Last updated on February 8th, 2017
CALL ME A HOPELESS ROMANTIC, but I chose to live in a house which was built in 1826. It’s a house that had fallen on hard times. In fact, when it came on the market in 2001, the first offer was from a man who wished to remove the marble and mahogany fireplaces, the sweeping staircase, and the original black-walnut pocket doors, and sell them as “salvage items.” Here’s a glimpse of the Music Room:
I call this the “Music Room,” simply because it houses two of my pianos (there’s another piano in a room off this one, located behind a set of pocket doors). I’ll explain why I have three grand pianos in another post.
The great-great granddaughter of the house’s original owner — her name is Janice, and she’s 95 years old now — was gracious enough to send me a late 19th-century photograph of this room. As you can see, it once held a good deal more furniture, including — get this — a grand piano. Probably the room is happy to have music bounce off its walls once again. I can tell you the acoustics here are spectacular.
I designed the curtains to match — as much as possible — those in the early photograph.
At the north end of the room is a set of black walnut pocket doors. Would you like to see what’s behind them?
Why, it’s that third piano I told you about. The make is “Hazelton Brothers,” and per its serial number, it was built in NYC in 1919.
Also in this little room is a fireplace, with a giant, elaborately carved over-mantel mirror. Surely this would have been sold by the greedy salvage dealer I mentioned at the beginning of our story.
Other decorative features include ornate valances mounted above each window. Unfortunately, these valances, made of black walnut, are now very fragile. The man who removed them in order to install my hangings swore they would fall apart if anyone dares to fiddle with them again.
This house, though large, is certainly not for the persnickety. In fact, after watching a few episodes of “Property Virgins” on HGTV, I suspect that only my spouse and I would be happy to live here. For there are no closets in the house, and its floor plan is not an “open” one. Each room is an entity unto itself, complete with a door for privacy (and for keeping heat in the room, when the fireplace is in use).
If you’d like to see some of the other rooms we’ve restored, I’d be happy to show them to you. Just drop me a line in the comments thread below.
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Related Posts:
House Tour Part 2: The Entrance Hall & Staircase
House Tour Part 3: The Parlor
House Tour Part 4: The Dining Room
My Herb Garden (or, How to Decorate Rich Even When You’re Not)
Anonymous says
Kevin, Often when I read your posts, I wonder what your house looks like, so I'd be thrilled to see more of the rooms! We have a 130 year old house, so we know what you mean about closets and closed doors to keep the heat in. Keep giving the tour.
Louise
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Wow, Louise! Where do you live?
Janice says
By all means, post more pictures of your house! I'm sure many of your readers would love to see :-)I know I would!
Janice
Anonymous says
Kevin, We live in Dayton, KY, a small town on the Ohio River, directly across from Cincinnati. It's an old river town which has some great old houses built in the 1880s.
Louise
Marilyn says
You've done this grande dame proud Kevin. A house like yours could never be duplicated today. That kind of craftsmanship has been lost.
Of course we would love to see more.
Katreader says
Thank God you saved this house! Personally I prefer all the self contained rooms as opposed to that open floor plan. My home was built a little more than 100 years after yours…but I don't have much for closets-the one thing I could truly use! It is so neat that you have an old picture of the interior of your home! I'd love to see more. Thanks so much for sharing!
Genene says
I LOVE this story!!! and YES, I'd love to see more of the house. This stuff thrills me! An old, saved & restored home!! Excellent!!
Marie Campion says
Please, more photos of the house – I love seeing what you have accomplished – thanks for sharing and it would be wonderful if you would post more rooms.
Eliza J says
Absolutely beautiful! More please…
Nancy Hickman says
Dear Kevin,
I would be thrilled to see other restored rooms in your house. This is the first time I've posted to your blog although I've been reading it daily for over a year. Thanks!!
Terry says
More rooms please!! I love that lamp on the piano. Is that oil or is it electrified?
Nicole H. says
I absolutely want to see more photos! Especially the before/after types. Like other readers I've always been curious about your house whenever you talk about it. This glimpse was just wonderful. Thanks for sharing it!
We just moved into a house that was built in 1853, but it's been updated quite a bit and has little to none of the artistry yours has. Regardless, I want to take a trip to the Archives soon to see if I can locate any old info on it.
