House Tour: 1888 Victorian Mansion
Are you fascinated by Victorian architecture? Then we have the best house tour EVER ready for you today! This Victorian Mansion Tour features the Hornibrook Mansion, built in 1888, features every aspect of the Queen Anne Victorian style in it's highest and best form. The aesthetic movement details in this house have been exquisitely and lovingly restored.
Construction begun on this masterpiece in 1881 and ended in 1888. Sadly, the builder only enjoyed living in the home until 1890, when he died of a stroke at the homes front gate. His wife Margaret died in 1893. After her death the home became the Arkansas Womens College, an insurance agency, a rooming house for women, and eventually a nursing home.
The home was purchased in 1993 by Sharon Welch-Blair and Bob Blair, who undertook a massive restoration which included removing walls, bathrooms and an elevator to return the mansion to it's original floorplan. They then meticulously restored the eastlake and aesthetic movement elements of the home to the highest and best standards. Minton tile, Bradbury and Bradbury wallpaper, Lincrusta and more were used to create the period appropriate perfect details. They then christened the home "The Empress of Little Rock" and opened it as a Bed and Breakfast. It was quickly listed on the nations top BNB lists, and awarded the prestigious Diamond of Excellence in the industry.
The Blairs then surrounded the home with sumptuous gardens, and created a backyard mini-chapel to host garden weddings. It is where Laine and Kevin spent their honeymoon in 1996, just after the Empress Opened for business.
In 2019 the Blairs sold the home and business to Antonio Figueroa and Keith Sandridge, who continue the tradition of luxury and excellence worthy of the Hornibrook Mansion.
Book your stay here www.theempress.com/
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Пікірлер: 621
So much respect for the owners of this who restored it. Absolutely stunning. This is my dream home. Heck I’d be happy just as a live-in maid in a home like this. I love it.
@MC-342
2 жыл бұрын
Feel the same way. Its just beautiful.
@chyiannewaters8910
2 жыл бұрын
As someone who likes to clean (I’m just happier in a clean space) I’d take that job in a heart beat lol
@pnichols6821
Жыл бұрын
Amen!
@Skylar1313
Жыл бұрын
So true
@TooCool4You69
Жыл бұрын
I would too but problem is I’ll never able to afford this much place is gonna cost around $10,000,000 with that all furnitures even if they r not fake and they original would cost shit load of money.. ha, I would move in ONLY if zombie apocalypse outbreak and I would love to landgrab and defend the place and build a castle wall around the property! No zombie allowed sign. 🪧
How in the world did all of the original features survive the years of different ownership, and especially the conversion of the property into multi-family units?! It’s like walking back in time! ❤️😊
@jmccraw777
2 жыл бұрын
I knew the Blair’s when they were restoring well Sharon anyway this was her pet project for many years and how all that wood work was saved was because it was build (studied and dry walled) over and the the ceilings were dropped and so most of this was hidden for years and that’s how it was saved.
@dawnbarnes8729
2 жыл бұрын
@@jmccraw777 that’s awesome! Whoever did that had to be thinking about how to save it. Otherwise they would have ripped it out. ❤️😊
@ruthmiller5588
2 жыл бұрын
I live in a house that was built 1870. It has 19 rooms. We are the the 6th owners in the 151 years this house has been standing. It was a family home for the first two owners. Then it was a boarding house, then the fourth owner turned it into four apartments. The fifth owners had this house for 39 years as their private residence. We've been here a decade and I can say that when we bought the house, it was 95% intact original. We've done lots of work to restore what was falling down. What I'm saying is that not everyone who turns an old house into something else rapes it of its beauty. Our house inside wasn't falling down. Most of the work has been on the exterior. Not because someone changed things, but because of neglect.
@nette49
2 жыл бұрын
@@ruthmiller5588 no ghosts?
@ruthmiller5588
2 жыл бұрын
@@nette49 Yes, there are ghosts in this big old house. Lots of them. I've seen lots of them especially when we first lived here. The guys don't see them. Only one has been a little trouble. I told it I would banish it if it caused anymore havoc. It settled down right away. I also capture lots of orbs on camera. I've seen one giant orb in real time. I also had one spirit poke my upper arm. I knew the spirit was beside me. I turned to look at it and it poked my arm. That was a first for me. Yes, Jeanette, this house has ghosts inside and out.
An architectural gem! Thank goodness for those owners who had the foresight to purchase and save this exquisite home!
as a person who lives in an old town filled with beautiful homes from the 1800’s (most of which have been flipped to multifamily units) i appreciate sharon and bob SO much. it breaks my heart seeing such beautiful aspects of history ruined by real estate. im hoping one day my partner and i can save one or two of these homes. one of them has recently been completely renovated and they got rid of the stained glass windows and beautiful wood engravings. so so sad.
Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I've seen videos of so called homes that cost many MILLIONS of dollars, but they are the kind of places that I would only care to visit and never call home (I call them museum/bunker houses). This Victorian is definitely a place I could call home. I love the wood work and the architecture. It is so warm and inviting - it has so much character. Thanks for the video.
@SJM6791
Жыл бұрын
I could not agree with you more. This place is almost magical! The details in the design and craftsmanship are second to none. It’s a big home but it’s obnoxiously big. Every room has a purpose and nothing is wasted.
@ronnierowe1312
10 ай бұрын
You are one hundred percent right!
My favorite style of architecture , they don' t build them like this any more, admire the wood work,& all the intricate details, keeping the historical integrity of the home!
@barbarachieppo9603
10 ай бұрын
My favorite also.❤
After all those owners, it’s a miracle that any of the original pieces remain. Absolutely wonderful.
I'm amazed that so many of the original elements in this home were still there after so many "re-inventions" of the building. That none of the windows or fire place tiles had been destroyed is also mind boggling. I can't even imagine the redesign of rooms and an elevator that would have "modernized" this beautiful home to a school/office building/ and what have you over the 100 years before being restored back to it's original grandeur. What a work from the heart.
This breath taking structure and interior design is the epitome of the Victorian era..The most beautiful I've ever had the privilege of viewing..I want to watch it over and over again ...Thank you Lane for taking us on this wonderful tour..A place I want to visit one day!
In 2021 It's a breathtaking marvel! I don't think it matters what century you live in, my mouth dropped as soon as I saw the outside of this amazing home. Laine you have the perfect voice to do these kinds of videos! You guys need your own TV channel!
What a fantastic restoration. I can't imagine what that cost to re-work the floor plan back to the original and then restore the woodwork, tiles, wallpaper and then deck it out with all the victorian furniture and such. What a challenge!
@StallionFernando
2 жыл бұрын
Not as big of a challenge when you got money.
@OurRestorationNation
2 жыл бұрын
@@StallionFernando Don't fool yourself-even with money it's HUGE challenge. Doing it right is never easy
@StallionFernando
2 жыл бұрын
@@OurRestorationNation it's easier as you can hire out some of the labor and can pay more for specific items. I'd imagine the research would be the most complicated part, the details in Victorian houses melt my brain lol. People lived in actual art pieces as oppose to the overgrown shoe boxes we build today lol.
I was born and raised in the south, and the rich soil runs in my veins! Our homes also reflect our famous southern manners, and respect for nature, and the beauty that surrounds us can not be surpassed! This home has a beauty that makes it my favorite of all the magnificent homes that you show us! Thank you Laine, and Kevin
@kmrnnj1
2 жыл бұрын
You are all hillbillies. Southern charm my foot.
@fionaokeefe1906
Жыл бұрын
Your homes were also plantations and what exactly did they reflect🤔
@itzhydrationyt192
Жыл бұрын
@@fionaokeefe1906 bro has to make everything racist
@jerrybost4442
22 күн бұрын
@@fionaokeefe1906 You do realize Victorian homes were built after the civil war and were use during plantation culture.
@jerrybost4442
22 күн бұрын
We're not in use
Oh my goodness, every room holds more beauty that's leaving my jaw on the floor. What an absolutely stunning space
@Cheesybiscuit404
2 жыл бұрын
I'm going to have to make a trip to visit so I can drool over it in real life 🥲😍
@Cheesybiscuit404
2 жыл бұрын
At this point I'm live reacting lol, THE TOWER ROOM!! So much respect and appreciation for the work that is put into restoring to her original floor plan
@zanna9857
2 жыл бұрын
@@Cheesybiscuit404 🤣😂 I think we're all reacting the same way!
Standing ovation to the Welch-Blair's on this one. 👏
I could live happily in any home with the beautiful fireplace surround with birds and branches. It's a gorgeous property and I'm so glad that it was preserved and restored to it's original beauty. So many of our priceless buildings were lost in the past 50 years. Thank you for the tour of the Hornibrook Mansion.
This is the most beautiful Victorian I’ve ever seen and the most amazing bed and breakfast I’ve ever seen. I would love to know more about the history of the family and the restoration process. It was obviously such a labor of love for the people that restored it. I would love to see before and afters if they exist. I can’t believe how much money and effort they put into this house. God bless them seriously. They gave such a gift to their community and to all of us with what they did.
Only complaint from me is the blow-up Christmas decorations…I’d invest in antique wooden decorations, doesn’t even have to be antique…just not a fan of the blowups Absolutely stunning home!!! Massive in every way!!! What else I love about it is that they open it up to others in a bed n breakfast!!!
@OurRestorationNation
2 жыл бұрын
Same….
