Photo: Owlpen Manor in Gloucestershire, a 15th, 16th century country house with fine old radiators
Our family home in the States was designed in 1917 by Eber Piers who was a local architect in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. E.O. Wattis, the builder of the Hoover Dam, built this house and two others in a area he called THE WATTIS COMPOUND. The house is on three floors and has all the “atmosphere” of a cluttered family home: ”musical radiators,” squeaky oak floors throughout, massive wood detailing everywhere, stained glass windows, and omnipresent fenestration. Between the banging of an old 18th century grandfather clock on the staircase landing and the radiators, the house has a very musical atmosphere. The beautiful original cast iron radiators have been a part of our lives for decades, and the even heat without dust flying around are much a part of our lives. The children’s rooms have had their radiators polished several times as our children when young have enjoyed melting crayons and watching the wax crawl down the sides of the radiators. When we are at our home in the mountains, we live with electric heat and have to get used to the dry atmosphere; so, we love our fat radiators at home more and more. When we visit our friends in the English countryside, living in almost ancient buildings, we always notice the great radiators which were installed late last century. I can’t imagine living in these massive residences with only a fireplace to keep the room warms. The arrival of the RADIATORS must have been a great step forward. I have enjoyed spotting the occasional radiator in Downton Abbey as I have watched this remarkable series on Masterpiece Theater. When I ran into this article, I had to share it with my readers. I know my California friends have never seen the likes of a cast iron radiator, but we who live in colder winter climates part of the year include them in our prayers! I think this article is fascinating.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
