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If you were to visit Nashville's Belmont Mansion right now, you'd see a wonderful transformation taking place. The mansion is restoring one of the most important rooms in the house. Or so it was to Adelicia Acklen, the mistress of Belmont. They're restoring her bedroom.
Above is a picture of the bedroom as it was in Adelicia's day and as they envision it after renovation. This project has been a long time coming, and comes at great cost. Not only in financial expense, but in the hours upon hours invested in returning the room to its former grandeur.
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A worker puts finishing touches on the ceiling.
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Mark Brown, Executive Director of the Belmont Mansion, inspects the hand painted paper that literally covers every inch of wall space in Adelicia's bedroom. When I depicted the heroine, Claire, getting a little "dizzy" when she first walks into Adelicia's bedroom, that was with good reason. It's quite overwhelming when you see it in person. And just wait until you see the carpet! It's currently being hand stitched in England.
The scenes the wallpaper depicts are from Les Aventures de Telemaque, an 18th century French novel that Adelicia had a fondness for (and that I included in A Lasting Impression).
The same wallpaper appears in the foyer of The Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson's home, only a few miles from Belmont.
I think it's interesting that the wallpaper was quite in vogue in the 1830s when it was installed at The Hermitage. But in 1853, when Adelicia and her husband Joseph built the Belmont Mansion, it wasn't quite "the thing" anymore. So she chose to put the wall covering in her bedroom instead of a more public place in the home.
Perhaps the scenes from the story were no longer as "in vogue" as they'd once been. But Adelicia still loved them. And they are beautiful!
You'll see a gilded mirror (below) that will soon be installed above the fireplace. And here are Linda Patrick (a docent at Belmont) and Mark Brown as they're showing me around.
It's always a privilege when I'm welcomed at Belmont, and I never tired of visiting there. Being in Adelicia's bedroom and seeing it "come alive" again is so moving. Standing there, staring at the scenes, the colors so vivid and detailed, I can't help but think she'd be pleased! I sure hope so.
Just for fun, and in honor of Adelicia's bedroom renovation, I'm giving away a copy of A Lasting Impression this week. If you'd like to be entered in the giveaway (for U.S. mailing addresses only, please, due to postage costs, sorry International friends), then leave a comment below by 9PM Central next Monday night and indicate your interest. I'll draw a winner and announce it here on next Tuesdays' blog.
Thanks for taking this little tour with me. I get caught up in history all too easily. And speaking of… There's one last video in the To Whisper Her Name video vignettes. I've included it below with a link that explains how you can share the video and get your name entered into a drawing for a hot-off-the-press copy of the novel.
But first, tell me, have you done any redecorating lately? Made any changes around the house? Hung any wallpaper? : ) I've been doing some spritzing up with the help of a friend who's a wonderfully gifted decorator and who's a power shopper to the max. She finds the greatest things. And uses coupons too, which I love! Woman after my own heart.
Blessings on your Tuesday, friends,
Tammy
Kentucky Derby Winners from Belle Meade Plantation, Nashville, TN
The setting of To Whisper Her Name
Coming October 23
Adelicia's bedroom is STUNNING! Erik and I are planning on a Florida vacation next week during my Fall Break, but if his work keeps him too busy, we'll have to cancel. Erik asked me last night if there were any homes I'd like to go see, in case we have to stay home. I looked at him and said "you haven't seen the Belmont yet, and I've not actually gotten a tour." So there's a chance we'll be able to go visit next week :-)
ReplyDeleteHaven't really done any serious redecorating lately, though a couple months back, I actually was able to put curtains in our guest room. I was so excited to FINALLY be able to do that!! It's the small things, right?
Don't worry about adding me into the drawing :-) Though it is about time I re-read ALI!
That bedroom is breathtaking! Talk about a haven of rest....
ReplyDeleteI
haven't hung wallpaper for awhile. Mom told me before I got married that one of the keys to a happy marriage was "NEVER HANG WALLPAPER TOGETHER>" LOL. We tested the rule. SHe was right. I do it alone or with Kelly's help.
I have the machine to make those neat wall letters and decorations. I'm thinking of putting one up in our bathroom: "Perfect! Now can we go?"
Cathy
I hope your Florida trip comes through, Catherine. But if it doesn't, I'm sure Belmont will welcome you with open arms. : ) Great on hanging those curtains in the guest room. I still haven't gotten that done in our home. When we moved into this house two years ago, I was kind of in a "I don't want curtains this time" mode. But that "mode" has passed and I'm looking! Where did you get yours?
ReplyDeleteLOL, Cathy, on the wallpaper wisdom. Oh, so true, isn't it? What machine "makes the neat wall letters and decorations?" Sounds cool! And LOL on the one you'd put in the bathroom. You nut! ; )
Hello Tam, I was"gobsmacked." I couldn't take my eyes off the beautiful wallpaper:)
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Belmont,it looks simply awesome.
As far as renovations for our house, we haven't done anything major,but did add extra roofing to our entertainment area where the spa is.(I think you call them hot tubs) I have wind chimes, butterfly mobiles,small fairy figurines,red and white spotted toadstools(all chosen by our littler grandies) in the fairy garden surrounding my wishing well, much to my younger grandchildren's delight.I recently replaced all the little coloured fairy lights around the roof of my wishing well and extended it into the shrubbery behind the well. The only thing left to do now, is to give the little picket fence a coat of paint and place it around the fairy garden and well.
