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No flowers in this attic.

Published on April 13, 2017April 13, 2017 by branchville19235 Comments

During the initial projects (floor refinishing and painting), we inhabited the attic. Reactions to this arrangement ranged from surprise to disdain- the attic? A more accurate description- finished third floor. Complete with indoor/outdoor carpeting and a color scheme to match, three rooms and a bathroom comprise the space.

A small bedroom, nursery space and living room provided an apartment-like set up. Now that we’ve moved into the main and 2nd floor spaces, the attic is available for transformation.

How do we make this space airy and bright, warm and welcoming? The attic of the Serena and Lily flagship store in Westport pictured in Architectural Digest is dreamy. A guest room, craft/playroom and office with the same look and feel would be divine!

The less than sunny current state:

Paint samples- not quite right . . .

Up next: project plan and outcome!

Ring for service.

Published on March 8, 2017April 26, 2017 by branchville19236 Comments

In the center of the Dining Room floor, a small circle opening where a button once was. There are several of these around the house. The Living Room and Master Bedroom have the exact sized floor hole.

I asked every tradesperson and service provider who came to the house, no one knew. Our long time trusted electrician immediately said, bell system. In the early 1900’s an interior bell system was used to summon the domestic help. The buttons were attached to wires that culminated in a central spot where those waiting to serve would be dispatched.

We’ve traced the wires to the basement where the summer kitchen was once in full use. In searching for more information I uncovered a detailed paper on the topic from the Clemson University Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons. Sadly the buttons and panel were long ago removed, but the wiring is still in tact.

Try as I may, no one answers when I tap my foot over the spot, but it does make for interesting dinner conversation!

Pictured is the completed dining room. In the exact center of the room, an original electrical outlet and the hole where the button once was pushed to signal dinner service. Imagine the Butler waiting in the pantry . . . now back to reality!

Design and details:

This Dining Room room furniture has served us in every one of our homes. A tight squeeze in our townhouse, these chairs have been reupholstered more than a half dozen times. Come to think of it, time for a refresh!

The window treatments were in the Living Room when we purchased. The Dining Room windows happen to be the exact size of those in the Living Room. Good bye cornice, the dupioni silk panels looked like new after a professional cleaning. The clincher, thanks to a talented local seamstress, some amazing new trim and incredible hardware- these drapes have a new identity! Their “before” state and now.

Last, but certainly not least, we painted the hidden storage closet to be just that- hidden!

More completed rooms and interesting discoveries to come!

The (im)perfect pair.

Published on February 9, 2017February 20, 2017 by branchville192311 Comments

Now, standing in the finished space the process seemed simple. In truth there were numerous iterations to determine the ideal state. Anything is possible with an unlimited budget and a clean slate. Modifying an existing space with modern amenities without creating the feel of the “new” part of the house is borderline miraculous.

Siburtek and Limekiln Studios are a husband and wife team who themselves own an older home. They understood and appreciated the 1920’s attributes and worked with great care and expertise to maintain the character and quirkiness while creating a functional and beautiful space.

And they were patient. Very patient. I like the details and wanted input on all decisions. The result- a paired laundry space and mudroom in a creative and highly functional way. On budget. It is a miracle!

Every last detail & resources:

Inset cabinets to mimic those in the Butler’s Pantry. Porcelain knobs from Rejuvenation are period relevant and the right scale. This Kohler porcelain sink and faucet with pull out spout is both beautiful and functional. Laundry stains and dirty hands beware!

The countertops are wood finished in a walnut stain. The school house pendant (another period reproduction) is from Capital lighting– the look we wanted at a very reasonable price!

All the paint is Benjamin Moore: cabinets are White Dove, ceiling is Polar Ice and walls Rodeo.

Radiant heat was added to the floor- dreamy on a snowy day.

To maintain the feel of an enclosed porch we chose incredibly durable Italian porcelain tile that looks like slate, but won’t stain with the dirt and salt the troops track in. Another budget friendly choice.

