July, 2012...The Busiest Month of My Life

Ah, yes.  It has been a month since I last blogged.  And what a month it has been!  We finally moved in two weeks ago, after passing our city occupancy inspection with flying colors.  I have not watched TV in over a month.  Seriously. 

After working day in and out, we decided that a short vacation was in order to relax and rejuvenate.  We just returned home from NOLA-New Orleans, Louisiana.  My favorite U.S. city (besides St. Louis, of course!).  We visited several museums--including the Edgar Degas House, Pitot House, and Laura Plantation--and of course dined on delicious Creole cuisine, listened to Jazz on Frenchmen Street, and wandered through Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District, during a storm of all things!

Edgar Degas Historic House Museum

Statue in Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District

Lafayette Cemetery during the impending storm.

My favorite artwork in the cemetery.  I call her the "Weeping Widow," but am not sure of the real story.  Perhaps it is just the embodiment of grief. 

Memorial to the Destitute Orphans.

Laura Plantation in Vacherie, LA.  Later in life, Laura moved to St. Louis!

The interior design of our home certainly has a NOLA vibe to it, and that is because I have traveled there six times.  Each time I leave, a small piece of the sense of place travels back to St. Louis with me.  I have met some of the most wonderful and talented people there--artists, musicians, travelers, mounted policemen, the grand-niece of artist Edgar Degas.  There is almost a timeless feel to it.  If you have never visited, I highly recommend going.

Parlor Chandelier: A Bit of New Orleans Heaven!

On Tuesday, the team at Carlson Galleries installed our parlor chandelier!  It is a circa 1880 French Rococo 18 arm fixture made of bronze and crystals.  The large bottom ball is a period hand blown piece that is just beautiful. If this antique could talk, I'm sure it would have some amazing stories to tell! The photos are a bit fuzzy, but you can see it glistening under the original ornate ceiling medallion.  When I look at it, I feel like I'm back in New Orleans! 

Carlson Galleries Team

Jordan, Jason, and Josh (L-R)

Quite organic looking!

Another outstanding masterpiece from Carlson Galleries!

Too Busy To Blog!

I took a week off from blogging last week, as we were working on the house every day.  Things are happening!  We have had numerous family and friends stop by and offer their support and creative ideas to the process and have thoroughly enjoyed the visits.  ESPECIALLY when they bring cold drinks!  :)

Here are a few photos from last week!  The parlor is painted the same color as the master bedroom, Lyndhurst Jade (Valspar), and goes well with the Pure Gold trim.  The master painters--my mom Brenda and my brother Rick--are painting the dining room baseboards and gilding the parlor picture rail.  We had a great time working together and the work looks fantastic!

The dining room is finished in another Historic Preservation color, La Fonda Antique Red by Valspar.  I love the luxurious look of this color!  Red is often chosen for dining rooms because it is believed to psychologically increase the appetite. Personally, we like how the color picks up the details in our collection of paintings, and it is an appropriate color of the Empire/Gothic design.

Matt is pictured putting the first layer of gold paint on the moulding.  I will post a finished photo of the dining room in the next few days.

We have several main projects going on right now.  Matt is concentrating on finishing the guest bathroom and plastering the entry room, and I am putting the finishing details on the dining room door and window trim and gilding the ceiling moulding.  The gilding is put on with an artist brush and is tedious, but rewarding, work.  The band of gold brings the entire room together!

I stepped down from the ladder to take a photo of the DR bay of windows and trim.  It is coming along!

Entry Hall Lighting

A few months ago, I found a killer late 19th century light fixture online.  I was able to buy it and immediately took it to my friend Josh at Carlson Galleries.  Their team was able to restore the tarnished bronze elements and electrify it in a tasteful manner.

After some discussion about where to put such a unique piece, it was installed in the entry room.  The chandelier will serve as accent lighting, supplemented by a pair of wall sconces and an antique floor lamp.  This figural bronze fixture is graced with double-headed dragons, cross symbolism, perched griffins, and a mysterious Latin inscription.  It probably came out of a Masonic temple, but am not certain at this point.

