On Saturday December 8, 2012 publisher Tess Rosch and photographer Winfield Ross of Early American Life arrived at our house slightly before 8 a.m. They had originally planned to spend most of the day photographing, but due to a snowstorm forecast for Pennsylvania and Ohio the following day, they revised their schedule and cut their visit to us in half so that they could drive back home ahead of the snow. Win and Tess asked for a quick 10 minute tour of the house, then Tess chatted with us as Win moved from room to room with his lights and camera. Tess had previously told me not to bother overly with arranging vignettes throughout the house, since there would be plenty of time on Saturday to arrange items before photographing. Imagine my surprise when she told me everything looked perfect as it was. The only last minute additions necessary were putting out the fresh beeswax candles that I hadn’t gotten to before they arrived, then lighting the candles and a fire in the hearth. Tess cut one of the steamed puddings I had made and arranged a piece on a transferware plate and then we were set to go!
Here are some of my photos taken the day of the photo shoot. They don’t compare to the gorgeous ones Win took, but they will give you an idea of what things looked like outside the frame of his lens. You can read much more detailed captions about the items shown in the photos in the December 2013 issue of Early American Life.

One corner of the parlor houses a walnut cupboard filled with transferwear, early 19th century papier-mache milliner model dolls, and a few of my handmade bears. It is topped by a tin flag box made by David Claggett, that holds Brian’s father’s memorial flag.

Waiting under the Christmas tree are some of my hand made reproduction Izannah Walker dolls and a pair of antique bears.

The fireplace in the parlor was added by previous owners. I grain painted the mantle and surround. Brian gave me the antique Shaker box stove as a present one Christmas. A tiny child size metal carousel horse patiently waits along side the stove…

A French papier-mache doll stands beside a small feather tree filled with some of the spun cotton ornaments that I make.

My youngest son, Colin, painted portraits of himself and his two brothers as a Christmas present to me when he was majoring in Illustration at Pratt.

We assembled this rope bed from various bits and pieces of early 19th century beds, which I unified with grain painting.

A child size C.W. Parker carousel horse that we restored gallops across the Rufus Porter style mural that I painted in the kitchen.

A rare child size M.C. Illions carousel horse stands a top a salmon painted pie safe from Brimfield, MA. The crib quilt behind the horse is French, purchased from an antique shop in Paris.

One of my reproduction Izannah Walker dolls sits on a 19th century drop leaf table, with early salmon paint, along side 19th and early 20th century cloth dolls. C. 1830-1840 milliners models fill the hanging box at the left.
Remember Tess’s comment about the “dust not showing” ??? As you can see, even on a somewhat dreary December day our house is filled with light, so I did have to dust before they arrived!
To be continued… Part 3 The Second Floor
[…] I’ve just posted more photographs from the day of the Early American Life photo shoot at our home last December. Several of the photos show my antique Izannah Walker dolls and my reproductions as well. Click here to see the photos at Paula Walton’s 18th Century Home Journal. […]
[…] I’ve just posted more photographs from the day of the Early American Life photo shoot at our home last December. Several of the photos show some of my spun cotton ornaments. Click here to see the photos at Paula Walton’s 18th Century Home Journal. […]
I loved the pictures of your warm and charming house in Early American Life. Your post, however, was a real treat. What a lovely way to start the day with all those beautiful images floating in one’s head. Thanks for the opportunity to visit you and looking forward to part 3. Oh, by the way, LOVE your Izannah Walker dolls.
Ieva,
Thank you! When I read about a home in a magazine I always wonder what the rest of the room, that I can’t see in the photograph, looks like. So I thought I would post additional photographs for others who share my curiosity about the view beyond the camera lens.
How nice of you to say! The dolls have certainly captured my heart as well and are now working on completely taking over my life 🙂
Paula
Although I just love the article and pictures in Early American Life, I was thrilled to see even more pictures here! Your home is exquisite as are the dolls and bears. How I would LOVE one of your Izannah Walker dolls. Even Izannah would be thrilled with these!!
Billie Aye
Billie,
Thank you! I do so appreciate all your kind words. You are making me blush!
Paula