Gilded Age Mansion Restoration & Open Post.
Up until yesterday, I was stuck in the post-holiday zone where time has evaporated and you have no idea what day it is. So for this week’s post, there is no requirement for wit or intelligent thought.
I mean, you can be witty or intelligent… But I myself am excused.
I spent the weekend de-Christmasing and lecturing myself about minimalism. And vacuuming, vacuuming, vacuuming. And coming to terms with the need for a new computer because the intermittent-shutting-off of this one has made doing anything like a game of chicken… I win if I hit save every 30 seconds, I lose if I try to do anything with photos.
The only thing that would be more annoying than this computer, would be the process of getting a new one.
I might have skipped posting altogether but you all are the best part of my week and I miss you when I am not here. Plus, I wanted to thank you for the way I do not even have to browse the Internet anymore– you just send me what I need to read/pin/consider… Everything from disco ball pizza ovens to house-related stuff that gives me fits of envy.
Such as this video of the restoration of Belcourt Castle in Newport.
[quote]…The house was built in the last half of the 19th century for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, the son of the financier August Belmont and an eccentric who apparently really loved his horses (some sources note he liked to dress them up, changing their costumes several times a day).
…had the entire building laser-scanned to produce an accurate set of architectural drawings. That will allow him to make “incredibly accurate molds for reproduction” of the damaged ornamental plasterwork.
…The thing about houses, he continued, “is they can always be fixed. It’s just a matter of money.”– Via the New York Times article on the restoration[/quote]
more pictures – Belcourt of Newport, photo album, thanks to TKraft for the NYT article!!
Paul and I also spent the weekend moving my latest craigslist score up to the second floor.
What is it? Obviously I can’t tell you. Where is the suspense in that?
Paul told me that I do not need to bother explaining that it needs a few “adjustments.” He claims you already know that I only buy adjustment-needing things… or even more preferably – broken things. And that being broken is actually my first criteria when shopping for anything.
Paul says that when I call someone on craigslist, I say – Hi! Are you are selling something broken? I am interested!
A handful of you sent me the above article about an apartment in Paris that has been sealed since 1946 – The owner fled during the war and never returned.
I hadn’t seen this story and I am very excited because clearly, Paris will be calling me to say they could not think of a more suitable person to give it to.
Below is Lillie’s. The bar is not original to the space, but moved from a Victorian mansion in Belfast, Ireland. The rest of the photos are a mix of giant Victorian stuff, thus I approve. Thanks to DIY Sarah for the link.
Now for the open part of this post – I would love if you shared a link to something you have enjoyed reading or looking at… No requirement for house-related content and it doesn’t have to be online – could be a book or movie. *Be aware that more than one link in a comment will likely get you eaten by the spam filter.
Heather H
January 7, 2014 @ 12:26 pm
This one is cool for the adventurist in all of us, not sure I have the guts to take this trek though – scary!
http://www.viralnova.com/dangerous-trail-huashan/
maggie b
January 7, 2014 @ 12:35 pm
I like this idea. I wanted to add an island to house a dishwasher so I didn’t have to cut the built-in-place cabinets in the old kitchen on which I’m working. I also didn’t want to break the bank with a custom made piece. Using this idea I’ll put two stock cabinets on either end, the dishwasher in the center then top it with the table assembly. I’ll hide the stock cabinets’ back and sides with finished plywood or perhaps even a veneer. The top can be wood, granite or even stainless. I’ll paint it all an accent color and call it good. I should be able to do it on a shoe string budget that way. Perhaps I can find an old bit of furniture to modify for cabinet use – time will tell. http://www.houzz.com/photos/6734981/The-Aynsley-traditional-kitchen-new-york
maggie b
January 7, 2014 @ 12:36 pm
PS I’ve seen this idea done with old barn wood for the back and sides and square pieces of barn wood for the legs. Very rustic looking
Katherine
January 7, 2014 @ 12:39 pm
Perfection, for you.
http://hyperallergic.com/100562/the-geometric-perfection-of-snowflakes/
Amy @ Life on Hill St
January 7, 2014 @ 12:49 pm
For when I really want to waste a day. It’s like Pinterest but without all of the annoying workout inspiration.
Enjoy! 😉
http://craftgawker.com/
Dianne
January 7, 2014 @ 12:56 pm
This is my current “I WANT THIS RIGHT NOW.”
enjoy:
http://www.glowstones.com/#!glow-stone-driveway/zoom/c1gqs/image1vl0
Auntie Kate
January 7, 2014 @ 12:57 pm
I love this site… if for no other reason than my brain needs topping up. Great writing inspiration, too. http://unkno.com/
Janice S.
January 7, 2014 @ 1:17 pm
“A giraffe can lick it’s own ears.” What fun! So much useless info – I love it!
