Digging through the past

Hubs and I are planning a remodeling project in our foyer. Presently the foyer has TWO closets. And not little closets, either--big closets with double bi-fold doors. In my opinion, that is one closet too many. Particularly since one is right in front of the stairs. I've wanted to open that area up and give a better first impression. So I drew out my plan...

...and Hubs agreed it was doable. Yay! Obviously, my next plan of action was to SHOP for a column and railing for the staircase. And I wanted OLD pieces. I love old stuff. The history of old wood appeals to me. So instead of a lumberyard, we headed to an architectural salvage/antique shop in Wichita. Oh. My. Word. That place was a smorgasbord of history!!!

This place was so packed with STUFF, we wandered for two hours trying to see everything. Old furniture from simple to ostentatious, wall-length cupboards, fireplace mantels, glassware, light fixtures, stained glass windows, fretwork and gables and brackets and... On and on and on.

I fell in love with a stained glass window (the green one above) and a lovely piece of Victorian fretwork. Unfortunately, the length of both items proved too much for the doorways in my house. So I had to leave them behind. I giggled at the barber chair and little booster seat. Hubs gives our grandboys haircuts--wouldn't that come in handy? He said no. And of course the three-feet tall brass snowman would have made an excellent addition to my snowman collection...except Hubs said no. *sigh* So then I asked for a carousel horse. He refused that, too. Honestly! Mom located a phonograph similar to one her older brother had when she was a girl (although the price was more than she recalled Bud paying), and we even found the front panel from a teller's window in a bank. Wouldn't that be fun for the grandkiddos??? (You can probably guess Hubs' response to that query.)

I did find a column that was the perfect diameter and height for my project, so we have one item ready to go for when we start the demolition, which will probably wait until after Christmas. BUT it's so fun to know a 100+-year-old oak column will grace my decade-old house. I wonder where it originally stood... That's the fun part of old stuff--imagining the history behind it.

If ever you're in Wichita, stop by Architectural Salvage on St. Francis Street in Olde Town (it's only open Friday and Saturday) and enjoy a delightful romp through the past century. If you go, let me know! I'll meet you there. I'd love to visit again.

May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

P.S.--Happy birthday to my middle daughter, Kaitlyn Joy, who was the best Christmas present ever. I love you, darlin'!