Actually I do love it -- as is! Perhaps (( in the far, far distant future!)) you could move a gorgeous bathtub into the space .... sitting in the middle ..... LOL! JUST teasing!

Well -- the only furniture I would add to the space is a large armoire on the wall where the small table now sits .... for extra storage space. Since it is a wonderful dressing room ..... I would have my fashion or extra jewelry,accessories etc. in the armoire.

I love the mirror and the vanity -- just add sconces or lamps (standing one by the mirror for now and two buffet lamps to the vanity for now)

Pretty room! LOVE the rug!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I'm with Jan. I love the room and your plans for it. I'm with you about those valances. What were they thinking???

Also, like the suggestion of an armoire.

How about a round tufted ottoman where the chair is now? Something your dogs could lay on and bask in the sun or your DS could perch on and watch you put on your makeup. Another thought is there was a recent thread on antique dress mannequins--did you see it? I could see one also working well in this space tucked in a corner and with perhaps a wrap on it that you might wear when you go out to a party. Or how about an antique clothes rack to hang jackets and scarves or one of those gentleman's valets for your DH's suits?

So lovely and what a fun project for you.

Do keep us posted with pics.

I'd also love to see one of those Victorian swag pole lamps over the fainting couch and/or a small end table to put your cup of tea or glass of wine or what have you...

Could you position the fainting couch with it's back to the windows and angled into that area in such a way that it didn't interfere with the door access?

The Victorians who built the house would've covered the windows with drapery no matter how elaborate the millwork. The reaction to this, as espoused by Wharton and Codman (The Decoration of Houses) and Elsie de Wolfe (The House in Good Taste) would have been a flat muslin or linen shade lying almost flat against the glass. They also liked shutters that displayed the window frame, or a window treament on the bottom sash only.

They only liked drapery to keep out drafts or covering the trim "if it wasn't worth looking at" (paraphrased).

I don't think you could go wrong with something linen, maybe with a border of color in the winter.

If you are considering Bradbury and Bradbury wallpaper, you may also want to look at J.R. Burrows, who has document post-Victorian papers that would also work and some insane period narrow loom (27"-36") carpets (meant to be stitched together or sometimes topnailed with blue tacks! to create wall-to-wall) by Stourvale Mills that would be spectacularly appropriate in that house.

What a wonderful room and a great opportunity to turn it into your dressing room. Great suggestions so far, maybe add a fancy-print or scrolled wicker tri-fold screen to get dressed behind...then an antique dressform to hang some vintage clothes on. Love Bradbury...been to their manufacturing plant...just amazing papers so sure that will be awesome in the room. Love the chaise and rug...they look so comfy and obviously the fur-kids know the best place to hang out in the house. Have fun, your furniture is gorgeous.

LOL Jan..the bathtub :) To each side of the windows on the corner of the bay are private balcony's. Right in front is where the tour busses pull up to give their little speach about the house (one day I'm gonna knock on the door of a bus and ask to listen in LOL) Probably not a good place to rise out of a beautiful claw foot tub :oP (I have one in the master bath but we're going to move it when we recreate the master suite as it was so that I can have it in the back windows overlooking the private garden :)

Thank you all for the compliments. I love the space too and can't take credit for anything since it came with all the furniture LOL

You know, originally I had planned an amoire in the corner but then nixed it when we decided to put one in for the TV (where you see the black leg through into the bedroom on the left hand side of the pic). I was afraid I'd be amoire heavy but really they don't visually sit in the same space so it's probably ok. I want the tv hidden in one so when we do home tours it's not obvious (I hate tv's but love to watch the pretty pictures...ok reality tv but don't tell anyone LOL).

I'll do an amoire search...I think the ones in the house now are all too big but I'll measure. I may start with my sofa table (it's an antique piece as well that would flow well) and then move to the amoire later as we shift things about or I'll have to buy one (the wood in that room is all burl so to flow it would need to be smaller and a bit fancier than the other craftsmen ones I have and oak pieces...) I'll work on that. I really could use the space!

I've been auditioning lamps for that vanity since we moved in Jan LOL They're all too big (since I really USE the vanity verses just lounge around it pinching my cheeks like a victorian chickie). But you know, I have two thin buffet type lamps upstairs in one of the guest rooms....I think I'll steal them and give them an audition :)

Val, great idea! I have a mannequin acutally down in the sewing room (pretty piece that is stuffed, not a dressmakers dummy) and I collect antique clothing...I love the idea and it would fill the void I'm feeling in the room. I have a couple of turn of the century wedding gowns that would look gorgeous there. I'll get the dummy dressed right away :) I think that will take care of the void I'm feeling in that corner. The chair really does not flow well although an ottoman might, but since I have a dummy, why not use the gal :)

I love the swag lamp idea :) Right now there is an open bulb fixture above the spot but we'll change that out later when we find the right piece. I probably will go a bit girly in there despite the man's chandelier we just purchased for the master:
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This is what is in the room now:
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I do have a little marble topped end table for the fainting couch. DS was using it for his trains when I took the picture LOL I'll put it back. It's actually sofa height (for that sofa) and I do use it for tea (ok and wine) when I take a few seconds right after I put DS down for nap sometimes.

