By Paul and Eileen (house and garden editor) @Blogfinger  (This very special article was originally posted on June 8, 2010 on the first anniversary of Blogfinger.  Our plan to do a series of interiors in the Grove failed because very few homeowners offered to let us in.  If any of you would like us to report on your interior, let us know.  It’s OK, I am a doctor.)

Our featured Ocean Grove home is an 1875 Victorian which was acquired by the current owners in 1994. At that time, it had been neglected, but many of the original features inside remained, including furnishings, pine floors, wood mouldings and trim, decorative fretwork, and vintage objects.  The home had been built for a wealthy family, and in this tour, we are taking a close look at the maid’s quarters on the second floor.

In the maid’s kitchen was an old Vulcan stove and a fridge from the 1950’s.  The kitchen table, perhaps from the ’40’s  was left by the prior owner as were all the little accessories. The maid accessed the kitchen from her bedroom, so that was convenient for midnight snacks.

Her bedroom and living room were bright and cheerful.  Hanging on the living room wall is a pictorial of the house which had been featured in a Victorian style magazine.

The bathroom was shared with the family and it opened into the maid’s bedroom; perhaps an awkward situation, but then again, maybe the master of the house appreciated this arrangement.  In the corner of the bathroom is a cabinet full of product memorabilia. The owner reached in and pulled out a pamphlet which tells how a woman could improve the shape of her “bust.”

Below the photos is a song which we think goes very well with this particular house.

Kitchen. All photos by Paul @Blogfinger

kitchen table. Maid’s bedroom visible off the kitchen

Maid’s bedroom

Maid’s living room

Bathroom. Shared with the family. Door leads to maid’s bedroom

Here’s a song which goes well with this house: