First Project

We are busy settling in and unpacking, a process that takes days and weeks. I've been sidelined by finding a used washer and dryer and hooking them up. Laundry is kind of important. But on a more interesting and historical note, I decided I just had to know what was behind the shiny gold fireplace doors and larger-than-life mirror over the mantel. I took a hanger, and slid it behind the mirror. I could tell by how the hanger moved that there was a space behind the mirror. I had a hunch there could be an alcove there .. and after removing the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised to find an alcove in the center of the fireplace. There was a shelf there that they tore out when they put in the mirror. There also would have been sconces and some half round wood sconces under the light fixtures. There is an obvious outline where these objects would have been. I already checked the wiring, and it's still live, which will make replacing the sconces easy. We plan to purchase period sconces from an architectural antique dealer in the future, but for now we will most likely put some cheap sconces there until we can afford the $500 antique sconces. And then there's the fireplace. I pulled the brass door enclosure off to find another surprise. The brick work is highly detailed, tapering up to a decorative archway. Why oh why did someone take this out? I can't imagine why, but there is already a gas line run to the fireplace. We're not sure if we will be able to return it to a wood burning fireplace or not, but if we can't, we will put an energy-efficient gas fireplace insert in. Don't worry, we won't cover the brickwork again. :) I would imagine an insert that is set inside the brick, with a filler that matches the curve of the arch. We'll see. For now, here's a before and after pic taken from a friend's cell phone. This project will take a while to complete, but even though it's looking a little rough now, it will be a beautiful focal point when it's all done.

Welcome to my home

We've officially closed on our new home which is a beautiful English Tudor style home. I thought I'd post a few pics from the real estate listing. I'll have my own photos soon enough (once I figure out which box the camera is in lol). But for now, we are settling in, getting used to life here. As for the layout, the home has a foyer entry into a central staircase which winds up straight ahead as you walk into the home. To the right is a living room with fireplace, along with a sun room off the living room which is in the Southern side of the home. To the left as you walk in is the formal dining, and off that is the kitchen. Through the kitchen the staircase winds down to the basement where there is a rec room, office, bathroom, laundry room, utility room, and workshop area. Going upstairs as you walk in the master bedroom, second bedroom, and bathroom are at the top of the stairs along with a linen closet.

Up one more flight of stairs there is a large bedroom which we have set up as a room for our girls. Since the stairs go up the center of the room, it's a natural divider to their bedrooms which feature dormered ceilings and windows and skylights. I would have loved to have that bedroom as a child. Well, that's the house in a nutshell. I promise to have photos soon ... this isn't so much a house to restore as it is a house to live in and enjoy. There are some features we will work on, such as the fireplace which will shine up like a new penny once the current brass colored insert is removed. It's good to be home. Please stop back soon.