@leesaholloway5792
2 жыл бұрын
Totally agree!! The interior holiday decor was so tastefully done. The blow-ups look tacky for such a magnificent home.
@MrsRobinson0741
2 жыл бұрын
@@leesaholloway5792 YES!!! And imo are really for the kiddos…that’s a bed n breakfast for adults! I absolutely LOVE MULTIPLE trees in a home!! Each one with its own theme 💕💕🥰🥰
Much respect for the people who took the time to do the research needed to properly bring this home to glory! Love your channel! What a beautiful place!
Absolutely stunning. The thought of living in a home such as this. Pure heaven.
Much appreciation to the people who restored, and saved this beautiful home!
Bob and Sharon are my heroes
What a glorious old home! Everywhere you look it is a feast for the eyes! It is good to see these old homes restored instead of being torn down and abandoned. We have a lot of homes like this down south and many have been restored, but still many of them have disappeared completely. It is so good to see one with wood work that is stunning , elegant, and a testament to the time in which it was created. It is gorgeous! Thanks so much for showing it to us. Blessings!
Thanks to the people who have the vision and the money to restore these places. So, so beautiful.
I am so grateful that you are showing us all these amazing houses!! Thank you
We are excited for the day when our completed restoration of our 1891 Romanesque mansion is featured on your channel. You guys do such a great job of making the homes seem majestic. We are quite a few years away from that dream though.
@OurRestorationNation
2 жыл бұрын
We are ready when you are!
@moorelandhouse
2 жыл бұрын
@@OurRestorationNation Ha! We are a LONG way from that day. We are still trying to save the place from falling down.
@robertdwyer5486
2 жыл бұрын
You’ve got a BIG job ahead of you, but bless you for saving this piece of Kentucky history! Please post pictures of your progress! Best of luck!
@moorelandhouse
2 жыл бұрын
@@robertdwyer5486 We actually put everything on our KZread channel.
Wonderful! Such a treat, especially with the holiday decor. The hand-painted fireplace tiles with the birds and flowers are exquisite (and we know why you love them, lady who wears swallow earrings to repair floor joists; reminds me of your own custom wallpaper.). It is entirely possible the lady of the house painted them herself, or was involved in the design. The stained-glass man-tower of decadence documents the times indeed. These stories are why we love history. :D
So beautiful, love every detail! Thank you for the amazing narrative with awesome camera work.
Timeless... just as great design should be.
Absolutely beautiful home, so repectully restored, capturing a time gone by, bringing it to the present. Thank you for sharing her glory with us.
What a gorgeous mansion. I’m so glad it was restored back to its original splendour. The carriage house rooms were beautiful too. Thank you so much for the tour.
Another fantastic showpiece. Thank you for such a well documented and video captured tour!
I so love your historic tours. Thank you!
Another field trip! Being able to see these historic homes beautiful restored makes me so happy. I grew up not far from the Winchester house. Always loved touring it. That's probably where my love for these homes comes from. Excellent tour and video. ❤🤍💙
@e.l.france5136
2 жыл бұрын
Hello and happy new year! I had the good fortune to live in a similar mansion as a child. No, not wealthy, it was one of those stages when it has been minimally torn up into apartments. Like you it has always stayed with me. Lucky you on being near the Winchester mansion. I had to do back to back tours to take it all in and then I became obsessed with the dismantling of it all by the neice. Made me sick for all that was lost. And yes, love these house tour outings with my favorite couple. Beautifully written, shown and videod.
It is magnificent. I love the ceiling detail in this house, especially the clouds in the entry hall and the map on the study ceiling! I appreciate and admire your historical knowledge.
I’m always so grateful for these tours. There is always something that takes my breath away in each one. Thank you both. Happy new year.
What a treasure on so many levels! Thank you Laine and Kevin for sharing and enriching our knowledge of this treasure. The members of “Our Restoration Nation” are just the best ever. It is one house at a time.
There really not enough words to describe this stunning home.
It is amazing what a bit of competition can do in the building of such a fantastic mansion! I was taken aback by the art glass windows everywhere and even in the carriage house! No expense was spared. This was one of my favorite tours yet! Thank you, Laine and Kevin, for this view into this magnificent home! And thankyou to those who restored it to its former state, and to the current owner for the care and love they have to keep this home a lovely place to visit!
Too gorgeous for words!!!
Thank you so much for the tour of this stunning mansion. Such a beautiful restoration!
Thank you to the couple and folks who saved this gem and had such class in your restoration style. We are after all just stewards of our lands and buildings. So much has been lost to wanton vandalism and neglect. You have preserved a beautiful piece of art. Thank you for sharing with those who love creations like this. My wife and I live in a modest Victorian home where I was born , which is close to 100 percent original.
