Taking another step, Addison looked down at the plush carpet beneath her feet. Elegantly simple, it contained striations running the width of the room, the peaks and valleys repeating the colors of beige and dusty blue that appeared on the curtains and on the duvet covering the bed. A bed which now seemed much higher than it was before.

Addison walked over and ran her hand over the bedcover. The palette was the same, but amidst the dusty blue and cream was a faint paisley design stitched in threads of silver sage, and the pale green repeated in the accent pillows piled atop the bed. Sheers were now draped over the four turned posts, their elegance softening the appearance of the bulky wooden spires, and above her head, the tray ceiling, once the color of curdled cream, had been painted to match the colors in the carpet. Centered in the dome, replacing the inconsequential lamp of iron and naked bulbs was a crystal chandelier, and the finely-cut pendants and bobeches dangling from its arms reflected the afternoon light filtering through the sheers on the windows. Noticing the addition of four modern, yet understated recessed lights placed in the ceiling, each designed to cast their illumination on areas missed by the natural light, Addison looked toward the windows again and saw yet another modern touch. The two Victorian chairs and table once filling the space had been replaced by a stylish, over-stuffed gray two-seater sofa complete with a cocktail ottoman built for two.

Addison looked at the bed again before walking over to the tallboy near the door. Running her fingers across the polished rosewood, she said, “Is this new?”

“No,” Joanna said, grinning. “I told Lucinda I wanted to keep the original pieces, so Samson had everything taken to a shop to be refurbished.”

“It’s so vibrant now.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Going over to the fireplace, Addison knelt down to admire the beaded detail on the arched-top cast iron firebox. “And this?” she said, running her finger over the smooth and shiny surface.

“Samson had it cleaned and polished. The details were under all the soot and dirt.”

Addison got to her feet and looked around the room. “Jesus.”

Joanna held her breath. “Too much?”

“No, it’s marvelous,” Addison said, looking toward the ceiling. “It’s…it’s like someone put the sun inside the room.”

“And you like the colors?”

“Yes, I do,” Addison said, smiling. “You’ve got a good eye.”

“Lucinda’s the one with the eye. I just told her what I liked and what I didn’t.”

“It’s still amazing, and…and it wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for you.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Joanna said, sauntering over to where Addison stood. “I’d like to think it wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for us.”