wrvd.net – Victorian architecture, gingerbread, and antiques. Ghost logs, Native American Indian burial grounds and encampments, and Underground Railroad. Plush towels and carpets. Patchwork quilts and sateen sheets. Wi-Fi, big screen, and sound system. Huge front porch overlooking Lake Belleview, gardens, and a trickling fountain. Arbors, old-fashioned vines and bushes, hummingbirds, and the sound of geese, and owls at night. Easy access to the State’s network of hiking and biking trails, only 2 blocks from your front door.
Once you have driven up the driveway and walked through the arbor and courtyard, go up the steps and follow the curving sidewalk to the 65-foot wraparound front porch. Open the gingerbread storm door and enter through the oval-beveled-glass door. You will find yourself in a warm and cozy front entry, complete with an antique built-in buffet and hardwood floor. Your feet will sink into the entry’s throw rug, while you look out at the gingerbread framing the entrances to the living room and kitchen beyond.
Entering the 15 x 17 living room with its large bay window, the hardwood floor is covered with an opulent Indian rug, and the inviting overstuffed couch and lounge furniture stretch out in front of you. The small “cuddle couch” is a double recliner, perfect for snuggling up with your special someone while you enjoy a movie or concert on the huge widescreen TV with the magnificent sound system. Did I mention that the drapes are soundproofing and complete blackout drapes? Or you could just explore the 16 feet of oak bookshelves, filled with everything from romance novels (bottom shelf in the corner) to fine classics (on the far right). There are even enough cookbooks (antique and new) to keep you busy in the kitchen for much longer than a week. There’s a section by noted paranormal author Sylvia Brown, and lots of books on nice-to-knows and non-fiction.
If you wander into the 15 x 17 kitchen, there is a table with leaves that will expand to fit 8. Or maybe you might just like to eat on the porch. There are 2 Adirondack chairs, 2 benches, 2 ice cream tables with 8 chairs, and even a porch swing. Every item you need to cook is in the kitchen. Pots and pans, large and small, 2 drawers for utensils, towels, hot pads, some sundry spices, salt and pepper, etc. There is a complete service of plates, bowls, glassware, and silverware for at least 8. There are also wine and beer glasses. Appliances include a commercial blender, drip coffeemaker, coffee bean grinder, garbage disposal, dishwasher, reverse osmosis drinking water, 5-burner gas range, microwave, refrigerator with icemaker and cold water dispenser. There is also a Professional Kitchen Aid mixer with ice cream maker and slicing attachments. The kitchen is well equipped.
The bathroom (10 x 13) is decorated in true Victorian style. It has a cast iron claw foot tub which is a double-ended slipper tub. The brass faucet with sprayer is in the center of the tub. A large step-in shower with glass door makes bathing also quick and convenient when need be. A beautiful pedestal sink faces an antique Eastlake chest of drawers, filled to overflowing with sumptuous bath sheets, hand towels, and wash cloths. There is even a small bench for sitting on one side.
Leading down the hallway past the hardwood raining to the basement, the bedrooms wait for a peaceful night or evening relaxing. Each bedroom is a specific color and is unique in and of itself.
The first bedroom on the right is the Pink Room. It is especially feminine with its ornate armoire and lace curtains behind the headboard. The stained glass lamps are unusual and loaded with personality. As do the other bedrooms, the Pink Room has a ceiling fan with overhead shades, hand painted with pink roses. There is a small pink-striped side chair and a table beside it. The night stands are actually bachelor’s chests for additional storage in the 12 x 13 room.
The next room on the right is the 11 x 17 Green Room, which is a bit more masculine in flavor. It has an antique head and footboard, and the head of the bed is graced with 3 Normal Rockwell prints which show various men in different accounting or bookkeeping activities. Other framed artwork in the room includes some from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Ireland. A table and chair provide a relaxing retreat from the hub-bub. Here are also stained glass lamps sitting on the sides of the bed. There is also a ceiling fan with light. This room, along with the Pink Room, overlooks the porch and the lake beyond.
The last of the 3 bedrooms is across the hallway, and it is the Purple Room. This room is also 11 x 17 like the Green Room, and even though it has only 2 single windows, it has become the favorite of the visitors and relatives in our family. The antique armoire in the corner was a special labor of love for Jim, the owner, when he rescued the piece from a church resale shop. After some fixing, it has become a star in the room. The vanity and mirror just fit, and the chair in the corner sits below an antique quilt block rescued from an ancestor’s family homestead. The head and footboard on the bed are antique. The chests on the sides of the bed provide for more storage, as well as sporting 2 of our favorite stained glass lamps.
Visit our website for more details about our vacation home: wrvd.net.
