Because Christmas is here again…

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

All my decorating is done.  I started earlier than normal this year and now that I am done, it mostly means I can coast for the rest of the year and devote my weekends to baking.  Indeed.

Here are a few snippets of the inside of the house.  You may notice there aren’t a lot of long shots.  It’s mostly because I am holding back on wide shots so when the feature in Country Living comes out, you won’t already be bored with it. 😉

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

A simple fresh green wreath flanked by antique mercury glass beaded garland.  The bed is simply dressed with vintage linens and ruby red washed velvet pillows and a quilted velvet blanket at the end of the bed in a subdued neutral color.  It all makes for a cozy place to be.

A simple fresh green wreath flanked by antique mercury glass beaded garland. The bed is simply dressed with vintage linens and ruby red washed velvet pillows and a quilted velvet blanket at the end of the bed in a subdued neutral color. It all makes for a cozy place to be.

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An old sap bucket is a terrific alternative to more expensive vessels to house a holiday arrangement.

An old sap bucket is a terrific alternative to more expensive vessels to house a holiday arrangement.

A papier mache Santa boot that I painted then adorned with German Glitter Glass and a holiday embellishment, topped off with a fresh sprig of greens.

A papier mache Santa boot that I painted then adorned with German Glitter Glass and a holiday embellishment, topped off with a fresh sprig of greens.

A stair landing arrangement.

A stair landing arrangement.

Trying to tuck in a little Christmas in each room, both great and small.

Trying to tuck in a little Christmas in each room, both great and small.

A simple Home Goods pom pom wreath hung with sweet cotton red and white striped ribbon.

A simple Home Goods pom pom wreath hung with sweet cotton red and white striped ribbon.

Who says wreaths are only for doors?

Who says wreaths are only for doors?

Another Sulphur Springs, Texas find. This lovely blue antique cupboard is a great way to store and display my vintage textile collection and ironstone pitcher collection.

Another Sulphur Springs, Texas find. This lovely blue antique cupboard is a great way to store and display my vintage textile collection and ironstone pitcher collection.

My antique chandelier with a crown of fresh Christmas greens.

My antique chandelier with a crown of fresh Christmas greens.

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An old print befitting of such attention.

An old print befitting of such attention.

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

Sprigs of fresh greens, vintage glass ornaments in a simple ironstone bowl.

Etched footed bowls found on walmart.com

Etched footed bowls found on walmart.com

Simple fresh greens, footed mercury glass bowls and my vintage, hand blown ornaments.

Simple fresh greens, footed mercury glass bowls and my vintage, hand blown ornaments.

The use of NOEL is apropos of the French farmhouse window above the kitchen sink.

The use of NOEL is apropos of the French farmhouse window above the kitchen sink.

Beautiful old silver footed bowl I found I an antique shop in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Beautiful old silver footed bowl I found in an antique shop in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

 

The Pumpkin Conundrum…

 

Out with Halloween naturals and in with Christmas décor.   The leftover green pumpkins were too pretty not to find a way to use for the Christmas Holiday, so I created this transitional arrangement to greet friends and family.  It could easily adorn a kitchen island or fireplace mantle, too.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Fall pumpkins, stacked and tucked with moss, followed by a Christmas garland presented in an old cast iron urn. It's one way to transition from fall to Christmas, using what you already have.

Fall pumpkins, stacked and tucked with moss, followed by a Christmas garland presented in an old cast iron urn. It’s one way to transition from fall to Christmas, using what you already have.

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

 

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.

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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The Physicality of the Space


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The physical feel of each room is starting to take shape.  This is meaningful because we are working with the existing foot print to carve out additional rooms; not by adding square footage to the foot print.

You can look at scaled drawings and imagine it in your mind, but neither of those things give you a real sense of the space.  Walls are going up, windows are being added and storage is being built in and all of these thing are starting to help me understand the physicality of each room.

It’s fair to say, this will be a cozy cottage with small but well appointed rooms.  Every room is getting a closet, plus some additional built in storage squired away because I am losing my garage for storage and I have to make up for it somewhere else.

Nothing illustrates this more than the master suite.  We have a bedroom, sitting area, bathroom, dressing area, closet and some generic storage.

Since the master area occupies the entire second story, it will become a true retreat.  I made the decision to build out an additional 120 square feet, the question becomes what is the best way to use the space.  They did some additional framing, but before we can do more, I need to decide what the configuration should be.  With some guidance from my contractor, I have settled on using it for closet space, storage space and a dressing area.  Picture and diagram below.  Other framing updates follow.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Cindy

xoxo

Always

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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.

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