A bench with lots of room underneath for shoes, boots and whatever else gets dropped here. Pillows were made from Serena and Lily shower curtains. Yes you read that correctly- canvas shower curtain material is durable and significantly less expensive than fabric by the yard. Plus no stress if they get stained or damaged!

We left the original siding (remember this was once a porch) to maintain the authenticity and story of the house, then added lots (and lots) of hooks for hats, jacket and bags. Found these vintage 1920’s heart hooks on Etsy.

Last but certainly not least shelves for everything we need from hats and gloves to beach towels! The open space below- room for the piece de resistance and splurge- a 1920’s reproduction laundry cart! On it’s way from Rejuvenation this gem will revolutionize the laundry process (or atleast keep the dirty clothes from being dumped on the floor). Told you this was imperfect!

Next: a discovery.

Simply original.

Published on January 14, 2017March 9, 2017 by branchville19232 Comments

The beauty of a home with few renovations over the years- in tact original details. As we move down our project list, we continue to find many well preserved 1920’s elements and hints of facets removed over the years.

Here are a few of my favorites:

The home was built with two full bathrooms. One on the second floor the other on the third.

Both bathrooms include the original medicine cabinets.

One of two original clawfoot tubs is still in place (the other was removed from the second floor during a bathroom renovation in the 90s). This one, on the third floor is begging to be restored. More to come on this!

Two staircases provide access from the main floor to the second. The front staircase includes extensive millwork and wide steps- the back staircase, more simplistic for the staff (sadly the staff has gone the way of the butler) without lighting and stairs that are significantly taller with shorter treads.

Three original light fixtures are still intact and in use. The foyer, the butler’s pantry, and soon to be restored, the back porch light.

Original millwork, including picture rails, living room fireplace surround, as well as paneled doors (and knobs) are throughout. Solid hardwood, these elements are as they were when the house was built. The only change, white paint in the 1990s. The original picture of the fireplace shared by prior owners.

Bone Black BM CW-715

We’ve already looked at the floors, windows, butler’s pantry cabinets and hardware, but there are a few more original surprises to come- stay tuned.

Bursting with joy, I mean water.

Published on January 13, 2017February 9, 2017 by branchville1923Leave a comment

Abundant character and charming quirks, my sentiment until our first major cold snap and mishap at Branchville 1923.

Our wishlist of updates is lengthy, however low (probably last) on this list was the laundry room. I despise laundry. I actually would remove the laundry room completely if there was an alternative for clean clothes. So when the first frigid days of winter resulted in a cracked pipe in the “laundry room” suddenly this project topped the list.

The washer and dryer had been moved from the kitchen (photo evidence from the 1980’s) into a porch, turned breezeway turned transition room from the garage. What does that mean? Multiple doors, a concrete floor, no heat and as we learned, no insulation. None.

Photo evidence left by prior owners of the laundry room as part of the kitchen.

An emergency plumbing call on a holiday weekend solved the immediate problem. Now for a long term solution.

Do we move the machines upstairs? In order to create a laundry room for a family of our size we would need to modify existing rooms, take down plaster and (gasp) make changes to the newly refinished floors! Not to mention what a water leak or high efficiency machine vibration could do to the plaster.

If we leave the laundry in the existing space how can we create a functional room and incorporate a most needed addition- a mudroom? House number 3 had a mudroom most suburban homeowners dream of. Oh I do miss that mudroom.

Thanks to the construction and design expertise of Siburtek and Limekiln Hill Studios a plan was born! Their plan and process below.

mudroom-layout-view-1 — Moving doorways and relocating the original windows provides a dedicated laundry space, ample storage and a bench with room for shoes, jackets and everything needed for a Connecticut winter.

mudroom-layout-view-2 — Period details like inset cabinets and a wood countertop make this “new” space feel part of the original.

