Colleen Collier
Member
Got the new curtains in my windows... What do you think?
Edwardian Decorating
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Colleen Collier
Member
Another view... Unfortunately this is had to be cropped so badly you can't see the front yard, but it is full of beautiful rose bushes, different types of shrubbery, and lush green grass.
Michael H. Standart
Member
Looks good. I wish I lived in a place as large. I'd have someplace other then on, over, under, and around my bed to stash my library!
Colleen Collier
Member
Sigh... I wish I lived in a place as large too... OK, OK, so it isn't EXACTLY my house.... But a few more trips to Lowes and I should see some improvements to my single story ranch style house.... huh....
This is a house in a city called "Downey", next town from where the "Clark Family" is known, and streets named for. Is the only house like it in the area, and completely out of place surrounded by the industry now... I have been attempting to do some research to find out what it was, but still at a loss.
Anyhow, just a purdy home.....
This is a house in a city called "Downey", next town from where the "Clark Family" is known, and streets named for. Is the only house like it in the area, and completely out of place surrounded by the industry now... I have been attempting to do some research to find out what it was, but still at a loss.
Anyhow, just a purdy home.....
Randy Bryan Bigham
Member
There are some passages in Helen Churchill Candee's book "Decorative Styles and Periods" (1906) that you might find of interest, Colleen. I can copy them for you. There are some really great ideas in it - all from a true Edwardian interior design expert AND a Titanic passenger! What more could you want?
Colleen Collier
Member
To be reincarnated AS her...
Thanks, Randy. That would be great!
Colleen
Thanks, Randy. That would be great!
Colleen
Randy Bryan Bigham
Member
Colleen,
Helen Churchill Candee's book deals mainly with the history of various design periods and schools but does give some advice (more or less practical) on how to incorporate these themes into the modern home; of course, she was referring to the modern home of 1906!
There are chapters on the Louis Seize, Empire and Jacobean periods and as these were the most popular styles of the revival trend in decorating during the Edwardian era (and were in some evidence on Titanic), I will make copies of those pages for you.
By the way, although Candee disapproved of it for interiors with period furniture, she does say that "bright ash woodwork and Nile green walls" were the height of modern taste.
Randy
Helen Churchill Candee's book deals mainly with the history of various design periods and schools but does give some advice (more or less practical) on how to incorporate these themes into the modern home; of course, she was referring to the modern home of 1906!
There are chapters on the Louis Seize, Empire and Jacobean periods and as these were the most popular styles of the revival trend in decorating during the Edwardian era (and were in some evidence on Titanic), I will make copies of those pages for you.
By the way, although Candee disapproved of it for interiors with period furniture, she does say that "bright ash woodwork and Nile green walls" were the height of modern taste.
Randy
Colleen Collier
Member
Was a "parlor organ" still a vogue item to have in a front parlor room in the "Edwardian" era? I noticed their popularity started in the Victorian era mainly, but as they were expensive and would show prestige, just wondered.
Colleen Collier
Member
Kris. Remember these words? >>>Also, I believe that a room, let us imagine devoid of any furnishings, artwork, etc., that is beautiful empty- well, decorating is already half done!<<< I wanted to thank you for those wise words of wisdom! (to Randy and all others who helped me with ideas too!)
I held onto those words, and just completed remodeling a house for an investment, and did it 100% MY way. (cream colored walls, bright white baseboards, shiny brass and white ceiling fans with frosted glass bowls, shell shaped, brass wall lights, with frosted glass, Simulated tan tile flooring etc.)I went against ALL other investors advice to keep it simple, just paint the walls white, carpet it with cheap brown apartment carpet, don't bother with the additional fluff they will just break, and get it on the market ASAP. They ate crow when they came back to the house 4 months later and absolutely couldn't believe how it had turned out.(as have neighbors who've since been in the house!) (heh, heh, heh!!!!)
The best compliment I could have gotten was the lady that heard about it before it was even finished, unasked, said almost the exact same words, "It is so beautiful and clean looking inside. It has a warm, homey feel to it." (She signed papers that evening!) She is an avid gardener, and my competition is high for the prettiest roses in the neighborhood!
