I found these 120-year-old photos of a mystery house in Queens and I’m obsessed
We do not actually know who lived here. These photos were taken over a century ago by a photographer named Jacob Wieners, and the archive just lists it as the Burke Residence. Let’s look at how people actually styled their spaces back then.
The main dining room
You walk in and it is a showcase of Victorian design. The sheer amount of pattern is dizzying, but somehow it works.
Look at the dining table itself. The legs are scrolls with deep carvings that look like they could support a bridge.
The plant corner
Victorians were completely obsessed with houseplants, and this corner shows it off. It looks like a rubber plant and a spider plant getting some light by the curtains.
Near the window, there is a chest of drawers. The wood grain on this piece is incredibly rich.
On top of that chest, they have a mirror that reflects the light from the window, along with a collection of pitchers.
Plaster and brass
The light fixture is a serious piece of metalwork. It has these delicate ribbed shades pointing downwards.
If you look up, the ceiling has these subtle, elegant scrolls molded right into the plaster.
Clever zoning
They used this folding screen with a sunburst design at the top to block off the doorway. It is a brilliant way to create privacy without putting up a heavy door.
The fabric on the screen is pleated, which softens all the heavy wood around it.
The woodwork
The sideboard on the left is a beast of a furniture piece. The relief carvings on the cabinet doors are ridiculously detailed.
The top half of the sideboard has a built-in clock and columns that look like they belong on a temple.
Next to it sits a display cabinet packed with decanters and crystal glasses. They definitely liked to entertain.
Looking through the archway
This is my favorite view. The wooden archway frames the view into the next room, creating this incredible depth.
The woodwork on those arches must have taken months to complete.
On the right side of the arch, there is a cabinet with fabric-backed doors. It holds their fancy porcelain.
Art and fixtures
The art choices are so specific. You have a print of a stork on one wall and a painting of hanging fish on the other.
Under the art is another smaller sideboard loaded with pitchers and decanters.
The chandelier in this second room is slightly different, featuring more vertical metal elements.
I actually found the old manufacturer catalog drawing for this exact light fixture. It is neat to see how it was advertised.
The billiard room
These wooden arches are spectacular. They define the transition between the formal dining area and the recreation space.
If you look past the palm, you can see the edge of a table in the next room.
It turns out they had a billiard table in the back room. Imagine hanging out here on a Friday night in 1900.
