Country Living Feature

Living Room

Happy and blessed to check this bucket list item off.  Here is the link to the feature article that is in the current issue of Country Living.

I hope you find some inspiration.

All the best~

Cindy

 

A House into a Home…

This has been a busy two months.  Moving into an unfinished house with construction dust was not what I envisioned at the end of the renovation, even though it’s still not done yet.

To say it has been stressful would be an understatement.  Slowly but surely, I am digging out of it.  Sometimes with the help of family and friends and sometimes going it alone, each weekend I accomplish something that helps me feel better about all the trouble.  Washing and vacuuming every surface, setting up proper bedrooms so sleep can be peaceful, editing collections, figuring what I can do without, working hard not to fill every square inch of storage so there is room to grow, cleaning the outside of the house, removing construction debris that wasn’t removed, having a pop up antique sale, arranging furniture, hanging pictures and just generally setting up house that will be the place I call home.

This weekend, I had the help of one of my most special friends, Vince Maggio.  He is the truly undiscovered master of arrangement.  He worked on my living/dining area and what a great job he did.

These are iphone pictures, not using  my Canon camera, so take that into consideration.  These two pictures are just snippets, I’ll do a more comprehensive article when I am closer to finishing with setting up the house.

I hope you find some inspiration.

All the Best,

Cindy

IMG_9149

A $65 Craigslist table that was partially stripped. I like it just the way it is. $25 One King’s Lane bamboo directors chairs that match the tone of the table and the linen press. A grouping of vintage nautical print from The Round Top Antique Show placed in floating frames and a variety of other collected pieces.

FullSizeRender

Antique linen press full of curated items, a comfy couch across from the fireplace (pics of that later, it isn’t finished) and inexpensive IKEA pillow, along with a French ticking stripe pillow from Home Goods all come together to make a beautiful, comfortable place to set a spell and take a load off.

 

The One Minute Mile

IMG_8654

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.

IMG_8680

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.

Not Everything Has to Make a Statement

I have been working on the details.  But I find myself resisting the otherwise natural urge to make a statement at every turn, starting with the lighting.  Strangely, I want the lighting to feel more organic.  Lighting that is functional, of course but really looks like it is of the cottage as it would have been 80 years ago.

There is one exception, of course:

Found and restored, this is a family piece that have a place of honor in this old home.

Found and restored, this is a family piece that will have a place of honor in this old home.

The one statement fixture in the house will be a chandelier (pictured above) that has been at every house my family has lived in as long as I can remember.  I asked my mother if I could have it for the renovation, giving it a place of honor in the house.  It will be hung over the lovely nine foot, antique, French bistro table in the front room.   It will be one of the first things you see when you walk in the house and I can’t wait to hang it.

My Uncle Jack found this chandelier many, many, many moons ago.  He recently told me the story on Facebook, of how he found and restored it:

“OMG , do I remember it ? I’m so glad you are using it . You will appreciate the history of how it was saved from the dumpster . A friend at work told me of an elderly aunt ( 86 ) that had died and the family had scavenged everything they wanted from her ten room home . He offered to humor my reputation as a junk collector and take me to see if there was anything I wanted . Yes …I’ll take that old player grand piano, the 1500s leather bound prayer book , and lots more . Now , I was eyeing that chandelier in the dining room but there were lots of prisms missing . In the entry was another smaller one in the same condition . I took both down , counted the prisms ,and was still a few short to complete this one . Rooting through boxes , drawers , and such ,I found prisms from the basement to the attic . Just enough ! I took them all off , soaked the 100 years of grime in bleach water , and scrubbed each one . It has survived many years with your Mom , now you can enjoy it for many more . I’m so happy for you.”

So thanks to Uncle Jack and his dogged determination and mom for letting me hang it in the house, I have a wonderful statement piece to hang in what will be a lovely home.

Here are some pictures of the chandelier and other fixtures that I will be using throughout the house.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Ceiling fixture with simple silk shade.

Ceiling fixture with simple silk shade.

Adjustable arm wall sconce in antique brass finish.

Adjustable arm wall sconce in antique brass finish.

Clear shade with antique brass fixture.

Clear shade with antique brass fixture.

 

An vintage gooseneck lamp with a Victorian crystal bead bulb cover with an accordion closure.  These bulb covers with the accordion closure are very hard to find, but I found two.

An vintage gooseneck lamp with a Victorian crystal bead bulb cover with an accordion closure. These bulb covers with the accordion closure are very hard to find, but I found two.

They don't make things like this anymore.  The bulb cover has great weight to it because the beads are glass.  The accordion closure is what makes the pair I found a rare and unique find.

They don’t make things like this anymore. The bulb cover has great weight to it because the beads are glass. The accordion closure is what makes the pair I found a rare and unique find.

Simple pendant lamps for the kitchen.  Exposed twisted cord, antique brass finish and a beautiful Sheffield milk glass shade.  Just lovely.

Simple pendant lamps for the kitchen. Exposed twisted cord, antique brass finish and a beautiful Sheffield milk glass shade. Just lovely.

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.

IMG_9984

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

IMG_9953

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

2015-02-14_15-55-24 2015-02-14_15-57-54 2015-02-14_15-59-01 2015-02-15_5-05-34 2015-02-15_5-14-04 2015-02-15_5-16-26 Presentation1