Theresa Haffner-Stearns

Theresa Haffner-Stearns
.....................................................(Have a seat and get yummy with us!)

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Hidden Architectural Treasure

I returned to Pennsylvania this year mid-July. My children couldn't be convinced to join me in the Midwest, so I accepted a job, packed my bags and headed home. The primary focus was to get settled at the job and my temporary home.  After that househunting ensued. Being on my own for the time being, I am able to look at any old property that tickles my fancy. I prefer decrepit historic properties, my husband likes shiny clean suburban homes.  How ever do we get along?!?

Here's what I found.

Photo Courtesy of Trulia


The ad states the house was built in 1725. I promptly set an appointment to view the property.  It needs work as is clearly stated on the MLS listing. 

There is no evidence that neither a kitchen or bathroom were ever installed the main house. The only holes in the remaining random width wood floor indicate that a stove was used for heat instead of a fireplace. 

Holes for Stovepipes: THS Photo

It's possible that the cellar, attic and front doors are original to the house as suggested by the multiple layers of paint and period hardware.


Cellar Door: THS Photo




Shadow of Original Hardware on Attic Door: THS Photo

Also the many small panes of glass in the front door suggest it is true to the period.  The technology was not yet available to manufacture large glass panes.
Front Door: THS Photo

The stairway's balusters and newel posts are simple square shapes. The newel post is a much simpler version of one at Wright's Ferry Mansion. This similarity of shape could help date the house to the same period. See The Magazine Antiques, May/June 2012 page 44.

Main House Stairway: THS Photo


And here is a wallpaper remnant left in situ. It would take some research to discover it's age.


Wallpaper remnant...original? THS Photo



On to the summer kitchen.  It is situated to the left of the main house (See first Photo) and is in much better shape than the main house. The roof was successfully repaired at one time.  I see plywood under the eaves and believe wood shingles would have been original.

 Window in Loft of Summer Kitchen - THS Photo


In the closed loft a few balusters and a newel post are at the top of the stairs.
Newel Post on Loft Floor:  THS Photo

This newel on top of the post was crafted in the shape of an urn.  That shape is attributed to the neoclassical era (1790-1820), so it is possible the summer kitchen could be a later addition.  Perhaps the loft was crafted as a place for guests to stay and/or storage.


Below is the fireplace in the summer kitchen. A reason for constructing a stone fireplace here but not in the main house escapes me, especially since I find them very attractive.  Perhaps stones being a readily avaiable material at hand were used here as a cost savings. The stoves used in the main house could have been considered an upgrade by the owner, since they are more fuel and heat efficient; or merely more aesthetically pleasing.


Fireplace - Summer Kitchen: THS Photo


Finally, here is one of my favorite features of this colonial house, a stone fencepost.

Stone and Concrete Fencepost: THS Photo

The following statement on the property is from Ed Mosheim President, Hereford Township Heritage Society, Inc. When I started a discussion with folks from the group at National Trust for Historic Preservation at Linkedin, member Kate O'Donnel contacted him.

"I understand your question and am pretty sure that the property you describe
is the former home of Philip Traub (1809 - 1888) and his son, Henry (1835 -
1880), who were both shoemakers. The home and "summer kitchen" are on one
side of Deer Hill Road and the barn on the opposite side. The acreage
associated with this property could have been somewhere around 30 acres, but
is much smaller today. The Traubs apparently provided the land for a one
room school house that was built up the road and down to a lower elevation
as it has always been known as the Traub School. That building is not owned
today by the current owners of the house, summer kitchen, and what is left
of the barn. The barn is a single story stone structure now. The second
story was removed many years ago. We had access to old (circa 1930)
photographs of both the house and barn when it was owned Earl O. Schott
(1903-1952) and his wife, Beulah V. Schott (1906 - 1943). At that time the
second floor of the barn was constructed totally with lumber and was covered
with either a tin or wooden shingled roof. We published a 400 page book in
2005 that contains these photographs previously mentioned. The Traub one
room schoolhouse property is no longer connected to the tract of your
interest. Also, other building lots were sold that were part of the original
tract owned by the Traub family. The last family I know of that lived in
this property had the family name of "Sabo". The property has been on the
market for quite a while."

Thank you Ed!

If you have a comment on this property or the material I've presented, please leave a note here or at Linkedin.  I would love to hear from you!

Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
608-345-7027

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

.....but this lovely Victorian footstool in original tapestry and velvet fabric.
SHS Photo

Q.Where did it come from?
A.Five Star Antiques in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin
Q.How is it known that the fabric is original?
A.The sum total of the tacks that held this fabric and one other later cover coincide with the number of tack holes in the wood frame.    
Q. And how do I know it was manufactured during the Victorian era?
The proof is in the manufacturing techniques....which I will discuss in January.

