Hidden Wallpaper

We anticipate discovery while dismantling things in the early stages of a remodeling project. You never know what we will find in the nooks and crannies, from old glass jars to vintage beer cans, newspapers from the 1940s, pornographic magazines, hidden safes, and everything in between. We always turn everything over to the owners, and in most cases, the clients are happy to know what we found as it deepens their connection to the home’s history. In this case, we found bricks made by a local brick yard long gone, a plumbing inspection tag from 1914, and then Brant Dilworth, my project Manager, hit the motherload.

We Just Found Art

During the demolition, Brant uncovered wallpaper on lathe and plaster depicting an event that captured the world’s attention: the Bare Fisted boxing match (the championship of the world) between Jake Kilrain and John Sullivan on July 8th,1889. The fight went 75 rounds and ended with John being named the victor. The wallpaper was layered behind the drywall of a previously remodeled bathroom in this circa 1914 home. Sadly, as hard as we tried to lift some, it was too brittle to remove.

I shared the discovery with the Idaho Historic Society, which had no interest in preserving it. However, they did think it was from the 1920s. Our clients were fascinated and opted to have the wallpaper photographed to be framed and saved for posterity, proudly displayed in their newly remodeled bathroom.

Then An Idea Struck Me

While eating dinner downtown the other night at Tiner’s Alley Tavern, where the old Bouquet bar was, I noticed they had a vintage boxing theme. Madison Bulen, the Assistant General Manager, was very interested when she looked at the photos on my phone and asked for copies of the imagery to research the event and frame it. Wow, I thought, this could preserve a piece of Boise History, enshrined in a place where I drank and listened to music as a young adult.

Turning a Find Into Treasure

Framed Image

Faced with the possibility of having this incredible art framed and proudly displayed, my friend Ron Dunagan and I hatched a plan to get it done. I had saved an old frame. Ron touched it up and got some glass. I enlarged the image, took it to a frame shop to complete the matting, and voila. Ron and I delivered it as a gift from us, and Levco Builders then proceeded to have a wonderful dinner on the house. Look for it next time you are in the mood for some bangers and mash.

Remodeling old homes is an art that we take seriously. By blending these ingredients, we enrich our lives and the lives of the community. This is where the joy is hidden in the work that we do. A special shout-out to our clients, who graciously helped us preserve a window into the past.

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If you or someone you know is considering remodeling or just wants to speak to a trustworthy remodeling contractor, please contact me. You’ll be glad you did.