They can be a charming addition to a building, a piece of treasured artwork, or a portal to another world (like the Mines of Moria in The Lord of the Rings). Since architectural photos are some of the best photos I’ve taken on my travels (see my post on architecture I’ve loved), I figured I would get a bit more specific with the artistic entryways and wall/window art that have prompted me to pause and enjoy.
St. Petersburg, Florida
I’ve always loved the vibrant colors and quirky images decorating the buildings in beach towns and cities. As it turns out, you don’t have to travel to Miami to see this type of eccentric charm! Such pops of color may not work as well in New England, where I live, but they sure do work here! (P.S.—check out my post on St. Pete Beach!)
Charleston, South Carolina
Something about this door and holiday wreath nestled among a row of eye-catching townhouses made me stop and stare. Charleston serves up a great mix of classic Southern stateliness and clean, modern lines in its architecture, which I think is certainly captured in this photo.
Waltham, Massachusetts
I’m including this little window from my bedroom last year because it always offered up the most glorious sunset views in the evenings. During the chaos of covid, it was especially wonderful to have this to look forward to every night.
Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow has a phenomenal arts scene, and while I don’t quite recall the name of this restaurant I slipped into with my boyfriend, I adore the mix of expressive photos and dangling fairy lights adorning its walls. Gazing at this photo compilation is truly an experience of contradictory feelings—I want to climb into the soothing beach scene at the top of this photo, yet I also find myself involved in an intense staring contest with the two stern men on the right…
Oxford, England
If you’ve read my blog before, you probably knew this was coming…ha! There’s nothing quite like the proud gothic points adorning the old arches in this academic paradise. At the colleges I visited, crossing through one of these doors felt like strolling through a gateway to the past.
Tel Aviv, Israel
Quirky art and bold social commentaries combined? Believe it! I love Tel Aviv’s street art scene because it crosses the old with the modern; the stern and serious with the comedic and the colorful.
Porter Square, Massachusetts
I’ll wrap up with this absolutely stunning mural which occupies several yards of real estate in my current hometown. I’m not sure which genius decided to transform the back of a shopping mall into a bustling neighborhood scene complete with life-sized people, but I have to pause and absorb it every time I pass by. It truly brings a pop of fascination and wonder to my day, regardless of how many times I see it.
