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PLATFORM 3 : LILYBANK A Victorian Work in Progress
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At the age of 50 I was given a priceless gift from Tim my husband.
A Doll's House Kit. I had longed for a dolls house from an early age, but made do with empty shoeboxes and containers,
such were the constraints on the family budget as I grew up. On opening this
parcel I began a voyage of discovery, not only learning about the Victorian era, but about my talents, my imagination and
myself. I thank Tim for listening and remembering it was one of my wishes and
for granting it.
Lilybanks
An Everyday Journal of a Victorian Dolls House
When Miss Elizabeth Cooper
married
Herbert
Woodwood,
she
knew it was to be a marriage of convenience, but at the age of 23 she had little choice
in the matter. Suffice to say Herbert’s manner grew on Beth and she became very
fond of him. He held a very important job in shipping and was a very well travelled man.
He promised his dear Elizabeth the world, should she marry him, along with a large house in the country, children,
servants, clothes…the list was endless and Beth was seduced into Victorian society.
The
reality of it was, that Herbert took chances and gave up his job, acting upon a new fangled whim, to become a photographer, so as his dream began, Elizabeth’s ended and Mrs Elizabeth Woodwood, moved into a dilapidated
Victorian town house, detached and quite a size considering, but in need of repair, love and attention. Being of a
sunny disposition, she applied herself to the role of Mrs Woodwood eagerly,
and started to create a house to be proud of. She knew it would never be palace, but all that she wanted was a loving home to bring up her family and
invite her friends to.
Elizabeth decided to call her home
Lilybanks
Elizabeth now Mistress of her house, engaged
a stern but efficient Mrs Dibbens, part time, who turned out to be a very good housekeeper and excellent cook. A maid
was also taken on, to help prepare the house for habitation. Mr Woodwood had secured rooms close by whilst the work
was being carried out, but Mistress Elizabeth spent most of her day at Lilybanks with her sleeves rolled up, working alongside
her staff who became very fond of her.
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| Using a kit gives one a blank canvass |
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The first job was to fix lighting throughout and plan rooms. As
staff members would be kept to a minimum the rooms were divided as such Attic Nursery: Attic Hallway: Maid’s Room: Master
Bedroom: Upper Hallway: Second Bedroom/Guest Room: Drawing Room: Main Hallway: Dining Room: Kitchen and Scullery: Basement
Photographic Studio.
Work began in earnest
The floorboards in the attic were made from wallpaper strips, which were painted, glued down and then varnished with French polish.
The maid was not too keen on the polishing but with Mrs Dibbens promising freshly baked bread she was soon a willing helper. The walls were papered with pretty designs to lighten up the small cramped spaces.
Lambrequins were made for the windows to keep out draughts and dress the frames. A fireplace was added in the nursery to keep the planned baby warm.
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| Wiring goes in for that magical touch |
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| Excitement with the nursery preparations |
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Gradually furniture was added to the rooms. The nursery gained a beautiful
crib that had been Miss Elizabeth’s, a rocking chair for nursing the baby. A
marbled top washstand and drawers, toys, rugs and of course a tea tray for afternoon tea.
A small heater was placed in the attic hallway and a lamp.
Mistress Elizabeth wanted her staff to be happy, so created
a plain but comfortable room for the maid. A warm blanket, and hand stitched
quilt, a chair and a chest of drawers and trunk for her belongings. A bible was
placed on the trunk and a candle- light. There was also a jug and bowl for washing, towels and the chamber pot. As a generous perk Mistress Elizabeth allowed her maid a stone hot water bottle and found a spare rug for
her floor- boards.
Mrs Dibbens, stitched a sampler for the wall of the
maid's room and knit a lovely shawl for the coming baby. As the teapot had
a long way to travel up the hallways to the nursery, she also knitted a tea cosy to keep the pot warm.
Mr Woodwood acquired a wonderful rocking horse though no
one ever found out from where! The ladies of the household learned very quickly
not to question the many items that appeared but just to accept them graciously, be it a plump chicken for dinner or a toy
for the nursery. Herbert was not only charming, but also persuasive!
Careful decoration of the walls, plus the family furniture
that came with Elizabeth’s dowry soon made the room quite comfortable. The
lighting was a great success and Mrs Dibbens was forever looking up in amazement as the bowls of lights glowed. Unpacking various pictures and frames added a personal touch to the room. The fire
was a welcomed addition to this draughty house. It was not long before the The
Master was called to look at a nasty stain on the ceiling that was creeping down the wall.
He readily agreed that there was a problem with the roof and a man must be found to fix it. Then he disappeared into the basement until lunch!
Mistress Elizabeth set to in distressing and painting
the furniture as only Victorians could, with layer upon layer. She also spent many an evening stitching a quilt to cover their
bed. Tiny scraps of fabric from old garments and an endless supply
from Mrs Dibbens were lovingly pieced until the quilt was complete. Mr Woodwood
was quite moved by the wonderful work that his wife had put in on such a cover. He promised to look for that man to fix the
roof!
The upper hallway was tackled next. It was obvious that the plaster was old, the walls uneven but Mistress Beth knew how to turn bad into good
and poor into rich. She worked tirelessly trying to create a home for her husband
and future baby. The arrival of the stair carpet caused quite a stir in the street,
as it was obvious as soon as the horse and cart arrived at the steps that the driver had been frequenting the local hostelry. He was a jolly enough chap by the name of Jasper Riggs and Mistress Beth was to grow
accustomed to his arrival with many an article.
The funniest moment must have been when Beth
asked Jasper Riggs to carry the pretty thing upstairs and he swept the poor maid off her feet and climbed the stairs
two at a time. Mrs Diggens was quick to make him carry the carpeting upstairs
and the maid was banished giggling to the kitchen. More home comforts
were unpacked, including family portraits, and never a day went by without Mr
Woodwood adding to the knick- knacks from who knows where. His crowning glory
was a very large mirror that had belonged to a Madam Zaltry who apparently confessed to being an out of work dancing tutor.
Of course Mrs Dibbens had seen her type before but knew her place and said nothing. The mirror was hung in the upper hallway
where the maid was forever gazing at herself as she moved up and down the stairs.
A large aspidistra soon helped to block her view and put a stop to the vanity.
It was at this point that Baby Charlotte Woodwood was born and all worked stopped on the house. There was much cooing and gooing and gradually Mistress Elizabeth felt strong enough
to continue her mission to finish Lilybanks. A note was dispatched with Jasper
Riggs to both Mrs Dibbens and the maid to return to duties immediately. Now here
hangs a tale so make yourselves a cup of tea.
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| Milly Mullin's own room |
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| At home she shared with her 10 siblings |
| A Quilt for the maid |
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| A Matching cushion too...luxury |
By the time the Master Bedroom was to be tackled Mistress Elizabeth was already with child and Herbert totally smitten
with the whole idea. He was so proud of his dear “Beth” and promised
to try and raise more money to move the project along.
| The Main Bedroom |
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| A Place for Mistress Beth to rest amidst the tormoil |
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| The Hallway with its Mirror |
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| Pretty as a picture Mistress Elizabeth |
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| The arrival of Miss Charlotte to Lilybanks |
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When Mistress Beth arrived back at Lilybanks, Mrs Dibbens was in the middle of a right good muster and
there was much flapping of gums as the maid had gone missing! Mistress B went
below stairs to speak with Mrs Dibbens and over a pot of tea and toasted muffins discussions were held as what to do.
Mrs Dibbens, sensibly suggested that the attention
of Peeler Mullins the local bobby should be called for and advice sought. Now
Peeler Mullins was always ready for one of cook’s muffins and generously came below stairs to rest his trungeon.
Apparently there had been quite a rumpus at the music- hall along the street, the acting troop had fled during
the night leaving unpaid bills. The stage manager was baying for blood! Worse was to follow the maid had fallen head over heels in love with the leading man
Archie Sunshine and had eloped with him heading who knows where to spend the rest of her days living out of a suitcase. The contents of the house were checked, nothing taken, gossip could be kept to a minimum
and Peeler Mullins knew just the replacement! His eldest daughter Milly Mullins, just ready for service and a willing well
mannered girl to boot. Mrs Dibbens and Beth agreed it was the perfect solution.
Peeler Mullins assured them that Milly was quite used to babies having 10 younger siblings and astounded him by the amount
of laundry she could push through the streets on the old perambulator!
Mrs Dibbens sorted out apple peelings, potatoes and a plum pudding to sweeten Mrs Mullins and this secured the
service of one Milly Mullins. It was also noted that Mrs Dibbens could always bring the perfect shine to Peeler Mullin’s
whistle and was ever ready to give it a good rub! He was to become a frequent
visitor to the house.
As if one lot
of excitement were not enough there was more to follow! The arrival of Baby Charlotte, caused quite a stir in the neighbourhood
as babies often do. Her arrival into the world, expediated a visit from none
other than Mrs Calloway and her daughter Louise Calloway. Yes the sister and
niece of Herbert himself. Poor Beth was thrown into turmoil as there was no parlour
or dining room finished, and the guest room had been frequented by the Master himself, since his daughters birth to allow
his dear wife to nurse in peace. Although most comfortable it was hardly ready
for the widow of the Eminent Charles Calloway!
Poor Milly, was
ordered to give the room a “proper” doing out, even under the bed. The
Best towels were placed on the lovely fitments, the hipbath moved into the corner and a fire lit in readiness. A bed was made up in the nursery for Louise and a wicker crib borrowed from a friend of Mrs Dibbens for
the short duration of their stay.
Herbert was a little put out, but realised his dear Beth
had enough to cope with, without his grumbling and headed off to send a message to his Belle.
Once a date for their arrival had been arranged,
Mrs Dibbens organised Milly and Jasper and indeed the Master himself, and before long they had washed and scrubbed all the
crockery and glassware for the dining room.
Furniture arrived once more on the cart driven
by Jasper and was carefully put into place. Numerous packing crates were emptied
and Mrs Dibbens on more than one occasion was heard to express her opinion as to if it would all fit in! Of course it all went in and the room truly looked a picture and poor Mistress Beth was quite overcome
with it all and tearful at best.
Mrs Dibbens looked forward to seeing her sumptuous meals displayed upon the finery.
The Chandelier was a masterpiece that Mr Woodwood acquired from a small hotel that was refurbishing at the time….well
that is how the story goes.
“Most splendid” was his opinion…”Most Splendid”
The Parlour was a different kettle of fish all
together! Much of Mrs Woodwood’s time was taken with Little Charlotte,
who was a darling it has to be said! Milly was most helpful of course and Mrs
Dibbens although always busy in one way or another always found time for Miss Charlotte.
Mr Wood wood was away most of the day and sometimes in the evening too, so it was difficult to get the parlour anywhere
near ready for the visit of Mrs Calloway. Of course Belle quite understood this
and took to organising the others in her stride. Jasper, never afraid of hard
work and glad of a good meal often was found preparing walls and doing whatever the Mistress asked of him. Mrs Dibbens had a soft spot for Jasper too, not that she would ever admit it! However it was Belle Calloway that totally stole the young man’s heart! He hung on her every word and within days of her arrival the parlour truly began to take shape.
Belle truly cut a romantic figure sat in the window, the light surrounding her as she stitched
curtains for Beth and Herbert. One word from Belle and Jasper was moving furniture
from one room to another without a second thought.
Before long the parlour was
as inviting as the rest of the house, and Lilybanks finally became a home not a house.
Belle even found it in her heart to help her brother prepare and move into his study come studio in the basement. Jasper
again played a large part in moving the endless back drops and boxes of books, props and photos to the said room. He
knew better than to mention the risque pictures peeking out from some of the boxes.
Of course the ladies could never understand the chaos that Herbert worked in and after having their portraits done declared
the room out of bounds...much to the relief of Herbert himself.
Mistress Beth declared that Lilybanks would play host to them all and they would dine in style. Jasper and Milly stayed below stairs to help Mrs Dibbens, but they were rewarded with superb food and lovely
wine and beer for their troubles. It was muted in the neighbourhood that much
singing was heard in the early hours of the morning from below stairs. Mrs Calloway
went to bed long after the others and with flushed cheeks mounted the stairs humming the popular songs of the day! Mrs Dibbens was persuaded to stay in Milly’s bed, and Milly slept on the nursery floor. Jasper left in the early hours with a broad smile on his face and a trace of a kiss upon his cheek and
the memory of a soft and lingering perfume of a fine lady.
Lilybanks soon settled into daily life with its ups and
downs. Built with love, passions shared, many more tales were to emerge before
Lilybanks was done!
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