The Autumnal Porch

It’s been a while since I have posted anything not related to the renovation.  I am still settling into the house and figuring out how I want to live within my walls.  I have a ton of pictures, but I have to show some restraint in sharing them because there has been some interest in featuring the house in national publications and/or books, so I don’t want to flood the market with more pictures.

In the mean time, I have been trying to get back in the groove of design, crafting and creating projects to publish on the blog.  For the first time in a while, I have actually completed a project: my fall porch.  Trying to create a hybrid between all out Halloween décor and something more subtle, my mandate was to work with what I had on hand with the exception of purchasing pumpkins.

Forgive the graininess of the pictures.  I misplaced my battery charger for my good camera and the battery ran out.  I have a new one coming so that I can offer you better quality pictures. (Thank God for Amazon Prime :))

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

An arrangement of silk hydrangeas, bittersweet berries and ethereal looking paper wisps compliment the Halloween picks found at the local hobby store.

An arrangement of silk hydrangeas, bittersweet berries and ethereal looking paper wisps compliment the Halloween picks found at the local hobby store.

Gauze and lights give a nice, eerie affect.

Gauze and lights give a nice, eerie affect.

A pile of pumpkins and gourds round out the overall design.

A pile of pumpkins and gourds round out the overall design.

Inexpensive tea lights provide a sweet, nightly glow.

Inexpensive tea lights provide a sweet, nightly glow.

Vintage light globes with Halloween embellishments.

Vintage light globes with Halloween embellishments.

Not too much, just enough to make me feel that fall is in the air.

Not too much, just enough to make me feel that fall is in the air.

A fall arrangement in a galvanized tub that I purchased at Round Top.

A fall arrangement in a galvanized tub that I purchased at Round Top.

Drop cloths provide a nice treatment for the windows.

Drop cloths provide a nice treatment for the windows.

The One Minute Mile

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The perfect contrast of light and dark

 

Big things happen in little minutes and that just about describes what will happen in the next 5 days.  Floors, cabinets, tiling, plumbing finishing, electrical finishing and painting.  And that’s just the inside.  The rain has hampered working on the outside but it makes  no difference to me.  I just want to sleep in my own bed and fall asleep staring at my own ceiling.

Here are the lastest pictures.  Everything is in a state of being completed.  And then, with a wing, a prayer and a good tail wind, it will all come together.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Stained new wood (left) against sanded old wood on the right.

Stained new wood (left) against sanded old wood on the right.

Windows that were in another part of the house, reset in the upstairs sitting area

Windows that were in another part of the house, reset in the upstairs sitting area

Simple silk shade lamps throughout the house

Simple silk shade lamps throughout the house

Kitchen cabinets built around an original feature of the house, the brick chimney

Kitchen cabinets built around an original feature of the house, the brick chimney

Kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinets

Newly built kitchen cabinets are lovely.  We have used an antique piece as the base for the kitchen sink.

Newly built kitchen cabinets are lovely. We have used an antique piece as the base for the kitchen sink.

More kitchen cabinets.  Note the bun feet instead of a toe kick.

More kitchen cabinets. Note the bun feet instead of a toe kick.

Exterior lighting used for interior lighting.

Exterior lighting used for interior lighting.

Barn door hardware to close off my very small office/work space

Barn door hardware to close off my very small office/work space

Stylish and budget friendly, these stock zinc light fixtures picked up at Home Depot

Stylish and budget friendly, these stock zinc light fixtures picked up at Home Depot

More kitchen cabinets

More kitchen cabinets

This wall/door didn't exist before the renovation, but you would never know that.  It looks like it is original to the house.

This wall/door didn’t exist before the renovation, but you would never know that. It looks like it is original to the house.

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The interesting angles, windows and walls of an old house

 

Finishes, Finishes.

 

We are in the final stretch.  The frenzy to the finish.  Twelve days from today, the moving truck will show up so I can (finally) go home.

In truth, the house is a bit of a war zone right now.  A lot going on, many trades working at once.

Here are a few pictures that show the walls being painted and the ceiling ships lap left exactly as it was when it was put up some 80 years ago.

To the finish line…

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

 

Old rim locks for the interior doors.

Old rim locks for the interior doors.

Hallway painted with an old window side light turned into a transom to allow natural light into the hallway.

Hallway painted with an old window side light turned into a transom to allow natural light into the hallway.

The front bedroom.

The front bedroom.

Front bedroom with an antique piece that I have permanently affixed to the wall that will work as a closet and storage.

Front bedroom with an antique piece that I have permanently affixed to the wall that will work as a closet and storage.

The original plank ceiling.  Sealed with a simple finish that brings out the natural luster in this old pine that was probably 100 years old when it was installed.

The original plank ceiling. Sealed with a simple finish that brings out the natural luster in this old pine that was probably 100 years old when it was installed.

It was quite the hunting trip to find old four panel farm house doors for the house.  Certainly no easy task.

It was quite the hunting trip to find old four panel farm house doors for the house. Certainly no easy task.

Down the hall and around the corner…

My first response walking into the house this week: Holy Toledo!  We are making visible progress.  This simple cottage gets more interesting with each layer of construction completed.  The walls are going up and it helps the house take shape.

Every square inch that is possible to build out, has been built out.  It means that we have to build around architectural features like roof pitches and stairwells.  Almost from the minute you walk through the great room to the rest of the house, every hall you go down and every turn you make leads you to something quirky and cozy.  I look forward to using all these nooks to create small treasures of respite.

Updated pictures below.

I hope you find inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

XOXO

The Kitchen.

The Kitchen.

Master Bedroom.

Master Bedroom.

Master Bedroom.

Master Bedroom.

Bedroom  (formerly the garage)

Bedroom (formerly the garage)

Closet in Bedroom (formerly the garage)

Closet in Bedroom (formerly the garage)

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bedroom.

Guest Bedroom.

 

Inching Toward the Finish…

Went by the house this weekend and there has been incremental progress.  We have a pile of planks and ships lap from the demolition that we have committed to reusing.  The trick is maximizing this very limited resource and minimize waste.  This takes time and progress over the last week has been a bit stilted.    Having said that, what was completed was choice.  The great room is starting to realize the design.  Contractor Pete, as I like to call him, has been able to clad the pantry and the fireplace completely with harvested, salvaged ships lap and it looks amazing.

Just a couple of pictures to show the progress.  As if that wasn’t enough good news, some pictures of my budding hydrangeas, mint leaves and rosemary from the garden.  I love the transition to Spring.  It means the Winter hibernation is over.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

New wall with an old side light,  oriented horizontally.  It will act as a transom and allow natural light into the new hallway.

New wall with an old side light, oriented horizontally. It will act as a transom and allow natural light into the new hallway.

Pantry and Fireplace clad in old ships lap.

Pantry and Fireplace clad in old ships lap.

Paneling in the stairway with paneling taken from our salvage pile.

Paneling in the stairway with paneling taken from our salvage pile.

With the trim removed, the old window weights are revealed.  I love old houses.

With the trim removed, the old window weights are revealed. I love old houses.

Leaves coming in on the Hydrangeas.

Leaves coming in on the Hydrangeas.

Mint springs up from the ground for harvesting when I am back in the house and cooking up a storm in my new kitchen.

Mint springs up from the ground for harvesting when I am back in the house and cooking up a storm in my new kitchen.

Hardy rosemary plants, evergreen throughout the seasons.

Hardy rosemary plants, evergreen throughout the seasons.

A House for the Ages…

Short blog article this week. Great milestone to report.  The house has passed the preliminary inspections, insulation has been added and now we on the path to adding the plank walls (where needed) and trim work.  This is where it is going to get fun.

Master Bedroom.

Master Bedroom.

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Former Garage, now a bedroom.

Former Garage, now a bedroom.

Stair way.

Stair way.

Fireplace

Fireplace

Kitchen

Kitchen

Master bedroom.

Master bedroom.

Master Bedroom Ceiling

Master Bedroom Ceiling

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The Winter Progression

I was pretty sure last week was a wash as far as renovation progress went.  The weather last week was unforgiving and unyielding, so I assumed nothing had been done at the house.

Just for grins and because I am an eternal optimist, I went over to the house this weekend to see if any progress had been made.  Much to  my surprise, there was substantial progress.  To call me happy as a lark would be an understatement.

  • The HVAC system and duct work was installed.
  • The outside of the fireplace had been clad in siding and trimmed out.
  • The fireplace box had been installed and framed in.
  • The electrical was completed.
  • The outside stairs leading to the court yard were built and the antique window installed in the Master Bedroom.

It was a lot to take in, mostly because I wasn’t expecting it.  But it made me happy and that makes today a good day.

Pictures below.

