Doll House Update.

Yes. there is even a Sissy Dog on the front porch!

   For now, the doll house is finished. All the painting, wall papering, carpet. floors, curtains and such are done and in place.Most of the  basic furniture is there as well. Who's to say, I will not change it around, add to it ,or take away? It still needs lots of art work and accessories. These will come with time. That will be the fun now, finding a small treasure to fill in the gaps. It has been so much fun. I am excited now to get it home ,where it will live in the library at, My Old Historic House. Next pictures will be of it in the library. If you are just starting to view my blog, be sure and scroll back and see the doll house progress. It sure has come a long way from when I found it the day after Christmas 2011.
   I hope you enjoy the pictures. Please come time soon for a real tour. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. I hope you are having beautiful spring weather like we are. It is something else, first of March and all is coming alive. I only hope that the weather does not turn on us and hurt it all. Happy early spring. Richard and Sissy.

The attic shabby chic bed room.

The attic store room. Real wood floors.

The Blue Master Bed Room.

Library with real wood floor.

Parlor

Dining Room. Notice the ceiling detail.

Second floor hall landing,  notice the ceiling detail.

Parlor detail

Please,Have a Chair in the Library.

    It is Monday morning. The sun in trying to shine. We had some snow last night here in Missouri. I just noticed that I have a jonquil blooming in the garden. It was 32 degree yesterday and going to be almost 60 today. No wonder, with this stupid weather, half the country is sick. I have been fighting something for weeks. I am not sure if it  is a sinus something or a cold. What ever it is, I wish it would go away. While I am at  it, what's up with all the new confirmation words on blogger comments. I thought we were through with all that? These are so bad, all messed up, hard to read. I don't like it. I don't even begin to understand what it is for. How can this be security? I say, take them away!!!!! Why make something that is fun, difficult? Now that I have ranted and raved, on with this post.
   Many 19th century Victorian Homes had Library rooms. Most of them were on the second floor and above the dining room. You see, the dining room was considered a man's room. After the evening meal, men would stay behind for a dink and a smoke and tell a few, off colored stories. The library, also considered a man's room, because men would retreat in there to read the paper and  do book work .The Library of a Victorian Home  was kinda like a man cave of today??? Well that's a stretch, but, kinda. True to form, my Library is above the Dining room.

   I have two wonderful antique needlepoint chairs in my Library. Those chairs are the subject of my post today.  I love needlepoint, in fact it is one of my biggest passions. I have it all over the house. I found these chairs and felt they looked very much like a chair that  might have been in and 19th century Victorian Library. The one chair is a real French chair and it has it's original needlepoint. The chair is oak and most likely of the Louis XVI vintage. I found this chair in Chicago. I had it for sale in my shop. I never really wanted to sell it, just like so many other items I buy for sale. maybe that is why ,I am not the most successful antiques dealer? My house does not lend itself to this style of French furniture. But I threw caution to the wind and took it home to try.And, I like it. The needlepoint is wonderful. There is a French court scene with a man and a maiden. The colors are perfect for my room, so it has been there ever since. The second chair is actually an American Rococo Revival chair. it is made of walnut around 1860. The needlepoint is much older, dating back to the early 1800's. One can tel from the type of wool used for the stitches. This needlepoint must have been taken from another piece of furniture, most likely French, and adapted to this chair. I saw this chair in an antique shop window in St.Louis. It was in the evening and the shop was closed. I stopped the car, went to the door and left a note, saying I wanted this chair and please not to sell it to any one else. I knew the shop owner. I had a hard time sleeping that night and first thing the next day, I was off to that shop to get the chair.To my very delight, the chair was only $150.00, so it came home with me. I could not believe the wonderful needlepoint and the colors went so well with the other chair and the Library. Sometimes I get lucky, and this time was one of them.

    Needlepoint seems to last forever. It just does not wear out. It is made on a linen canvas with wool thread. What an invention this was.Needlepoint pieces have been found in the Egyptian Tombs. It has been around as long as man kind. It was once considered a pass time of rich ladies, and has been the pass time lately of almost anyone. Rosie Gear, the famous football player was a passionate needlepointer.  I have in the past done a few pieces of my own.  But,I really love the older so much better.
    I  wish you could come by sometime for a tour and we could set a spell in the library. These chairs really are quite comfortable. I will leave the lights on and I am sure Sissy Dog will jump in the chair with you and give you a big kiss.
   Have a wonderful day. Remember the new issue of Victorian Homes magazine is out and I have a 3 page feature. If you have trouble finding it, I have copies for sale here at the shop. And Oh Yes, get rid of those word confirmations, they just ain't  right.

Great Day in the Morning!

This is Ann. Her Blog:  www.asentimentallife.blogspot.com  She wanted to see the cow creamers.

