was all German from the 1890's to the 1930.

Love Thomas Moser, have been to home store in Maine several times. Just wanted to say they have a program that if you buy something on order you can go to the shop and assist in the finish process. They also have classes for repeat buyers that get you into the making process.

Years ago I managed federal buildings. WPA building in Charleston WV has glazed locally made tiles below each window. When AC came along the units in the office were below the windows and needed to exhaust so they punched holes through the tiles and slapped on aluminum grilles. They know better now. I understand whil renovating a post office they found a Thomas Hart Benton behind a wall.

Joel, you are a patient man, having obtained a ticket (or two) to Shakespeare in the Park. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made a movie of it in the late 60's, and it sure wasn't "The Taming of the Shrew's" finest hours (They might have retitled it "Taming of the Shrew, with Elders"). We were in Manhattan during the run, couldn't make it but hope you enjoyed it nonetheless.
Next time we go, we'll be sure to stop in to see Thomas Moser's showroom. Your recommendation comes high.

I truly enjoy your posts. Thanks for taking the time.

Thanks for the great pictures. It truly is a treasure.

Thank you for your posts, truly enjoy them. Moser Furniture's manufacturing operation is right next door to my office, in fact we installed the fire protection sprinkler system in his building when he relocated to Auburn years ago. I was in the building a few months ago and was fortunate enough to bump into him, chat a bit and he gave me a signed copy of his latest publication a nice keepsake!
Michael

The shoe will be on the other foot when the library's books get displaced or thrown away and replaced with streaming and downloaded medias......But wait that's happening now...they do how it feels.... and they still do it.....We never learn that improving technology and our surroundings is not always improving our future...