The Back Door

In the 20s, "back" doors to houses were often on the side --

they weren't "back doors" per se,

but rather considered a

"Service Entrance"

(and you'll find them labeled as that on 20s houseplant)

Our "back door" or "service entrance"

is on the side and it isn't a true back door

It opens onto a landing --

up three steps and to the right is the door to the kitchen

down 10 steps and you're in the basement

When Linderhof had an ice box, it was in the hall off the kitchen,

the same hall that leads to the service door.

Handy for the iceman.

In days gone by 

(when Linderhof was young),

not only was ice delivered to this door,

but so was milk and groceries.

The maid (and yes, in her early years, Linderhof had a maid)

took care of answering this door and I am sure

that this is how she entered the house when she came to work

And through this door she went, when she went home in the evening

But it's a pretty door

And really too elegant for a back door

Actually, it's too elegant for a service entrance!

Occasionally, when our front porch was screened, we had guests coming to this door,

thinking it was the front!

It really is too pretty to be for the use of delivery men!

 Especially with the corbels holding up the roof

And the only last remaining original outside lights

(they were damaged by the hail storm a few years back but we

were able to match the glass -- it's hard to tell which pane is a replacement)

And on either side of the door

Are concrete planters

Which fit perfectly on the brick walls that flank the door

We fill them with pansies in the spring

And begonias in the summer

 A cheery back entrance

And you'll note that the ceiling of the "porch" is painted haint blue,

like the front porch!

It's the perfect touch!

But, alas, you'll notice that the screen

(the 100 year old screen)

looks as if it has seen better days.

I hadn't really noticed

(you know how you don't look at things)

until I took a picture of this year's pansy plantings

and thought OMG --

I need a new screen in my door!

Off came the screen door,

down to D and J glass

and they kindly fixed me up!

Looks so much better

And perhaps it will last another 99 years!