Victorian Design: A Neo-Grec Newel Post light Restoration Project

Period Newel Lights are a vanishing breed, either scraped or turned into table lamps

The 'fun ' part of restoration is taking something that most might pass by and bringing it back to something that epitomizes Victorian Decorative arts.

The lamp had a lot going on but the one color paint did nothing to bring out the details

This newel post light didn't have much going for it when we started. Turned into a table lamp it had multiple coats of gold paint a frankly looked tired.

The use of proper placement of color bring out those details and the faux marbling creates a jewel like quality. 

However it was the details that make  a piece and this was in fact a higher end Neo Grec Newel Post "mansion grade" light. We had to carefully strip the layers of paint, repair hairline cracks and then select a period polychrome scheme  that was appropriate for the era of this piece.

Use of color again defines the 'architectural' component of the design

So we turned an ugly ducking back into a swan.

Indiana Landmarks nears deadline on saving Historic Owen Block

Indiana Landmarks needs to raise an additional 110K to save the historic Owens Block in Evansville Indiana.


 Indiana Landmarks took an option on the rare 1882 row house and spent money on an engineering analysis. The discouraging verdict means that to save the place, Indiana Landmarks must raise $440,000 to cover stabilization of the façade and partial rehab, an amount that could not be recouped by a developer.

 “If we can cover the immediate stabilization required by the city to insure public safety and make a start on the rehab, we’ll be filling the financial gap that has caused developers to walk away,” Davis says.  Two Riverside residents offered $10,000 each as a challenge to kick-start the fundraising, and another increased the challenge by a $20,000 contribution. An Indiana philanthropist pledged $100,000. The City of Evansville will invest $50,000 to save the historic corner, an amount less than it would have spent to demolish the structure.

On January 22, the Evansville Building Commission voted to postpone a decision on the Owen Block until its March meeting, giving Indiana Landmarks additional time to raise the $440,000 necessary to allow the project to move forward .With the generous Support of preservationists they hae secured pledges totaling $328,28.

They we are still more than $110,000 short on our goal. We hope to have the full amount by February 18, when Indiana Landmarks’ Executive Committee meets to discuss the project.
 

People interested in preserving this structure who would like to make a donation, should contact Indiana Landmarks

 

 

 

Just In: February Finds. Great antiques for your home.

Just in! A pair of Renaissance Revival Chairs! Matched sets are very hard to find. These have great upholstery and large larger size and very comfortable. Priced to sell, contact us for details

It doesn't get better than this rare Victorian Giltwood spindle CORNER CHAIR! Lovely red seat with tassels this is perfect for that Turkish Corner!

This is fine Organ or Piano stool with new Upholstery with Fringe detail.

A great wall sconce with two glass globes. One globe has a crack but can be turned to face the wall so its not noticeable. We have lots of great gas globes in as well. Contact us for details.

For info on any of these contact us at victiques@gmail.com

Antique of the Week: Set of Four Victorian Parlor Chairs

Its been a while since we have had a set of four open back Victorian Parlor Side chairs. This is for two reasons. One usually they are broken or have been sold off separately.

Finding FOUR matching chairs like these is a rare event these days. We recently got these end and have reupholstered them in a very elegant looking black upholster with gold paisley pattern. These will sparkle under gas lights or candle light

These have a very sophisticated look as a result and would be at home in your formal parlor or around the dinner table and would pair well with any settee you might already have.

Priced at 300.00 for the set, (special for Blog Readers), this is less than you might expect to pay for one nice Victorian chair these days. Pickup is available at our Indianapolis location and we are happy to work with your blanket shipper.

More information can be obtained by contacting us at victiques@gmail.com

Thanks to our readers for great 2014!

2014 has been one our busiest years! It has been busy on the historic preservation front, working with clients on projects and trying to fit in a little bit of our own work in too. We also launched Rustbelt Preservationist which has far exceeded our expectations.

In 2015 we will be making many changes, some will be improvements to our blogs and we think you will like the changes as they are largely influenced by suggestions you have made.

At the same time we will be launching, finally, our historic design center and also thinning the herd by selling off some of our properties to make our life simpler. On a personal level, I plan on slowing down a bit and staying off ladders etc and delegating more projects. Maybe this year we can even fit in a small vacation, as we are long overdue for one.

Thank you for all your support and your interest in historic preservation and period historic design. Please share you favorite blog posts with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest as with over 1000 blogposts we have become ago to resource on Google for all things Victorian or preservation related.

Please have safe and sane New Years Eve and watch out for the police! Designated drivers insure 2015 will be prosperous year for you too!

Holiday Postings

Hey all this is Hannaford the Housecat and the white dude is my personal assistant Snowflake.

Thanks for reading the blog this year, and its the holidays and you know the drill, everyone is busy so don't expect a lot of postings, but I encourage you to explore the blog because there is a ton  of stuff on  here.

Well gotta go , we have important stuff like sleeping to do.

Have a great Holiday

Antique of the Week: A great Victorian Chandelier

Just in: This great Victorian Chandelier with cranberry glass shades!!!!

We rarely if ever get these in anymore and they are quickly snapped up by people restoring their homes. This one has current wiring and light sockets. It does have the gas jet screw attachment so if your old pipes are gone you will need the typical adapter to go to a regular light box which you can get from any lighting store. If you have very high ceilings there are extension pipes available that sell by the foot to bring this down to more useable height over a dining table.

The shades have the cranberry color on the edges and look very pretty when lite. Because these shades are fragile, I would not ship this, but the local shipper we often use to probably package this.. Contact me for details.

This could probably use some polishing and some work but these are just getting so hard to fin. Priced at 225.00 Firm. Contact me at victiques@gmail.com .

Victorian "restyling" Can you spot the original?

 One of the things about my work as a restoration consultant is I travel quite a bit and often come across old homes subject to restyling's done in the Victorian era that often make me wonder what they were they thinking? Few realize that the Victorians were very much about keeping up with the Jones's

I had to do a double take as I spied this one . A huge house that I spotted first due to its color and of course, hoping it represents some restoration and not further remuddling as its had more than its share. Do you see the original home? I have outlined the original in this photo to guide you.

The 'Big Victorian" was actually a second empire cottage that  was restyled to be a big Victorian
 2 1/2story. Add year of other changes made to turn it into apartments and only a keen eye will spot what was originally there. So next time you look at that Victorian and something doesn't seem quite right, maybe that Queen Anne isn't a Queen Ann after all.

Antique-of-the-Week: Parlor Grade Walnut Table

Tables, that haven't been shorted to make coffee tables (or painted in 'chippy" paint) are getting harder to find so we are happy to offer the very nice Walnut Eastlake influenced Formal Parlor Grade table.

We especially like the top design with its stepped back edges and the legs show the real spirit of the Victorian design ethic. While still delicate this table has a substantial feel and would work especially well in a formal parlor or gentleman's smoking room.

Priced at 250.00 this table is ready to use. We are not offering shipping but this item can be picked up in person or we can work with your blanket shipper on delivery. More info contact me at victiques@gmail.com

Antique of the Week: A Great Stained Glass Window

We just have a hard time getting in stained glass. In part because its hard to find and two because we only buy it from trusted sources.  So today we have a special treat.

Top Sash

This is a huge stained glass window, that came from Central Illinois. Actually two sashes/one window overall although they could be used separately depending on your application. The bottom sash is 39x40 and has two condition issues. One pane has BB hole in it, and one pane needs to be refitted in its cane.  The top sash is 39 x 39 and is in good condition. In a functional frame with weights this would work out to a 39x78 size (Because of the way the windows come together for the locking mechanism) . AND it still has the window lock on it.

Bottom sash

Building a window frame unit is not that difficult and a number of window sash rebuilders can actually build you a functional frame. This would be ideal in a tower or maybe a landing and of course these could be hung in front of an existing regular window.

Specially priced to Blog readers at 425.00 (Cash Paypal, Major credit cards) This will be going on Ebay soon (where it will bring a much higher price) So if you need a window for your home, hurry! Contact me at victiques@gmail.com. As always you can pick this up or we can work with blanket shippers of your choice.