Mantle Acquired ✨
Whew! A whirlwind few days here in New York, and I still need to build two epically complicated Ikea bookcases tomorrow.
My brain is FRIED, but in a new way, in a "which small trash can do you want?" but I can't decide one more thing just now kinda way. In a access.brain.user//denied, 404 thought-not-found sorta way. Still, bookcases beg to be built, and I need to finish taking my 1970's oven out of my kitchen tomorrow sometime too. I am the proud owner of a brand new rubber mallet and I'm afraid the sad laminate doesn't know what's coming.
But oof buddy do I love my big archways, and look at the antique mantle we dragged in today! I saw this one on facebook marketplace, but it was waiting at a little antique mall. The ionic columns felt fitting since the house used to have them out front. The columns outside must have been replaced at some point, but I can now honor the original neoclassical-revival intent with the mantle going onto the wall in the "sewing parlor". Well...going onto the wall once I figure out who to call and how to pay for having the baseboard radiator that's in the way re-moved first.
The finish on this buddy looks great in this photo, but it's actually super rough in some areas. I'm going to give it a light sand and test the "ebony" stain I bought in an inconspicuous spot. I've got an Eastlake vibe in mind for that room, even if it's a little early for the house, eh...it's my house now so 😅 The idea is to have the sewing room look like a /slightly/ less opulent version of this room but in green https://www.pinterest.com/pin/460563499410799313/ and in general the dark on the trim looks like this room here https://www.pinterest.com/pin/460563499410810383/ and my sewing room thoughts are collected in total here https://www.pinterest.com/bmesposito/interiors/sewing-room/
I'm excited to dive in further, and also am EXHAUSTED ALREADY. What a combo ✨
Comments (42)
I love the beautiful Pinterest boards. So many truly lovely things and then...the ironing board? I know it's a necessity, but I also think you can create a lovely one of those too. I will be patient and wait for the more important things. Some of the Quilting YouTubers I watch have nice and functional ironing boards that they made themselves. I'm sure you could whip up something lovely with your skills and talent. No pressure, just a thought.
What a wonderful exhaustion to have. Super stoked for you!!! I love The ebonized Eastlake idea. Who cares if it's too early. We can remix however our aesthetic hearts desire. Can't wait to see how it goes! 💗
Oh! I'm beyond excited, and just so happy to be along for the ride.
Beautiful mantle. We had a similar one in our first house - curved back piece and oval mirror. Ours was French polished so yours may be underneath the rougher top coat. Maybe someone has tried a repair without the proper skills? Looking forward to seeing it all. Mine plans would be very similar but a deep blue rather than your green! Enjoy all the planning and allow time for the house to reveal what it wants you to do! You're going to be a fabulous team 💚
I have a recommendation for upcoming home renovation projects. Mac the Antique Plumber has incredible hardware for bathrooms, kitchens, and doors. I've been shopping their art deco cabinet hardware, but the Victorian high tank toilets and crystal doorknobs are tempting. Might be a good resource for replacing or repairing things
Very excited to see your home develope. I love the black trim and vibe. I am hoping for arsenic greens and not the mauve though
So exciting!! I love your maximalist taste, so similar to mine! For now, I have to live vicariously through you until I have my own place to maximize. There's only so much a girl can do in an apartment... Looking forward to more updates! 😃 Whatever happens, please keep some form of a Blue Patterning Table of Doom. That is sort of your trademark.
Woooo!!! Happy construction. On a side note, I was watching the olive green corset video again and remembered you looking for safety goggles steampunk style. I had seen something that might be considered steampunk and they are proper safety glasses. It’s a company in Canada called Lee Valley tools. https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/apparel-and-safety-gear/eyewear-and-face-protection/glasses/70788-german-safety-goggles?item=22R7350
Second hand excitement!!! 😀 Can't wait to see your style bloom
Woohoo!
Beautiful!!!! I'm a little jealous of you having a whole new space to make your own! I'm one of those weirdos that love to move, and set up a new house. I get restless every 5 or 6 years lol. But let me say, welcome to New York! I've lived here my whole life, starting on Long Island, then here upstate, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I cannot wait to share in this new adventure with you!
That mantel is beautiful!
