ASH LAMINATE FLOORING

Gilded Mansions: Grand Architecture and High Society

A lavishly illustrated history of the opulent art and architecture of the Gilded Age.
The Gilded Age (1865–1918) saw the sudden rise of America's first High Society, including such prominent families as the Astors, Whitneys, and Vanderbilts. As an aristocracy based on fortunes recently acquired, these families endeavored to live like Europe's blue-blooded nobility, shedding Puritan restraint as they joyously flaunted their new wealth—especially where their homes were concerned.
They erected French chateaus and Italian palazzos on New York's Fifth Avenue, at Newport, and elsewhere, often taking inspiration from Parisian styles of the Second Empire. They rejected more modest American styles just as they rejected middle-class society, and for interior decoration they turned to such artisans as Tiffany, Herter Brothers, and Allard's of Paris.
Immensely readable and illuminated with 250 stunning color and black-and-white illustrations, this is the fascinating story of America's first millionaire society, the way they lived and partied, and the lush artistic and cultural legacy they established.
100 color, 150 black-and-white

Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is where I take my water colour painting classes here in Toronto.

Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is a vibrant arts hub housed in a historic mansion. Built as a family home in 1912, Cedar Ridge is surrounded by lush gardens and scenic woods with a variety of walking trails.

The main house features the beautiful Cedar Ridge Gallery, which encompasses much of the lower floor including the library, living room, dining room and solarium. Innovative art exhibitions featuring a variety of media are held in the gallery from September to June.

The upper floor of the house, as well as the adjacent Carriage House, consists of working studio spaces where engaging hands-on creative arts programs are offered for all ages. Every year more than 1,000 adults enjoy the benefits of the low student/teacher ratio and highly qualified instructors.

Hundreds of children and youth attend classes as well as annual day camps at Cedar Ridge, such as the Expressions Summer Art Camp and the Artstravaganza March Break Camp.

A Brief History:

In 1968, The Guildwood School of Arts and Crafts was founded by Barbara Jean Rodgers, under the patronage of Rosa and Spencer Clark. The school operated out of Corycliffe Lodge and the Log Cabin on the grounds of the Guild Inn. The school was a tremendous success and soon the buildings at the Guild couldn't accommodate the numbers requesting classes. Bethune House, a City of Scarborough owned building, was available and the school relocated, changing its name to Guildcrest Studios. In 1972, Guildcrest Studios, with a membership of over 500, became a federally chartered non-profit organization.

In 1976, plans were underway to enlarge the Bethune location to provide more studio space. However, in 1977, with the recent death of John Fraser, his estate ' Cedar Ridge' was acquired by the City of Scarborough through a land swap with Metropolitan Toronto. The Guildcrest Studios were invited by the City of Scarborough to redirect their fundraising activities to renovate Cedar Ridge, an opportunity to develop a gallery as well as teaching studios. The beauty of the original home was retained in the main floor gallery space. The upper floor and basement area were developed into studio spaces. Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery operated the gallery and studios from 1978 to 1985. In 1986, the City of Scarborough took over the daily operations of the Creative Centre. Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery, with a Board of Directors, has remained at the Creative Centre as a volunteer organization in support of the Creative Centre with a mandate to promote the visual arts and crafts in the community.
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Carriage House Studios

The original estate included a gardener's cottage and a chauffeur's cottage, with attached three bay garage and stables for three horses. The garage was rebuilt in the 1930s after a fire had destroyed the original building.

In 1993, Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery took up the challenge to raise funds to renovate the chauffeur's cottage, garage and stables into working studio space. In 1996, the building was renamed 'Carriage House Studios', and it was officially opened by the Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Hal Jackman. The studios offer a healthy, inviting and inspirational setting for artists.

The Maurice W. Levy Mansion at 204 N. Topeka in Wichita, KS was designed & built by William Henry Sternberg (1832-1906). Mr. Levy was President of the Wichita National Bank when this was built (1887). It was a double-walled brick residence with fancy castelated brick work under the second story eaves and fancy corbelled chimney flues. One half-moon window (on the third floor) over looks the front of the house. This half-moon window is reminiscent of the single half-moon window (also on the 3rd floor) of Sternberg Mansion - only one and on the 3rd floor. Reports are that is was elegant and very spacious on inside. Sternberg and his crews were the only ones during this time with the skill level to create such fancy brick work including venting clay flue pipe around a functional windows in the middle of a chimney column. The bay landing in the main staircase is wide enough for hinged side windows.

Tabitha Williams doubles as a punching bag every time her boyfriend drinks one too many. When she stabs him and flees to her mother’s house with her three-year-old daughter, she thinks it’s finally over. Unfortunately, the drama has just begun! “Will she find the courage to leave him for good? And will he let her?” Lisa Perkins is the “strong one,” or at least that’s what Tabitha and Shanice think. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When she leaves her home after her mother refuses to believe that her stepfather has raped and impregnated her, she thinks that distance will solve everything. She finds that she couldn’t be more wrong. Shanice Thomas is giving teenage rebellion a whole new meaning. Her mother recently found Christ, and the party that was Shanice’s life is apparently over. Thrust into situations she isn’t equipped to handle, Shanice suddenly finds herself learning painful new lessons about the consequences of sleeping around.

Tabitha Williams doubles as a punching bag every time her boyfriend drinks one too many. When she stabs him and flees to her mother’s house with her three-year-old daughter, she thinks it’s finally over. Unfortunately, the drama has just begun! “Will she find the courage to leave him for good? And will he let her?” Lisa Perkins is the “strong one,” or at least that’s what Tabitha and Shanice think. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When she leaves her home after her mother refuses to believe that her stepfather has raped and impregnated her, she thinks that distance will solve everything. She finds that she couldn’t be more wrong. Shanice Thomas is giving teenage rebellion a whole new meaning. Her mother recently found Christ, and the party that was Shanice’s life is apparently over. Thrust into situations she isn’t equipped to handle, Shanice suddenly finds herself learning painful new lessons about the consequences of sleeping around.