I hope you find some inspiration.

xoxo

Cindy

Exterior fireplace.  The cladding and trim work is complete.

Exterior fireplace. The cladding and trim work is complete.

Although the flash didn't engage, hopefully you can see the old side light window in the master bedroom.  The bed will go under this window.

Although the flash didn’t engage, hopefully you can see the old side light window in the master bedroom. The bed will go under this window.

Just a picture to show what a bit of  a war zone the house is right now.  It's the ugly before the pretty.

Just a picture to show what a bit of a war zone the house is right now. It’s the ugly before the pretty.

Zero clearance fire place set up and framed in.

Zero clearance fire place set up and framed in.

Duct work, duct work and more duct work.

Duct work, duct work and more duct work.

Ah...sweet relief. My old HVAC system a source of great consternation and funds depletion.  A total new system and I am a happy camper.

Ah…sweet relief. My old HVAC system a source of great consternation and funds depletion. A total new system and I am a happy camper.

Renovation Taking Shape

Progress is satisfying. Every visit to the house yields something on the punch list complete. Framing is 95% completed.  Plumbing is complete and electrical was being worked on this weekend and should be complete.  Once these three things are done, all three will need inspections from the city. Once inspections are completed, then onto insulation and then we can begin closing the walls and trim work.

The exterior of the house is being closed in as well.  I am hoping that we’ll be able to paint the exteriors at some point soon.  Although I haven’t picked the colors, I am shooting for a grey exterior with bright white trim.  But that is getting ahead.  Let’s stick to the inside.

A variety of pictures to show this week’s progress.

I hope your find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

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French Farmhouse Window

 

This gem will be used in found condition.  With the exception of glazing; there will be no treatments of the surface.

This gem will be used in found condition. With the exception of glazing; there will be no treatments of the surface; it will be installed as is.

For the renovation, I have been searching for architectural pieces that I can use in found condition that will reinforce the age of the house.  With all the new construction, I have made careful design decisions that will keep the old cottage feeling old.

One piece I came across from one of my favorite downtown McKinney antique dealers, is the old French Farmhouse window.  It will have a place of prominence in the house.  It is in the direct line of sight as soon as you walk in the front door.  It will be set, with its current worn finish against a wall of white plank boards in the kitchen, above the kitchen sink.

The kitchen sink, by the way, will be an old zinc trough.  I believe the pairing of the old window and trough sink will be lovely reminders of the age of the house.   I have seen them at a number of dealers at Round Top, so I’ll add it to my list of things to get:

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The cherry on the sundae will be an old brass wall mounted sink faucet…if I can find one.

As I was looking on the Houzz website this weekend, an old French farm house kitchen caught my eye.  When I clicked on the link and saw pictures of the entire house, I spied a window very similar to mine.  I am in heaven.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

Beautiful French farm house bedroom.  I love the stone floors and the architectural salvage bed.  But mostly, my eye was drawn to the window above the door.

Beautiful French farm house bedroom. I love the stone floors and the architectural salvage bed. But mostly, my eye was drawn to the window above the door.

The window looks very similar to the one I bought from Chase Hall in downtown McKinney, pictured above the post.

Capture

 

 

Not quite the count down to Round Top…yet

 

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I’m not quite ready to start the countdown clock for the Round Top Antiques Show; it’s too soon.  But I supposed there is no harm in posting pictures from my last trip there.

Round Top is a small (very small, population 93 on a normal day) town in the Hill Country of Texas.  A coveted place to live, acreage is quite pricey.  I am told by my sister that Governor Perry is building a home in Round Top.

In the spring, the fields along the highways and byways are saturated with the color from the wild flowers, the blue of the bluebonnet or the poppy color from indian paint.  Long Horn’s gracefully graze as if it’s summer and the architecture of the old farm houses remind you of the German influence that settled in much of the Hill Country.

Twice a year, this sleepy little town  completely transforms into an antique mecca.  Dealers from all over the world, with price points that range from reasonable to ridiculous attract over 3 million people.  My sister and I go and make a weekend of it.  We stay in Belleville which is about 20 minutes away.  All the more coveted B & B’s have legacy bookings, with the same people booking every show, so it’s difficult to get something closer to Round Top unless blind luck steps in.

Here are a few shots.  Trust me when I tell you it doesn’t even begin to capture the sheer volume one can expect to see at each show, in the spring and fall.

I’ll be posting some updates for the renovation next week.  We’ll have some major framing completed this week, so the pictures can show the progress.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

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