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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Metamorphosis Monday- Foyer

I just found a wonderful new blog Hooked On Houses and they are having a block party this Friday! Be sure and visit to see all the great posts! :D Jewel

Happy Metamorphosis Monday sponsered by Susan at BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH.
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/



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When we bought our house 8 years ago, this is what the foyer looked like. The wallpaper was from the 1930's and had ghostmarks of old pictures and was very soiled around the light switches. We wanted to take the house back to the 1880's, so we knew we wanted dark trim and Bradbury & Bradbury wallpapers.
Front view
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Rear view
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Notice the colonial light fixture - we knew that had to go.
The hall was also dark, so I wanted to add sconces. We were doing a tax credit renovation, so the NC Dept of Cultural Resources had to approve each change. They said they would allow the sconces, but didn't recommend it since we had no proof there had every been sconces in the first place.

Here are some more before photos. It looked a bit better when we took up the old carpet and added our rugs and furniture.
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When ordered reproduction lighting fixtures from Victorian Lighting Works and were really pleased. We had to install the sconces after the wallpaper was stripped and before the new paper was hung. Imagine my vindication when we found patched plaster holes right where the sconces were going to be installed and the gas pipe behind the plaster! I knew there were supposed to be sconces in that dark hall!

The newel post we stripped to show the burled walnut panels, but the rest of the woodwork my husband faux grained. The wainscoting was evidently installed when they had everything painted white, because it is pine. The doors and door and window casing are oak. So even if we stripped all the wood and stained it, it wouldn't make. The faux graining gives us a uniform look throughout.
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Here is the renovated foyer.Notice the new hall light and sconces. I think they make a huge difference! We painted the coffered ceiling a light green which went with the paper.
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In the rear, under the stair well, we made a Turkish corner, which was popular in the 1880's.
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Here is a close-up of the foyer wall paper which is a Dresser design from the 1880's.
I don't have a close-up of the border, but it was also designed by Dresser.
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Hope you enjoyed this Metamorphosis! Be sure to visit Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

for many more wonderful before and afters! :D Jewel

41 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

OH.MY.GOODNESS!!!

The home of my dreams!

I am GREEN with envy...such a GORGEOUS home!

(faints)

Susan

janet said...

absolutely gorgeous!!!! love the paper im really happy to see you have kept the homes integrity...beautiful
hugs
janet

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Wow...this is gorgeous! I soooo love touring your amazing home! I love it that you were smarter than the NC Cultural Resources! Hee, Hee...I hope you somehow got a chance to tell them about the patched plaster. They should never doubt us women...we know what makes sense and what a home needs! The burled wood on the newel post is sooooo beautiful! Wonder if there's a deed down inside? Have you heard how they used to do that when the home was paid off. They usually cut off the top of the post and put something reallllly ornate on top to show it was paid off. :-) Love your wallpaper...just beautiful. Everything you do is sooo elegant and tastefully done in this wonderful, historic home! Thanks for sharing with us this Met Monday! Can't wait to see more! Susan

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Beautiful, elegant, classic...what more can I say. But the refinished banister is a huge "WOW"! Linda

Tracy said...

That is AMAZING! What a gorgeous transformation. Your home is just lovely. Have a great Monday!

Unknown said...

You are doing such an amazing job restoring your home. What a big project, I'm not sure I could handle it.

Candy said...

WOW! What a difference...not the same house. Warm, inviting and wonderful old world charm.
Two WOW!s, Candy

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Another amazing post! I am so in love with your home. And I hope you called them right away when you found the patched sconce holes! It sounds like you are truly in tune with your home.
~Michelle

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous home! How interesting Susans comment about them putting a deed in the newel post when the house was paid off- I have never heard of that!

We have an older home also and wallpaper that has smoke and ghost pictures also. The walls are also plaster. Would you mind sharing how you stripped the paper- I have had several different recommdations but have no idea which is best.

I would love any suggestions if you would have a little time to look at my house- I understand perfectly if you don't have time-
this link is the blog I did at Christmas on Tour of HOmes and it shows some of the wallpaper I am talking about both in living room and dining.

blessings
mary

Bo said...

KD...I'd have bought this home based on the staircase alone if I could have...They just don't make beauties like this anymore....and thankfully this grand old dame has fallen into your hands for restoration...it looks spectacular!
;-) Bo

DesignTies said...

Wow -- faux-graining all that wood was a huge job!! Good work!!!

Very nice transformation. And thumbs up for the call on the wall sconces!!

I love your ceiling :-)

Kelly @ DesignTies

Bobby (Baniji) & Gayle Evans said...

I would KILL for an entryway and staircase like yours! Wow

Kat said...

You are doing such a beautiful job restoring this gorgeous home. I can't believe you are doing this and working full time. The hallway is beautiful, I love the care you took in restoring the staircase. And the faux graining looks amazing, what a job! Kathy

~CC Catherine said...

D Jewel, THIS IS FAB!!! Totally a wonderful look~ This is so precious and I think I'd walk up and down the steps every hour just to be near it and take it all in. ;) Really stunning! ~CC Catherine

Megan {The Brick Bungalow} said...

Such a great transformation! :)

Tammy said...

Wow. So gorgeous, and obviously tons of work. Beautiful.

Tardevil said...

I bet you've metamorphosed (a word?) lots of things in the last several years! :O) Your home is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how beautiful your home is! Your entrance is so gorgeous and just love what you've done. Your hubby did a fantastic job on the wood! That paper is so pretty and your furnishings! To die for! OH, please keep showing us your beautiful home!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That is just amazing! You must be pooped with all this renovation but it sure is paying off and you have a gorgeous home. Cindy

JudyBug said...

You home just takes my breath away. Do you give tours? If not, you should! It's just absolutely over the top delicious!

JudyBug

Chandy said...

Cool renovation! The lighting looks great. Susan may faint but I think I'll damage my neck from too much gawking! Beautiful!

Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes

xinex said...

I love your home, I love your foyer and I love the Turkish corner....Christine

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! The foyer and that staircase are so grand! So jealous!

Kim said...

Absolutely stunning. I just love restored Victorian homes. Especially seeing the before and after. What a transformation!
Kim

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

I am amazed every time I visit your blog! You have done such a great job of being historically correct. How fun that there had been sconces...did you make them come back and look and say "nanny nanny boo boo"!!!?? lol I would!! However...I can't take my eyes off that gorgeous arrangement in your foyer! Beautiful post!...Debbie

pammiejo said...

I love this! I absolutely love old houses and love looking at all the renovations people make. You've done an outstanding job! PAM

santamaker said...

Just Beautiful! You are a very talented and hardworking lady!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OH Girl you are living in my home...how BEAUTIFUL is this?? WOW and double WOW!! I am just fell out of my chair and drooled all over my key board over this BEAUTY...THANKS so much for sharing this great Old lady with us..now I need to clean all this drool off my face thanks!! hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

KBeau said...

What a labor of love. You must be having so much fun.

Paula Bee said...

Oh how I wish you lived a little closer! I would love to see your house in person and I am sure we could chat for hours about restoring older homes. Your home is breathtakingly gorgeous! You have made beautiful grand changes. Love the wallpaper and I would die for your newel post! Thanks so much for sharing! Love, Paula

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

What a grand home! You have transformed this entry and it shows your love and passion for beauty.

DEB said...

A truly magnifisant home with so much character. You did a beautiful job! Deb

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Hi, I saw your blog over at Barbs and your id caught my attention! I'm a NC girl, too! Your home is beautiful!

I enjoyed your post on your daughter's 16th Birthday! What a great idea! We are planning for a 16th Birthday this summer! :)

~So nice to meet you, Rhonda

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~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

What a lovely home! Your wonderful taste shines through.
Going now to check out the rest of your blog to see if I can get a glimse of more of your lovely home. Isn't blogging just the best? To be able to share our homes and hobbies and families with new friends everywhere. Thanks for sharing yours.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

kate said...

beautiful wallpaper, and what a diverence!!!! love it, love it.
kate from charleston

DesignTies said...

A simply beautiful foyer, Carolina, and the transformation is fab!
Victoria from EdinDesigns @ DesignTies

Chloe's Couture said...

Beautiful! You are living out a dream of mine. You have done a fantastic job! The staircase is such an amazing backdrop for photos!

amariaf2000 said...

WOW! That is absolutely gorgeous!!
Thanks for sharing!
~angela @ peonypatch

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh wow how did I miss this back on Monday?

GORGEOUS! You didn't make one mis-step in restoring that hallway. The sconces, the ceiling fixture, the wallpaper...the amazing transformation with the grained woodwork. Wow. We lived in an 1880s neighborhood in Pennsylvania, and your home just brings me right back!

The "new" part of our current house was built in the 1880s, but in simple farmhouse style.

Old houses are my #1 addiction. And my most expensive!
Cass

Linda Q said...

Oh my oh my, so gorgeous!
Can I move in, I just love Victorian homes and everything about them!
Linda Q