And I will tie up all loose ends early in 2012 by completing my research on the Victorian reproduction of the Chippendale Ribbon Back Chair.

Can't wait!  

Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
608-345-7027

Monday, November 28, 2011

Design

 Design is a process.  Turning a design into a tangible item is hard work and messy.

I start by cleaning my cutting table; symbolic of the clean slate of mind with which I approach my task. Within an hour it is a cluttered mess, symbolic again of the plethora of ideas running wild in my head.


Cutting Table: SHS Photo
Design is a process.

Today I churned out 15 pillow designs. Tonight they rest in my studio in different stages of the design process and completion.  Four are but pieces of fabric folded together; they are basic ideas.  Five are cut and partially sewn; their bits and pieces, trims and beads have taken on the shape and size of their future selves.  Six are completely sewn and await only filling; their design is complete.  All await the stuffing that will make them into the plush pieces that cradle our heads and adorn our sofas. 

Design is work.

My Hands at the Sewing Machine: SHS Photo
I have sewed my fingers three times that I remember. Once I stapled my butt!  I chuckle to think about it.  I love my work and the beautiful things I make.  Intense pain cannot keep me from my work.

Design is a messy, painful and difficult process. But it has its rewards! 

Tomorrow I will post photos of my latest rewards; a new pillow line which will be featured at the Fort Winter Market & Art Walk this coming Saturday Dec. 3rd. It will take place at the NASCO Training Facility at the intersection of Janesville and Rockwell Avenues in Fort Atkinson, WI

See you there!
Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
608-345-7027

Monday, October 24, 2011

Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!

A sincere thank you to all my followersThe Yummy Furniture and Design first ever Open House was a complete success.  Friends and associates, old and new clients plus passers by stopped in to see the newly designed line of pillows, ottomans, benches, chairs and vintage upholstered pieces.

Sherbert bench with David Austin Roses. Photo SHS
Corner Chair with Carol's Day Lilies. Photo SHS
Two Pillows. Photo SHS
 

And thank you to all who entered the raffle for the Victorian Savonorola chair. 

Victorian Savonorola Chair, Photo SHS
L to R: The Author with Eric Webber
Eric Webber was the surprised and lucky recipient.  

The proceeds were split between the Jefferson Area Food Bank

Image Courtesy of Bing Maps
and the  

Photo Courtesy of Humane Society of Jefferson County

Line up for seconds, the second show is in the making!

Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
608-345-7027

Friday, July 22, 2011

Yummy Furniture and Design Sweet Dreams Pillows

Only two days until the Open House and I am a bundle of nerves! For your viewing pleasure!
A patchwork of pillows.

Photo: SHS
Why waste design space?
All of these pillows are double sided with a different design on each side.  Come and see! 
 
 
Yummy Furniture and Design Hot Seat Sale and Open House
Sunday July 24th and Monday the 25th  
The event: Noon to 6:00PM both days at 502 Sherman Ave. E., Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538
 
 
Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
608-345-7027

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

If You're Cornered, Have a Seat.....

Make it a yummy seat.  Designed from scratch and built by hand, this corner chair is guaranteed to make sitting in any corner a memorable experience.
 
Photo: SHS
Unlike its predecessors, it's fully upholstered in celadon silk complimented with sage velvet trim. This chair is a focal point as well as conversation piece.
Yummy Furniture and Design Hot Seat Sale and Open House
Sunday July 24th and Monday the 25th  
The event: Noon to 6:00PM both days at 502 Sherman Ave. E., Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538


Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
608-345-7027
Link up at LinkedIn

Monday, July 18, 2011

Peekaboo Preview Three!

It's coming down to the wire for me; only 6 days to the open house. Today and tomorrow are my last full days to work on projects for the event!
Photo: SHS
Steve took this photo of what he dubbed my spicy cinnamon seat. The hidden surprize is that the back and arm pads are upholstered in a faux leopard fabric.  It's details like these that everyone should expect to see at the open house.

Yummy Furniture and Design Hot Seat Sale and Open House
Sunday July 24th and Monday the 25th  
The event: noon to 6:00PM both days at 502 Sherman Ave. E.,Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538


Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
608-345-7027
Link up at LinkedIn

Friday, July 15, 2011

Peekaboo Preview Too!: Win this Curvy Designer Chair for a $1-and help hungry people eat and homeless animals, too!...


Yummy Furniture and Design Hot Seat Sale Sunday, July 24th and Monday the 25th
are the dates you should be saving.
The event: noon to 6:00PM both days at 502 Sherman Ave. E. in Ft. Atkinson, WI.