Here are Justin, Josh, and Matt (L to R) installing the fixture.  (This room has not yet been painted and needed considerable plaster repair).

Another success for the men in blue!

The talented Joshua Carlson of Carlson Galleries!

Casting eerie shadows...

Guest Bathroom Renovation

It all started with removing the outdated green floral wallpaper and ended up as a more lengthy project! 

How do you remove wallpaper as a diy project?  Mix fabric softener with warm water in a bucket and sponge onto the walls.  It is a bit messy, but at least it smells nice. 

I had removed wallpaper in this manner before, and all was well.  This time, however, I ran into a slight problem.  Removing the wallpaper also removed part of the drywall.  After some debate, we decided to remove part of the drywall and replace with new materials.  It was a smart move, as there previously had been a water leak (fixed recently), and some of the drywall was starting to grow mold (not black) on the paper side.  I took a hammer and a crowbar and ripped out the walls.  It was a great stress reliever! 

Posted are photos of the bathroom in its current condition, after I removed the drywall.  I did find some evidence of "Haint Blue" in the walls, but am not sure when it was painted that color.  Painting porches, doors, trim, kitchens, and sometimes other rooms a bright blue is often associated with Southern American folklore.  The belief behind this practice?  One of the most common explanations is rooted in the supernatural belief that the color keeps evil away.  Did the previous owners use this color for that reason or did they simply like this shade of blue?  The latter seems more probable.

Period sconces will be installed on either side of the antique mirror above the vanity, and a French Marie Antoinette chandelier will finish the room.  I bought this antique wooden mirror (pictured) from someone on Craigslist.  It is an ebonized Victorian piece with original beveled mirrors that has a Gothic flair.  It was probably originally part of a dresser or mantel, but now has a new purpose to dress up this room.  I think it will go well with our New Orleans design!

Working Together

On Friday, my mother (a seasoned historic preservationist that has restored two Victorians!) came over and painted most of the trim in the parlor, as I worked on priming the dining room walls.  Time flew by as we shared our thoughts and laughter throughout the day.  Needless to say, her work looks great, and I greatly appreciate her efforts and support of our goals!  The moulding trim along the edge of the ceiling is the only aspect left.  It will be finished in gold leaf paint shortly.

Throughout the weekend, Matt and I finished priming the dining room.  This area has needed the most work thus far.  We repaired walls, ceiling, and the moulding, and allowing the layers of plaster to dry is time consuming.  However--patience is a virtue--and now the room is solid.  Matt painted the final coat of white on the ceiling yesterday, and I will put La Fonda Antique Red on the walls later this week!

On Sunday, our 24 year old niece Lauren (pictured), came out to help paint.  (I mention age here because when we talk of having a niece, many of our friends think we are referring to a child, instead of someone that is closer to our age!)  We thought we would be ready to finish the dining room, but decided that we would best utilize our time by priming the office upstairs.  Lauren worked on cutting in the paint along the trim (and did an excellent job, I might add!), and I rolled the primer.  Through telling stories, listening to tunes on Pandora (some good and bad!), and drinking a few beers, we had finished the walls! Matt wrapped up the work by priming the ceiling.  We are leaving the trim as the existing olive green for now and will be painting the walls a luscious plum color, for a New Orleans French Quarter vibe!

Thanks Mom and Lauren for a wonderful weekend!  All your work and support will always be remembered.  We are grateful to know such hard working and dedicated people. 

Photos coming soon...

Dawn Griffin...Realtor Extraordinaire!

The process of buying a foreclosure is generally a lengthy one and involves putting together a team of professionals, from the lender to the real estate agents.  Our realtor, Dawn Griffin with Circa Properties, was a class act.  Her communication skills were excellent in dealing with the bank that owned the property, to responding to our questions and concerns in a timely manner.  She clearly explained the whole process of what to expect when buying a foreclosure and did not "sugar coat" just how long that might take. Dawn assisted with making and withdrawing offers and renegotiating contracts for six months until we finally closed.  We highly recommend Dawn Griffin without reservation! Thanks, Dawn! http://www.dawngriffin.com/