Come on in!

So, what happened to 2021? It seemed to literally fly by. Dan might not agree, but I think the work at Charles is doing the same. We toured the home in mid-April and agreed to buy it. The paperwork started. And continued… and continued…and the deal was set to expire, so the contract was extended. And just as we had swallowed hard, accepted defeat and set our sights to a new project in Spearfish Canyon… the stars aligned and the closing happened. That was at the end of June.

Various exterior projects started almost immediately. Construction debris needed to be sorted and carted off. The rear foundation had never been enclosed and the site was littered with beams, lumber and huge rocks piled from excavation. Years of tall grasses and weeds made it hard to see what was actually there. The creek had been overgrown by our own volunteer trees and those broken on the other side. In the front of the house, the canted corner foundation had not been completed either, leaving our neighbor’s driveway to begin sinking. That was repaired before the closing, but the backfill needed to be done, and something temporary had to be put in place to keep the adult-beverage-imbibing-tourists from literally falling into our basement. This was just a lot of thankless hard work. But we buttoned her up well enough and once family and friends left after rally, it was go time.

In the previous posts, you’ve seen the transformation from junk yard and dilapidated shack to a work in progress with the new porch, ball & stick trim work, the new fenced courtyard, fancy new front door, crown/weathervane and eyelashes/curved shingles. Today, a little over 7 months since we bought Charles, she’s becoming an asset to the community. Dan was able to secure the foundation, and all is enclosed. With the help of a handy mini excavator, he relocated those huge boulders, backfilled the foundation and graded the yard! For the first time in 15+ years, the home is sitting firmly on her foundation, and you can walk from the back door to the creek. That, while not glamorous, is a miracle all by itself. And, when all of this was going on, there was work being done inside too.

As you know, a stairway had to be relocated to the 3rd floor, the main staircase needs to be repaired and the stairs to the basement were added. Ceilings were leveled to 9 foot. Walls were straightened and doorways added or improved. Lath & plaster has been removed and floors swept. In a HOORAY moment, I got Dan to agree that we will save the floors in the dining room and kitchen, and I’m hoping for the landing, master bedroom and one guest room. They’ll be restored to their wide yellow pine glory. Unfortunately, the living, foyer, second hallway, guestroom/bath and main bath will need to be replaced, but I am thrilled to keep half of the main floor and half of the upstairs. Electricians have been working on locating outlets and fixtures. I brought the kitchen and dining fixtures with me and we had a “get on that ladder and hold them” session so I could decide for certain which ones go where. I’m super excited to finally be able to use the vintage Virden fixtures I’ve been collecting for several years. They will be going in the dining room, kitchen and laundry. I also will be bringing the A&C leaded fixtures from the Geneva Bank to grace the living room, as well as a stellar stairway fixture that came from All Things Consignment in Geneva. I happened upon an amazing etched glass fixture for the front foyer and I have gorgeous pan lights from various auctions to round out the upstairs. The interior doors were in sad shape, but we saved the amazing doorknobs and they’ll go back in to new, panel appropriate doors. We’ve drawn lines on the floor to indicate where beds, the 72″ soaking tub and walk in shower will be, and we meet with our HVAC team today with an anticipated start date of next Monday! MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄 Charles needs 2 separate heating/cooling systems, so we’re hoping our go-to-guy Maverick can get 2 crews in here working on both at the same time. After that, our electrician will be ready to dedicate the crew to Charles. So, in best laid plans, by my half-birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, we should be insulated and ready for rock. Rock on!

I’m also super stoked to be incorporating other architectural finds. So far, we’ll be adding plinth blocks from a mansion in Arkansas, corbels & porch trim from Old Cottonwood in Utica, an intricate archway from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Friend, oak A&C screen panels my friend Sid, at Conner’s Restoration in Lincoln, collected newel posts and an awesome transition piece for the hall doorway. An enormous brass towel rack from a hotel in Kansas City, which I’ve moved from a previous house and have had stored, as well as a unique brass shaving shelf from a rail car (also stored) and the gift of the brass towel bar from our family farm (thanks little brother) are all coming into our main bath… I’ll keep digging, because in all honesty I’m a little bit of a hoarder when it comes to architectural stuff.

This has been a fast year. It has been a year of changes and challenges. Certainly, one of complicated and costly decisions. We have lost loved ones, but we’ve gained new friends too. All in all it has been a fantastic year! I’ve said it before, but I am so lucky to have Dan’s support and talent. I am grateful for my life in Nebraska, but truly Deadwood feels more like home every time I get to return and every time I walk in the front door at Charles, I see the home finished with all of my treasures and keepsakes comfortably living in their new places. And on a blustery and snowy day, I can imagine the fireplaces glowing, the Christmas tree sparkling at the top of the basement stairs, and the staircase adorned with garland. Next Christmas Charles. It is looking promising. And as fast as the years pass, it will be here before we know it!

So, for now, won’t you COME ON IN!