Friday, February 23, 2024

Fireplace - Almost Finished!

                 Been a long couple of weeks with all the mess and trying to protect all my plants from the boards and bricks and workers. Seems I finally get the farmhouse looking really nice and then another project starts and we're back to square one. 
 
                       As you can see, a lot has been accomplished. Jake cut the hole through the roof yesterday and that portion of the chimney will be built and then all we need is the pretty part . . . the stone.


                            A lot going on inside, too.  Another mess. UGH
                               Almost there!  The stone and hearth are about all that is needed to finish inside. Just hope my andirons will fit inside this tiny fireplace.

                       Just for fun last night I placed the mantle and the portrait just to get a feel for how it will look.  Our mason is in his 70s and he is about the last of a dying trade, so I am glad we decided to bite the bullet and pay the money to get this done. It's going to make the place!

Friday, February 9, 2024

Fireplace

                     The fireplace work has begun, and I'm both excited and nervous watching holes being cut into the wall and next through the roof. I cannot watch! 
                   I have the hardest time keeping workers' "stuff" off my plants, asking them to steer clear of my huge Eden rose, and we can forget about the grass I've been trying to get growing.  That's the part of construction I really hate. All my daffodils are up with buds, I removed buckets and boards and shovels from being on top of them and taped off the area last night.
 
                     Now to remove all the dirt and gravel they dug up for the footings.  Seems we pay a lot of money and we still have a lot of work to do ourselves.  

                   They left the job last night and didn't even cover the hole! Bob and I put up some thick plastic so the nighttime wildlife wouldn't be hanging out in the living room. My luck I would come down and a bear would be on the sofa LOL.  
              I know I have to go through this part to get to the end, and I know I will LOVE having a fireplace with my old painted mantle and antique andirons, but I will be stressed until it's all finished. 
                At least we will have plenty of firewood from a recent tree that crashed and barely missed the cars. We need to get our guy with his splitter back out here to get it all cut and stacked.  Stay tuned!!

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Cozy Bedding

 Saturday will be our coldest day yet, still no snow, the dogs are disappointed.  Unexpected guests may be coming, so made the bed in cozy flannels, vintage wool blankets and a chunky cable afghan.
 
               



                           Found these framed vintage floral prints to sell, liked them in the farmhouse living room, so for now they are keepers.

   The rooms are a work in progress.  I had the big brown sofa taken away, put the smaller love seat in its place.  I'm looking for two chairs to replace the brown chairs still there that went with the brown sofa.  
    The brown sofa was too big, the fabric faded and we have had that sofa 30 years, so it was time for it to go, I wasn't going to reupholster it for the third time.  I would love to find some vintage chairs with velvet or chintz.  Gives me something to keep looking for.
    I brought in the green painted meal bin from the front porch. Placed a floral lamp and my floral tray on it, a work in progress.
      
    
       A pretty lamp, but too small.  Last weekend I saw a dark green hand painted lamp that I should have bought and need to make a trip to go get it.  I'm really into green these days.

   I have a secret place I go every so often that has a building full of "junk" that you have to work your way through.  She gets shipments every Friday and is only open on Tuesdays.  It's so much fun and I find so many items for myself and for my Etsy shop. This rug was the last find ($15!!), thought it might work in the farmhouse, but the style was too fancy for me. Perfect condition, a French Abusson? needlepoint rug that I sold on Ebay last week for over $200. I now have money to buy a hooked rug if I can find one in browns or greens. 


      I'd like to replace the small rugs in the living room, get a rug for under the table in the kitchen.  Would love new chairs for the living room, then some different chairs for the kitchen and a new tabletop.  That's just the farmhouse lol.  I'm changing things around at the main house and need new items there.  Keeps me busy looking. It's so much fun!!  (Inspired by Maria Heikoop "The Grower's Daughter" on Youtube if you are looking for someone to follow with impeccable taste!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Christmas Decorations



 





      A make-shift fireplace for my gathering.  I actually found four masons that came and gave me an estimate for my fireplace. Some tried to talk me into gas, others a wood stove. It will be tiny because of the mantel, only 26 inches wide.  Since it's not a standard size, it has to be done by a stone mason and they are very expensive. The first estimated 18-20 k!!!  I've gotten it down quite a bit, but will still be costly, but worth it.  It will be enjoyed by guests and add value to the farmhouse.  



Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Christmas Greens & Lights

                         Living in a gap yields abundant greens for holiday decorating.  I spent the afternoon filling containers with greens that smell like a fresh cut Christmas tree.  
 

                                Fairy lights add the finishing touch.  



     The entryway has faux stems, greens and pinecones with icicle lights.





     Still adding lights to this tree, a work in progress, but had to post this photo of Timber.  Inside the tree is up, the table set for a small gathering of neighbors invited for some Christmas cheer.