Time To Get Outside

Tomorrow my kids have off from school. I, by default, will have off from work. There are so many beautiful things happening in the garden, and I am hoping that we will all get a chance to get outside and have some fun. I am dying to to pull some weeds, clean up the plants that have become overgrown, and make some room for some mums, kale and pansies. Fall is here, and it is time to celebrate!

Getting outside lately has been difficult. We have had rain, followed by drizzle.... And then more rain. Oh, and then it decides to rain again. I am beginning to feel that I live in a suburb of Seattle rather than Philadelphia.

I don't mind the moody overcast sky, but I have to admit I will very much enjoy a less humid air mass. My husband tells me there will be a cool breeze by this weekend~highs in the 60's?? Evenings in the 40's!!! YAY! Perfect gardening weather.

Are you ready to get outside and enjoy Autumn also?

Writing Your Memoir

Our childhood homes, our grandparents houses, our first apartments, the first place we lived where we had a mortgage payment due every month...these are the settings where the stories of our lives have unfolded. These places sheltered us and shaped us into who we are today.  

And what about the place you live in now? What story does it tell? Recently, two dear friends independently sent me the following quote, each knowing it would resonate with me (especially since it is from one of my favorite writers):

"You may have no idea you've produced an extensive memoir, but you have. In fact, you're living in it. According to psychologists who analyze the relationship between our home and our psyches, we often--consciously or not-- choose and arrange our living spaces to reflect our life histories."

-Martha Beck

It is a very interesting thought to me that we all have written a detailed story in the choices of where we live, how the rooms are arranged, and by what they contain. How do you feel about your house when viewed this way? Do your choices accurately tell the story of you?

It is often the case that our houses tell the stories of our past, but what is most important is whether or not it tells the story of where you want to go.

It can be a difficult thing to figure out. We often are so used to the way things are, and comfortable with the way things have always been, that we don't see how our surroundings can be changed to help us become more of what we long to be.  I strongly agree with Martha Beck's assertion that a person cannot change their life without changing the rooms they live in, and vice versa.

So, where do you want to go?  If your house is a beautiful, peaceful and nurturing reflection of that idea and dream, it is truly the shelter that you need to write the next chapter of your memoir and channel the story of your life.

Wheels, Whistles & Whimsy

I just came across these pictures I took a couple of weeks ago on my iPhone, and wanted to share. Seems most places we go as a family have something to do with TRAINS, and I guess that is no surprise since I have a husband and son who both love them (as well as all other kinds of machinery and industrial items).  That is okay with me, since I find them intriguing too....and there is always some kind of neat-o historical building nearby .... or at least a whimsical model of one.

So charming and quaint.

Mid Century Marvelous Part 2

A few weeks ago I shared with you some preliminary pictures of the Mid Century gem that I have been hired to redesign...

A lot had to be considered as we made plans for a major kitchen renovation, as well as new flooring throughout the house, new paint in much of the rooms, and many, many other changes.

I am excited that the new kitchen cabinets are due to arrive on Monday, and the room itself has been essentially MOVED within the structure of the house. Very cool. I will be telling you more about that over the next two weeks, and sharing pictures. For now, here is the empty shell anxiously awaiting all the beautiful cherry cabinetry:

In the living/dining room, a new 12x24" tile floor has been installed. Here is the room when the project first started with original polished concrete floors and paint:

I know that for the mid century purist, it is a crime to cover the original floors--I don't know that I totally disagree, but I am hoping that the configuration of the tile is a respectful and effective nod to the era of the house's modern heritage....

While the pictures seem to show a tile that is busy, in person it is a beautiful porcelain that very closely mimics the feel of the concrete, but with the finesse that my clients longed for. It hasn't been exposed yet, but around the perimeter of the room there is a 1" glass/slate mosaic border inlay. I am very excited to see that beautiful detail revealed.

My clients felt strongly that they wanted to have an intense color on the walls, so we found this burnt orange (MAB Chrysanthemum SW6347) that echoes some of the tones in the brick exterior of the house.  I liked the original taupe of the trim, but it was so in need of a new coat to freshen things up. I chose a color that I hoped would have depth, but would still lighten things up and resonate with the new elements in the room: MAB Sand Dollar (SW 6099).

Soon the original hardware will be put back onto the built-ins, and I will post some more pictures for you to see.

In My Own Backyard

I know that this is happening everywhere, and I know this isn't news to anyone.... but, nonetheless, when it happens right up the hill from you, it just gets to you in a very different way.

I learned just last week that my neighbors had been evicted, and that their house is now bank owned.

I did not know the family well--they very much kept to themselves.   Even though I didn't know them personally, it of course still makes me sad and fills me with so many questions. I hope, wherever they are, that they are doing well and recovering from what must have been a very tumultuous year or more leading up to the foreclosure.

Yesterday I went to tour the house with my real estate agent and my business partner. When we learned that the property was up for sale, we immediately wanted to see if it might be a good fit as an investment. I admit that I would love to have some control over what happens to the beautiful parcel of land, which includes a spring-fed pond, gorgeous woods, and a vista that can't be beat. I would love to be able to shape the way the house is rehabilitated, if the structure is indeed worth saving.

Here is my son explaining to me later that afternoon why, clearly, we HAVE to buy the property and build a house for us on it. IF ONLY it were that easy....

Now, I have toured quite a few foreclosures in the past year for potential project houses, and all of them have a distinct, desperate "what-the-hell-happened-here" sorta vibe that lingers in the air. I wasn't sure what to expect when we entered this house that had always seemed--from a distance, that is-- solidly built to me.

There is a lack of maintenance that is evident throughout the property....

and overall neglect and disrepair. (The shot above is blurry, I know--but I don't know that we want to see that black stuff clinging to the walls clearly)...

The decking appears to have been removed at the rear of the house. I don't know if the bank removed it before it was put on the market to ensure that no one ended up falling through....? My business partner wondered out loud if things had gotten so bad  during last winter, if the wood had been burned for heat?

And there was standing water and water damage in many spots as well. (Note the buckling hardwood floor below.)

When looking at the grading and window wells around the foundation, it is not at all hard to see why water was making itself at home. This is pretty much a blinking neon sign inviting it in...

It is really something to me....really. The property itself is so lovely, and has so many beautiful mature trees. A lot of potential.

I will keep you posted as we weigh out the situation. There is much to consider. Hopefully, whatever happens, the property will have someone to love it and care for it in the near future.