Garden, Home and Party
January 7, 2014 @ 1:19 pm
I am sitting on pins and needles wondering what craigslist wonderfulness you’ve found for $20! Don’t keep us waiting too long. The vacuuming didn’t have anything to do with the miles of live garland did it? 🙂
I have revisited this link several times. Full disclosure…the bachelor #1 is my dear Mr. B. in his younger days before he was fortunate enough to meet and marry me!
*I had to send the link to you via facebook private message because I couldn’t figure out how to insert the link into this comment block (my tech skills continue to amaze me).
xo,
Karen
Cheryl
January 7, 2014 @ 1:36 pm
Got this for Christmas. As a native Twin Citian, and house junkie, this was the only gift I needed. Talk about the gilded age!
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Houses-Summit-Avenue-District/dp/0989262707/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389119710&sr=1-1&keywords=homes+summit+hill
The Lady
January 7, 2014 @ 1:45 pm
Belcourt Castle was recently purchased by the owner of Alex and Ani. She also purchase a wine vineyard around the same time. I’m just happy she’s keeping her money and her business in Rhode Island.
Carol
January 7, 2014 @ 2:09 pm
http://distractify.com/fun/amazing-t-rex-optical-illusion/
I like this. I want a big one! (T-Rex that is).
Kit Odom
January 7, 2014 @ 2:26 pm
Disco balls & backsplash=pretty, pretty, pretty! Cleaning them, not so much. I must, nevertheless, have the oven at least. It is obviously necessary.
Jennifer @ Also Known As...the Wife
January 7, 2014 @ 3:23 pm
I can’t help but laugh every time I read these:
http://9gag.com/gag/awrg3wB
Teri
January 7, 2014 @ 3:24 pm
I’m sure that with your “Victorian” fetish, you are a “Downton Abbey” fan!! Did you get to see the 2 hour premiere of this season? Previous to it there was a 1 hour documentary on Highclair Castle, the place where “Downton Abbey” is filmed! It was fantastic!! If you have not seen it, it is a must for us V fetish people!!!
Corinne
January 7, 2014 @ 3:28 pm
I read the article about the apartment. That apartment is like King Tuts Tomb for me. This is another untouched home. My maiden name was Clark so we must be related somehow!
http://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/huguette-clark-estate-profile
Bridget from Refined Vintage
January 12, 2014 @ 7:41 pm
This is such an interesting story too! Thanks for sharing this, I want to read the book now. I love stories about eccentrics millionaires or not, amazing!
Linda
January 7, 2014 @ 4:42 pm
Stop, people! Victoria will not have time to post anything for us if she clicks on all those links She will sink into the underworld of the internet, and perhaps not have the strength to dig her way out and return to us…..and to Paul. And Elvis will miss her. Cease and desist, for a while anyway. I’m begging you.
Tracey
January 7, 2014 @ 5:04 pm
Victoria,
I don’t know what kind of computer you have, but if you’re in the market for a new one – consider getting a Mac! No I don’t work for Apple – I’m just one of the many people who have what is known among marking and advertising types (see nod to Mad Men there) as ‘Loyalty beyond reason’. If your current computer is a Mac then I’m extremely disappointed that it’s misbehaving in such an un-Mac-like fashion. A Mac should be part of your family – we have several, Frank (who is the grandpa of our Mac’s because he’s quite old but still very reliable), then there’s Max, Eddie and my new addition Polly (named after my grandmother – hope she doesn’t mind having an iMac named after her!) They have a few iPad and iPod friends around the house, but my children haven’t got around to naming them yet. Needless to say after 29 years of being a Mac fan, I am beyond rational – but I love how easy they are to use and not having to deal with (many) viruses (I have had 2 minor Mac viruses since 1984 but none since 1997!)
Cheers Tracey
LaurieC
January 14, 2014 @ 9:36 pm
Thank you for sharing this… I’ve been considering getting a new computer with my tax refund, and I’m going to check into getting a Mac!
Patina and Company
January 7, 2014 @ 6:03 pm
I am definitely in the post-holiday zone. When do I have have to come out?
Gorgeous pictures of those old homes–stop enticing and egging me on; I am trying to quit.
anne
January 7, 2014 @ 8:03 pm
DOWNTON ABBEY. Do I even need to link.
Also craigslist post soon? To chase away the post holiday blues? 🙂
Toni
January 7, 2014 @ 8:10 pm
http://www.danielmerriam.com/
Amanda
January 7, 2014 @ 9:51 pm
Here is my favorite house currently for sale in my area. http://www.sibcycline.com/listing/CIN/1282970
Emily @ Two Purple Couches
January 8, 2014 @ 2:20 pm
Ahhhh!! I’ve seen this listing before! I live in Cincinnati too 🙂