ships lap

Finishes, Finishes.

May 19, 2015 by Cynthia Leave a Comment

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.

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

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.

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.

Filed Under: Before 'n After, My Home, Projects, Uncategorized Tagged With: antique, cottage, country, house, old, renovation, ships lap, white

Inching Toward the Finish…

March 30, 2015 by Cynthia Leave a Comment

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.

Pantry and Fireplace clad in old ships lap.

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.

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.

Hardy rosemary plants, evergreen throughout the seasons.

Filed Under: Before 'n After, My Home, Projects, Uncategorized Tagged With: antique, antiques, cottage, country, fireplace, historic, mckinney, remodel, renovation, ships lap, texas

A Lovely Mess

December 7, 2014 by Cynthia Leave a Comment

-- Download A Lovely Mess as PDF --

The last few weeks have been stressful, to put it mildly. Closing on the loan, packing, moving and settling in to a tiny apartment. It’s fair to say that I am a nester and being in limbo is not my strong suit.

I needed to see progress on my house in order to feel like this is all for something. In this case, moving forward, or progress begins with stepping back and deconstructing.

Week #1 has begun with demolition. And it’s a lovely mess. I am beyond thrilled to see that under all the sheetrock was ships lap. Original to the house and of its time, it really needs to shine. We are keeping it exposed for the renovation and will eventually paint it. We’ll harvest, patch and repair where we need to and fill the whole house with it. Wood walls. Warm, comforting wood walls. What a simple path to happiness.

Here are the pictures from the first week. Please join me on this journey.

Always,

Cindy