Friday, July 8, 2016

Estate Sales and Dreamy Mansions

We arrived in the Capital Hill neighborhood for an estate sale but were too early
so we decided to take a walk while we waited for the sale to start. 
And that turned out to be the best part of this outing!

The house where the sale was held was gorgeous itself 
and the street was lined with lovely old homes.
I could spend all day admiring these beauties. 




But as we turned the corner, I gasped.
I recognized it immediately. The famous Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast.


I'd read about it before and had always wanted to see it but wasn't quite sure where it was.
What a wonderful surprise that it was just around the corner from the estate sale.

A massive gray stone mansion built in 1889, Castle Marne claims the entire corner of this block
and is the essence of turn-of-the-century Romanesque elegance. 


It even has the original horse hitching post . . .


and a rare carriage mounting stone
(the raised stone platform where passengers would step out of their carriage.)
Just be careful opening your car door!


When I pressed the intercom on the front porch to ask for permission to photograph the garden,
the owner, Louis, graciously invited us inside and then went out of his way to give us
a fantastic tour brimming with historical facts and details about the structure.


We learned how they made the rare wallpaper and that this registered castle's name
was inspired by the River Marne in France because it resembled some of the castles there.

Everywhere we looked inside was beautiful woodwork and lovely furnishings.
Just look at this elaborate six-foot stained-glass window in the staircase
that echoes a peacock with his feathers extended.


Not only is the castle amazing, but a charming patio and garden
are secluded on the side of the house.
I had to sneak a peek.


A fountain played in the courtyard and
a climbing rose completely covered a metal arch at the garden entrance.
Romantic Victorian elegance. So very pretty.


If you're looking for a wonderful B&B in Denver, check out the Castle Marne website at
www.castlemarne.com. 


We still had some time to kill so we walked around the block before heading back to the sale.
I'm so glad we did!

There is a well-known writers' workshop here called The Lighthouse 
that I'd heard about but, again, wasn't sure of its location.
As we walked down the tree-lined street, 
I spotted a small sign on another gorgeous Denver Square that read "The Lighthouse."
Oh my gosh! Two places I'd always dreamed about and there they were on the same block.


Sigh. But enough old house lusting. Time to head back to the sale. 
Sometimes I don't buy anything at these sales 
but still enjoy seeing the insides of these old mansions.

I noticed this house had some good old bones
but it had been "renovated" and had lost some of its glory. 
Still, the original tiled fireplaces were breathtaking as were the chandeliers.

I did find a couple of little treasures at the sale, however, 
including a monogrammed hand towel . . .


and some vintage books with lovely covers.


On the way home, we stopped at a couple of yard sales
and a few more goodies came home with me.
A silver water pitcher destined to hold fresh flowers,  a pretty silver bowl . . .


and three hand-painted bowls from Italy . . .
winner, winner, chicken dinner!


Total Expenditures:  $17.00.
Plus an incredible free home tour!!
My kind of perfect day.
And it just happened to be my birthday!

***

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Poofing the PillowsAdirondack Girl at HeartRooted in ThymeCharm of HomeShabby Art BoutiqueFrench Country Cottage


49 comments:

  1. Belated Happy Birthday and what a fun day you had.

    Have a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes. It's so fun to get these from fellow bloggers.

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  2. A Belated Happy Birthday to you. My b-day was the 6th. Beautiful post. Loved seeing your great pictures. You were able to get some real bargains.

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    1. Thank you Brenda for the birthday wishes and back at you! Glad you enjoyed the pixs.

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  3. It sounds like my kind of day. I love looking at beautiful old houses and finding treasures along the way. Thanks so much for taking me along-such beautiful pictures. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!!!

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    1. Hi Shannon! Thanks for your sweet comments. So glad you enjoyed tagging along.

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  4. Happy Birthday, Pat! Your day sounds like a perfect way to spend a birthday. I've made note of the B&B. We have a niece in Denver, so this might be a wonderful option for a place to stay when we visit. Love seeing all the wonderful photos, and your finds are fantastic. Did you get the books?

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    1. Thank you Sarah for the birthday wishes and your lovely comments. You'll have to let me know if you stay at the B&B sometime and what you thought of it. Yes! I got the books. Can never have too many old books, right?

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  5. What a fabulous day and how kind of the owner, Louis, to show you around, and how lucky that made us all to be able to see such photos. It's always such fun to stumble upon a complete surprise. Hope you have a great weekend x

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    1. Thank you Susan. Louis has invited us to the castle's birthday party on Aug. 1. Looking forward to that. Wish I had some period clothing to wear. So glad you enjoyed the pixs.