The floor is raised 7 inches to eliminate the step down from the kitchen also enabling insulation and heat to be added to the floor.

A door and window change places in the name of efficient space planning.

Next: All the fun details- mudroom laundry room complete.

Color play.

Published on January 12, 2017January 19, 2017 by branchville192310 Comments

Extensive paint preparation complete, the fun begins. Fresh color on the walls!

Selecting the right shade of your favorite color is daunting (and you thought the plaster repairs were painful). Even the perfect color from your friend’s house or your 1st (2nd or 3rd in this case) home may not work as well in the new space.

Here is my (almost) fool proof color selection process:

1. Make full use of paint company tools. Those companies have lots of resources and marketing dollars dedicated to ensuring your paint experience is a good one. Grab those color inspiration pamphlets from the hardware store and visit their online paint selector to define your direction and select several options. Benjamin Moore happens to be my favorite.

2. Purchase samples. Pick up a few color and shade options and paint several spots of color around the room (remember to label them). Let them dry (thoroughly) and check them at several different times of day (what looks gray in evening light may look blue in the morning sun).

3. Know when to call an expert. If you are painting the room yourself and have made a color mistake- just repaint it! The cost of the new paint and time are well worth it.

If you are working on multiple rooms, the exterior of your home or paying a professional and can’t decide on the perfect color- hire a designer!

I have always prided myself on making my own design decisions and with the exception of a series of awful browns selected for the dining room of our 2nd home, was happy with the choices. Faced with an entire house of paint colors to select though I panicked.

Enter Molly Hirsch, talented designer and color genius. Within an hour Molly had confirmed my initial selections and identified some amazing shades that I would never (ever) have considered.

The result- see for yourself! Color names listed in the captions below. For a comprehensive list visit the Branchville 1923 Pinterest Board and for more photos of the finished product visit Branchville 1923 on Instagram.

Next: Floors.

Penthouse BM CSP-35

Bone Black BM CW-715

Blue Note BM 2129-30

Schooner BM AF-520

Oxford Gracy BM 2128-40

Palace Pearl CW-650

Chesapeake Blue BM CW-595

Window(s) of opportunity.

Published on January 10, 2017February 2, 2017 by branchville19234 Comments

Before purchase, we completed a thorough inspection resulting in an 18 page document certain to put anyone to sleep. The bottom line, the house was in excellent structural shape, needed infrastructure updates over time and oh by the way, only four windows open. Four.

The estimate to replace all the windows with true divided light, real wood windows with the best insulation rating was in a word, terrifying. However the benefits and the dream factor far outweighed the cost (atleast in my mind).

Wait. We wanted the house because of the quality of construction and authenticity of its age. Time for some research.

Old windows are made of true hard wood, free of glue and epoxies that break down over time and with a good storm window have an insulation rating equivalent to modern windows. Plus a restored window can last another 100 years!

Enter the Window Doctor. A locally based artisan who restores old windows to their former glory! Restoring one window a day, the Window Doctor and his talented craftsman scraped paint, recalibrated window weights, re-roped and added copper weather stripping to each window.

According to this team, some windows in the house had not been opened in 70 years. They also said they were in the best shape of any windows that age they had ever worked on. Looks like we made the right choice!

Time to go open a window.

For excellent articles on this topic visit This Old House and the National Park Service (both preservation experts).

Made more efficient with weather stripping and storm windows.

Windows open from both the top and bottom smoothly.

A pantry without a butler.

Published on January 8, 2017February 28, 2017 by branchville192313 Comments

The doors rattle upon opening and closing. There must be glass beneath the paint and stenciled flowers. Seems strange to paint over glass. No, just old wood said the painter.

As it turns out there was glass beneath, gorgeous 1920’s wavy glass. One more coat of paint over those pantry doors and their original state would have been lost forever.

So began a labor of love. We had a fixed bid for painting therefore any extra projects belong to me or in this case a team effort shared with my fabulous friend and former house 3 neighbor (she volunteered- I swear). Using paint remover (be sure to use outside) and razor blades we scraped and scraped. And scraped.

