Preserving Charm While Making Space: The Tale of the Corner Cabinet at Robins Hollow

This spring, we started renovating the dining room at Robins Hollow as part of the One Room Challenge. If you’ve been following along, you know we didn’t quite finish in the allotted eight weeks (and are still, in fact, working to wrap it up!)

It’s a grand space, roughly 14.5 by 26 feet, filled with history: an original fireplace with glass-fronted cabinets flanking the mantle, wood wainscoting, and two built-in floor-to-ceiling closets, one with a charming glass cutout. The dining room was added during an 1897 expansion of the original 1827 house. Nestled in one corner was a floor-to-ceiling corner cabinet, built to blend in with the room's original detailing, but (spoiler alert) it wasn’t original.

This question — do we remove the corner cabinet? — sparked one of the most engaging conversations we’ve ever had with our community. Over 50,000 people watched the moment we took it out, but more than 250,000 tuned in for the real story: how we knew it wasn’t original to the house. Find all the drama and details in this Instagram Reel.

The Preservation Balancing Act

When we purchased Robins Hollow, we made a decision: we wouldn’t pursue historical registration for the home. Previous owners had investigated it, but hadn't pursued it either. While the designation brings a certain level of prestige, the constraints, especially around exterior changes, felt too cumbersome. Still, we’re deeply committed to honoring the spirit of the home.

We’ve kept every window with wavy glass, pulled up square footage upon square footage of wall-to-wall carpet to reveal the original hardwoods, and taken care not to paint trim that hasn’t already been painted. I’m even keeping an eye on restoring certain areas that were altered by previous owners. There’s an entire spectrum of belief around old house preservation, from the purists to the gut renovators, and we’re somewhere in between. The idea of gutting a historic home keeps us up at night and keeps us on regular trips to salvage yards to rescue the pieces others leave behind.

The corner cabinet, however, lived in a gray zone. It wasn’t original to the 1827 structure. It wasn’t part of the 1897 addition. It had been added sometime afterward, styled to fit the room, but not part of its soul.

The Ship of Theseus and the Old House Paradox

There’s a classic thought experiment called the Ship of Theseus. If you replace every part of a ship over time, is it still the same ship? We think about that idea a lot as old house owners. Which parts of a house belong to the house itself, its identity, and which parts belong to the era or the people living in it? What should be protected for future generations, and what is simply furniture along for the ride?

The cabinet felt more like the latter. Just as every family brings their own dining table and chairs, the corner cabinet, though beautiful and era-appropriate, felt like a piece of furniture brought in by someone else, for a different purpose. In doing some research, I found out that corner cabinets were often built to look built-in, but able to move with the family should they change homes.

So What Do You Do With It?

Removing the cabinet was one thing. Deciding what to do with it afterward has been more difficult. We explored every option. Sell it? Our favorite local vintage dealer, @beallandbelle, told us they’ve stopped carrying corner cabinets because they take up too much space. Store it? We already have a set of old shutters and original columns, likely from the 1827 house, tucked away in the barn, and they’re gathering more dust than meaning.

Ultimately, Sean had the right idea. He’s been ready to list the cabinet for weeks, maybe months. In our relationship, I’m the one who handles the Facebook Marketplace and eBay listings; he’s the buyer. And after a lot of reflection, I’ve come around. It’s time to let it go.

A Piece of Robins Hollow, Looking for a New Home

So if you’re someone who loves pieces with patina and wants to bring a bit of Robins Hollow into your home, the corner cabinet is officially up for grabs. It may not be original to our house, but it could become a cherished fixture in yours.

This is the dance of old house living — honoring the past, adapting for the future, and finding beauty in the balance. As for our dining room, we’re loving the new openness, the matched plaster finish where the cabinet once stood, and the story this change adds to the larger narrative of Robins Hollow.

And if you’re still thinking about that corner cabinet, don’t worry. So are we.

Want to own a piece of Robins Hollow history?

The corner cabinet listing is live with photos, videos and details on sizing. It can be found here on Marketplace. Reach out if it’s calling your name.