Odd question, bear with me

[SIR WILLIAM]

I am renovating my house from basement to roof.  I wonder where I could find plans or information on closets/wardrobes that are period?  Anybody have any sources for period indoor plumbing?

[El Peludo]

Without knowing where you're located, I offer this:  If you live in an area that has a lot of older victorian era homes and neighborhoods, you may find a lot of info at your local historical and preservation groups.  If not, there is always Yahoo Search, Google, and a wealt of stuff on the internet.

As a note of personal observation: there was not much in the way of built in storage used at that time in history; most wardrobes were large free standing pieces of furniture, for example, and indoor plumbing was not even commonplace in the finest of homes, until well into the early twentieth century.

[St. George]

El Peludo's on the money.

Clothing was rotated from attic trunk to wardrobe as seasons changed and the truth of the matter was that folks didn't own as many clothes as we do today.

Room dividers were often screens.

Your main sink most likely would feature a pump handle, and if you had an indoor bathroom - the tank would be one of those types seen that were high on the wall with a long pipe - adding water pressure - the type associated with the term "Water Closet".

There are all sorts of good references in any good-sized City Library - from original floor plans to room decoration.
Old house restorations was one of those things that came into its own in the late '80's and there are numerous reprinted catalogs and books available - and they also reproduced the necessary hardware for pretty much everything.

Good Luck.



Scouts Out!

[Silver Creek Slim]

My house got it's first Wasserkloset in 1992. The house is over 60 years old.

Slim

[SIR WILLIAM]

English homes had cisterns in the box room. (attic)  The british were late in adopting hygiene.  The toilet was found early indoors in the UK.  I am going to go with two period baths.  One up and one down.  I am going to look at tearing out the double closets in the bedroom and installing period clothes storage.  I found these sites.  www.antiquehardware.com  www.tubmagic.com  www.vandykes.com  www.mozeke.com  www.stickley.com 

[Brazos Bucky Smith]

  1992!  Slim don't be tellin us your buns got frosted in the winter in Vissconson?  You'd need that brandin' iron warm just to be able to go!

BB

[Delmonico]

Anybody fraid ta use a privy in the winter be a sissy.  Besides that they be safer in the winter, no snakes, spiders or wasps, I hate wasps.  Specially when they buzz up tween yer legs while you be pooping.     (Slim said we could say poop,)

[SIR WILLIAM]

I believe the ladies always referred to it as "Going to see the hollyhocks."

[Delmonico]

My Grandma on my Mother's side always went out to visit the Jonse's. 

[Silver Creek Slim]

1992!  Slim don't be tellin us your buns got frosted in the winter in Vissconson?  You'd need that brandin' iron warm just to be able to go!

BB

I didn't live there before that, but my wife's family did. They had a chamber pot besides the privy.

Slim

[Silver Creek Slim]

Anybody fraid ta use a privy in the winter be a sissy.  Besides that they be safer in the winter, no snakes, spiders or wasps, I hate wasps.  Specially when they buzz up tween yer legs while you be pooping.     (Slim said we could say poop,)

That is okay. But, saying "crap" is stepping over the line. Oops.   

Slim

[Delmonico]

Hey that reminds me, sometimes folks are in here looking at enemalware and ask if any one makes chamber pots.  If anyone knows of a source I would be glad to pass it on to folks.

Psst.  Don't tell anyone but I see a lot of chamber pots in Teepee's, Mountianmen and their wive's must be gettin' to old ta venture out at night.

[Silver Creek Slim]

I wouldn't doubt that. 

Slim