Sunday Meander - House of Seven Gables

I have been super busy this summer with my huge house project (check out my sneak peak here).  Working my full time gig during the week and painting (as well as attempting to keep up some semblance of a social life) on weekends has kept me hopping. 

To keep me entertained while painting I have been downloading audio books to my IPhone from my local library.  It’s been a great opportunity to catch up on the classics while multitasking.  One local author classic that was on my list was Nathanial Hawthorn's The House of Seven Gables …living just a couple of miles from the actual house in Salem MA makes this a must read…I love that I live in an area with such a rich history!

 

So, a beautiful Sunday meander has definitely been overdue and a couple of weeks ago I decided to visit The House of Seven Gables and wow what a beautifully cool place.  It has the most magnificent front vista (being right on the ocean). 

 

Beautiful vista on a beautiful summer day.
photo courtesy of Coastal Home Magazine



Beautiful vista on the day I visited...not so sunny but
magnificent none-the-less



The house itself is not unusual for 1600’s New England – parts original to 1600’s and parts from centuries since.  There were many renovations and reconstructions between 1655 and 1908 but the last renovation in 1908 was done with the sole purpose of turning it into a museum that honored both the original property as well as the fictional House of Seven Gables from Nathaniel Hawthorn’s novel.



Street view of The House of Seven Gables..there are 3
of the seven in this shot (peaks that don't join at the
top of the roof line are considered dormers...not gables).

 

Can you imagine this loveliness in your back yard?? I can
(but of course not the work required)



One of the original features is the verdigris greenish gray paint treatment that was on much of the woodwork.  There is very little question with the quality of detail put into the construction (can you say carved moldings & gorgeous paneling anyone) and the number of rooms in this home it was built (and rebuilt in many times) by families with extensive budgets.



Verdigris Green Paint original to 1655.
Looks pretty fab for almost 400 years
old!
photo courtesy of Landry & Acari



The wallpapers are all period reproductions...true to the era
but recently produced.  If you're a wallpaper person
(I am) you will love the gorgeous papers in this house.
photo courtesy of Landry & Acari



Fabrics are also period reproductions.  Most of the furniture
is not 17th century design but pulled from the Federalist
era of the house.
photo courtesy of Landry & Acari

One odd little thing though, many of the ceilings were very low (maybe 6’ or a few inches more).  Our tour guide told us that contrary to popular belief ceilings were not lower because people were shorter 400 years ago but more in an effort to save the cost of heating.  Totally makes sense here in New England….now I’m actually kind of appreciating that I don’t have any vaulted ceilings in my home.

Very soon on a beautiful day this fall you will find me having
a lovely relaxing lunch at one of these tables in that are set
 up for visitors at the ocean front edge of the property.



PS:  If you haven't read Nathanial Hawthorn's classic book "The House of Seven Gables" (find book review/excerpts here), you should.  It really was a great read!

Playing Hooky

So this past weekend started a little earlier than most for me.  A couple of my closest friends and I decided to “play hooky” on Friday and have a girls day.  It had been a while since we had all been able to catch up so it was overdue and such a great idea!  Unfortunately the weather was not very cooperative for much outdoor activity but luckily we adapted…..and went shopping.

Once & Again
45 Bridge St., Salem MA
photo courtesy of Kate Nolan-Denham

After a beyond yummy breakfast at the Pilgrim Diner we headed toward Ipswich to see what mischief we could find.  Ipswich is such a picturesque little town it’s a wonderful place to spend an afternoon on a nice day plus there are some lovely little shops on the way. 

The Pilgrim (Deb's) Diner
4 Boston St., Salem MA
photo courtesty of Yelp

The first shop we hit was a revisit for us – Once and Again in Salem MA.  We were immediately greeted by this friendly face.  Her name is Cookie and she is such a love…having a shop pet is just part of the charm of a locally owned/run shop.

Offical Once & Again Greeter

I did remember from our visit last year that Once and Again had wonderful chandeliers but let me tell you they had so many more than I remembered - great options from all design styles.  I can’t imagine anyone not finding something they loved here – I know we all found several fixtures we loved.



Just one of the many rooms of chandeliers and a rare moment
with me in the photo
photo courtesy of Kate Nolan-Denham

One of the other things I love about Once and Again is that most of the items in this shop are “retro” antiques not “serious” antiques.  I always think the “retro” finds are much easier to live with and actually use.  I’m always worried I will do something to destroy either the integrity or value of super serious antiques. 

Love the color of this cabinet.  The green
depression glass & Fire Kingware is just
a bonus!

Looks just like any other dresser but it's
really a bathroom vanity...love the
repurpose!  If I only had a large enough
bathroom to accomodate it...

After we left Once and Again we meandered up the road for a bit and hit a couple of not really blog-worthy consignment shops (although perfectly lovely they didn’t offer the spectacular array of goodies I usually love to pass along). 


Mid-afternoon we landed at Wenham Tea House and let me tell you this was such a gem of a find.  We had so much fun sipping their delectable blueberry tea and enjoying scrumptious scones.  I can’t say enough wonderful things about the Wenham Tea House….they host private parties too!

Simply Delectable!

As a bonus there is a tea shop where you can purchase the yummy tea and beautiful cups and teapots.  

The Exchange at Wenham Tea House
4 Monument St., Wenham MA
photo courtesty of wenhamteahouse.com

We had such a good time meandering we really didn't get to Ipswich before closing time.  That's ok, it was such a fun day playing hooky - we will have to do it again soon girls!