Baraboo?s House of Seven Gables, located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, dates from 1860. It has been recognized as an outstanding example of Gothic Revival or Carpenter Gothic architecture. The basic design was likely derived from the pattern books authored by Victorian architectural and landscape tastemaker, Andrew Jackson Downing. The builder also may have been influenced by homes designed by Alexander Jackson Davis of Hudson River valley fame. It is a true ?Gingerbread House? with board and batten siding, steeply pitched gables with ornamental bargeboards and drop pendants as well as elaborate peaked finials.
The interior of the rambling 17 room home is embellished exclusively with high quality antique furnishings from the 1850 to 1880 period. The current owners, Ralph & Pamela Krainik, have called Seven Gables home for over forty years. They have undertaken an intensive restoration of the interior including gothic revival wall coverings, ceiling treatments, authentic faux graining on woodwork and floors as well as period lighting, including a number of Bradley-Hubbard fixtures. The den features a faux grained mantle and wall murals dating from 1932 depicting area scenery. The elegant parlor has a marble mantle and Downing ceiling molding treatment.
Extensive restoration of the spacious Terrell Thomas room has recently been completed. The room features Bradbury & Bradbury wall and ceiling papers with an authentic 1850 Gothic Revival pattern on the walls. The focal point of the furnishings is a ten foot tall Renaissance Revival bedroom suite likely made by the leading designer of the period, Thomas Brooks.
Color analysis of the exterior paint was performed in summer of 2006. Based on that study, a complete exterior paint restoration was accomplished by fall. The result is an color scheme featuring these authentic early Victorian paints: Renwick Beige, Rookwood Brown, Rookwood Dark Brown, accented by Renwick Rose Beige and Downing Straw.
Seven Gables has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been cited by the Historic House Association of America and the by the Sauk County Historical Society for its unique architecture. The home has also been featured on TV and in Country Living Magazine and the Old House Journal.
Gothic Revival
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Victorian Homes & Buildings thread on victorianforum.com · started October 29, 2007 by downing · 4 posts, 5 image attachments · discussion in 2007–2008.
Baraboo?s House of Seven Gables, located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, dates from 1860. It has been recognized as an outstanding example of Gothic Revival or Carpenter Gothic architecture. The basic design was likely derived from the pattern books authored by Victorian architectural…
We like it! Very nice inside and out. This is a prime example of a home that makes me LOVE Victorian. Frankly, Gothic is not my favorite Victorian style. I love it, but it's not my favorite. (I mentioned in another thread that my wife and I just built an Italinate.) BUT, this house has more character in its bay window than most houses possess, period. This is a home to be proud of. I appreciate your sharing the pics. Thanks.
This house is beautiful. I was reminded of a website of wonderful Victorian art wallpaper when looking at the pictures posted. Here's the link - thought people might enjoy... http://www.bradbury.com/index.html
Gorgeous home! You hav`nt missed a detail.