Hi, I wouldn't have expected anything less from you, having looked at your inspiration photos. I only hope that your house have a bit TARDIS in it's genetic makeup, or it might look a little bit crowded. Maximalis that you are. I'm still hoping for a Blue Table of Doom as it's such a part of your originality, but maybe a Green Table of Doom might work. It doesn't roll off the tongue as easily in my opinion, but I'm not the one that is going to live with it. I'm really looking forward to see how that mantle will look in your house. Pity that you can't find bookcases out and about, and have to resort to IKEA (and I realize how strange that is coming from me) There used to be a company called Handyman, and another called Rent-A-Husband, way back when, for smaller odd jobs. There also used to be a website called Angie's List, that worked a little like Trustpilot but for people knowing how to lay floors, putting in light fixtures and sort out the plumbing. This was still active 10 years ago, but I haven't been near anything like that since then, since I don't reside in the US. Luck for your projects, and be safe. Yours, Ann
Congrats! I’m so happy for you. I like your sewing room board. Have you ever seen the Miss Fischer series. They used large stencils in her sitting room and gold paint to achieve a look that you may like.
With every update you post I just keep thinking how happy I am for you!!!
I’m so happy for you! Congratulation's on being a home owner!
Amazing!
Will you be searching for a mirror to re-insert into the top? I love the carving at the edge and the beading effect around where the mirror should be. So exciting.
Yay! 💚🖤💚 But will there be a blue patterning table of doom?
That's a nice piece. Are you going to open up the old fireplace, or stick with a faux flame effect heater? Also, if you need ideas on how to do the style you want for less than real antiques check out NerdGorge's video on making a Dark Academia style gaming room. A lot of the techniques should work, just use more gold paint.😁
I think the house had the "mod cons" for 1890's - a boiler in the basement with radiators to the rooms. And gas lamps.
This looks so lovely! I am so happy for you and can't wait to follow your decorating adventures, I hope you'll make this your dream space and full of your creative energy!
Yeeeessss….so much serotonin in some pieces of wood…🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇
Oh yes! Love that mantel. Have a similar one myself. Does it still have the mmirror in the top? Difficult to tell from the picture. Whatever, it's a great start!
Loving seeing what you are acquiring for your house Bianca, and all the thoughts and planning you've been having/doing. Will be extra fab once the mantel is in x
That mantel is beautiful. As is the inspo room.
Are you putting books or fabric on the bookshelves? I like the apothecary/dispensing vibe to the shelves in the interest board
I have my fabric rolled onto cardboard and shelves on Bookcases like books - it's game changing!! 1. I buy less on impulse because I KNOW what I have already. 2. Done with these pants / shirt / PJs! What's next? *looks to fabric wall and gets inspired*
Yay...mantle vibes!
I'm so happy you are past the nightmare admin phase and into the decorating and home-ification process! I am literally looking at my empty gallery wall I never got to when I moved into my first house 4years ago. Wishing you only the best vibes and may your ongoing projects be as delightful and gorgeous as you are x
About the baseboard: if its heat from a boiler, you can build out a small plinth to cover the baseboard for now, and mount the mantle over it.. Your cats will love having a warm place nap. https://erinkestenbaum.com/2019/06/04/how-to-build-a-radiator-window-bench/
oooo I never thought to do something like that with our huge cast-iron ones. Really cool suggestion, Anita. I'm going to steal it.
I’m glad it will be only slightly less opulent. I was worried for a second.
Lovely! This is so exciting and I'm so happy for you!!
This is so exciting! I just moved last month, to a place with far fewer projects than you're needing to handle, so I can imagine the brain fatigue. In my moving process I was oddly comforted by a conversation I'd had when a friend adopted a new dog! She was told that the dog would likely adjust to the new space in waves, but to note that three days, three weeks, and three months would all be a good timelines to have seen noticable levels of change. It was nice to check in with myself on day four and week four to see, yes, I do feel better now than I did day one! Thank you for sharing this journey with us!
Squeee (waving my fists around like an excited baby)!!
Oo! Gorgeous! Totally get the moving exhaustion and decision fatigue. That Pinterest board is amazing. Love that bat print... border? Wallpaper? And all the apothecary style pins. Exciting!
This is *such* a cool journey to be on, and I unironically *love* it for you!
Hell yeah! I hate that FB Marketplace is attached to the rest of Facebook because it has so many treasures.
It's going to be gorgeous. I"m living vicariously through you. When i was a kid we lived in North West NY state, i want to go back. It's so beautiful.
This is very exciting! I love all the haberdashery vibes in the pinboard (and art nouveau bats and bugs!? Amazing)
I'm so happy for you and I can't wait for allow the decorating content! I shall live in a jewellery box vicariously through you.