Belmont Mansion Transformations

Are you a fan of Fixer Upper? Home Town? Then I have a home transformation I’d love to share with you!

I posted a few weeks back about the restoration of the grand salon floor at Nashville’s historic Belmont Mansion—the setting of my Belmont Mansion novels.

Here’s a shot of the grand salon floor as they were just about to start the project. They gave us a glimpse of the floor at that current time, and then the floor as it would be.

The floor is now completed and it’s gorgeous—just like it was in Adelicia Acklen’s day.

I really appreciate how Belmont Mansion left a “wood portion” of the floor to show exactly where the stairs leading down to the kitchen used to be. Readers of my novels who visit the mansion are always asking the question “But where are the stairs to the kitchen?” Because, of course, in the novels the stairs are there and fully functional.

Before Belmont Mansion “marbelized” the grand salon floor, they painted the new wooden floor black. (And never fear, Adelicia’s original floor is safely preserved underneath the new one.)

Artists then came along and painted the white squares and added the faux marbling. What painstaking work! Both in the 19th century and the 21st!

“The marble technique that’s being applied to the newly painted floor is based on the original patterns. We photographed each square where a pattern was still visible and artisans are replicating those patterns. Staying true to the techniques of 1860 is a trick for our 2019 painters, as what we’re accustomed to painting today is more sophisticated than what the Acklens had in 1860.” (Excerpt from Belmont Mansion’s Facebook page)

Finally, a special reception was held recently in honor of the completion of the floor, and Joe and I attended. It’s always a pleasure to be in Adelicia’s home. I’m pictured below with Jerry Trescott, Belmont Mansion’s architectural historian and my dear friend. (And yes, Joe instructed me to move over a few inches in order to keep this picture from being rated PG-13 <g>).

Mark Brown (pictured below on the right) is Belmont Mansion’s Executive Director and is also someone I’m blessed to call “friend.” I could not have written these books with such historical accuracy without him! Hugs to you Mark and Jerry!

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Lastly, I was able to run down to Atlanta to see Dad this past weekend for Father’s Day. It’s a slow downward spiral with dementia, as you know, which, yes, is heartbreaking. But there are also moments of real joy—and this was one of them last weekend.

We were sitting at the dinner table laughing about old memories and sharing in table fellowship with his buddies. I always love my visits there with him. And I adore his table buddies Bill, LeRoy, Frank and Ron and their sweet wives (who don’t live there but visit every day).

Finally, a prayer request…
I’m currently working hard to finish Carnton book 2—it’s due July 1. So if you happen to think of me, I’d really appreciate your prayers as I wrap up my 17th first draft!

Much love,
Tammy

For all you pet lovers . . .
#MurphyBaileyCam

Shortly after they got home from being groomed, bandanas were cast off and much sleeping—and writing—ensued! : )