The second last owners stopped by after we moved in and asked us if we had seen the “Secret Room” yet. Turns out when I finally finish all the sanding, mudding, and painting, I'll have to cut a small panel (that had been mudded and painted over years before we arrived) out of the closet to sneak into a little 4x7ish room, that these people found full of old dolls and newspapers that they donated to the local museum. Should be a fun and creepy adventure!
Glad you and your partner saved the house and kept it so ornate!
Adele says
I've always wondered about this room, which you have mentioned often when describing your houseplants. What a treat to finally see it! You and your partner did that a house a big, big favor.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Terry – It's a banquet lamp, made in 1902 by Mappin & Webb. The base and stem are sterling silver. I found the lamp at a shop in London back in 2000, and my wonderful partner bought it for me. It is not electrified, and it does work. I rarely use it, however, because once the flame is extinguished, the scent of kerosene lingers in the air.
Adele – Well, now when I mention my Primula malecoides in the music room window, you'll have a reference point!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Janice – Will do!
Marilyn – Thank you. It's been a labor of love. (Emphasis on labor!)
Katreader – Ditto regarding open floor plans. I prefer private rooms, especially for the kitchen!
Genene – Glad you liked it, and thought to tell me so. More pictures/story to come.
Marie Campion – Wish I had more “before” pictures, but it didn't occur to me to photograph crumbling plaster!
Eliza – More soon, I promise.
Nancy Hickman – Nice to meet you!
Lana says
I’d love to see the kitchen and bathrooms! So who needs closets? That is why they made those huge pieces of furniture wardrobes. Thank goodness you bought the house, you understand and appreciate it enough to restore and not destroy.
Lana says
p.s. love your new blog header
Eliza J says
Kevin ~ love your new format…also want to say how much I enjoy your blog and it is so nice that you address people who respond to your entries, it must be time consuming, but it truly is a really nice touch!
Sharon says
Good to see that you saved all that lovely woodwork and marble from ending up in some hastily-constructed McMansion somewhere. 🙂
Terri H. says
A.MA.ZING.
Cary Bradley says
Thank you Kevin for sharing the glory of the craftsmanship and loving beauty of your beautiful home. I’d of course, love to see more. Love seeing it all and hearing the stories of each piece. A beloved lamp all the way from London..what goings on that must have been part of! Those black walnut valances are magnificent. Bless your hearts for preserving the gentility and grace of the past. Adore being able to peek inside, thank you so much! Happy Saturday!
Beautiful new page look, congratulations!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Cary – Glad you like the new site!
Would you believe…after Terry commented on that lamp yesterday, I spent 2 hours cleaning it? Washed the glass globe, and polished the stem and base. What a job! (I have no doubt that whomever owned that lamp before me had a scullery maid to manage the polishing business.)
Kevin says
Lana – You are right – back in the 19th century they used wardrobes for clothing. There were also lots of out-buildings for storage on the property (some of these you can see in the first photo). Unfortunately all of the out-buildings are long gone.
Broken Barn Industries says
Love it, Kevin! I hardly post on my blog in winter. This is a GREAT way to keep your readers coming back till spring. Definitely want to know more about the pianos. Our house is 100+ but seriously modified by previous owners. Lots of character has been lost, but we I sure don’t mind having two huge walk in closets upstairs!
Kevin says
Marie Campion – Welcome. I’ll definitely show more rooms over the coming weeks. Hope to “see” you again!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Eliza J – Glad you like the new site. I especially like the new “comments” thread.
BBI – This house is on the National Register of Historic Places, simply because it was left intact (no matter how bad the condition!). But oh, would I like to have a walk-in closet. More on the pianos later, I promise.
Terry says
Kevin maybe you can use oil in the lamp instead of kerosene? The kind that is used in table-top oil lamps. I have been keeping some small oil lamps on hand for when/if the power goes out, and am making some from canning jars for Christmas presents. The oil doesn’t smell really bad, and you may be able to even get some scented. It is a beautiful lamp! To go in a beautiful room! I bet it looks really great now that you cleaned it. I also love the dark door and window frames and am glad you didn’t paint them.
Philip says
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Terri says
Would love to see more pictures!
Deborah Rosen says
I’d love to see more rooms. Our house is “only” 91 years old but I, too, appreciate rooms with doors that close off the rest of the house. Your music room is lovely.
Rosemeri says
Kevin, I love your site and I love your home. Please show more.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Terri – More rooms soon, I promise!
Deborah Rosen – We’re probably in the minority regarding open floor plans. Personally, I could neither cook nor write in a room without a door. Too many distractions otherwise!
Suzanne K says
Kevin,
Thank you for saving the beautiful lady (house)! I also appreciate the old, well built home. My grandmother’s home in Germany was over 400 years old! Yes, of course we’d like to see more!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Terry – What great presents those oil lamps will make!
Unfortunately oil is not an option for my banquet lamp. The antiques dealer said kerosene-only.
Brenda Johnson says
Love the new format (now that I’ve finally had a moment the give it a look…) and of course I want to read more of the house story and see more pictures!!! Keep all the good things coming!!!!! Now I need to go make more granola….
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Rosemeri – Thank you!
Suzanne K – I’ll bet I would have loved your grandmother’s house.
Nancy Shelly says
Our old house in Bethlehem, PA (a religious community founded by Moravians in 1742) was, when we bought it, the proverbial dump. It had been built around 1850, enlarged in the 1870’s, and enlarged again around 1910 when plumbing was brought in. At some point it became a boarding house – then 2 apartments – and, finally – the whole thing was nicely gift-wrapped with asbestos Every beautiful detail of our house was gone, but it’s in an historic district and we restored it carefully (it took 30 years) while respecting the fact that we weren’t creating a “make-believe-old house”.
Historic buildings tell us much about who we were and what we valued. I would do those 30 years of hard and dirty work again before I’d ever choose a McMansion.
Show us more!
Laura says
Hi Kevin
Yes! I love old homes & would love to see more pictures of your beautiful home.
Jude says
Hi Kevin
Yes! I love old homes & would love to see more pictures of your beautiful home.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brenda – Uh-oh. Are you hooked on Sunday granola-making too?
Nancy – Kudos to you for having the vision to restore your place. Such work isn’t for everybody. I suspect you are an “old soul” like me.
Laura – Thank you for having a look. Much, much more to come over the following weeks and months!
April Heline says
You’re house is beautiful!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Why, thank you April!
Laurie says
thanks for the music room tour, more please! A question to Nicole H: is there any chance the “secret room” was used on the underground railroad? I’ve heard of similar rooms in houses that were along the escape routes. Just wondering…../
despina says
Kevin
the house looks so lovely int he photos, but it is truly magical in person. You are so talented in so many areas. You are an inspiration,
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Nicole H. – That secret room sounds intriguing! Must have been a hiding place for something… or someone!
John says
Way back in the 70s, I lived in an old house, bought together with three friends, that was build around 1865. We soon found out that it was haunted. The seller had only hinted about ghosts and laughed when we asked outright if it was haunted. Lots of interesting occurrences happened to each of us, when alone and when together. You haven’t mentioned if your “Grand Lady” is haunted. Has anything happened to make you think it is?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
John – There have been times when I thought I heard ghosts, but I’m sure it was “just the wind…” as they say in old horror movies. Actually, any ghosts here would probably like us because of the work we’ve put into the place!
But I’m curious about YOUR ghost stories!
Donna says
I would love to see other rooms:) These two are VERY well done, but I’m sure you know that. Thanks for the peek:)
Kristine says
Kevin –
You’ve done an amazing job in your restoration. I am an interior desiger and have a passion for old homes. You just can’t get the craftsmanship, architectural detailing and history from the houses constructed today. I love hearing about the history of your home and the family that lived there. Please post more pictures.
Marie Glasse Tapp says
More pictures please..I worked in historic preservation for many years restoring ceramic installations like fireplaces, entry halls in older homes and institutions. Congratulations on being one of the hardy band who treasure and restore our built heritage.
Marie Glasse Tapp
Tile Restoration Center, Seattle WA
Julie says
I love your weekly postings and hope you will just continue to include house pictures with your regular entries, just as you did this time. Thank you.
Carol Hanson says
Kevin
great job in restoring this room please show more I agree that doors on rooms are better than open plan I’ve lived in numerous houses and the older ones are much preferred!!!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Donna – Thanks for having a look. Tricky to photograph here because of the shifting light.
Kristine – Nice to meet you. Couldn’t agree with you more about the detailing of old houses. Descendants of the original owner have sent me oodles of photographs of the house, which were taken in the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries . I need to scan them and include them in future posts.
Marie Glasse Tapp – Welcome. I’d like to thank YOU for the historic preservation work you’ve accomplished in Seatlle. You’d probably love all the old Dutch houses around here — some with Delft-tiled fire-surrounds!
Julie – Well, I’ve covered so many of the gardens here A Garden for the House that I figured it was time to show the house itself! Thanks for attending “the tour.” More to come.
zehra says
Kevin- Like many of the other posters, I have wondered what your home looks like and totally admire what you have done. As someone who has restored a home-mine being a mid-century mod- so i didn’t have to go back as far in time ;), I can completely appreciate the time and effort you have put into your “nest.” I anxiously await the tour of the rest of your grand abode!!! – Zehra
Caroline says
Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I love older homes. They have so much history and many stories to tell. I am glad it wasn’t sold to the salvager; most homes are just waiting for their moment of restoration. I grew up in Victorian homes and never realized how important the homes’ details and history mattered to me until my husband and I moved to an area where there was no crown or trim except for baseboards or around doors in the entire house. Now I think it’s an offense to strip these beautiful houses of their history. I would love to see more pictures of the house, before and after if you have any. Excellent job on the music room!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
zehra – Welcome, and thanks for having a look. Good for you for restoring your place!
Welcome, Caroline. Thanks for the kind words. I agree with you — most houses are just waiting for the right owners to come along and save them. I can’t imagine living in a modern home now, in spite of all the advantages (closets!) they offer.
trillium says
Your home is truly a work of art, and the thoughtfulness and love the two of you have poured into it shows! I truly hope you share more of this transformation.
james lambert says
kevin, Thanks for sharing – I’ve always wanted to see more pictures of your home and property, as it really looks charming. I’m so glad that you saved such a treasure of a home so that it’s regained all it’s original charm as well as the care and love you have given it – what a pleasure to see the pictures –
also Happy Birthday! I do hope you will share with us what you did on your Birthday – I love the new look to the website also –
cheers,
jim
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Welcome, trillium. You are right — much love has been poured into this house. But the place seems quite happy now. Stay tuned…more rooms to come.
Welcome, james lambert – How kind of you to think of my birthday! As a matter of fact, I spent much of the day on a ladder (the next-highest step – kinda scary) polishing the woodwork and cleaning the glass of the mantel mirror in the music room. What a job!
Kara Udwary says
Please keep the posts coming! The house is amazing, as well as the care and love that you have put into it! Thank you for sharing!
John says
You asked earlier for accounts of when I lived in an old Victorian house and met its spirits-in-residence.
Ah-h-h-h. Ghost stories. Where to begin? The old Victorian that I and my three housemates lived in was surely haunted. Each of us eventually “met up” with manifestations of whatever spirits were there. We had heard the usual creaks and groans, most likely due to the wind (yeah, right), but other occurrences were more vivid. Ready? I know it’s not exactly the right time of the year for ghost stories, but…
Supposedly, the owner who inherited the house from the original builder was a doctor, and at that time (early 20th Century) many patients were treated at the home for both physical and mental conditions, in addition to many, many babies being delivered there. The occasional groans were usually accompanied by low moans and even some crying, just within hearing range, but also low enough to make one wonder if you were hearing things. A few times we would swear that we heard a metallic rustling… chains? We never felt threatened, but when my dog’s hackles rose and he would bark at a closed door or the dark hallway, we got the creeps, for sure!
There was a little bedroom upstairs (BTW The house had a beautiful, carved walnut curved stairway. The “servants” back stairway was plain.) that would remain quite cold all year, no matter what the temperature in the house. We always referred to it as “the nursery” and used it for storage since no one wanted to actually sleep in it!
By far the most unnerving incidents involved the blue light. Yes, if you can imagine a blue light similar to a natural gas pilot light… I was the first to see it. I was home alone one winter’s night (of course), and reading in bed (upstairs, in the back of the house) with my trusty dog at the foot of the bed. He suddenly started growling and looking at the closed door. Thinking that the married couple, who had gone out for a movie, were coming back home, I got up with the intention of visiting the bathroom across the hall and then greeting them at the top of the stairs, down the hall from my bedroom. As I left my room and crossed the dark hall to go into the bathroom, I noticed out of the corner of my eye an eerie blue light, for all the world like a pilot light, hovering about a foot off the ground at the end of the hall near the stairway landing. I was already into the bathroom by the time what I thought I had seen “registered” in my brain. I kind of dismissed it as possibly a car’s headlights. Coming out a few minutes later, I looked directly down the dark hallway. Sure enough, it was STILL there, just floating in the air. Well, I didn’t wait around, but went back in my room to try to get my dog to come into the hall with me so I could go the other way to get to the light switch and turn on the hall light. Of course, my dog wouldn’t budge off the bed, but by now was barking rather earnestly. Both his hackles and the hairs on the back of my neck were on end! So, like any red-blooded American young man, I slammed and locked my door, and for good measure, moved a dresser in front of it.
When the married couple came home hours later (and turned on the hall light), I filled them in. They, of course, asked what I’d been drinking (iced tea) and didn’t believe a word I said. However, it was not many more weeks later that THEY experienced the same phenomenon one night when they were home alone! Our other housemate also met the blue light one night and had to eat her disbelieving words at our stories. Over the next three years, we all would see the blue light occasionally, but were never successful at getting any photos of it.
Years later, after we had sold the house and moved on with our lives, I was approached in the public library one day by a complete stranger. This middle-aged woman asked me if I was the John C. who had lived in the old Ezra Cox mansion on Center Street back in the 70s. I told her I was the same, and she said that she and her husband were the current owners and had a question to ask me. When she hesitated, I asked her if it had anything to do with a blue light. Her eyes widened and she exclaimed, “YES!” She was so-o-o relieved and almost cried when I told her my stories. She said that she and her husband had also been visited by this mysterious blue light, just a few weeks after moving in. I assured her that there was no danger, at least in our experiences.
I saw her on occasion after that, and we always just knowingly smiled at each other.
TRUE story!!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Kara – Thanks for having a look! I plan to show more of the house over the following weeks.
John – Guess who won’t be able to sleep tonight?
Seriously, what an experience you had. I’d have barricaded myself in my room too, especially if Lily the Beagle had raised her hackles! (And this from someone who grew up watching “Dark Shadows” and who is presently addicted to “American Horror Story.” )
I take it you live in a modern house now?!
John says
Yes, we built a new home back in 1983, so we could have some acreage (just four though). No ghosts here. Nor even strange happenings, at least nothing other than what our two children did over the years. Before I retired from elementary teaching, I used to tell my ghost stories to my students during the Halloween party. Always had a few notes the next day from parents who had to spend the night with their kids in the bed!
Lisa says
Kevin – thanks for sharing the beautiful photos of your home. I loved looking and comparing the old photos to the new ones you have done a remarkable job. just lovely. The only thing I think I would do is take out some of the old trees. wouldn’t want them to fall on your gorgous house. and it wil lopen it up so you can see it better too. of course replace them with smaller trees farther away from the house. are you thinking of trying to restore the outside to it’s former glory? It is beautiful now but might be fun to add back the big porches. love the posts, can’t wait to see the rest of the house. you are so multi-talented. I am envious. 🙂
Renee says
Been following your weekly newsletters and enjoying them all. Located in the same zone far away in Kansas. It has been a dry and warmer winter here too.
My forced forsythia and pussy willow stems are blooming .
Love everything you share … really loved seeing the rooms in your historic home.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Renee – Nice to meet you! Glad you find this site a fun place to visit.
Forced flowering branches make all the difference in winter, right? No matter how weird that winter might be!
Tracy says
OH, how I have enjoyed your pics. I live in Lebanon, OH which is rich with history. I will follow for more on your labor of love.