So Nanny that answers the positioning issue. I can't turn the couch so the head is in the opposite direction because it's heaven to lay on it and enjoy the water view. DS, DH and I often fight for the spot :)

Pal sweetie....Burrows.com is going to be a problem for me...my DH does not thank you for that hint LOL (GORGEOUS!!!!) I'm already in love with a couple of carpet patterns and a wallpaper :)

This house was actually known for the wood, including the windows which were cut on site from while cherry verses the normal oak you see in most pacific northwest homes (the original mcmansion LOL) But still, the drapery rods are mounted too low and too far inside the frame on all of my windows. I have to rectify that over time. We do want to work on period decor (I just ordered a repro of the decoration of houses) but also update for modern living. No huge swags...even back then decorators said a beautifully made drape could be just that...a panel to be simply pulled over the window when necessary. I plan on something in a rich gold silk brocade with some antique french ribbon and fringe I have on hand and then the linen with an unusual treatment (tuxedo bottom, hard to explain without sounding bad...sheers pleated about a foot of the base of the drape and joined with a silk ribbon and two buttons as decor...to die for gorgeous if that makes sense LOL)

The drafts in this room are immense. We are known as the windiest spot in the town (here and the post office next door). Heavy lined and interlined drapes are a must, even when we get the windows all reglazed. but I'm looking forward to the linen as well during the summer.

And when this is done we have to turn this room into a boy's room LOL ready folks? heh heh
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OK now to look at stourvale mills...is this going to hurt pal? heh heh Thanks all...great ideas and I'll work on them this week! I also purchased paint today in several deep jewel tones. I can't wallpaper with "investment" wall paper until we get the suite remodeled and that's a bit far off (no kitchen...it's a priority).

Oohh, I can't wait to see the mannequin with a vintage wedding dress!

On a more comfort level, how about reconfiguring an armoire to accomodate a mini coffee bar/beverage/snack center? Worst you'd have to do is remove the back panel or cut a hole in it to run your electrical, but I can see this a handy spot to tuck away a mini frig, coffee maker, and/or microwave depending on your proximity to this non-existant kitchen.

I third (fourth, what is it, I've lost count?) the mannequin, but change her out for the seasons for heavens sake, LOL! Wedding dress is perfect for Feb. 14th-ish through June! Gawd! I have the most perfect pair of vintage pajamas that would look ab-fab on that baby during summer! Dress her up for the holidays, natch - way cool! I NEED a mannequin for my Victorian BR, LOL!

Can't wait until you start on that boy's room - this is going to be fun!

You mention drafts....have you invested in spring bronze weather stripping yet? It's super easy to install and will make a huge difference with your old windows and doors. Just about any "old fashioned" hardware store should have it or be able to get it for you...and you can also get it online. No, I'm not affiliated with Kilian's.

Here is a link that might be useful: spring bronze

I love that you can shop in your house! I don't have any suggestions I think you are on the right track. and please next time please feel free to leave the table with the trains on it for the photo shoot- we wont mind!

Thank you so much for your help all! Greenthumb (opposite of my by the way LOL) I have a pretty large collection of antique clothing so i'll be able to change the gal when the mood strikes. I have some beautiful lawn victorian dresses for summer, lovely chiffon capes, rich taffeta, lots of black velvet and ermine...since I don't have a place to wear them it will be fun to display them.

Pat...thanks for the bronze weather stripping. I'm investigating them now. We did just add removable caulking to the bedroom and it made a world of difference. I'm going to add more to the downstairs rooms but wanted to get brown (DH bought white LOL for our brown wood windows). Until we get all these things glazed it's going to be necessary to get creative!

LOL Sue, it is kind of fun to wander the place and find treasure. I found I'm lacking in round or soft edged tables, but other than that, it's quite the pile of fun treasures.

I am going to splash some paint samples on the wall today (the yellow is not working for me). I'm thinking of going really deep and rich in either a green or burgundy until we're able to wallpaper (which will be a while). I just have to find a good brush :oP (I'm obsessed with paint brushes LOL)

So off I go....oh and to find that dummy...I think she's burried under about six feet of fabric!

I think the dog looks perfectly happy with the way it is!

Love some of the suggestions and ideas you're coming up with. Please post pictures. I can hardly wait to see it once you've painted.

Heeeeeeeeeyyyyyy! With a tub in that room -- I'll bet you get LOTS of business from the house tours .... LOL!

And with the mannequin in place -- I wonder if you'll start a few rumors of a resident ghost ..... handy for Halloween! LOL!

Sooooo .... no pinching of cheeks? Hmmmmm .... I do hear that champagne puts the bloom back into a gals' cheeks ..... LOL! Perhaps you could add a champagne bucket and roses and chocolates for the house tour! Heeheehee!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Oh lordy, Igloo, I didn't know you had a water view, too, in addition to everything else in that wonderful place. Well, then, of course you need to face the view, you lucky gal! I do the same here, and people are always asking why some of my chairs face the way they do.....it's all about THE VIEW, which can be delightfully restful. Enjoy!

LOL Jan I'm inviting you over for the next bus stop...I'll send you out to entertain them :oP

Nanny, we are quite spoiled with a fabulous water view at both of our houses (I'm a bit of a water freak LOL...I just like to look at it). You would understand our particular odd decorating style, where every chair has it's back to the door in some rooms LOL (not terribly fung swayed). When you lay on the fainting couch you can't see the tour busses down below :) or the traffic on the street, just the water across the bay and the islands. Maybe if you're lucky a ferry will slip by quietly :) It's very restful...then your 4 year old will start screaming at the dog, and the cat will dash down the hall, knocking over a lamp...and your rest will be over, but that few seconds is so nice....