Our house, and most of them in our area that were built at this time (1890), have a back door with a big enclosed porch which is traditionally where the family entered the house and took off muddy boots and chore coats. The front of the houses have fancier entrances and porches meant for guests to enter. We come in through that back door, and after the porch you walk into the kitchen. The cabinets are obviously not original, but I'm ok with that because they're pretty nice and I love all the storage. Eventually I may refinish them, but that's not a priority for me. I do want to paint hopefully this spring. Every room in this house is painted an odd greenish blueish shade. I would also like to update that gray and off-white tile at some point. The doorway off to the right leads into the pantry which I am so excited to have! I've never had a big pantry before.
This one is looking into the living room, from what would have been the parlor years ago. That parlor area we converted into a bedroom for my parents because its in a good location, on the main floor near the kitchen and a bathroom, so they don't have any stairs to contend with. You can't tell in the picture, but there are pocket doors in that doorway. My husband I spent a lot of time and energy trying to get to get those out of the wall! We did finally get them out and shut them to block off that room to make the bedroom. They're beautiful doors underneath a layer of the ugliest paint you ever saw! The carpet also needs to go when we can afford to put in new flooring. We don't care for carpet so we'll replace it with wood or tile when we can.
This is another downstairs bedroom. We didn't give this one to my parents because it's smaller and the room they have now has space for not only their bedroom furniture but a little living area with their recliners, coffee table, bookcases and TV as well. So this room became a sewing/craft room and we are also using a corner of it to add on an addition to one of the bathrooms. Which is what my husband is working on drywalling right now! Hopefully by the time I get my camera, I will be able to show you the finished project!
This is upstairs. Those carpet pieces went in the trash right away! I really like the claw foot tub. As with the downstairs, it all needs repainted. There are three more bedrooms and a huge
walk-in closet upstairs. I'm guessing they didn't need that big closet in 1890, maybe was originally another bedroom! The hallway is nice and wide so we now have bookcases lining the hallway on both sides. We also have a door out to the balcony, where I loved to sit and read or just relax when the weather was nice. I'm looking forward to doing it again when it's not -40 out there!
This isn't a very good picture, but it's one of the upstairs bedrooms. See what I mean about all the paint colors? Maybe there was a sale on strange green-blue colors!
For some reason I didn't take pictures of the porches, other bedrooms, bathrooms, or the basement. The basement is unfinished, but it's actually one of my favorite things about the house because our old house didn't have one and it could be quite terrifying in tornado warnings! It also has a separate area full of shelving for storing canned/preserved food which I hope to fill up this year!
Since these were taken before we moved in, a lot has changed already, but hopefully in the Spring we can get a lot more done and then I can update with some "after" pics!
I think new paint will be first up on the list because it's easy (so I can do it all myself while Hubby's at work) and relatively inexpensive. I'm trying to decide...colors or everything all white? What do you think?
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Hi Jody! It's my first time here. Looks like you have some busy days ahead of you but, it will be gorgeous when you are done! I just started following you via Google+. I hope you will drop by for a visit.
ReplyDeleteHi Diann! Yes, it will keep us busy! Thank you for the nice comment! I followed you back!
DeleteVery nice rooms! Yours appears to be in much better shape than the house we just bought.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! I just checked out your blog...it reminds me so much of our last house! We tore it all down to the studs and floor joists and rebuilt from there! The house we're in now is actually in good shape, just needs mostly cosmetic work. I look forward to following along with your project!
DeleteLooks like you have your work cut out for you, but in such a good way. I think it's wonderful that your parents are going to be part of homestead. Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice comment Carol! We are so fortunate to have my folks with us, they are a wealth of knowledge in our journey! Have a great rest of the week!
DeleteThis big old farmhouse looks like it has a lot of good bones. When you get through putting your touches I'm sure it will be extremely lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn! I hope someday I will have great "after" pictures to show! Thank you so much for coming by the blog today!
ReplyDeleteHow fun. Looks like it has a lot of character. It will be fun to see the after pictures and it all fixed up with your touches. Pantries are pretty awesome too. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deanna! I look forward to being able to post "afters" too! :)
DeleteSuch charm in your house.........the newer homes just don't have the same character. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
Thank you for the nice comment!
DeleteBeautiful home! Love your claw foot tub!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY. Looking forward to some after shots!
Blessings,
Cindy
Hi Cindy! I've been dreaming of a claw foot tub for awhile, so I was happy to see that in the house! I hope to get lots done around here this spring/summer and hopefully will have "afters" to share! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDelete