LAST WEEK, I had great fun telling you about the 185-year-old house (above) that my partner and I saved from certain ruin. I also enjoyed showing you one of the rooms we restored. Here’s a bit more history about the place, along with a few pictures of its now-restored entrance hall and staircase.
When you open the front door, you enter a long, wide hall. Just imagine this room with beige shag carpeting, and holes in the plaster walls. For that’s what we encountered on our very first visit here.
Straight ahead, behind the closed door, is the kitchen, where all kinds of magic occurs. On the left is a set of pocket doors which open onto the parlor. I’ll photograph the parlor for a future post.
To the right is an alcove, produced by a late 19th century addition to the hall. My apologies for the poor photograph — the shifting light makes this alcove very difficult to capture.
The alcove is framed with a black-walnut arch. I designed the hangings, which are a sage green, and trimmed with gold, to reflect what I thought would be appropriate for a Victorian bay of 3 windows. The curtains are so long they “puddle” on the floor. The ghosts in this house approve of such extravagance.
The pocket doors opposite the alcove are mahogany. We keep them closed for the sake of privacy, and also to keep heat in the room when the fireplace within it is in use.
Detail of the brass hardware on the pocket doors. Notice the key on the right — the doors can be locked to keep the servants out. Would that I had servants.
View of the hall, when standing at the kitchen door. Normally I’d have Boston ferns on each of the Victorian plant stands which flank the double front door. But those ferns have been divided and they are now lounging in window gardens elsewhere in the house.
If you turn the corner at the end of the hall, a sweeping staircase greets you. One look at this staircase back in 2002, and I was a goner. We removed the previous occupant’s shag carpeting from the steps, and replaced it with red wool. Red is a great color to use on a staircase, for it draws the eyes upward. The door at the end of this hall leads to the dining room — yet another space in this ancient house I shall photograph for you.
Lighting the staircase at night is a spelter conquistador. Although Janice, the original owner’s great-great grandaughter, told me the lamp was acquired in 1870, it is actually much older. My friend Michael,an expert in historical lighting, found this very lamp in a catalog from 1850. The lamp was originally lit with gas.
I can tell you that this house, like all large 19th-century residences, relied on a staff to keep it functioning. Janice told me that the last of the original owner’s descendents — two sisters, both of them widowed — employed a staff of 10! And after cleaning this place, I can understand why. From the ornately carved archway in the entrance hall to the spindles on the staircase and the huge mirrors over the mantels here, each and every detail must be cleaned. But cleaning them all by myself just makes me appreciate the features of this house even more. You haven’t lived until you’ve climbed to the top step of a ladder on to polish the mahogany frame of an 11-foot tall mirror!
If you enjoy historic houses, by all means let me know. Click the “like” button and leave a comment. I love hearing from you.
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Related Posts:
House Tour Part One: The Music Room
An Old-Fashioned Shrub: Deutzia scabra
Buried Treasures
Enjoyed the second tour very much – keep the tours coming!
What a beautiful sketch and photos! You and your partner obviously are very talented and are taking great care of your home. I’m a long time real estate broker and my brothers are antique dealers here in CT. If we ever saw this , I’m sure we would all marvel at it’s beauty
Happy Holidays!
You live in an amazing place! Yes, it’s truly historical, but warm and inviting, friendly. The spelter conquistador is stunning, and must be priceless for many reasons.
I hope you have help cleaning. Otherwise it seems like that would take a full time job.
A very sincere thanks to you and your partner for literally opening up your doors to us! I can’t help but ask myself if there is anything that you do NOT excel at!
grumbling off to figure where to hang pictures up in the house…
Beautiful! I suspect the alcove would be my favorite spot if I lived in the house, all the windows, and sage green which is my favorite color, and lace curtains.
