Grandfather Clock Placement

[David82]

Hello everyone, first time poster here. Hope you're all well. I'm seeking advice re. the placement of a Grandfather clock. I've got a small late Victorian red brick which I'm slowly doing up, saving bit by bit to sympathetically restore and save as many original features as possible, while putting back many which were sadly ripped out. I've always dreamed of having a Grandfather clock since I was a small boy and would stare at my neighbours every time we visited. I'm now in a position to purchase one and I'm afraid that I might not actually have the space. The living room and dining rooms are out as I already have those full of furniture or spaces earmarked for furniture I'm saving for. I do have a rather empty long hallway, however it is rather narrow. I've measured and think that I might just about get away with it but I'd love some advice. Would you think a Grandfather clock would look out of place in such a space or should I just bite the bullet and go for it? All advice appreciated.

 

[Stevers]

If space is a consideration then 'South Country' long case clocks are generally more slender than 'North Country' clocks. My parents' had one made in Loughborough in their hall for most of their married life, and it was quite a lot stouter than mine which was made nearby in Warminster - both were made in the 1790s. Ours is in our Living Room, and that was fun if it chimed during phone calls to someone not in in the know. They don't like fitted carpet with a thick underlay unless you take precautions to stop the descending weights swaying and cancelling out the pendulum movement - ours regularly stopped after three days until I identified the cause. With horns, globes, spikes etc, then an 8' plus ceiling is desirable.

My father bought ours for 60 bob from a Salisbury Salesroom in the 60s at a time when you couldn't give them away, and as they're out of fashion again, they are reasonable value. Get one that was previously loved, with a good strong tick that starts easily even when not carefully levelled, as of course they should be to get an even tick. If you have two chiming clocks as we have now, there is the challenge (and satisfaction) of adjusting them so that you can hear one chime close to the other at night. Our grandfather being older has a bell (it goes 'ting'), and our Victorian mantel clock has a gong (so it goes 'bong').

For the discerning (that's me at least), a long case lock is the beating heart of a home - you'll find a home for it!

 

[LadyArowana]

I understand your dilemma as there’s a fabulous regulator clock for sale which I would happily adopt, but honestly it would be a nuisance in our hallway. Yes we could fit it in, but coming and going past it would likely result in it getting dinged, probably by His Lordship, and placement wouldn’t do it justice. We already had furniture which has been sensibly allocated, but if the clock had come along before other things then I would probably not have something else. If you have your heart set on a grandfather clock then go for it, have it in a good place and if there’s one less armchair or a smaller sofa then no worries, there’s always options like padded stools or a padded ottoman to double as extra seating/ coffee table. Full disclosure… I always wanted a rocking horse, I bought one before other more grown up furniture, I have not been disappointed in my choice

 

[Zebra]

Lady A, I am now longing for a picture of you on your rocking horse!

 

[LadyArowana]

Lady A, I am now longing for a picture of you on your rocking horse!

I don’t have a picture of me on Troy, but here he is in his stable

 

[mardinor]

I can offer no solution, but congratulate you on your taste.

 

[Stevers]

White Horses and Adventures of Black Beauty have a lot to answer for...!