The Lindens, and curtains

Another blog cleaning post.

The Lindens, formerly of Danvers now in DC; photography by Scott Frances.

Architectural Digest ran a fascinating article 

on the true tale of the oldest house in Washington, DC., 

but it was not built in DC.

The condensed version:

In 1934 Miriam and George Morris of Washington DC wanted an authentic 

Colonial-era home for their Colonial-era antique collection.

Washington DC does not have any authentic Colonial-era homes because 

it was founded in 1790, long after we had ceased being a British Colony. 

Mr. and Mrs. Morris, sticklers for the real thing, headed up North 

to the land of all things Colonial, Massachusetts.

1636: English colonists settle Danvers but back in the day it was known as Salem Village.
1757: One hundred and twenty-one years pass and the colonists petition the Crown for a charter as a town.
The King returns the charter unsigned and with the message
"The King Unwilling".
Those plucky colonists incorporate their town anyway.
The King's rebuff is forever emblazoned on the Town's Seal. Go Danvers!
 Wikipedia

They find The Lindens in Danvers, just East of Boston

 and about 15 miles down the road from me.

The Morris' plunk down $14,000 for this Georgian beauty, 

have it dismantled and shipped down to DC.

Miriam H. Morris in 1937 via The House History Man Blog.
Either Mrs. Morris is very short or those gates are much larger than they appear in the top photo.

Just imagine labeling all the parts! Holy Cow.

Proof positive that nearly anything is possible given the

will and sufficient funds.

Today, The Linden's entry hall with the restored scenic wallpaper by Dufour et Leroy.

Surprisingly, the Morris' kept the gorgeous scenic wallpaper 

in The Linden's entry, even though it is, French.

By 1982 both Morris's had passed on. 

Christie's auctioned off everything in the house 

except the French scenic wallpaper.

Fast forward to 2013.

The Lindens is completely empty, not one stick of furniture. 

The house is 260 some years old and in dire need of everything.

The new owners entrust the restoration to Mariette Himes Gomez.

Mariette Himes Gomez

A quote from Ms. Gomez in the AD article:

     "The floors and exquisitely detailed walls 
may be the most beautiful things in this house," 

says the designer, noting that

the furnishings needed to defer to the elegant woodwork, 

from the double-cross paneled doors to the window seats... 

Gomez adds, 

"You want people to notice all that, 
not some decorator's one-upmanship." 
link to AD article

That, dear readers, is intestinal fortitude.

Now we're finally getting to fun parts. And the curtains.

The dining room. 

Everything in this room looks like it has been there forever. 

Including the historically correct curtains.

I love that they styled the table as if it were in the process of being set.
Two chair styles. Great carpet. Portrait of a cranky old man.
I love every bit of it.
Photography by Scott Frances.

The library. More traditionally inspired curtains; the proportions are perfect.  

This room has many fine elements and none of them upstage the "elegant woodwork."

The Master Suite. A neutral palette creates a sense of restful calm. 

The shaped valances are less fussy than swags but still deferential to the woodwork.

A guest room. The quilt is a homey, humanizing element in a room 

that might otherwise feel very formal.

Again, a traditional New England window dressing: swags and jabots. 

 In a nod to modern times, it looks like there are white blinds 

under the swags which will provide privacy come nightfall.

Nothing like a fireplace to cozy up a bedroom.

Ms. Gomez did the whole mansion in about a year. Brava!

Living in New England for 25+ years has given me an appreciation for the local architecture,  a great fondness for antique furniture, traditional decor including curtains/window treatments.

Could these windows have been done in a less traditional style? Of course.

If you love traditional New England decor and window dressing 

but your architecture is not, remember, it is your home. 

You should live with what you love. 

Of course, if you are redecorating for resale, consult your real estate agent.

Does this seem too old school to you?

Hate it? Love it? No opinion?

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan