the belle epoque collection
In my twenties, I lived for a short while in a turn of the century mansion in Houston, Texas. The home was built by the railroad commissioner and upon his passing, left to his daughters, who never married. With no family to inherit the home, it sat languishing in a state of disrepair for years. The firm in charge of it’s sale asked a young agent who worked for them, to take up residence to avoid vandalism. That agent, a friend, asked a select few, including myself and good friend Kellie, to move in for about a year until it went under contract. This home and my amazing time there became the inspiration for my collection “Belle Epoque” for FreeSpirit Fabrics.
For amusement, I created a little poem to give some context to the collection. I imagined a spirit haunting her home who still hosts beautiful parties to the ghosts of the past. I’m not a writer - it was just a fun exercise - so be kind. What I can say is, while I lived there, we had a grand time even though it did feel, at times, a bit haunted. If you are curious, there are more detailed photos of the home’s interior on my instagram. Looking back, I wish I had taken more photos.
The image is the agent’s flyer.
OF NOTE: In the film “Terms of Endearment”, this was the home of Jack Nicholson’s astronaut character. The kitchen and the pool were featured in several scenes that I recall.
The Beautifull Age
Through a gilded gate,
beyond the hillside shaded,
I came upon a grand estate
whose fortunes forever faded.
There, I met a beautiful heir,
in a chateau quite resplendent,
orchestrating a fashionable affair
on which her social standing was dependent.
Presiding over the guest list
with the utmost propriety,
she turns her cheek to be kissed
by the ghosts of high society.
Never to be duplicated,
her gardens are quite exquisite
and the roses so cultivated,
you must pay a visit.
Be prepared to appease, however,
for never will she pardon
those who wish to take selfies
in the vanity garden.
Strolling across the glades,
as moths take their flight,
she discreetly fades
to enchant another night.
The social climbers have now gone,
and the diamonds have turned to dew.
I realize that time marches on
and there’s nothing you can do.
As for the the things of this earth,
no matter how cherished,
their value is of no worth,
because in the end, we all perish.
This has led me to wonder
if our future will be so bright?
While much can go asunder,
let us enjoy every single night.