With restored original hardware (thanks to my Dad), fresh paint (thanks to my Father-in-law), and some amazing period wallpaper selected by Molly Hirsch Interiors the roaring 20’s are back.

If only there was a butler to enjoy this.

The original state, process and finished product below:

Lots of original facets including sink, faucet, countertop, light fixture, cabinetry and hardware.

Hidden below years of paint- glass cabinet doors!

Original hardware polished and ready.

The cabinets are painted the same color as the Dining Room- Benjamin Moore Blue Note (more on paint colors here) and completed with a 1920’s archival print wallpaper Schumacher- Featherfest.

Next: original details.

Hit the floor.

Published on January 8, 2017January 26, 2017 by branchville19235 Comments

Lurking below the white wall to wall carpet- gorgeous fir wood floors.

In my opinion only the truly brave and skilled should attempt sanding and refinishing of floors. In no time a weekend warrior armed with a high powered floor sander could make dust of one of the home’s best features.

After seeking referrals from friends, we selected a highly recommended floor expert with experience in older homes. Once sanded, decision time- leave their natural color or add a stain to the floors.

Fir is a grainy almost blonde wood. The problem with a clear finish is that due to sunlight and general light exposure the floors tend to yellow over time. We selected a shade of brown that was deep enough to highlight the wood’s natural beauty but not so dark that the floors would show every dust particle (after all the imperfect home has dust). Testing the stain on a small area is a must. We selected “Special Walnut” a Minwax stain that appeared entirely different on the sample card than on our fir floors, hence the importance of test samples!

For the finish clear coats we opted for a water based, commercial application approved green product sold by the Bona Company. This alternative is just as durable as its oil based competition, but far more durable for high traffic (think basketball dribbling in the foyer) and allowed us to stay in the house (no fumes). The other benefit- floors can be walked on the same day.

One last thing- the floor refinisher does not want to rip out your wall to wall! Therefore they charge a significant cost for removal. Grab some work gloves and a sharp blade- enlist your amazing new neighbor and your father-in-law and get to work!

Minwax Stain Selector

Bona Floor Refinishing Guide

The journey and the results. Painting and floors were completed simultaneously. Messy, but efficient and so much easier before the furniture is moved in!

Significant discoloration. Is that magic marker?

Amazing floors lurk below years of wear.

Follow Branchville 1923 on Instagram for more photos of the finished product.

Next: Windows.

Just peachy.

Published on January 5, 2017January 12, 2017 by branchville19234 Comments

Paint. The easiest and most economical update, but also one of the most daunting. We could name each house by the primary color scheme it held when we purchased. Our small city townhouse, white. Our first suburban home, beige. Our second, gold. And this house, peach (see photographic evidence above).

While we are capable of painting (and in every other house painted the interior ourselves), this 1920’s plaster walled, wallpaper and peach infested space called for help from professionals.

Before World War II, homes in the United States were built with wood lath walls covered with 3 coats of plaster. This process resulted in walls approximately 1 inch thick (compared to the 1/2 inch dry wall of today) that are strong, sound dampening and an R value greater (insulation rating) than dry wall alone. Preserving and repairing the existing plaster not only maintains the historical significance and authenticity of the home, it is also environmentally responsible.

With that in mind, we hired a painter with the patience and willingness to strip the wallpaper and make the necessary repairs to the existing plaster. In the case of rooms with 50 year old wallpaper, the walls had sizable cracks and required a tremendous amount of time and attention. The finished product maintains the feel and quality of the construction, with a fresh and updated look.

This work, although time consuming can be done by any homeowner! If we endeavored on this ourselves we would just be finishing as the kids set off to college, so I am very happy we hired a painter. However, if you are brave enough to do it yourself below are two great articles on the process:

removing wallpaper

repairing cracked plaster

The work in process.