Victorian Add, Victorian Delete!

7/26/24 21 Comments

Authored & Curated By

M.J.G.

The Lyman Estate
Over the years, homeowners and future generations have continually updated their homes to reflect changing tastes, new trends, and to repair or replace worn features. This is a timeless practice. Some styles endure, considered classic enough to be passed down through generations without major alterations. However, after 10 to 20 years, many people often look back at old rooms and feel they appear dated, prompting the need for updates.

The Lyman Estate has seen numerous updates over the years. Passed down through generations, it underwent a major renovation in 1882. At the turn of the 20th century, it was transformed again in 1917, adopting an early 20th-century colonial revival style that largely erased the Victorian updates from the 1880s. While personal taste may vary, with some preferring the original design over the 1880s style, the craftsmanship of the 1880s renovation is undeniable. Although there are no photos of the interior before the 1880s renovation, it is relatively easy to identify the bold changes by studying the photos from the period. This week's post explores what aspects of the 1880s design people at the turn of the century may have found unappealing and chose to remove, and what they decided to retain.

Scroll down to view before and after photos showcasing the Victorian additions and the Edwardian changes made during their renovation to remove Victorian elements. You can also take a 3D tour on The Lyman Estate (website which I captured the "after" pictures from), provided by Historic New England.

Before we go inside let’s look at the outside. Here we have an early view of the home from the 1860s.

We can see here a head on view of the house. I really enjoy this version of the house.

Remember, you can click all photos to make them bigger!

In the 1880s, we get a close-up view of the house before the major renovation. Notice the wooden quoins around the windows and the small balconies off one of the wing’s windows.

The two wings on both sides were expanded to a full second story, the wooden quoins were removed and box bays installed, a terrace and porch were added to the right side, and a new portico was added to the front. It also appears an entire third floor was also added to central portion and a new railing across the top of the entire house. installed.

By the 1920s, the terrace was removed, the Victorian porch was redesigned, and the house adopted a simpler appearance.

This photograph of the hallway from the 1880s shows that all the floors throughout the house are covered in grass matting with throw rugs placed on top. Many rooms feature heavily carved high wood panel dadoes with ornate caps. In this view, two stained glass windows fill the archways. The staircase newels are painted, while the railing and newels from the 1880s are varnished.

At first glance it may seem like nothing changed, however during the major renovation, the high dado was removed from most of the walls, though it still remains further down the hallway. The leaded glass window in the arch in the foreground was also removed, and the newel cap finials on the staircase were sawn off. It also appears that hardwood flooring was installed.

The family library is visible through the doors, featuring a leaded glass transom.

The leaded glass transom was simplified, with some of the ornamentation removed.

Walking to the far end of the hallway, you’ll find a small open sitting area with a fireplace on the left, featuring high dado. On the right, there is a servants’ call button on the wall, and the floor has an ornate register that pierces through grass matting, which has been cut around it.

The grass matting has been replaced with hardwood floors, the dado has been replaced with a simple low chair rail, and the fireplace has been updated with a new one. The servants’ call button is still in the same location but has been replaced with a newer model. The register on the floor appears to be the same. The heavy gas fixtures were also replaced by smaller electric.

This room, featuring a beautiful mirror and fluted columns, is located in the wing we saw on the right side of the building. Typical of the 1880’s it was a styling trend to have lots of items in a room to create a warm visual and conversation pieces for guests.

During the Victorian renovation, the mirror was removed, and new flooring was installed.

A corner view of the same room provides a clearer look at the Victorian interpretation of Colonial Revival style. Note the french windows that walk out to the porch. The exterior shutters are closed over them to keep out the sun.

The French windows were replaced, as shown in this photo, but the mantel remained as well as all the fluted columns.

This reception room, with its beautiful Victorian tile and mantel, features truly lovely elements to admire.

All the woodwork around the mantel, as well as the mantel itself, was removed. The archway was simplified, and hardwood flooring was installed. It appears the archways and chair rail escaped the crowbar but the detail on each side of the archway didn’t.

As you climb the stairs, you can see the characteristic Queen Anne windows of the 1880s, along with the heavy wall dado and bold wood ceiling.

This time, the ornamental dado survived the renovation, but it seems the windows were replaced. Additionally, the newel caps were all removed. The heavy 1880’s ceiling and picture rail below also escaped the victorian delete trend.

Directly across the hallway is the owner’s bedroom. Notice the arched opening with built-in features.

The mantel tile had been replaced, the built-ins have been removed and closed off, and the picture rail had been taken down. It does appear the mantel itself avoided replacement.

Turning to the right offers another view of the bedroom. The nook features a beautiful archway with decorative grillwork across the top. Next to the owner’s bed is what appears to be the home’s electric (battery-operated) burglar alarm.

Unfortunately, the archway did not escape demolition.

This bedroom features two beds and two mismatched dressers. Pay special attention to the heavily ornamented archway.

At some point during the early 20th century, the entire archway and shelves were removed and replaced with a simpler opening. Additionally, a doorway was cut into this room to connect it to the adjacent space.

Turning to the right from the last photo you can see the other side of the room.

You’ll notice further simplification in the room, including the removal of the picture rail. The fireplace, doors, and the simple ornamentation near the windows remain, although the fireplace tiles were removed during the Victorian delete renovation. You can also see on the wall a newer servants call button replaced the older one.

Thanks for reading!
Comment below if you want a full photo study of this house. There are a lot of nice pieces in this home to explore that some of our colonial house lovers may want to dive into researching.

Coming Soon:
From House to Library: 4. The Dining Room
From House to Library: 5. The Bedroom

Previous Chapters:
From House to Library: 1. The House
From House to Library: 2. The Reception Room/Parlor
From House to Library: 3. Drawing Room

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