Time Will Tell
It was tall, dark and handsome. The solid oak had intricate designs lacing its body as though it told the story of its roots, and whispered the name of whatever forest embraced it once before. The ticks were distinct and gave me solitude in the large house I visited throughout my youth, but it was the pendulum which kept my gaze as I awaited the deep bellow of it’s chime.
I’ve always had an affinity for clocks and watches. The artistry which goes into the wood carvings or the details of a clock face fascinate me, but for me these ticking relics of old bring me the lull to the deepest of sleeps. There is something about a home that is completely silent except for the ticking of a clock. Time is but both a slave and a luxury. I yearn daily to have more of it but only to do the things in which I enjoy, like being lulled to sleep. Old World design has been showcasing its antiquities in home trends as of late and I could not dismiss its allure without mentioning clocks.
Before clocks were common, the words “clockwise” and “counterclockwise” used to be known as “sunwise” and “widdershins,” respectively. The contraction “o’clock,” on the other hand, comes from the 15th-century phrase “stroke of the clock” which refers to the medieval mechanical clocks. - Home Stratosphere
Grandfather Clocks
Named after Henry Clay Work’s diddy “My Grandfather’s Clock” in 1876, the Grandfather clock demands respect and is a stately piece in any home. I like seeing these statuesque time keepers adorning hallways and corners. I have found estate sales are a great way to obtain these and am a fan of the modern versions as well. Don’t want such a ticking tower taking over (say that 10 times real fast), you can always choose the Grandmother. Shorter and often times slimmer, these don’t take up as much room, but can be just as beautiful. It’s the chimes for me!
The Wall Clock
It was the highlight of my day to see the hand reach 3:45pm in high school. There’s something nostalgic about the round school clock in all it’s aesthetic minimalism, yet the significant punctuations they instilled. Nothing fancy, but fit nicely in home offices and kitchens. In addition, it is a great clock to teach time on, wait…they still teach kids what the “little hand” and the “big hand” do right? I however, love wall clocks in all their myriads of designs. From vinyl records to carved wood to molded metals, the more unique the better.
The Mantle Clock
These also remind me of a time of yore. I don’t love these as much. they remind me of being serious and lawyerly. I do prefer the more contemporary and baroque styled ones to put on a mantel or side table.
The Cuckoo Clock
I love good engineering and I love a good cuckoo clock. Our friends in Germany are well known for both of these talents, ask any avid car fan. These days it’s a novelty to have such a timepiece in a home, but these intricately designed clocks hailing from the Black Forest region of Germany, now has contemporary counterparts that fit nicely within modern decor. I love finding ones that have features like running water or dancing figures.
The Old School Twin Bell Clock
These are the best clocks to have on your nightstand. They tick real good and the alarm of the twin bells will make it hard to hit snooze. In my opinion, they are the VW Bugs of clocks.
No matter what your clock style, there is no denying the sound of time and what it can add to a home. It’s a comforting and peaceful antiquity from simpler times where we weren’t always powered by the dings and swooshes of alerts and messages our phones dole out daily.
For more ideas on how to fit clocks into your decor, visit my Pinterest Page:
