Leather walls

[StevenT]

I inspected a home yesterday that is probably the most interesting than I have ever been in.

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Built in the 1880's, it belonged to the Krieschler family... they made bricks. All of the first floor walls and some ceilings were carved leather.

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But there is more to this home's history. It seems that about two years ago, before the present owner purchased it. Someone was murdered and stuffed into the furnace. The FBI took it away as evidence. These babies have been installed as replacements.

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[Steven Hockstein]

Was Norman Bates around when you were there?

[gtblum]

Had the victim been skinned?

[Mark P]

Do you know the selling price?

[StevenT]

The house is already sold. It was bought by an out of state developer that has already built quite a bit on Staten Island. He plans on building on the property. The existing home is a protected landmark. He is going to build around it and use the house as a community clubhouse.

The caretaker (an old football team mate of mine) has been living there rent free plus a salary for the past few years and probably at least a few more.

[Brandon Whitmore]

I think I would have booked out the entire day to inspect that one just so I could enjoy it.

How long did it take you?

[AHI in AR]

Looks like an all day job to me even if you don't spend an inordinate amount of time "sightseeing".

Totally cool. I'm jealous.

[StevenT]

Actually, it wasn't a traditional Home Inspection, it was an insurance inspection. The whole thing took about 1/2 hour... plus an hour of shooting the breeze with my friend that I haven't seen since I was 17.

[SonOfSwamp]

Carved leather or.... lincrusta/anaglypta?

I ask only because it looks like factory-made stuff, what with the repeating patterns. I don't think leather could be carved quite so uniform.

Of course, I could be wrong,

WJ

[StevenT]

WJ,

I can't even say those words, let alone know what they mean. I guess it's Google time.

I asked the caretaker and he told me it was leather. Yes, there is definately a repeating pattern. But I am really not sure.

[StevenT]

Walter,

I googled lincrusta and anaglypta. I see what you are talking about and I guess it could be that. The only problem is that it seems that lincrusta was invented in 1877, I believe the house was build a few years prior.

I also googled leather wall coverings and found embrossed leather wall coverings with repetitive patterns, so I'm really not sure. I wonder how one would tell the difference without damaging the material?

Anyway, they say you can learn something new every day... today it was from you.

Thanks.

[StevenT]

I just googled "Kreischer Mansion Staten Island", hoping to find out about the architecture of the house. I didn't find out much yet, but there is a ton of stuff about the murders and about the house being haunted.

And to think that my friend lives in that place all by himself. EEKS!!!

[Bill Kibbel]

Originally posted by StevenT

I just googled "Kreischer Mansion Staten Island", hoping to find out about the architecture of the house.

Queen Anne

I didn't find out much yet, but there is a ton of stuff about the murders and about the house being haunted.

And to think that my friend lives in that place all by himself. EEKS!!!

Could it be the spirit of an old friend that lives there?

[kurt]

I see this stuff as wainscoting in stairwells a fair amount in old 2 flats. We call it embossed leather.

I've never really researched the proper name for it, as it's relatively common in the old stuff.

Cool job.

[SonOfSwamp]

I think if one were to cut it up, run sandpaper over it and smell it, it wouldn't smell like leather, and it would turn out to be lincrusta or anaglypta. IIRC, both are essentially thick paper with embossed patterns.

WJ

[Jeremy]

I find it interesting that a brickmaking family would have such a house and not have any brick anywhere. ??

[StevenT]

There are a number of fireplaces in the house. Some of the hearths are made with bricks that are stamped with their name in it.

[kurt]

Originally posted by SonOfSwamp

I think if one were to cut it up, run sandpaper over it and smell it, it wouldn't smell like leather, and it would turn out to be lincrusta or anaglypta. IIRC, both are essentially thick paper with embossed patterns.

WJ

I'm sure you're right. In 2 flats, it's usually a paperlike product, but we still (incorrectly) call it leather.

I actually saw real embossed leather, but it was in an old mansion they were tearing down on the south side.

[Tom Raymond]

Originally posted by Jeremy

I find it interesting that a brickmaking family would have such a house and not have any brick anywhere. ??

Not everyone likes to take their work home with them[]

Very cool house! Steve, when are you giving tours?

Tom

[Acorn Home]

This would be a cool place to visit/inspect.

Thanks for sharing. [:-thumbu]

[StevenT]

I am welcome to bring visitors anytime.