Blue Room Restoration

RESTORATION HIGHLIGHT – Blue Room, 2024

Beginning in 2020, the restoration team began research ahead of the proposed restoration of the first-floor guest room, identified on the interphone system as the Blue Room. Although wear and tear have been evident in this room for years, restoration efforts were delayed until exterior work took place. Restoration of the North Tower’s exterior (the tower in which this room is located) in early 2020 ensured the interior spaces were weatherproof. This allowed the restoration team to move forward with plans for the interior spaces.

As part of the research phase, Castle staff moved the wardrobe from against the wall to examine the space. This revealed significant water damage, believed to have occurred in the early 1980s. A large section of the plaster wall was reconstructed using period-accurate methods. After the walls were repaired, Mike Sawyer installed an imitation grasscloth wallpaper. This material was chosen to recreate the appearance of the original wallcovering, scraps of which were discovered behind the intercom panel, circa 2014.

Moving the wardrobe also revealed the original trim paint color and floor finish. As there are no known photographs of this room from the Plant period, these physical remnants were invaluable to the restoration effort. Mike Sawyer carefully refinished the entire floor, replicating the original stain color. He also painted the trim to match the original color.

With major interior finishes finalized, it was time to focus on textiles in this bedroom, including the carpet, curtains, and bed linens. Lacking photographs to show us what these items looked like, we relied on home decorating manuals from the 1910s to choose appropriate colors and patterns. Because this space was known as the Blue Room, we opted for colors from that palette.

Finally, we addressed the suite of Tobey Handmade Furniture displayed in this room. Several of the pieces were refinished at an unknown time, but two chairs remained in their original condition. Conservator Michaela Neiro examined the original finish before thoroughly cleaning the chairs. She then adjusted the finish on the remaining furniture to better match the chairs. To finish the project, Neiro polished the silver knobs and drawer pulls, bringing new life to these objects.

The final touch – a bed cover and bolster pillow custom-made by Caldwell Designs (Wolfeboro, NH) – was installed in October 2024, delighting guests and staff with this room’s remarkable transformation.