   It is a great day here at, My Old Historic House. Not only is a free day, as Feb. 29th, 2012 is a leap day and because of that, that gives us one day we usually do not have. But, the sun is shinning here in Middle America, Clarksville,Mo. and it is 65 degrees. What a beautiful day.
   This day is special in other ways as well. First off, I had a visit from one of my  Blogger friends. Ann, from A Sentimental Life and 3 of her friends made a trip to visit me, Sissy, My Old Historic House and the shop, Richard's Great Stuff.Ann is from Illinois, right out side of St.Louis. They traveled a few hours to get here. It is always so exciting to meet the person behind the blog. No matter how many pictures we post and share it is always better in person. You can visit Ann's Blog here. www.asentimentallife.blogspot.com. Ann has a wonderful garden house, and  that was one of the reasons I was attracted to her blog. Then to learn we are almost neighbors, makes it even better. It really is a small world, some of her friends grew up in Louisiana, Mo. 9 miles up the road and another works with my cousins.

This picture of Ann's Garden House is what made me visit her blog for the first time. I am so jealous, as I want one so bad.

   The other exciting thing that happened today is the new addition of Victorian Homes is out and I am featured once again. It is the second time in a year. The first spread was  12 pages, this one is only 3. It features my bed rooms . I am very proud this has happened. I have copies for sale. If you have trouble finding one and would like to buy one, just email me. cottrellprissy@aol.com. They sale for $6.00. I understand they should be on the news stands by March 5th.

The April 2012 addition of Victorian Homes Magazine with a feature about, My Old Historic House. 

A centerfold in the April 21012 issue of Victorian Homes Magazine with my blue bed room featured.

My purple guest room that is featured in the newest issue of Victorian Homes magazine.

    I some times get down and worry about the smallest of things. But then I have days like this, where I am truly blessed. I wish all of you could come by for a tour.  You are welcome anytime. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you with a jump and a kiss. She sure will, Ann got a big jump and a kiss ,on the nose, as soon as she walked in the door.
   I hate to say Spring is here. I wish is was. But today it sure seems like it might be. I know we are all ready for it and anxiously waiting. I hope you are having a great day, just like I am.

Doll House Presents.

Perfume bottles and lamp from Andie at Divine Theater Blog.

Wing Chair from Nancy and Globe from my niece Linda.

Clock and statues from Andie

    Just to re-cap I bought myself a doll house for Christmas. It was at a local antique mall here in Clarksville,Mo. I have wanted one for a long time. I would see them here and there, but the price usually keep me from jumping in and buying one. Of course I would want a Victorian style house. The one I found is actually a replica of an 1870 Second Empire Style. It has a mansard roof and a tower. I always wanted to own a house with a tower. Don't ask me why, they are a complete waste of space. I also always wanted to paint a house pink. When I lived in New York state there was a Gothic Victorian house there and it was pink. There was a sign in front with the name Rose Cottage. It was my favorite place to go by and watch the seasons change. In summer there were scads and scads of climbing pink roses. Latter I learned that that house actually belonged to the famous Interior Designer, Sister Parish.It was featured in a book, which I found by accident one day in a book store. Before I get totally off the subject, I digress. I have been showing progress on the doll house ever since.

Back of house showing inside rooms.

Outside of my PINK doll house.

   This month I have been very lucky as friends have helped me with my doll house project by giving me gifts. I guess I could actually call them Valentine presents. What ever, I am so thrilled to get them.
   Yesterday in the  US Mail, I got a small package. I had not ordered anything and could not even know what might be inside. When I opened it, there was no card, so it was a mystery. Inside were several small doll house treasures. A clock with a glass dome, a pair of blue and  white statues, a hand painted gone with the wind lamp and 4 sweet perfume bottles. I thought, who ever sent these,, knows me well. I loved them all. I just could not imagine who had sent them. I went to the doll house and placed them and kept saying, I wish I knew who to thank. Latter I got an email from one of my blogger girl friends. I have a lot of them you know. Almost 300.  Where they are all special, there are a few that I really feel close to. Turns out these doll house treasures had been sent by dear friend Andie and her daughter Gracie. Andie's blog is full of wonderful French things that she has been gathering for her new home. Gracie has a doll house also and Andie posted pictures of it, after I did my first doll house post. You should go and check out Andie's blog, I am sure you will love it. www.divinetheather.blogspot.com.

The attic Shabby Chic bed room.

Library

Dining room with French Empire theme and chandelier, a gift from Sissy Dog.

