painted lady

I'm having a bout of nostalgia. The Rat Pack's version of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" keeps coming on in my shuffle (it's the one where Dino Crocetti says Fran Sancisco)...

I was thinking about how much I'd like to have a rounded window so that I could really be a hobbit, and began thinking about this building that I used to pass by on the 5 Fulton to and fro school/work.

1347 McAllister Street
Architect: James Francis Dunn
Late 1890s

It's a good example of the Second Empire Victorian (also called French Baroque or Parisian Belle Epoch) style that was made in imitation of Parisian opulence. Characteristics include mansard roofs (two slopes on each of four sides, adds extra level/attic space), big bay windows w balconies, peaking dormer windows, cornices.


Can't help but swoon every time I see this. Art nouveau influence w oeil de boeuf windows. I've never really succeeded in counting how many exterior colors are used (partly because there's so much stonework to match), but that's one of the things I love about San Francisco Victorians. Can you tell? Is this one 10 paints?