A Closer Look

It was another slow walk around the French Quarter. Another opportunity to study the Quarter's colors and architecture. Another challenge to find details that are missed on a quick rush through the area.

Shifting our eyes from the ironwork on balconies, we turned to a close study of the doors of the homes and businesses of the Quarter.

But after a general survey of a few doors, we decided to concentrate of some interesting details on the doors. Whether it was the contrast of a polished door knob against the steel gray door or

a half-painted mailbox positioned between the door frame and a portion of the wall, these details were likely to be missed even on a slow walk. (The mail box's yellow sticker reading "Puckett Power Systems" would no doubt be missed entirely.)

Here the colors of the door and the neighboring building caught our eye. The candy cane and the cleverly printed "sign" reading "Private Residence, Thanks" served as a novel bonus to our search.

A card reading "Family and Friends Gather Here," a bell, and a bow provide a curious, but welcoming, invitation posted on this door (left).

But it was this severely weathered door that drew us closer for a longer look. It was difficult to believe that the large red area on the equally-weathered wall was not a planned addition at that particular spot.

Even the two shades of gray on this weathered door and frame were attractive enough to warrant a closer look.

In all examples shown here, the chipped paint only added more character to the doors and the buildings themselves.

And speaking of character, this building had signs of a proud history covering every square inch. Being positioned between two refurbished buildings only served to highlight the majesty of this historical structure.

The Christmas wreaths invited a closer look and seemed to encourage passersby to slow down and get acquainted.

And that closer look through windows with dust collected over the years provided a peek at the activity of this building.

A walk past this building later that evening revealed this line of people that began arriving 45 minutes early for the chance to sit on a few wooden benches or stand in the small room to hear that evening's performers at Preservation Hall.

Built as a private residence in 1750, Preservation Hall opened its doors in 1961 as a sanctuary, to protect and honor New Orleans Jazz.

That's character and history.