Victorian Italianate House Tour - Part 1

Early this summer I gave you a garden tour of Ira Shuemaker's garden in Cairo, Illinois, and left you with the statement that I would return to Cairo later in the summer and hoped to take pictures of the inside of the house. I did return in late July and took pictures to share with you.

This Victorian Italianate home was built in 1867 and Edwin Halliday moved his belongings in 1872.

Let's go up the steps and enter the foyer. Do remember that the house was in ruins when Ira purchased it so a complete renovation was needed. Ira was a professor at North Texas State in the Interior and Design Department when he retired and returned to his home town of Cairo.

Look up at the lighting in the foyer.

The floor is made from most of the original board then painted by Ira and Chris Morgan. That's one of their boxers standing in the foyer.

There are room on both sides of the foyer, we will start on the left.

Do you like chandeliers? I'll show you several today. All were redesigned by Ira and Chris by adding crystal prisms and crystal beads.

I want you to see a little more of the mirror and especially the top piece on it. The head of the Department of Art Education at North Texas State painted the oval watercolor. I'll show you a close up of it. Also that Ira you are seeing in the mirror.

Ira made the mirrors himself. You realize when you look at this closeup that the mirror and top piece are mounted then molding added to the piece. Pretty impressive work.

Now, look a little higher at the ceiling. All the ceilings in the house had fallen when Ira bought it so all have been restored by them.

The gold and white china on the mantel are pieces from their Old Paris collection.

To the right of the fireplace sits this grand crystal candelabras with crystal droplets.

I'll turn around so can see the opposite wall of the fireplace. Note the scone with candles and sparkling crystals.

Now I'll back up so you can see the doorway on the left  we came through and a bigger shot of the room.

I'll turn the camera to the left so you can begin to see the other other this one opens into. Here's a shot to the left of these two chairs. Lots of candles on the table and a tea set of their Old Paris china collection. Look closely and on the left side of the table is a small painting of the outside of their home and on the right side is a small replica of the house.

The painting on the left was painted by local artist, Alice Johnston, also a native of Cairo. The ornament on the right was made in Texas by a friend of a friend of Ira's. His friend, Judy Youngblood, gave a picture of the house to a friend of hers to design the ornament. The base of it was made from file folders.

Ok, let's go back through the doorway and through the foyer and into the library and dining room.

Oh friends in case you are getting a little tired or need to stop for lunch,  I am going to stop here and divide this tour into two parts, so come back soon and I'll give you the rest of the tour (Part 2 - the library and dining room).

Thanks for stopping in for the glorious Victorian Italianate House Tour Part 1 - Judy.

Thanks to my good friend, Loarna (Ira's niece) and Ira for letting me capture the elegance and beauty of this home.





 Italianate House Tour Part 2

  Garden Tour of the Italianate House

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Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage 

Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill 

The Delectable Home
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Marvelous Mondays at Jam's Corner

Table Top Tuesday  at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe With an E
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Let's Dish  at Cuisine Kathleen on Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style 

DIY by Design for Sizzle Into Summer

Ivy and Elephants for What’s It Wednesday

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Tablescape Thursday  at Between Naps on the Porch

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here on Thursday
Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner

Kristen’s Creations for Share Your Creations on Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Stuff and Nonsense for Friday's Unfolded

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Natasha in OZ for Say G'day Saturday

Spotlight Saturday at Classy Clutter

Show and Tell Saturday at Be Different, Act Normal

Saturday 7 at Positively Splendid

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Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper