Stunning Empty Manse

Yesterday, 

I got to go to 

a local magazine photo shoot

to assist my friend and her husband,

a wonderful chef,

to stage a dining room table

in this magnificent home 

 perched on a bluff

high above the shores 

of Lake Michigan.

I had been in the home 

 a couple of times 

in the last fifteen years.

The first time

I attended a ladies' tea

hosted by the owner at the time,

and the second time

(a month ago) 

 a holiday fundraiser was held

in the now empty home for sale.

The house was built in 1915.

There are now 12 bedrooms,

but it originally had 20.

But even nearly empty,

the house is stunning.

Three floors of loveliness.

This is the bar in one of the rooms. Caned wood panels slide up into an opening above . See the photo below and you will see what the wall looks like when the panels are pulled down.

Main staircase to second and third floors.

We were there 

for hours 

and I was so excited

to be able to take 

 many shots of the details 

to share with all of you.

I was in heaven.

Truly.

The library.

If walls could talk.

So if you 

do not like architecture,

feel free to skip this post!

No ghosts in the window today, though rumors claim that they have been seen  

The house is stupendous.

(Not a word I use very often.)

The mirrored dining room.

NOTE: The realtor supplied the linens and dishes in this shot. They are not
what I would have provided to reflect the grandeur of the room and the home.
This shot was taken hours before the food and drinks were added.

 The furniture in the home belongs to the current owners who are selling the house.
Most rooms are completely empty.

Back staircase.

Master bath -- the bath tub room only. Perfect view of the lake.

Wall and ceiling details.

Formal living room,

They just don't make them

like this anymore.

One of two parlors. The photo shoot for the magazine was staging a
wedding fashion spread in 1920's style. 

Looking out the living room windows to the west, away from the lake views. 

The other side of the room had the lake views.

Just walking through this home

 is a gift to behold.

One can only imagine what it must have

been like to live there in its day.

Enjoy.

Pay no attention to the gal behind the camera!

Close-up of the vanity in one of the entry power rooms,

Can you imagine a wedding here?

A gorgeous backdrop even in its undecorated state of abandonment.

A day 

and a home 

I shall never forget.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

xox

A