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




Linking to:
Susan at BetweenNaps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage 
Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill 
The Delectable Home
Meet Me Monday at You're Talking Too Much 

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
The Bunny Hop Party at Bunny Jeans on Tuesday

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



Simply Klassic Home for Simply Klassic Sunday
Overflowing With Creativity at It's Overflowing 
Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper


47 comments:

  1. Great tour. Hard to believe the house had been left to ruins. They've done an amazing job.

    - The Tablescaper

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  2. WOW, what a great house, everything in it, is simply stunning! I specially love the side table with all those candles, how beautiful is that, but than again, evrything is really beautiful too! Thanks for sharing and for your lovely visit. Happy weekend.
    FABBY

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  3. Judy, what a gorgeous home! The attention to detail is just exquisite! Thanks so much for sharing...can't wait to see the rest!

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  4. Oh SQUEAL!!!!

    What a wonderful tour! Thanks so much, Judy!!!!

    Can't wait to see the rest - you have done this house justice with your wonderful photography and attention to detail.

    Ira and Chris have a BEAUTIFUL HOME!!!!!

    Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.

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  5. amazing! i love old victorians

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  6. Oh my goodness Judy, that house is beautiful. What a talented person to restore the house. The mirror is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this lovely house.

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  7. Hi Judy...

    Oooh...what a beautiful home! Thank you for taking us along with you on the tour. I loved each and every detail. The ceiling architecture is GORGEOUS! I can't even begin to imagine all the work it took to restore them!

    How are you doing, my friend! Sorry that it has been so long since I have been by for a visit. It has been a busy, busy summer! Hope that my note finds you doing well!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari

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  8. Thanks for the house tour! It's beautiful!

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  9. Thanks for the house tour! It's beautiful!

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  10. Thanks for the house tour! It's beautiful!

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  11. Thanks for the house tour! It's beautiful!

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  12. Thanks for the house tour! It's beautiful!

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  13. They've done an amazing job on restoration. I had an Old Paris master cream and sugar, but I gave it to a friend. That have a beautiful collection. Thanks for taking us on the tour. Cherey Kay

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  14. What a beautiful home and so many pretty details. It must have been a real labor of love to restore it.

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  15. Gorgeous home! What a treat to get a peek inside. You captured some great images to share. Not easy inside a home. Thanks for taking us along.

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  16. What a gorgeous home! I live in Illinois but haven't been to Cairo since I was a kid. Can't wait to see part 2 of the tour.

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  17. Judy, Thanks for sharing this fabulous home at the Open House party. The home is gorgeous and I look forward to seeing more.

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  18. What a gorgeous home, Judy. It reminds me of other beautiful homes along the Mississippi. Amazing restoration!

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  19. Thank you so much for showing this beautiful, beautiful home, Judy. My husband's hometown is Cairo, too, and I have been driving by that house for 20 years, loving it even when it had fallen into ruin...I'm so glad it found its salvation in Mr. Ira! (I have dreamed about the inside for all of those 20 years, too, and am so happy to see the restored version!)
    Thank you so much for this!
    Best,
    Anne

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  20. What a lovely tour. Thank you for sharing all the gorgeous details.

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  21. Beautiful home and a great tour. Can't wait to see more.
    SAndy

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  22. What a beautiful home! Thanks for sharing.

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  23. What an amazing place. Such lovely and grand detail. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  24. Wow that is a wonderful home! That's wonderful that it was restored. I can't imagine how bad it must have looked with collapsed ceilings!
    It's a beautiful home and beautifully decorated! Thanks for the tour- I look forward to the 2nd part!

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  25. What a labor of love that restoration must have been. Just love all of the ceiling details and the crystal chandeliers. Look forward to seeing more in Part II!

    Visiting from You're Gonna Love It Tuesday.
    Debra

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  26. Thanks for sharing this was a delightful virtual tour.

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  27. I loved this tour! Thanks for sharing this special home. Love that checkered floor!

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  28. I really love that painted floor!!!
    Thanks so much for your kind comment on my gray shelf and white ironstone post.

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  29. Such a beautiful home. Thank you for the tour. I appreciate your visit to my blog.

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  30. My Gosh your living room is looking so fresh. Love the colors you are incorporating in the room. Thanks for the tour up of this beautiful home! :)

    philippine real estate

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  31. LOVE your chandeliers!! So pretty! Have a great day! xx Holly

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  32. What a great job restoring that old house, it's just a dream
    I always wanted to live in an old house like that

    and to think it's in Cario Illinois
    My next trip to Mt Vernon Ill I am going to drive on south and drive through Cario and find it.

    I know people who lives in similair houses in Clarksville Missouri and love them also
    If you study history on old houses they always seen to be close to the rivers , the old river captains built them

    great pictures I really enjoyed them

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  33. Magnificent! Thanks for bringing us along!

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  34. What a beautiful house. Love the moldings! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Kristen's Creations. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-9.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  35. So beautiful..can't imagine that people really live like that. Just amazing.
    Thanks for the tour.

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  36. what an amazing home, love the Italianate styling. that mirror is fabulous, what a talent he is!

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  37. Hi Mrs. JB,
    OMG... the house really is to drool for.

    I do LOVE the hanging lantern in the fourth photo.

    Happy TTT... TS and a great week-end ahead.

    Greetings from rainy Stockholm,
    /CC

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  38. This is a stunning home. Thanks for sharing it.

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  39. Anonymous11:02 PM

    So glad Ira took this enormous project on! It is a beautiful home and wonderfully decorated. I was a bit surprised to see the stainless steel chairs in the living room though. They don't seem to fit the other decor.

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  40. What a beautiful home! Thank you for sharing on Marvelous Mondays!

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  41. I have enjoyed reading this post twice and look forward to seeing part 2.
    betsy

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  42. What beautiful restoration! My neighbor was applying gold leaf to an old ornate mirror - I can just imagine all the hard work put into the chandeliers, the moulding and the ceilings - so beautifully decorated too. I adore that house ornament -what a treasure! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    kathy

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  43. What a beautiful elegant home. Look forward to part 2.

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  44. How beautiful!! Thanks for taking me along...excited for the next part. I'd love for you to join me at my party again tomorrow night.

    XO, Aimee

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  45. Dear Judy,

    I am so excited I got to see this home and all the lovelies inside!

    That chandelier is beyond stunning. I would love to know where they got their crystals for it. I know there are many places online to buy replacement crystals, but it is so hard to know which will arrive and actually look good!

    The details and moulding that they added on the ceiling is so pretty. I wish it was still the norm to put floor to ceiling narrow windows in homes like they used to! So much light and really --- it's a much better use of space! What does one put below a window that won't fade. Might as well have the natural light!

    Thanks so much for taking us on this lovely tour, part 1!

    xoxox
    Alison

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  46. Oh, found it!! May I share, please?
    Hugs,
    Anne

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  47. Judy, did you do a "part two"? This is so gorgeous!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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