Oh I have always wanted to see inside this, it is one of my favorite homes in LR. I'm a sucker for a good Victorian lol. Bless Bob and Sharon for rescuing this home and restoring it and thank you for another beautiful tour.
@Godwinpounds4333
2 жыл бұрын
Hello Tracy, how are you doing?
I love old Victorian style houses, there’s so much detail into them
Rhett, Scarlett's at it again! Now what? She's out in the front yard in her beautiful lavender dress shaking her fist in the air - listen you can just make out what she's saying. As God is my witness I'll never let this house be split up for apartments again! ( Everyone in the comments-we love you Scarlett!!!)
Gorgeous! This house is what dreams are made of. WOW!!!
This place is SO beautiful! Man I love that room at the very top with the stained glass windows! Wow!
Once again how beautiful, as I watch this and listen to you talk of the making of this home it is so hard to think of all the glorious and wonderful things that went on there. Thank You!
I've watched this video several times and never get bored watching it again! This is a beautiful home. So glad someone restored it to it beauty
Absolutely stunning!
Spectacular to the point of almost overwhelming. A beautiful home with breathtaking interior. Thank you for the tour.
Finally, one of these beauties finally restored! Warms my heart big time!
Absolutely stunning
So beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
Absolutely splendid! I truly enjoy these restoration tours and the rich history behind them.
The mansion is gorgeous !!! Thank you for posting this video for our viewing pleasure .
Thank you so much for the spectacular tour. I loved every bit.of it.
Omg, amazing! Stunning! Gorgeous!! ❤ Thank you for showing us this home. I've never seen anything so spectacular in my life. I'm in awww 😲😍
Wow !! ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, THANK YOU
Breathtakingly beautiful!
Wow, an informative tour of a lovely gem that has been lovingly restored! Thank you for giving us the history of this exquisite home.
Incredibly beautiful, reassuring all beauty is not lost. Thank you❣️
Victorian era and fashion is one my my most loved styles.
Magnificent is the only way to describe it! Love all the furniture and stained glass! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful and incredible! Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely magnificent!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful and simply amazing. Thank you so much for the tour.
Outstanding ! Well done!
Absolutely gorgeous!
OMG! Jaw dropping, magnificent, a step back in time so beautifully created and restored, I am in awe! I’m a nostalgic person who loves anything Victorian and this home is beyond a gem. The original architect was a genius. If I could step back in time, this is where I would love to live. The current owners are to be commended for preserving all the beauty this home offers. I’d take this home over a castle ANYDAY! Thank you for this video. If I could escape this world and go back in time, this is where I would go! I know I’ll watch this video over and over again!
How could a person not appreciate this exquisite beauty. ❤
This home is exquisite, magnificent,it's grandeur has opulence. It's just absolutely perfect.
Oh so gorgeous! The wood and mirrors and stained glass are beyond words. Many kudos to the restorers. Thank you for this outstanding video. It deserves an award.
@Godwinpounds4333
2 жыл бұрын
Hello Sylvia, how are you doing?
This is a fabulous bed and breakfast! Antonio is so warm and charming. He really makes you a guest in his home. It’s even more beautiful in person.
Gorgeous place. Much thanks for sharing this with us.
I drive by this home frequently. I loved getting to see the interior finally.
Beautiful house! Thank you for the tour 🥰
Absolutely beautiful
This house is amazing, and so beautiful. Love it
Wow!!! That was beyond gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Another wonderful tour! Mahalo! So many amazing details! 💛💖💙❤
INCREDIBLE. THIS HOUSE IS AMAZING
Absolutely Beautiful Home! Gorgeous!
the wallpaper itself is amazing. everything overall is top notch enterior taste
Amazing! Just wonderful! I loved my tour xx Thank you for posting such glory!
Awesome tour. Thank you
Absolutely fabulous!
Exquisite! I hope you both had a Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Fireplace is gorgeous
Breathtaking!
The owners did an absolutely amazing job restoring and decorating that home to the period of its history. Fabulous
What an amazing restoration. Such a beautiful house.
Wow, wow, wow!!! Gorgeously decorated for the holidays = my favorite time to visit historic homes❣
Wow I just love videos like these! The story behind the places! Love History and I love the way you explained and showed the beautiful home! Beautiful, just beautiful ❤️😍 I congratulate the owners!! They did an amazing job
Wow what an amazing house, Happy Holidays to you both.
Stunning!!!
What a stunning home. Every inch of it is breathtaking.
Magnificent home, impeccable furnishings.
Absolutely gorgeous
Love this mansion,full of history,beautiful of masterpiece architecture,nice interior decoration,very beautiful mansion.
I love, love your videos, there are never enough for me. Thank-you Liane and Kevin so very much.