Thursday, 9 April 2009

The barometer says rain ahead...



I have always had a thing for French barometers and their clock like faces, hand painted to reveal the weather conditions. Storms, heavy rain, mixed showers or a beautiful day - it is all I really need to know about the weather. Barometers, or the old fashioned ones at least, are generally so much more decorative than the weather man on the television. I know that he is a font of information when it comes to highs and lows moving across the country, weather maps, graphics and radar - but for someone unscientific like me it is enough to take a glance each day at our barometer. 

I vote for pretty every time and prefer to leave the serious stuff to the experts, xv.
 

30 comments:

  1. Your post takes me back to my childhood when we had a barometer hanging on the wall in our dining area. Not a day went by without one of us looking at the information on the barometer. I had forgotten all about it until reading your post - I think my older brother has it now (I must ask him). Makes me want to hang a barometer in my own home. They're beautiful to look at and they serve such a practical purpose too. Lee :)

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  2. dear Vicki...
    I could do with that barometer here in melbourne..

    no rain...still a drought..

    MAYBE this gorgeous piece could send a lovely spell of rain over lovely OLD melbourne town!!
    have a lovely easter spell vicki..

    xx andrea

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  3. Vicki, Pretty and useful. I love the idea of using a barometer instead of the weatherman. I have never seen one in person, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled now.
    Best Wishes,
    Judith~

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  4. Vicki, it's beautiful and just perfect for our rainy Easter here in Brisbane. There were people sitting under towels in the rain on our beaches today! Silly Southerners! Happy Easter! A-M xx

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  5. Ever since I 'discovered' French barometers last month, I have been looking for one to purchase. Unfortunately, the antique ones cost a small fortune here in Atlanta! The top antique stores in town have a few beautiful, beautiful models. This one is stunning too.

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  6. Pretty almost always wins over practicality for me! I have my late Father's barometer, however it isn't very accurate~ but good looking, so it's made the cut!

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  7. I also love French barometers-the more French, detailed and gilded, the better. But I don't need one in So.California--always (almost) sunny. Which means that whether the barometer works (or not) is not important--it's the case that matters! Thank you.

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  8. And what a gorgeous Barometer you have there Vicki...beats the Weather Man hands down I reckon!!!
    Wishing you and your family a lovely Easter break...and of course lots of lovely chocolate ♥x

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  9. I love the "idea" of barometers and how they look in antique settings. But in the end I'll take Paris weather report anyday.

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  10. Vicki, I love your statement,"I vote for pretty"! I agree completely and this barometer is gorgeous.

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  11. My husband says he wishes he had a job like the weatherman who is almost always wrong and never gets fired! I agree about the pretty. My mother-in-law collected all kinds of clocks for their cases & faces and didn't give a hoot about accuracy. When she was alive there would be clocks chiming somewhere all over the house. Of the clocks we inherited, we set them a 6 p.m. and don't wind them. Time for a glass of wine without reverberations.

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  12. We had bad rain on MOnday. I hope we dont have anymore soon.

    The barometer is cool.

    I guess we must remember that April Showers bring May Flowers!

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  13. Of course you prefer your barometer, look how gorgeous it is!
    What a beautiful piece, I enjoy the things you focus your attention on....have a rain-free weekend, we all need a nice weekend
    weather-wise for a change
    XO

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  14. Oh how pretty indeed, much nicer than modern methods for sure..wishing you the happiest of Easters, Chrissy

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  15. PS.
    That is the best Easter photo of Doris Day! Missed it first time around.

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  16. Oh, this is a GOR-geous barometer. I am now officially in barometer envy. If there wasn't such a thing, there sure is now!

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  17. they do have such a charming look about them.
    i should place one in my home, if the paper work goes through and I close at the end of the month.
    one would be perfect! love the gilding

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  18. I've actually never seen a French barometer and this one is beautiful. I love the first description on the bottom left: Tempete! Do they have French barometers for the French?! A lovely weekend and Easter to you!
    Kirsten

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  19. I want one just like this! Love your Easter pics! Wishing you sunny skies....always.
    Catherine

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  20. Very well said. Pretty is always the best option, I think.

    Actually Edward is a fairly accurate barometer. He always seems to know when bad weather is on the way.

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  21. Such a beautiful piece Vicki, it's not often something practical is so stunning. Now can you please work on making my microwave/washing machine/ refrigerator as gorgeous as this!
    Millie ^_^

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  22. I've never seen such a pretty barometer!

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  23. Vicki, I LOVE French barometers. This one if just beautiful! Have a happy Easter!

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  24. I'm with you! This one is absolutely lovely.

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  25. I love XVIII th century barometers , they are beautiful and useful

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  26. I want one of these ! love it. have a great day.

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  27. oh, i need one of those!
    xo

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  28. hey Lady, it seams that all the world is up to buny stuff ... have a beautiful week end , I know you do

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  29. my bucket list. for sure. the one thing i obsess for. they are just soooo expensive here - the beautiful 18th or 19th century ones from France - and are there any other kind? i will get it one day. i just need a good job to make a huge commission on first!!!!

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