Come Summer(if we ever manage to have one because it has been very cold over here)it should be lovely sitting out there at night watching the magic unfold!(depends on how many glasses of "champers" one has of course!) LOL!!
As far as the draw is concerned I guess it is only for the Polar Bears and not the Penguins...Right? Have a great day Tam.
Rosie.
WOW--those walls are gorgeous (even though I cannot imagine having that in my bedroom--afraid I'd spend all my time gazing at the scenes rather than sleeping, LOL). ~ Tammy, you truly are amazing--all the research you do, then the writing, calmly making the videos, AND doing some spritzing up in your home?! PLEASE share some of your energy with moi! (or confess: Is Little Jack helping you with some of this?!*wink*). ~ Although I'd be thrilled to say I've done some redecorating recently, all I can say right now is I'm trying to work on my butler's pantry--since it's a nice-sized closet in my dining room, it's a little too convenient to stash things in when company is coming....then later everything avalanches on me when I open the door*sigh*. Hugs, Patti Jo p.s. Visited the Seekers blog last night--loved seeing YOU appear on there! :)
ReplyDeleteDear All,
ReplyDeletePlease would you spare a thought and send some prayers up for PJ and Hugh. He is not well and PJ needs your support as she is doing the caring. I know they would really appreciate your prayers.
Thank You.
Rosie
Beautiful beyond words. Loved the personal tour from my favorite Belmont expert! :-)
ReplyDelete(Don't enter me. Someone else needs to read this amazing book!)
Hey Tammy! I actually got the curtains from Old Time Pottery in Murfreesboro. And they're blackout curtains. I think between the curtains, rods, and drawbacks, we spent $50. Nothing fancy, but definitely gets the job done :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the opportunity yet to visit Tennessee but Belmont Mansion would definitely be on my "things to see in Tennessee" list. Love your books so it would be fantastic to win one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all the photos of the restoration work. I really enjoyed reading A Lasting Impression and learning more about this beautiful mansion and the people who lived there.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done any redecorating lately. The only changes made recently was for my kids to switch rooms.
Blessings back to you,
Pam
I love your books! Just finished reading The Inheritance not too long ago! Would love to win A Lasting Impression! Thanks for sharing on this blog! I love finding out more on the background of books.
ReplyDeleteChelsea Boland
cboland1982@gmail.com
LOL, Rosie, at being gobsmacked! And, loving words as I do, I had to look that one up.
ReplyDeleteGOBSMACKED:
ORIGIN 1980s: from gob 1 + smack 1 , with reference to being shocked by a blow to the mouth, or to clapping a hand to one's mouth in astonishment.
Thanks for a new word! ; )
Patti Jo, we're praying for you, friend, and for Hugh too. Please keep us posted as to how he's doing. And you too!
Thanks for visiting ladies! Appreciate you gals!
That is quite a project they are undertaking! I would love to see the final results.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win a copy of the book.
Patty
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hey Tam! Anytime re new words. I have a list as long as my arm.:)I think Judy was quite intrigued with "gobsmacked" too. It's a word we use quite a lot. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win a copy of any of your books. I love these little extra info videos! It has totally made me want to get that book when it comes out. Also now want to read the Belmont books. :)
ReplyDeleteDecorating..........well I just hung new curtains in the bedroom and am putting a new area run down in the family room! I'm not a big fan of wallpaper but I like the "old grand" houses to look authentic so bring on the wallpaper in them! :)
I would love to be entered to win 'A Lasting Impression' It would be a privilege to receive any of your books, I love to read, and am reading very frequently. My husband and I are completely renovating a wicker love seat. It had been white. We took it all apart, and reinforced it, painted it dark brown, and now we are reupholstering all the cushions. Six to be exact, each on with a zipper. It's looking great. We worked 25 yrs. remodeling a house in Kansas before we moved here last year. We will take on any project I guess. Love doing them all.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be entered into the drawing for your book! Thank you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have not done any redecorating recently but I will be trying to do that soon to my bedroom. It is way overdue!! ;)
I love Tamera's writing. She was one of the first authors I fell in love with when I started by reading.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to hear how you've been decorating! I love taking something and giving it a makeover, updating it. Or moving things around and giving them a new place in the house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, friends! I'll be sure to send the "completed" pics of Adelicia's room when it's finished too! Or better yet, let's all just meet at the mansion! ; )
We just put an addition on our house. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living room and a garage. Now the husband is building a swing set.
ReplyDeleteCampbellamyd at gmail dot com
I love the wallpaper! We need to bring that style back, of having murals on the wall. Makes a room so interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much into wallpaper, and probably wouldn't want it in my room (too distracting- I'd want to look at it all the time), I do find it fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I take a trip north to Nashville some time, I'm going to have him take me here.
Thanks for the beautiful photos.
Ginger
Ginger dot solomon at gmail dot com
I would love to win a copy of A Lasting Impression.
ReplyDeleteadousay(at)rocketmail(dot)com