 We will be raffling off this curvalicious designer chair and pillow for just a dollar-all proceeds to help the hungry folk and homeless animals in Jefferson county.


...looking forward to seeing you there!

And, Peekaboo Preview 3 tomorrow-
coming up with a spicy cinnamon sit-down
and
a great place for your buttocks if you get cornered!

Theresa Haffner-Stearns
Yummy Furniture and Design
theresamhs@sbcglobal.net
Link up at LinkedIn

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Peekaboo Preview!:Yummy Furniture and Design Hot Seat Sale & Open House-July 24th and 25th,12-6 pm-502 Sherman Ave.E.,Ft. Atkinson, WI

Even if Bear doesn't think so, the excitement is building as the Yummy Furniture and Design Hot Seat Sale gets closer!  Sunday, July 24th and Monday the 25th are the dates you should be saving. The event is noon to 6:00PM both days at 502 Sherman Ave. E. in Ft. Atkinson, WI! We will be raffling off a chair (look for a pic tomorrow) to benefit the area Ft. Atkinson food pantry and Humane Society of Jefferson County ($1 per entry, all proceeds shared equally between the pantry and humane society.)

shs photo

Color is the theme of the event; exciting, vibrant (and yummy!) color.  I've spent a great deal of time experimenting with new color combinations. For example, I threw in a touch of red trim on the aqua pillow to the right. The two sit in the belly of a fully lined round ottoman.

shs photo

Feather and faux fur mix nicely here. And, I'm not sure where they will find a home, but I've made some vibrant eggplant pillows and will be throwing in a tangerine or two!

shs photo

See you soon - until then, sit pretty!
Theresa
Yummy Furniture and Design
theresamhs@sbcglobal.net
Connect with me at Facebook 
Link up at Linkedin

Friday, July 1, 2011

Yummy Furniture and Design Hot Seat Sale and Open House

Yummy Furniture and Design HOT SEAT SALE AND OPEN HOUSE. Serving New, Vintage and Antique Upholstered Furniture. PLUS a ton of fabulous pillows. All items are one of a kind and uniquely designed by Theresa of Yummy Furniture.

ZERO CALORIES BUT OH SO YUMMY!

Enter to win this Ooooutrageously Designed Victorian Savonarola Chair from my personal collection.



ALL proceeds from the raffle ($1.00 donation) will be given to the Jefferson Food Pantry and Humane Society of Jefferson County.

Event held at: 502 E Sherman Ave in Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Hours on both Sunday July 24th and Monday the 25th are 12noon to 6:00PM.


Questions? 608-345-7027.

Refreshements (with real calories) will be served.

A Sampling of the menu:
-Sherbert Bench iced with a bouquet of flowers shown below.

Photo: SHS

-Milk Chocolate Corner Chair topped with orange and rasberry sprinkles.
-Spicy Red Cinnamon Louix the XV chair.

Photo by SHS


More to come!

Theresa

See you soon!
Yummy Furniture and Design
theresamhs@sbcglobal.net
Connect with me at Facebook 
Link up at LinkedIn

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Back into the Swing

As we swing through the month of June and head toward July I am once again reminded how quickly time passes by.  My fascination with time's fleeting nature inspired me, just seven days ago to hold an open house of my upholstery designs in just four weeks. On Sunday July 24th and Monday the 25th I promise to WOW guests with my most innovative upholstery techniques ever!

Photo by SHS

While a few vintage objects will be included, the majority of the show will be chairs, ottomans and pillows I am designing specifically for this event.  Sketches of the fabric designs for upholstery and pillows are being compiled daily. Several practical lists are in progress as well; organization is key when throwing a show with a five week time line.


If I had to pick a catch phrase it would be: Tradition with a twist!  I am a traditionalist at heart and love to work with frames designed after antiques. Styles included will be King Louis the XIV and XV, as well as my own version of the 18th century corner chair.


Photo by SHS

All photos included are a preview of a few fabric groups I am working with. So Keep watching: things will unfold in the upcoming weeks as I post more of the work as it becomes photo ready.
Theresa
Yummy Furniture and Design
theresamhs@sbcglobal.net
Connect with me at Facebook 
Link up at LinkedIn

Friday, May 27, 2011

A Few Weeks Off

I will be away from my writing desk until Tuesday the 31st of May.  A much needed vacation to Pennsylvania reminded me just how wooded Penn's Woods really are. Friends and family welcomed me into their homes and lives for eight full days 

High school buddy Theresa Bush met me at Winterthur and we toured several rooms of the estate.  Sadly rain kept us out of the gardens where the azaleas were in full bloom! But it did not keep us out of the pizza parlor for a long catch-up chat.  Dear friend Jo Ann Maynard put me up and put up with my comings and goings at all times of the day!  But I finally got a chance to see her exciting photography at her website JMAYNARDFINEART.COM. And there was a comical attempt at using her inversion contraption to align my spine. 

