It seems like a pair of tall vases could sit right/left on the mantel itself. Then two more glass whatevers on the upper shelves (soooooo cute!). Then note under the mantel; there is an inset shelf. So more glass whatevers could sit there; short whatevers. But I know nothing about Victorian-era glass. Zip….

  ADVISORY: This is a long post. Wine may be required.         When I purchased the Cross House in March, 2014, I had very little idea of how a parlor in the Victorian-era was decorated. So, I began to research. I also worked to understand the Cross House and uncover whatever secrets…

              There are still things to do (like installing electric outlets), and a few more pictures to hang. But the parlor is now about 95% complete. And I am thrilled ecstatic joyful but…I am also exhausted. The work took WAY longer than I ever expected and, rather than take…

  This confused readers. Huh? What? For, it seemed that most people did not recognize the woman in the image. Oh. And, without context what I wrote would, yes, make no sense. Sorry. Sorry!     I chose this portrait as the central focus of the parlor for several reasons. When the Cross House was…

      NOTE: The curved windows are still drape-less because I have not yet figured out how to curve the curtain rod.    

  A pair of floor lamps will follow. The draperies for the curved windows will follow. The right radiator will follow.    

                  Somewhere, in the back of mind, a thought was lazily floating about as I wrestled with the radiator: WHY are you doing this? You are SIXTY! SIXTY!  STOP THE MADNESS! But…what was pain, what was sweat-soaked agony, when this…         With the floor…

For the last two months I have posted many updates on the completion of the parlor in the 1894 Cross House. But the south-east corner, the corner with the mantel and over-mantel, has been conspicuously absent from these many posts. This is because there were big holes in the SE corner, created to snake in…

When the Cross House was finished in 1894 it was common for rooms to have: A pattern on the floor (either elaborate wood designs, wall-to-wall carpeting, or area rugs), Patterned wallpaper. A frieze paper with a pattern A ceiling paper with a pattern In addition, curtains and sofas and chairs and pillows would also have…

  Ross pondered. Ross fretted. Ross worried. Ross came up with a dozen potential solutions to this epic problem. Yes, yes, the world may be going to Hell but, damn, not until the Cross House parlor was the best it could be. So, Ross continued ponderingfretting&worrying. Then a light bulb went off.      …

  Restoring an old house requires a lot of tools. So, having power tools and screws and a caulk gun and ladders are musts. But there are some things often overlooked but which I consider essentials.              

A few months ago, during the memorable Bo Visit, everything I knew about picture rail was turned on its head, and I did a post about this new reality. In short, I learned: Picture rail, at least during the 1890s, was not necessarily installed by the finish carpenters but rather by wallpaper hangers. Picture rail…

          The conceit is that the lightning shattered the ceiling. It’s OK if I am the only one who sees that! Finishing the oculus, and rehanging the incredible period-correct gas/electric chandelier, makes a dramatic difference in the room. The cracked glass ceiling effect, which dominated yesterday, instantly became a background element…