I was playing the piano this Sunday afternoon.  A simple melody really, yet one that always brings me to emotional heights.  It’s romantically haunting.  I’m not sure if it’s entirely the music or if I’m also visualizing the scene from the movie it accompanies.  Playing, the piano notes filled the house & I knew … this is its song.  Its theme.  Its anthem. 

Closing my eyes & listening … I floated from room to room.  I smelled the salt air.  I heard the ocean.  I saw the comings & goings of guests, friends & family over the years.  I heard laughter & footsteps.  I felt the soul of our home.  The peace & its beauty through music.

We have been on a long journey.  It has been over a year since my family & I left our home for its grandiose makeover.  I remember the preliminary discussions with our architect.  Rather than spacial planning & architectural specs … I spoke of the “feeling” I wanted the house to have, referring to homes in movies.  But now I know it was also the soundtrack to those movies I wanted to hear & feel when I walked into our house.  I believe within the brick & mortar of a building, there lies a soul.  It could come from the beauty of the architecture, or the way the light filters in.  Perhaps it’s the sounds of life & laughter from a family.  But there is always a story within, a history that has occurred that gives it its own character, its own melody.

Vintage Hardware will soon be moving.  We have the honor of bringing life back to a revered building. I have yet to hear her song, but through her wear & somewhat decay … she is indeed the Grand Dame of Astoria.  Somewhat like the estate of Mrs. Havisham’s in “Great Expectations.”  The Astor Hotel on 14^th & Duane – built in 1922 will soon open her doors once again.  Vintage Hardware is taking its new occupancy very seriously, as a duty of sorts.  We look forward to announcing the opening of the old doors to our new home very soon.