VINTAGE SPLENDOR

When I was home last time for an extended visit, I planned a couple days with the Capital Street Duo, two of my closest inner sanctum friends. They have been two of the several in my bubble. Like Dorothy Parker said, "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." When I go to their home, it is definitely filled with curiosities, no room for boredom here.  It's a nice change. The Dame treats me too good when I come for a visit, I have my own room. They tell friends on tours, "This is the Mistress's room, where she does her drinking, and passing out in."  When I meet new friends of theirs it's always intresting to see how people will react upon getting in this narrow townhouse. No doubt, your stepping back in time. The Dame is one of my longest friends, and the dear is still working on me to come work for him in his floral shop. But what's cool is our homes are so different and couldn't be father apart. I love my visits, and enjoy taking all and everything in from the nooks and crannies. How many do you know with a huge player organ and stuffed peacocks in their living rooms? Or a old display cabinet with a Victorian shoe collection in it that acts as their bar??? It's quite eccentric. And his hubby is a good sport, he just goes with the flow.

It's a bit all surreal when you first see it. Almost like stepping through the Looking Glass. This upstairs hallway is painted, one wall is plaid wallpaper, and the ceiling and other wall are wallpapered with pages of a Bible the Dame ripped apart. I told you we're heathens.

The master bedroom has many church artifacts, like that huge light hanging from the third floor, down to above their bed. It came from a old church in the area and he told me was specially beamed in to support it. The one thing we both have in common is large scale objects and furnishings. Just because a place is small or narrow, doesn't mean larger items won't work. They often deliver drama!

While this house might look old, it really isn't. This whole block went up in flames right down the whole street back in the 70's I believe he told me, and the block was rebuilt by the 80's. But the way he has designed his home, you sure wound 't know. I think I love and admire it because it's so different from mine.

My bedroom, the Borghese room, is done with painted walls and one wall wallpapered in old newspapers. I find that very creative myself.  And I really don't even mind what's above my headboard.....

Their bathroom is probably the most modern room of the house. They recently had navy blue subway tile put in, a new standing shower, with sitting bench, and other amenities ...but leave to the the Dame...the vintage and nostalgia still comes though. I absolutely love their shower, and that honeycomb tile floor.

It's always a good visit. I swear...the Dame treats me like the Dowager Countess or Joan Crawford when I'm there. Everything as to be just so.  Like clockwork, he will slip his phone under my door, with the Mommy Dearest opening music playing to wake me to. Once up, I generally hear them making racket, and say something like "Russel....Shawn.Damnnnnnnn it! CAROL ANN...I have asked you to keep the children quiet today, and for CHRIST SAKE get them out of the garden."  Once I go and get ready, he has a tray of coffee and orange juice in my boudoir why I get ready. Talk about service. But I think it's only to sweeten the pot to get me to move back. It was a lovely visit, but to be honest I couldn't wait to visit. For you see darlings, Aunt Cruella couldn't wait to see the newest member of their family.... Flyer!!! Four months old. Last summer their dear Philly passed away during the pandemic. And Flyer is a cutie!

Followed me all over too. Little does he know.

"He may have won the battle, but Ill win the wardrobe." 

They were surprised I didn't wear my Cruella coat from years ago...it most likely would not fit in their front door anyway. When I arrive, they never know what I may show up in. And contrary to popular belief, no Dalmatians were harmed in it's making years ago. Or were they?  bwahahahahah hhhaaaaa ha! Years ago when I was different and thought of puppies...

But the best thing about my stays are Russell's legendary Bloody Marys in the morning.

And who am I to complain? 

And did I mention their third car is a hearse?

So there's that. 

You wouldn't want your first ride to be your last would you?