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  6. What beautiful pictures of your day! Happy Birthday!

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    1. Thank you so much Lottie. I love getting birthday wishes from fellow bloggers.

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  7. That sounds like the perfect way to celebrate a birthday!

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  8. Wow, love those beautiful old homes! I enjoy driving or walking around historic neighborhoods! So glad you shared your outing with us. Would have been great to go to a sale inside one of them. Nice home tour too!

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    1. Thank you Gina. I couldn't agree more. I hope these old neighborhoods are preserved for another hundred years. Enjoy your weekend.

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  9. Woah, Pat! What great buildings (that B&B!!), and your takeaways from the sale are awesome too. Did you get the towels on either side of the monogrammed one (with the tatted edges)? I love details like those used in the past to really 'finish' an ordinary, utilitarian item such as a hand towel. Of course, I'll always gravitate to dishes too. That would be my kind of day too. :)

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    1. Thanks so much Rita. I'm sure you would have enjoyed this sale and tour. I got those other towels at a different yard sale and thought they'd all get along together. Can you imagine someone today taking the time to monogram their towels by hand? That's why they're so special. Hope you're staying dry.

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  10. Wow- asking permission to photograph the garden really paid off! Congratulations on your finds.

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  11. I am so envious - I love old homes and architecture. Heavy with details missing in modern construction. Then a great estate sale and vintage finds. An absolutely perfect day.

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    1. Thank you Carol. It was a perfect day and I'm hoping for more of the same throughout the rest of the summer.

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  12. Wow! Lucky you! A tour of the castle and great finds - Awesome!
    Ann
    https://theapplestreetcottage.blogspot.com/

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  13. You've totally inspired us to start exploring the neighborhoods around the estate sales we go to. Love seeing your pics!

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    1. Thank you Kate. Love your comment. You never know what's around the corner, right?

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  14. Wow! Touring the beautiful Castle Marne would have been enough to make my day. You found so much more! A nice walk and you found some wonder goodies to bring home. Win Win!

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    1. Thank you Snap. I love these kind of surprises that make my day!

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  15. What a lovely day you had celebrating your birthday! The Castle is amazing and I'm so glad you found it. The silver water pitcher and bowl are gorgeous. There is something so very charming and elegant about silver. Your chicken bowls are cute too. I like the red trim. You did very well that day. Thank you for taking us along and Happy Birthday, Pat!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wishes Sandi. Glad you were able to tag along with me.

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  16. Fabulous home tour, I adore old homes and architecture!! Great finds too, love those chicken dishes.

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    1. Thank you Carole. I can't get enough of these old homes. I see there's a new show on HGTV called Hunting Vintage that I'm hoping to catch. I do love my chickens!

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  17. Very beautiful homes!! My daughter lives in Denver, I will have to tell her about these places, thank you.

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. I hope your daughter gets a chance to check out these beauties (16th and Race).

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  18. Delightful post, thanks for the tour!

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  19. Love the tour those houses are gorgeous. Great finds also.

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    1. Thanks for tagging along. I appreciate your kind comments.

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  20. I so enjoyed that tour and liked seeing what you got at the estate sale also

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  21. What a treat! I would love to have been with you. Brenda

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  22. This sounds like a wonderful day! I bet the owner was so honored when you knocked on his door. My dad used to live in a house that was over 100 years old and people frequently knocked. He'd bring all kinds of strangers in the house because he was honored and proud.

    I'm jealous of those books you found too!

    Thanks so much for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We are just over the moon about the participation. Pinning.

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    1. Thank you Stacey. I can just picture your Dad welcoming people into his old house. Reminds me of my Dad. I'm glad you joined me on this tour. Thrilled TOHOT is doing so well!

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  23. Perfect day indeed! Loved the homes and the books are fabulous! Other fun finds as well. Thanks so much for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thank you Jann. It really was a perfect day. I should have a birthday more often. No, forget I said that!

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  24. You take such beautiful pictures! They were a joy to look through. Those climbing roses are gorgeous. Wishing you a Happy late Birthday! Thank you so much for linking up with us at Dishing It & Digging It. Hoping to see you back this week :)

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  25. What a perfect day, Pat! My sweet husband and I love to have the same sort of "adventures," architecture gawking, thrifting, etc. Thanks so much for linking up with Vintage Charm :)

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  26. Beautiful homes! Thank you for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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