Tracy
Kate says
Hi, Kevin,
I just came upon a couple of your “tours” and appreciate your mention of cleaning 11 foot mirrors framed in mahogany. My grandparents lived in a grand old house in Charleston which was built in the 1700s. The house, at 16 Charlotte Street, was truly a member of our family, who lived there from when my great-grandfather bought it in 1912 for $10,000 until my great-aunt passed in 1974. 64 years, a long relationship! My great-grandparents’ three daughters lived in the house all their lives… with their families since the home had 21 rooms! Some of my fondest memories are going to visit my grandparents and great-aunts and uncles as a child and teen. The bedrooms had tall, wide mirrors framed in heavy wood (probably mahogany, too). Sadly, after my great-aunt passed, we sold the home to an architect who lived there but fell on hard times and sold the brass chandeliers, the beautiful framed mirrors, and other distinctive (but removable) features. The first installed bathtub in the city of Charleston, however, still remains in the home: it looks somewhat like a stone casket: no running water, of course; servants would heat and pour water onto the bather when the home was originally inhabited. I still occasionally have dreams about our old family home; sometimes I can even smell that special smell of old homes: a combination of age, old wood, love, and old leather.
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, Kevin!
Juanita says
Absolutely love this room. I can’t quite make out in the old photograph what is in the frieze area. Like the wallpaper you chose and the red curtains. So how many square foot is the house and how many rooms? I see some registers so I’m guessing you have forced air heat. Sorry for all the questions, I’m an old house lover.
susan says
Being 62 and from a rural area of the country I remember how it used to be at 20 yrs old.. You could rent an old farmhouse for $45 a month!!!! Our first house was an old Victorian style with a coal fired furnace. We only lived ther for about 2 years but those years were packed full of memories, like when the pipe blew off the chimney because it had been plugged up with swallow’s nests over the years. Now all those old places have been torn down,, farmers didn’t want to modernize or pay the taxes on them. I’m so mglad you saved the house!!!
Sue says
Kevin,
I’m new to your website and newsletter, andI have to say I love them both. I just finishing the tour of the house thus far, and am so anxious to see more. I love the garden tips,and your no frills and detailed way of explaining things. (No frills and detailed are somewhat an oxymoron, but you get my drift.) I look forward to new edition every week!
Topher says
Sign me up up for more of this beauty!
Cookie says
About 10 years ago the farm and mill that were in the family for 175 years were sold. My grandparents were the last of the family to live there, my grandfather’s grandparents having built the house and mill. The new owner did a lot of work to restore some of the rooms but totally updated the kitchen so he could rent out the house. What a waste! The mill race no longer functions since he left it get overgrown with weeds by shutting off the water supply. He also sold some of the property because he fell on hard times at the beginning of the recession. Having to sell the property (no one at the time could afford to do the work that it needed) was heartbreaking. I will always remember the gatherings we had there and the family I cherish so much. As the years pass, we’ve lost some and I can only hope they are reuniting with the ones that went before. I love that you’re restoring that house and giving it back its dignity. If the walls could talk, what fun that would be!
Karen says
stunning room. do you host house concerts? it looks perfectly suited for them…..
Pam says
Love you posts, recipes and your home is absolutely beautiful. Would love to see more. Thanks for all you share!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Karen – Yes, I’ve hosted many house concerts here. The acoustics in the room are better than Carnegie Hall. I’m not kidding!
Hi Pam – Thank you. More to come.
Angela Hedgepeth says
What is upstairs? What do you do for clothes storage? What about bathrooms?
Please show and tell more!
Donna S says
Kevin,
The photos of your home are enchanting. If only you’d indulge us more!!! I don’t know that I’ll ever have the opportunity to do what you have here with this home, but it’s on my bucket list.
Take care,
Donna S.
Overland Park, KS
Naomi Shelton says
Kevin, I love looking at the restorations of the rooms in your house. I’ve always loved old houses. The only one I ever lived in was a modestly sized Victorian in the small Michigan town where I grew up and then for only five yeas when I was between nine and fourteen. We had pocket doors, too. I’ve always wished that I could build a replica of that house to live in. Alas, I live in a small ranch and probably will spend my final days here! Oh, well! At least I can look at yours and enjoy what your life there is like. Thanks so much for sharing it all with all of us.
Dodie Anderson says
My Grandfather told me that the reason the older homes of that period had no closets was because they were heavily taxed on closets…hence the use of wardrobes. True or not I couldn’t say..(Also that they were taxed on the old treadle sewing machines). I love this blog for so many reasons..gardening…recipes…but especially your house restoration!!
Lisa Pelky says
Thank you for the tour of your gorgeous home! It brought back memories of my childhood at my grandmother’s beautiful old home. Your music room looked like her’s with the piano and the came oriental rug in front of the large window. I like your style!!
Carol says
I LOVE your house and always enjoy your tours!!! Your house has sooooo much personality.
Thanks for the house tour and I am always interested in seeing your wonderful home!!!
Karen says
Of course I’d love to see more of your house! Alas we live in a 1979 single-story house on Florida’s Space Coast , but we do appreciate/love old houses. My great-grandfather built a family home outside Boston in 1887. My grandfather was born upstairs and died downstairs 78 years later, never having lived anywhere else. My grandparents did some unfortunate modernization in the 60’s, but it still has some wonderful features, and it has remained in the family with my aunt still living there.
Mary Connacher says
Can we have a close up of your wallpaper please, and the passementerie on your drapes, and your black walnut pelmets? The devil is in the detail!
Dixie Schmidlin says
Kevin: LOVE your house and garden site. You are so talented. And having to go through that scary raising of the Music Room floor. With all that you do, I have to ask, do you ever sleep??? I’d also like to ask Dodie Anderson about the taxation on closets she mentioned. I’ve never heard of it and just wondered if that really happened. Such a crazy thing.
Dixie
Julie says
So glad you got the house and not the salvage dealer! I love these old homes and it’s always so sad to see them neglected and abandoned. I appreciate you sharing yours as I also have dreamed of living in one of these treasures. I don’t think it’s going to happen on this Earth but daydreaming isn’t so bad!
Jeannie A says
Dear Kevin,
I so appreciate your many talents. I look forward reading your Sunday newsletter like I used to look forward to reading the Sunday newspaper. Only yours is better, only good news!!! Flowers, beauty, walks in the garden, photos and recipes of good food, and a house tour!
And comments, I read every one! House stories and ghost stories, what a fun way to get a small glimpse into other people’s lives!
Thanks for the Sunday treats! I savor them every week!
I’m going to post your blog site on fb, so others can find you.
love and blessings, Jeannie
Colleen says
I too live in an experienced house, but you are way ahead of me. Please keep the inspiration coming.
Mama Mary says
Kevin, your house is my dream house!!! Love those beautiful Grande Dames! I like lots of rooms with plenty of doors. Open floor plans just don’t do it for me.
Love this site! Just found it today but will be visiting plenty in the future!!
Dorie says
Thanks for finally talking about >House Tour: The Music Room <Liked it!
Chris says
We have an 1896 square grand piano that we would like to find a new home for. It is beautiful and is signed and dated Purcell. Are you interested in a 4th?
Paula Beattie says
I love your house and I, too have a taste for ‘classic vintage’ homes. Our home is 120 years old and it is relatively small and not grand in any way but I love it. We will be adding an addition and I want it to be as authentic as possible and have been purchasing salvaged items like sidelights and a transom from an 1861 stone house.
Keep up the great work as I love your site. I have already made the pumpkin bread twice in as many days!
Bev says
So? No closets? Were there entire rooms where the ladies’ gowns were stored n that time period?… or, did they never wear the same one twice? I’m fascinated with your home and entire property! It reflects your heart and soul…and back and every muscle and lots of sweat and tears! haha…every bit you’ve shared is magnificent! I would love to be one of the inner circle to request the link to more pix…Thank you!
Patricia says
I have enjoyed every post – gardens, house, and recipes. Yes, please post more house photos!
Aggie from dowunder says
Wow Absolutely stunning I just love the old houses and you have done it credit, keep up the wonderful posts as they are a joy to read.
Thanks Kevin
myrtle miller says
Closets take up too much space. Hopefully, you’ll have remedied that with armoires. Still waiting for you to post a video of you playing the piano.
Emily Scott says
It is wonderful that you are restoring and loving this beautiful house to it’s formal glory and thank you so much for inviting us in to see what a treasure you have and all the hard work you are putting into it. Everything you have done is magnificent.
Dolores says
What amazing taste you have in everything. Just gorgeous…every room.
lovely. Dolores
Angeline Angela says
I live on an island that has been colonized so many times over that our 200+ houses or as we call them ” landhuis” are a mixture of mostly european architecture. Landhuis being a dutch word is the last colonizer we had. That being said i love old salvaged houses. So yes, give us more of your house. Especialy the kitchen. Thank you for sharing
Phyllis says
Love the herb garden, but the music room is my favorite. PLEASE play something for all of us soon. Thank you.