Archive for the ‘Grandfather Clocks’ Category
Whatever kind of decor your home has, you will be able to find the perfect wall clock that will express your own, distinctive personality. There are assortments of large wall clocks to choose from, whether from a trusted clocks shop or an online store.
Nowadays, wall clocks range from different materials and concepts. The more familiar ones are grandfather and cuckoo clocks. Using clocks is a great way to compliment your decor, or even bring a whimsical touch to any room. Wall clocks can fit to anybody’s moods and interests.
My Favorite Clock
Adding beauty and sophistication to your home interior is not as difficult as many people make it out to be. Many contemporary clocks have a well-proportioned tambour designs accented with aged bezels to give them a traditional appeals.
The high-quality wood finish that is the calling card of these clocks gives the feel of grandma’s prized heirloom. My favorite clocks are the handmade grandfather clocks, which are passed down from generation to generation.
An Interesting Twist On Clocks
No home should be without fascinating clocks that will spark interest and imagination in anyone who admires them, especially children. A grandfather clock is a majestic piece of functional furniture that chimes a beautiful, resonant sound every hour and once on the half-hour. Fill your need for a traditional grandfather clock by ordering one today.
One interesting twist on the traditional grandfather and cuckoo clocks is the grandfather clock. The cuckoo mechanism is a favorite of young children and encourages them to learn to tell analog time. Look for models that are made of real wood, not just particleboard or pressed paper like some makers of low-quality clocks use.
What A Great Accomplishment
There is nothign like creating something by hand. It adds so much detail and character that is undeniable. Knowing that you created something from scratch is a great accomplishment. It can give you creative control of how you would like it to look.
Hand made grandfather clocks are probably the most creative things that you can build. There is no denying the skill that it takes to create something so unique. When made correctly it can last the test of time. It is a great way to pass something down to your children.
Why Buy a Grandfather Clock?
Grandfather clocks are still highly sought after, although not everyone understands the appeal. In my opinion, a grandfather clock adds beauty and a pleasant background sound to the home or office. A grandfather clock can also anchor a room and serve as a conversation piece (doesn’t it always seem like a grandfather clock has a great story behind it?).
Grandfather clocks are also a solid investment because they will last many lifetimes if properly cared for. You can pass grandfather clocks down as a family heirloom. In my own home, I have two oak grandfather clocks. One is from my great-grandmother and the other is from my husband’s father. Both are fantastic additions to our home.
Will wonders never cease? Engineers in the UK have developed a clock that runs on dead bugs. No, you didn’t read that wrong; the clock really runs on dead bugs!
How it works is unsuspecting flies get stuck on the clock’s flypaper. The flypaper is a sort of conveyer belt that goes to a blade that scrapes the dead bugs into a microbial fuel cell. The fuel cell digests the flies and electrons are extracted to power the LCD screen. It’s not exactly as regal as a grandfather clock, but the is still a fascinating innovation in time keeping.
“Picker” Shows in High Demand
I’m not sure when the trend started, but it seems that Americans are now fascinated by “pickers.” Antique pickers are specialists that go out and find valuable relics that have been long forgotten. They’re part archaeologists, part anthropologists, and part historians.
There are currently three shows – that I’m aware of – that deal with this phenomenon. The Discovery Channel has two shows, one called “Auction Kings” and another called “American Treasures.” The History channel has a show called “American Pickers.” I’ve really gained insight into the history of the U.S. through these programs. I’ve even seen handcrafted grandfather clocks peaking out of dusty basements; although, none of the episodes, to my knowledge, have highlighted these grand time keepers in particular.
I’m no shrinking violet and my decorating style reflects that. I’m always looking for big, bold pieces that are unique and stylish. Recently I added a grandfather cuckoo clock to my living room to serve as the focal point.
I searched through many grandfather cuckoo clocks from traditional and antique clocks to modern clocks with interesting exteriors. In the end, I settled on a one-of-a-kind Carved Bear grandfather clock. It has a wooden exterior that is decorated with two tall pine trees running up the sides. At the bottom between the two trees is a mama bear with her cub, carved in intricate detail. Every 15 minutes the figures at the top of the clock dance. The piece is incredibly charming and an excellent anchor for the room.
Add Traditional Style into a Modern Space
If you live in a big city you don’t have to subscribe to the popular minimalist, contemporary style that so many people adopt. It is not only acceptable, but easily achievable to bring a little country or traditional style into any space. You want to start with a traditional color palette. Think blues, greens, sunshine yellows, and deep reds. You’ll also want to carefully decorate the minimal space you have with traditional accessories.
I always recommend cherry grandfather clocks to incorporate traditional style into a modern space. First off, a grandfather clock is a piece substantial enough to tie a room together, especially with a rich cherry stain. The height of most grandfather clocks is a little over six feet which draws the eye upward, adding dimension to the room. Look for a grandfather clock with great details in the trim and on the clock face. It’s the small details that will really make the piece pop.
Origin of the term “grandfather clock”
Did you know that the proper term for a grandfather clock is actually longcase clock? The story of how the term grandfather clock became popular dates back to the 19th century. Two brothers named Jenkins were managers at the George Hotel in Piercebridge, England. When one of the brothers died the longcase clock in the hotel began to lose time. No repairs made by the staff or local clockmakers remedied the problem. When the other brother died at age 90, the clock ceased to work altogether and was not repaired out of respect for the brothers.
In 1876, Henry Clay Work, an American composer and songwriter, inspired by the story of the brothers Jenkins wrote and composed “My Grandfather’s Clock.” The song is sung from the perspective of the grandson who details the life of the clock, a life that mirrors that of the grandfather from the clock’s purchase on the day of the grandfather’s birth to its refusal to work when the grandfather dies 90 years later. It is said that this song is the reason longcase clocks are now commonly referred to as grandfather clocks. The song continued to inspire well into the 20th and 21st centuries. The song was the basis for a 1963 episode of the Twilight Zone and has been covered by many recording artists, including Boyz II Men.