The Morning Room at Villa Magnolia

I have a secret.

Ever since I read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, featuring the imposing fictional estate Manderley, I have been obsessed with gothic romance novels.

Though Rebecca will always remain my favorite of all time in this genre, I began voraciously devouring these novels when I realized a local secondhand shop had an inviting upstairs corner devoted to them. I would load my arms up with twenty or more at a time, place them in a delicious-looking pile by my bed, and be whisked off to faraway settings. When I’d finished that batch, I’d note the best authors and make another trip to the book corner (exchanging any duds in the process). This pleasurable little pastime of mine continued until the secondhand shop changed hands and the new owner removed ALL of the books (horrors!). Then I moved to Italy and haven’t yet found a way to continue this comforting ritual. (Although soon I’ll be able to reread what I have, since my memory often fails me.)

When choosing the books, I had one very important stipulation I adhered to: the story’s setting must always take place in a large, impressive, stately residence (usually shown on the cover). A mansion, an estate. A manor house, a castle. A chateau or a villa. I was entranced with the descriptions of these houses, especially the names and uses of the individual rooms (of which there were often a great many, anywhere from 40 to 100!).

Now I find myself with my very own villa (a MUCH smaller, but still grand-to-me, version of the home I’ve read and dreamed about for so long). While waiting to move to Italy, I plotted and planned and dreamed and schemed about Villa Magnolia. I also, of course, went through the rooms one by one and named them (not necessarily knowing or caring about their original use).

And I was determined to have one space called The Morning Room:

• “You will find writing paper, and pens, and ink, in there, Madam,” he said. “Mrs. de Winter always did all her correspondence and telephoning in the morning room, after breakfast. The house telephone is also there, should you wish to speak to Mrs. Danvers.” [Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier] (Of course, if you’ve read the book, you’ll know that no one would EVER wish to speak to Mrs. Danvers if they didn’t have to!)
• The Morning Room is where a Victorian lady generally began her day. Usually it was filled with light, bright furnishings, the most important of which was a writing desk. The mistress of a large Victorian home spent her mornings working at that desk to keep her household running smoothly. The proper Victorian lady’s desk would be stocked with the very best fine linen writing paper and envelopes, sealing wax and sealers, a private journal as well as a household journal and a household accounts book, ink pens, bottles of ink, inkwells and blotters, an erasing knife, a silver letter opener, and various vases, candles or knickknacks. There she would respond to correspondence and invitations, pen invitations of her own, send thank you notes and notes of condolence, all of which were important to the social standing in the household. She was also responsible for going over and approving menus for the household and preparing shopping lists, as well as settling the household accounts. [Hartman House, an interactive role-play group]
• Traditionally, it was used as a casual reception room. Because contemporary morning rooms are usually built as an addition to the kitchen, however, they’re often used as a spot for casual dining. [“How to Decorate a Morning Room,” Jennifer Blair]
• Morning rooms should be large enough to hold your family comfortably at a table for meals and not much larger. Morning rooms are most frequently located immediately adjacent to or as an extension of the kitchen. [“Planning Your Morning Room,” Hunter Roberts Homes and Wellington Chase]

The renovation so far has been steady, though it sometimes feels very slow to us. We are doing it all by ourselves and, I’ll admit it, Eric is bearing the brunt of the work. I help when and where I can, but my contribution pales in comparison to his efforts. Every small bit of progress, however, is celebrated. And I am so happy to say that, today, we’ve completed The Morning Room!

It isn’t fancy and it wasn’t expensive. But every time I walk into it, it makes me smile. In this welcome haven, I plan to continue my “morning musings” practice that I began several years ago. Journaling, catching up on correspondence, reading inspirational writings, and planning my day.

Are you ready? I’m excited to present the before-and-after photographic evolution-revolution of The Morning Room at Villa Magnolia . . .
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
NOTES:

1. Our morning room is, in fact, adjacent to the kitchen and will be where we eat our lunches.
2. The granite tile floor (which was already in place) still needs a very thorough cleaning.
3. The cove base is beautiful black marble (also already in place).
4. Yes, we saved the original green light fixture. It will find its home in another room in the villa.
5. No, we did not save the corner cabinet. It made the room very dark and it was also quite moldy (my asthma didn’t like that). It went to a good friend’s brother.
6. The wallpaper removal (on the walls and the doors and especially on the cabinets) was extremely tedious.
7. The picture of Eric replastering the ceiling doesn’t really do this HUGE job justice.
8. The mold cleanup (and subsequent refinishing) he had to do on the wall by the window was also quite phenomenal.
9. The cabinets still housed many of the other owner’s belongings. And a great deal of mold as well (my worst undertaking at the villa so far.)
10. The walls are white white (but reflecting some color in a few of the photos).
11. The cabinet pulls match what will be on our IKEA cabinets in the kitchen.
12. We are welcoming the return of our black-and-white table and chairs, which haven’t been used since we left Alaska in 2007.
 
 
So . . . what do you think?!
 
 
*******
 
 
have you checked out my brand-new
travel size courses (7 in 17)?
mini versions of each essential element
from my signature online course, THE ARRIVAL.

the second mini course in this series,
MOVEMENT #2
will soon be here!

join me march 6 through 10,
on this amazing journey.
back to self, back to your very essence.

ignite your own revolutionary path,
as you choose, clarify, chase, and catch
your long-held dreams.

see what women are saying about the first class,
and reserve your seat now in the second.

retreat no more.
choose to arrive.
 
 
*******
 
 
click to receive my studio notes in your inbox each week.
(and get my complimentary guide, weightless, as my gift to you!)
 
get my free course!
 
 

 
 
 
 

tweet