Don’t Tell Anybody What Ross Did
Before the walls can be plastered, the electrical needs to be completed. In 1894, there were gas/electric wall sconces to each side of the overmantel in the Octagon Bedroom. In 2021, there will be again, after an absence of many decades.
But…there is a problem.
Most of the mantels in the Cross House had a pair of sconces to each side. Very close. Too close. Meaning, that the sconces had to be swivel sconces so they did not bash into the overmantels, particularly so when the mantel is on an angled wall.
And, you know, finding 1890s gas/electric sconces is hard enough, but finding 1890s gas/electric swivel sconces is incredibly difficult. After searching for six years, only one such pair has shown up, and that is thanks to Cody. This pair is now in the parlor.
Thus, after carefully fitting in two electrical boxes in the Octagon Bedroom to accept sconces, a thought popped into my head. A dangerous thought.
What if I move the electrical boxes over a bit?
This would allow, I think, just regular ol’ sconces to fit. And, I have about a dozen non-swivel gas/electric sconces in storage, with plans to use them in the servant’s stair tower, a hall, closet, etc.
With such a change, instead of waiting, say, two decades to find 1890s gas/electric swivel sconces for the house, I could finish the Octagon Bedroom with sconces…already in place.
This would mean though — oh, the horror — screwing with the historical narrative. I mean, people would think that the sconces had originally been in X location rather than a few inches over.
You see what I mean: Oh, the horror.
But then another thought popped into my head.
Fuck that!
And with such a thought, I jumped the electrical box over a bit to the right…
…and a jump to the left.
I am an Aquarian. And Aquarians do not like rules. Even our own rules.
So, I can live with this small change. Particularly as…
…the gas pipes remain in their original locations, waiting to be discovered yet again, and when somebody will think: What Aquarian decided to move the sconces over a tiny bit?
Well, I ask that y’all not tell anybody about this change. It will be our dark secret!
And now, ladies and gentleman, a musical interlude:
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Just tuck notes into the wall next to the electrical boxes indicating how far you moved them, and the reason for doing so.
I agree. But I think a written record of you findings would be an invaluable historic aid. Rules exist for a reason, but say if Notre Dame de Paris had a fire sprinkler system, it might not have burned. It still should have one installed in the reconstruction, IMO.
I like it! Sometimes we can make our own lives so much harder by following arbitrary rules. Some rules are important, like driving on the right hand side of the road, or not pardoning hundreds of criminals on your way out the door, but a few inches to accomodate electrical boxes? Fuck that!
You made me laugh, Nancy! Thank you!
Great decision! I always think that Victorians were progressive and that is being progressive and a problem solver. I love this post on many levels. Thank you for writing and sharing a dilemma that all of us old house people face, not just with the house but with ourselves and our perfectionism.
Or…what about these? Assuming that they are still available, or suitable…
https://www.oldlampsandthings.com/product/pair-of-gas-electric-wall-sconces/
Thank you, Mike.
The sconces are lovely but very plain. I prefer something just a bit fancier, to complement the gas/electric chandelier in the room.
This post made me laugh today, on a day I badly needed it. You can pretend the moving electrical boxes are all just part of a time warp.
The other day I had a dream, you see I was thinking about the light fixtures from the Cross House, and how sad it is that all those precious items were lost when so many things were saved in the basement.
So, fast forward to this dream, I was, for whatever reason, in the Cross House. I noticed the stained glass windows and was like: ok Nadia, this is obviously a dream, so do whatever.
I was looking at the stained windows and falling in love for the millionth time with them when I noticed someone taking the light fixtures out of the house. Imagine my surprise! So there I was, screming at a couple of men with boxes and boxes of bronze and begging them to please don’t sell them. To keep them in the basement in a box marked: To Ross.
Sadly, I woke up just then. It was lovely, to time travel a little it, even if in dreams. And it’s quite funny that the first thing I do is try to save the lovely light fixtures.
An excellent, practical, and I think totally acceptable tweak. I’m actually glad to see this as there was something in the previous post that I was hesitant to comment on. I know you’re a stickler for detail and am sure all the switch plates are a uniform height throughout, but the light switch to the left of the fireplace being so close feels like it could become a visual distraction from however you choose to decorate the mantel. To my eye it seems like if it were just a few inches lower so that it is below and doesn’t break the plane of the mantel that the overall composition could be more harmonious. Just my two cents for consideration. It’s great to see this coming together. Can’t wait to see the new paper up and the mantel restored.
Hi, MJ!
Do you mean the switch to the right of the mantel?
If so, that is an old location. It will be plastered over.
I was referring to the one on the left as you’re facing the mantel, next to the door to the sewing room and below the sconce on that side. And it’s a minor thing. Something about the height of it superior to the mantel, as apposed to the visual relationship if it were just a tad lower just hit me.
Do what you wish… oh Master if the Universe surrounding Cross House!
Do that which gives you joy… fuck rules!
hahahaha
Restoring Ross — Master of the new version of the Cross House!
2014-2021… & ensuing projects after 2021!
I told you where four more were last fall, sir. They’re still waiting right where I left them. Do I need to point you in their direction again?
They’re L, not Z swivel, but I know you’d still be able to use them, and they all match!
I’m sure every person who walks into that room will think “Hmmm. Those sconces look off by a couple inches.”
NOT.
And don’t bother leaving notes for the next person. Just refer them to this blog. They will be thrilled with all of the detail it contains!
Moving the wall sconces looks like a brilliant, simpler and cheaper solution.
Oh my goodness Time Warp came into my head when I read your sentence. Then when I saw you linked the video I laughed out loud. Happy Friday!