I’m a big fan of form following function.

This week’s find is an example of this concept from Victorian architecture. See the medallion above the light fixture? It’s not just decorative. In the days of gas lamps, ceilings and walls were liable to get dark, sooty buildup because of the lamps. Cue: ceiling medallions. When soot residue accumulated on the medallion’s surface, it would actually give the raised parts a shadowy, modeled effect. This meant that ceilings wouldn’t need to be cleaned so often or as rigorously because it looked totally artful and intentional. Ingenious, no?

This particular example comes from the Rengstorff House in Mountain View’s Shoreline Park. The quaint residence has been heavily (and beautifully) restored to reflect its former glory. It is now a historic site that makes for a nice little stop if you’re at Shoreline. The best part: tours are free!