Thanks to all my family and friends for a lovely time! 

And a special thank you to our veterans for your service to our country! As you watch the parade and attend Memorial Day festivities, I hope you find a comfortable place to sit. 
Like here.....
Photo Courtesy of Hongtao Zhou
Or here, or here or here......
Photo by the Author
Or even here.
Photo by SHS


Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Theresa
Yummy Furniture and Design
theresamhs@sbcglobal.net
Connect with me at Facebook 
Link up at LinkedIn

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Wendy's Chair

I decided to post an upholstery project. Since all I have been showing is how to dissect a chair; thought you might like to see how one goes back together.  Wendy is a favorite client who has a nack for finding me wherever I work in the greater Madison area. 

A month or so ago, she approached me with this project; a lovely wood trimmed armchair in need of a new cover. So here's a photo of Wendy's naked chair:
Photo by the author
I did not rip down the seat because it was in excellent shape.  Here is a shot of its underside.
 
Photo by the author
The manufacturer installed what is commonly known as zig-zag springs. I am not a big fan of these springs because they put outward pressure on the frame every time the user sits. BUT, this is an extremely well manufactured frame. The wood is over the standard thickness of 5/4" stock; it was made withstand the pressure.

First I laid the chair's back on a blanket on top of my work horses.  It's important to always get the piece you are working on in practical position to work on.


Photo by the author





Next I lined up the center stripe to the center ornament on the chair's top inside back where I stapled it to the frame

It's also important to place the fabric with the good side to the outside of the back.  You are looking at the WRONG side of the fabric. The outside is what will show when the job is done.
Photo by the author


Then I measured the bottom of the inside back to find the center and stapled the fabric there too. That's on the left of this photo.

After anchoring top and bottom correctly, I stapled the rest of the back fabric in place.
Photo by the author

              After that the excess is trimmed with a sharp one sided razor blade.

Photo by the author
                                      There we go, nice and neat!


                                     Next apply the reinforcement.
Photo by the author
This white fabric is contemporary burlap. It is stronger and more rigid than traditional burlap. It is placed on top of the finish fabric and stapled down. Remember the good side of the fabric is already positioned to be seen on the outside of the back.

Photo by the author
For the future, I placed a piece of the original fabric and the maker's label in the back where no-one will feel it or see it.  It's a record of the chair's history so far. Here's hoping the next upholsterer gets the hint and does the same.




Now the foam is placed on top of the white burlap and stapled in place.

Photo by the author
                                 
                                            And a close up!
Photo by the author
Don't place the staples too close to the edge. And don't use an over abundance either.  When the cover fabric is placed and stapled on top of the foam even more staples will be holding all these layers in place.

In this next photo see the previous upholsterer placed almost all the tacks in a line next to the edge of the work area of the frame and the trim area we see when it is upholstered.  By not placing the new staples in that same place we distribute the wear inflicted on the wood and extend the life of the frame.

Photo by the author
Always make sure the old staples and tacks are completely removed from the frame before working on it!
Photo by the author

Recall the corner of the Rococo Revival chair and how its corner had lost a piece of wood in the same place. See Below.


Photo by SHS
A great deal of tacks and staples were left in this frame by previous technicians.  Now I am paying the price by taking months to painstakingly remove 150 years worth of leftovers!

Now we'll start to upholster the seat which is first because the piece of fabric used is larger than the back. If a mistake is made, it can then be re-cut and used on the back. First measure the area the fabric is to cover at its widest spot.

Photo by the author

Always add 2 inches to your cut so there is something to hold on to when you staple it down.

Photo by the author

Now that I know my seat fabric needs to 44" wide by 36" long, I set out to find the center pattern.

Photo by the author
First find the most distinguishing motif on the fabric.  On this Jacobean print it is the three lighter flowers at the center of this shot. When a pattern is not symmetric a ruler must be used to discern the center.

Photo by the author

The pattern is 10" wide; the ruler is place over the entire motif.  Since it is 10" wide, I find the center at 5" and mark it with chalk.  

Photo by the author
The fabric is placed on the chair seat and centered with a ruler. It's 25" between the two arms so I placed the center of the motif at 12 1/2". 

Next time you will see how it is attached to the seat frame.  Until then, keep you fingers out of the way of the scissors!

Theresa
Yummy Furniture and Design
theresamhs@sbcglobal.net
Connect with me at Facebook 
Link up at LinkedIn