From Maryland Estate Sale to the Palace of Versailles

Built in 1931, the house stood on 60 acres of waterfront property with a huge, stone wrap-around porch and wrought iron balconies on the second and third floors. The main level featured windows rising from the floor to the 18-foot ceilings, offering stunning water views. A bit neglected, it was still an incredible home that had been decorated with expert taste. Many pieces of furniture had been custom-made for the house, while other pieces were antiques from around the world. The entire staff of Chesapeake Transitions felt especially fortunate and excited to be conducting the estate sale.

On the second day of the sale, more than 30 people were inside the house searching for treasures. One guest, Betsy, inquired if the home’s window treatments were for sale. A seamstress, Betsy explained her daughter was about to fulfill her long-time dream of attending the Grand Masked Ball in Versailles, France. This annual event requires everyone to don fancy 18th-century baroque-style costumes. Betsy had been searching fabric outlets in DC and Baltimore for a heavy damask with an intricate floral pattern to create her daughter’s gown, but hadn’t found it. Looking at the living room’s 18-foot vintage drapes with a gleam in her eye, Betsy said they might very well be the fabric she’d been searching for.

Navigating around other estate sale guests still in the house, Chesapeake Transitions staff found a ladder tall enough to reach the drapery rods in an outbuilding on the property. By the time the drapes were brought down, everyone in the room was coughing due to what was probably decades of accumulated dust. Despite the dust, it was clear the drapes’ heavy fabric featured an intricate floral design, exactly what Betsy had envisioned for her daughter’s gown.

Two months later, Betsy attended another one of our estate sales, very excited to share photos of her daughter at the Grand Masked Ball in the beautiful 18th-century ballgown she’d constructed from the drapes purchased at our earlier estate sale. We marveled at what Betsy had created from some high-quality but very dusty drapes—she’d even used some of the fabric to accent her son-in-law’s costume.

While this story stirs memories of Scarlett O’Hara’s drapery dress (or Carol Burnett’s hilarious parody of the movie scene), it’s a reminder for us at Chesapeake Transitions of the positive, even joyful effects our estate sales can bring. For attendees, there are treasures to be found, whether needed, useful items, or a previously unattainable heart’s desire. For our clients for whom we conduct estate sales, there is the comfort in knowing their cherished items will be reused and perhaps repurposed—such as drapes transformed into an 18th-century ballgown!

AUTHOR: Marilyn Leek, a Certified Senior Move Manager® and owner of Chesapeake Transitions, has provided guidance and support for Maryland seniors and their families for nearly 20 years, including well-regarded and well-attended estate sales.