True, it did cost me, but the learning experience was well worth the long hours, and well... was tremendous fun! I took almost 900 pictures while at it!
Now, back to my own house!
I held onto those words, and just completed remodeling a house for an investment, and did it 100% MY way. (cream colored walls, bright white baseboards, shiny brass and white ceiling fans with frosted glass bowls, shell shaped, brass wall lights, with frosted glass, Simulated tan tile flooring etc.)I went against ALL other investors advice to keep it simple, just paint the walls white, carpet it with cheap brown apartment carpet, don't bother with the additional fluff they will just break, and get it on the market ASAP. They ate crow when they came back to the house 4 months later and absolutely couldn't believe how it had turned out.(as have neighbors who've since been in the house!) (heh, heh, heh!!!!)
The best compliment I could have gotten was the lady that heard about it before it was even finished, unasked, said almost the exact same words, "It is so beautiful and clean looking inside. It has a warm, homey feel to it." (She signed papers that evening!) She is an avid gardener, and my competition is high for the prettiest roses in the neighborhood!
True, it did cost me, but the learning experience was well worth the long hours, and well... was tremendous fun! I took almost 900 pictures while at it!
Now, back to my own house!
Randy Bryan Bigham
Member
Colleen:
Congratulations on that venture. You held out and won the game. And let that be a lesson to people - never listen to any poor, deluded soul who thinks painted white walls and a cheap brown carpet will do. They absolutely will not do!
Colleen, I see by one of the above posts that I was to send you copies of pages from Candee's book. I am so sorry I forgot - I am sending them out to you tomorrow. What a creep I am.
Randy
Congratulations on that venture. You held out and won the game. And let that be a lesson to people - never listen to any poor, deluded soul who thinks painted white walls and a cheap brown carpet will do. They absolutely will not do!
Colleen, I see by one of the above posts that I was to send you copies of pages from Candee's book. I am so sorry I forgot - I am sending them out to you tomorrow. What a creep I am.
Randy
Colleen Collier
Member
Thank you, Randy. I'd appreciate it!
PS. Do you have any idea about that Parlor organ???
PS. Do you have any idea about that Parlor organ???
Randy Bryan Bigham
Member
"...Do you have any idea about that Parlor organ??? ..."
Hi, Colleen. Actually I am not sure. But I seem to recall a parlor organ or pianoforte in "A Room With a View" (starring Helena Bonham Carter), which was set in about 1905. That movie, based on E.M. Forster's novel, was produced by the Merchant Ivory group and since their set and costume people really know their stuff, I'd say it must be authentic.
Hi, Colleen. Actually I am not sure. But I seem to recall a parlor organ or pianoforte in "A Room With a View" (starring Helena Bonham Carter), which was set in about 1905. That movie, based on E.M. Forster's novel, was produced by the Merchant Ivory group and since their set and costume people really know their stuff, I'd say it must be authentic.
Donald J A Smith
Member
A 'parlour organ' would be quite 'in tune'. I was described as an "old-fashioned child" (I was 16!) due to having been adopted into an Edwardian time-warp world. I played one of them myself at 12 and I recall, years before then (at about 6) being awfully upset to find one of them abandoned beside a country road.
Colleen Collier
Member
Thanks Donald. I'm truly impressed. I've heard it takes allot of talent to be able to play one of these organs. Buttons, levers, pedals, and something you push with your knees... I will just lovingly polish it with a diaper and bees wax....
I came across a rare(?) Cornish and co. parlor organ made in Washington NJ. Thanks to the speedy P.I. work of Pat Cook, I learned much about the history of the company, and have narrowed the date to about 1910. How on earth it ended up in the middle of the California desert, stuck in a storage unit, I will never know, but for a few hundred dollars, it was mine. The detailed handy work on it is amazing!
I came across a rare(?) Cornish and co. parlor organ made in Washington NJ. Thanks to the speedy P.I. work of Pat Cook, I learned much about the history of the company, and have narrowed the date to about 1910. How on earth it ended up in the middle of the California desert, stuck in a storage unit, I will never know, but for a few hundred dollars, it was mine. The detailed handy work on it is amazing!