     My friend Nancy, whom I have mentioned many times in my blog, gave me a darling white wing chair for Valentines Day. I wanted one for the library and she had one in her shop. She has Kate's Attic and Mini Mall in Louisiana, Mo.It is 9 miles from here and a fun place to shop. She had gotten a whole lot of doll  house stuff at an auction and I have been making far  to many  trips there to shop. Nancy and I often run off on day trips. We go to antique shops, malls and other fun places. We always seem to get into trouble and usually buy way to much. She has a truck, but last time, even with a truck, we had to have some things delivered.
   My niece, Linda, who helps me a lot with house tours found this darling world globe and she brought it to me last time she came for a visit. It is actually a pencil sharpener, made of metal and the globe turns. Perfect for the library.
  I found this little chandelier and I say it was a Valentine gift from Sissy Dog. I look at doll house chandeliers on the net and they are so expensive. I was so lucky to get this one. And how perfect, it is a French Empire style, just like the house. It is now in the dining room
   I hope you enjoy my new doll house treasures. I know I sure do. I love them all and every time I add one more item the little house gets better and better. I wish you could come some time and see it for real. I will leave the lights on  and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. The doll house is at my shop for now. I am waiting for some carpet and things to come so I can finish it before I  take it home. I want to put it in the library ,along side my rocking horse and antique German and French dolls. Mr. Elgin, the original owner of, My Old Historic House, had a son and a daughter. I would like to think they would have had toys much like  these. If they did, the library was a perfect place to play with them.
    My friend Blossom was right. When I first bought the house she said, a doll house is like a real house, the expense never stops and it is never done.

My friend Larry brought me this real marble urn from St.Louis

PS. My friend Jim, just came from St.Louis to spent the weekend at his house here. He always stops in and he gave me this darling Victorian Rococo parlor chair. He says he has a sofa and another chair too. It looks like Belter. I am the luckiest man alive.

Quest for a Lambrequin

   In late spring of 1861- Richmond, Virginia, became the Capitol of the Confederate States of America. With that title came responsibilities to have a new congress, government offices and  a President. Jefferson Davis was elected to do that job. Davis and his wife, there children and various members were housed in the newly purchased Confederate White House, at the corner of 5th and K Street. The previous owner had just added a third floor and redecorated the interior of the home. He sold the house and the furniture for $43,000.00. to the Richmond City authorties - which then rented it to the Confederate Government as an executive mansion. Davis and his 35 year old wife, Varina and there children made this there new home for the next 4 years. The house was made into a museum in 1890, only a few years after the war. Mrs. Davis was of much help with this project. Today it is one of the most intact Historic Homes in America. I used this house as my Bible when restoring ,My Old Historic House.

Mrs. Jefferson Davis

The Confederate White House mantle and Lambrequin made by Mrs. Davis that inspired me to make mine.

The  Confederate White House.

Another  Lambrequin, made by Mrs. Davis at the Confederate White House.

     When I  visited the Confederate White House Museum many years ago, I  was taken by the wonderful needlepoint Lambrequins that were on the fireplaces. They were all hand stitched by Mrs. Davis and were still hanging there after all these years. To make a long story short, I wanted a Lambrequin for my house. So I went on a quest to find one. I looked in antique shops, on the internet,called pickers in Europe, but was not able to find any. Luck was with me, when I went to an antique show in Chicago and  found an old clock shelf Lambrequin. Being affordable, I bought it and decided to use it as a pattern and make my own.
   For those of you who do not know what a lambrequin is: Webster Dictionary defination is: a kind of pendent, scarf or covering attached to the fireplace to protect the mantle  from heat and smoke. An ornament or short decorative hanging from a shelf or fireplace mantle. Sometimes known as a cornice, pelment or valance.
    Opulent Victorian Houses of the Antebellum period had such decorations on there mantles, most often hand made by the house owners. They would purchase a pattern or design ,from a mail order source, usually in Europe and needlepoint was the most often used method used. Some were made from fabric that matched the rooms curtains and  furniture.

The antique clock shelf Lambrequin that I copied to make my Lambrequin.

   For my Lambrequin, I drew the pattern on graph paper, using the piece that I had found as a pattern. I made a chart for all the colors and worked them one at a time.  Much like counted cross stitch is done.The background was all done last. After weeks and weeks of counting stitches, the Lambrequin was still not long enough for my mantle. I could not force myself to do one more block. So, I decided to make the middle one different. When all the needlepoint stitches were done, the edges were finished out with black bias tape, turned under and hand stitched to the back. I used a black cording to finish it off and highlighted it all with tassels. I did the needlepoint using the basket weave  stitch, it does not distort the canvas so much, so very little blocking was needed.

The center block that I designed and made different.

    Someday, 100 years or so from now, I hope some one will be inspired by my Lambrequin , like I was by Mrs. Davis's. I hope it will be still hanging on the mantle, I made it for. I know as long as I own this house, it will be,
    My Lambrequin is on the mantle in the Gentleman's parlor. I designed the curtains for this room to match. They were all hand made by my dear sweet sister. I used the same pattern for the overall design and hand  trimmed them  with satin cords and tassels.
    I wish you could come by sometime soon for a tour and see the Lambrequin.I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you with a jump and a Kiss.

Close up of the needlepoint Lambrequin I hand made.

The center block I made and altered the pattern from the original I found.

The curtains I designed, made by my sister, to match the Lambrequin.

  

A view showing the Lambrequin on the mantle and the curtains in the Gentlemen 's parlor.