Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Along with all of the demolition, repair, and reconstruction that Dwight continues to work on, there are tons of design decisions to be made as we move into the next restoration phases. Some decisions are easy. Others require a vision of the completed project and how rooms will be used.
Demolition and Repair
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Ductwork and electrical removal -
Dining room floor removal -
Kitchen floor removal -
All old plumbing removed -
Old pipes which were removed -
Hearth removal -
Rim joist removal -
Wiring and plumbing removed -
New joists with clean RAKED dirt
As Dwight worked through the demolition and repairs, all of the old wiring, plumbing, and duct work was removed. That means there are major decisions to be made since we're basically starting from scratch on those items. Where do we put receptacles --inside and out? Do we want additional light fixtures or do we go with the original placement? Are we using any canned lighting? Will there be lights in or over the corner cabinets? Where do we want the light switches in each room? Where do we put the central heating and air vents and returns and where do we want the units to be placed? We even have to decide where the thermostats will be placed. And the bathrooms--plumbing and wiring decisions... AND bathroom design and fixtures. Exactly where do we put the washer, dryer, cabinets, and sink in the new INDOOR utility room? Where do we add an additional bathroom upstairs? Or do we add it at all? How do we layout the new master bathroom and walk-in closet downstairs? Not to mention all the decisions on the kitchen design and layout!
Antiques or Reproductions
And there's more! Do we buy antique furnishings or use reproductions? Do we paint modern colors or do we use a more historical "Mount Vernon" color scheme? Or do we try to determine the original colors and go with those? I don't find most of these choices enjoyable. I keep putting the color choice off, but I LOVE the shopping. At LMV I mostly get to be the pick-it-up chappie--except for that one time I was handed the Dewalt to remove screws from a no longer needed beam. But furniture shopping... I've got that covered!!
Family Treasures
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Grandparent's Dining Room Suit -
Family Sewing Machine and Cane -
Grandmother's Wardrobe
Through the years we have inherited a variety of old pieces from our families and refinished them for our 1904 home in St. George. I was given my great-grandmother's Singer sewing machine in it's original oak cabinet. My maternal grandparent's left their dining room suit to me in their will--which we still use. And my paternal grandmother's wardrobe was headed for the dump when we rescued it--the mirror was missing, the drawers were sagging, and the top and bottom boards were broken. But Dwight rebuilt it, and now I keep my lingerie in the same place I watched Mammie get hers from when I was a little child. And I have my great, great grandfather's cane which stands in my den. None of these pieces are grand or monetarily significant, but they are all priceless nonetheless. To me, owning things that are part of our heritage connects us to ancestors who sacrificed and worked hard for us to be here today! And I treasure every single one. Unfortunately when we purchased LMV there were only a few furniture pieces still there, and none of those were original to the house. As we connect with Emma's family, our hope is that maybe one day they will be able to provide us with copies of photographs and/or mementos which we can display showing her "Mount Vernon" in all its glory.
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Emma's Living Room -
Emma's Living Room -
Emma's Dining Room -
Emma's Dining Room -
Emma's Study
Photos from George and Emma's Mount Vernon
provided by Emma's grandson Mike Lawton.
Let the Fun Begin!!!!
So here's where the fun shopping comes in! As we begin to collect furnishings for LMV, I prefer using antiques over reproductions, but we must also evaluate pieces for strength and functionality. Pieces need to be sturdy and coverings should be easy to clean because this house will be USED not just looked at!!
During the summer, Mrs. Karen Prewitt of Quattro Canti Interiors of Charleston, SC met with Grace and me to take us on a furniture shopping excursion!! We visited a number of antique and consignment shops in the Charleston area and she gave us great advice on furniture, rugs, and art that could refill the walls and rooms at LMV. So far, we have purchased a magnificent Gaming Table for the study, a beautiful drop leaf table with 2 leaves for the dining room, and a matched pair of beautiful demi lune tables to use in the living room. Mrs. Prewitt has joined the restoration project and is using her expertise to help us make modifications and design choices which will keep the historic feel of the house, but bring modern function to the rooms. Not to mention she will be helping us SHOP!
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Gaming Table -
Drop Leaf Table -
One Demi Lune
We're still a long way from completing the restoration and we have many, many more decisions yet to make. Some are easy. Some not so much. But it's all part of this incredible challenge... this incredible journey of Saving Little Mount Vernon!