SOUTH OR DEGN PARLOR
- 20th century Degn interpretation of a colonial parlor(Colonial Revival)
- Use of Degn photos, inventory, and Degn Collection to set up room
- Compare its richness and furniture placement to the real 18th century parlor. Note how much plainer 18th century parlor is than its Colonial Revival interpretation.
This room is generally a match for the other parlor — the fireplace matches, and the wall is paneled. The trim on the closet doors is slightly different from the doors in the north parlor. Here the doors have crossettes. These are costly decorative features found in the best houses. Again note the symmetry focused on the fireplace. The closet to the left of the fireplace has original shelving which was probably used for storage of china and glassware for dining. The Degns painted this room white except for black hardware. The plaster is also from the Degn restoration in the 1920's. In Morris's time the paneling was painted verdigris green. The baseboards were black; the window sashes were white; the chairrail caps, window seats and doors were brown. The Degns made their interpretation of a colonial parlor into a comfortable living space. Because they used the mansion in the summer months, you will find a grass rug on the floor and a slipcover on the sofa. The furniture in this room is from the Degn Collection. The Degn Collection forms the core of the collections at Hope Lodge. Some of the more important pieces in the Collection are from Mrs. Degn's family (Maris, an old Philadelphia family). The Degns were part of that same Colonial Revival collecting movement that included Ford, duPont and Mercer. The Degns amassed their collection over a number of years in the 1920's and 1930's, often going to country sales or auctions in the Philadelphia area. The Degn Collection, though small, does contain furniture attributed to William Savery and paintings by Sully and Eicholtz.