GORGEOUS
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the curtains you designed, love the woodwork (…and I would never, ever, ever suggest painting that!), the artwork, furniture…everything you and your partner have done to restore this home is breathtaking. My husband and I are in the process of “restoring land”, clearing, planting gardens and fruit trees. We often think his grandfather is smilling on us for doing so. I would say that the prior residents of your home are smiling on you for all your caring hard work. Thanks so much for sharing.
Okay, now I’m just gonna have to ask you to come over and fix up my place!
Extremely beautiful and thoughtfully decorated. You might consider using another popular Victorian plant to frame the doorway…the cast-iron plant. They can live in near dark and grow slowly, yet are graceful with deep green foliage. Much less messy than ferns.
There is so much work that has gone into making this home look so incredible. Not only historic, but makes you feel welcome. Wonderful.
Kevin, You really are the Master of the Universe (well, at least your universe). How you do it, I do no know. I suspect your restorations are a labor of love and it shows. Stunning!
It’s really good of you to let us glimpse the wonderful details your house is full of. It’s a lovely home. Thank you so much for sharing these photos.
Magnificent house…thank you for continuing the tour. I can spend a lot of time viewing these photos…look forward to the next part of the tour.
kevin
Loved the historic photo of the music room last week
AND savoring the detailed tour of each room
Can’t wait for more next week
Hi Kevin….I volunteer at a local museum and the building dates back to the 1800′s. It
was originally a tavern and has some of the beautiful wood and a lovely staircase like
yours. Maybe there is a ghost there ….who would want to leave!!!
Marie – More rooms soon. I promise.
Valerie C. – The sketch of the house is from a book called History of Columbia County, NY. It was published in 1878.
trillium – Regarding cleaning…My dear Margarita helps with cleaning for 2 hours each Friday. That’s enough time to wash and fold laundry, and to vacuum the entrance hall, parlor, stairs and dining room. All other cleaning is presently accomplished by me. I won’t say it’s “fun” work, but you really get an intimate “feel” for the house when you clean it. And in the process, you burn off lots of calories!
Terry – You’d enjoy the company of two cats in that alcove. It is their favorite spot, too, especially when the sun strikes the table.
Kim – Why, thank you!
Eliza J – Good luck with your garden restoration – what a great way to honor the memory of your ancestor.
I really am enjoying the tour of your wonderful house, not to mentionyour recipes and your delightful gardening blog. Thanks so much for bring such pleasure!
I think you’ve captured the alcove beautifully- shifting light and all! That staircase is indeed grand…. love it!
Wow… that’s dedication — cleaning and maintaining all that Victorian detail without a flock of servants! (Wonder whether the unemployment rate was a lot lower in those days?)
John – yes, cast-iron plant is a good idea for this thankless role!
PPPatty – So glad you enjoy the ever-increasing topics here at A Garden for the House!
Brenda – You can’t descend the staircase here without feeling like Scarlet O’Hara. Or Carol Burnett.
cara – Cleaning this house takes dedication, alright. But that’s how I manage to eat all the yummy food I write about, and still stay (reasonably) slim!
Fabulous tour of gorgeous home. Kevin, is the staircase at end of hallway to the left? I don’t think I’ve ever seen an entry staircase not visible from front door. Very interesting!
Tell us, did you both embrace this jewel in the rough with plaster falling? How long did it take to convince you that this place had to be yours? Thank goodness you chose to rescue this old girl! Congratulations on an amazing job! Thanks too for letting us peek
!
Yours is my favorite garden blog and I love the extras like how to make your own cheese, etc., but these pictures of your hallway and stairs simply overwhelmed me. So beautiful and hard to believe possible in today’s world unless you have tons of money. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Cary – Back in 1826, the staircase was in the entrance hall. In 1870, when the original owner’s son inherited the place, he enlarged the hall by adding the alcove (which forms a turret at the top of the house). And to provide mystery, he moved the staircase around the corner to the left.
For me this house was love at first sight. The hardest part was convincing my partner that the house could, in fact, be restored to its former glory.
Alma – I’m so glad you like this site, and thought to tell me so. The house was in horrendous shape when we bought it. Think of Herman and Lily Munster’s house (if you remember that TV show from the 60s). Cobwebs everywhere, falling plaster, water damage, and rotted porch. Hence the price of the house, which included 4 acres of property, was very low. It took a little money, a lot of time, and TONS of creativity to tackle the project. But what an education I received in the process!
I love historic homes – you have done a beautiful job – thanks for sharing – Seattle has some lovely historic homes in the Harvard-Belmont area of Capitol Hill and I recently went on a 2 hour tour sponsored by the Seattle Architectural Society – we were not able to enter any of the homes, but the walking tour of the neighborhood and the history of the homes was spellbinding. Really enjoy the website – thanks again for sharing.
James – So glad you like this site. I used to visit Seattle regularly, and know the neighborhood you are referring to. Also worth visiting is Charleston, SC — the Federal and Greek Revival architecture there is breathtaking.
I went through your tour backwards, but it’s one of the best things I’ve ever experienced on the internet. I have always been drawn to historic buildings and houses, no matter what state of disrepair. I’ve always just wanted to go stand in each room and soak up all the life that transpired there. This is a true treat, and I am so glad that you rescued this beautiful old home! I would love to see more photos, past and present! Oh….and when I think about how those mirrors and floor to ceiling windows traveled from where they were made and withstood all the abuse of the “remodel”…..it just boggles the mind….
Rosemary – Glad you enjoyed the tour, and thought to tell me so. More rooms/pictures coming.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT ALL! So totally understand your passion for this home and I hope you will restore the kitchen wing back to it’s original design. Shame on the previous owners who did not appreciate what they had! I grew up in a 1920′s farm house which was haunted with a friendly old ghost. Do share more photos and stories.
Kevin, your home is simple amazing! The detail and hardwork you have put in to it is inspirational. I am currently looking to buy my first home and this is what I am looking for, and all old that I can restore to its original grandeur piece by piece. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am just speechless at how beautiful it is…great job!
Thank you (and your partner) for sharing. Outstanding job and KUDO’s for restoring to period era. Just seeing the pictures gave me a warm, homey feeing. Can’t wait to see the Kitchen! You guys are amazing!!!!!
This house is soooo Beautiful!!!!!
Stumbled upon your tour…and am thoroughly enjoying it. Your pictures are wonderful,
and I enjoy your wit. I can truly appreciate a person who saves something so lovely from the salvagers!!
Where I live, the oldest home in the area is from the 1960′s…would die to be able to do what you are!
I love the fact that you and your partner have saved this wonderful old home. It’s so beautiful and I so enjoyed getting lost in your photos. The green “puddling” drapes remind me of those in Gone With The Wind. Thank so much!
I completely understand the passion and labor of love you describe. I bought a 1920s Mediterranean Revival house on South Beach designed by the great H. George Fink. The prior owner, a realtor and the cheapest guy who ever drew breath, had actually done little to the house and what he had done was all wrong and done cheaply to cover over problems. It is now, after 21 yrs of slow painstaking repairs, close to what it would have looked like originally. Like you, I feel that the ghosts in my house approve of the work I’ve done and are now happy here.
I”m glad I”m not the only one who started the tour backwards. I just want to see more detailed pictures, of the lighting fixtures, the woodwork, the gorgeous mirrors, crown molding. You are doing a wonderful job in preserving this piece of history. I know how hard you work. My husband and I bought an unlivable I house (built 1839) in 1989. Our family of 3 (young 2 yr. old boy) lived in a camper for 4 mos. (July – Nov.) until we had one room we could all sleep in. We had to hurry November was cold in Ohio. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful home with us.
I am new to your site and am completey capitivated. The house is spectacular and one senses it is smiling at the care you are giving it. So more about the ghost???
What a wonderful house. The open concept and stainless steel appliance crowd have no idea what they are missing.