I’ll Take This: House that Silver Built

I grew up in a neighbourhood where all of the houses were built right around 1900, really a golden era in building and architecture. The houses where I lived were filled with beautiful detailing and special touches. So when I see one that’s gone on the market, I try and find the images of the inside so I can see what still remains.

This house, on one of the prettiest streets in the area, has just gone on the market, and I must say, it’s one I’ve always loved.

It’s called Chrogi, after one of the early owners, Gideon Stieff’s three sons, Charles, Rodney and Gideon. If the name Stieff is familiar to you, they were one of the premier silver-making companies in the US during the 20th century.

The current owners have kept the house in beautiful condition, and any work they’ve done to it has been sympathetic to its original style.

The Stieff family lived in this house for more than 50 years, with children and cousins living close by. In fact, another house formerly owned by this family is also on the market. I wrote about it here.

Back to Chrogi…Wood paneled library with leaded glass windows! Be still my heart!

More leaded glass windows and wonderful high ceilings. (not crazy about the light though.)

The kitchen’s obviously recent, and they did a fine job. It never would have been this nice when the house was built, what with the arches and the columns… a kitchen was for the cook!

At first glance, I thought the walls were heavily veined marble, but then I realized they were toile. I am wondering if the sink might be original, with the towel bars on the sides. I love the sconces and the beadboard.