Don't throw the past away
You might need it some rainy day
Dreams can come true again
When everything old is new again.
~Peter Allen/Carol Bayer Sagar
I like dogtrot style cabins and cottages. I can almost imagine our new home with a dogtrot. The front door opens on the foyer where you look down a lovely wide hallway through the living room. There are doorways and a hallway opening to rooms, along both sides of the wide hall. On the other side of the living room, it is just a small jog to the right to exit the sliding doors, onto the deck. Almost but not quite dogtrot, our new home has a similar feel.
A reader asked if I have formal design or decorating training. I am so very flattered by that question. No, I do not have formal training. I do know what I like. I remember having an interest in dwellings as early as first or second grade. The original Boxcar Children, read to our third grade class, remains one of my all time favorite books. Those children made a home in a boxcar with things found in a dump.
Our homes during my growing up years were very humble and several homes in my adult years were also. It has been quite a journey. I hope I don’t lose my interest in rooms and such. Playing with furniture and accessories keeps me young.
Our new home and I have had several conversations. She likes traditional with just a tad bit of transitional and rustic refinement thrown in to keep things interesting. Whimsy is here, too.
J, Molly, and I are happy with our new home’s ideas.
As you can see in these photos, the rolled arm bench has returned to the foyer. This is due to a water dog, who does not like a wet face/muzzle. The bench was pretty and practical beside the coffee table, however, every time Miss Molly had a drink of water she ran to the bench to dry her face. That wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for the fact she is so exuberant about the face drying the bench was scooted to the island each and every time she was thirsty. I tired of moving the bench, even with felt sliders on the feet. Now it rests against the foyer wall and stays fairly stationary.
Besides, I like it better in the foyer.
I came to the conclusion the hallway needed a table. This little demi-lune was in storage. We picked it up the other day. It had some scratches I repaired with wax repair crayons from Valspar. Those things have come in handy. I bought a pack of several colors. I’ve made old new again, with those crayons, several times since the move.
I put together a vignette with things found in cardboard cartons and plastic tubs. Old things made new again.
Recently, someone asked if we bought all new furniture for our new home. We bought a sofa, three chairs, a bed, and a couple of tables. These things replaced several things that were sold or donated. The buyers of our former home bought several rooms of furniture. It makes it easier to move, when this is done. It also necessitates buying a few replacement pieces.
I found this mirror at Old Time Pottery over 20 years ago. I used it over a vanity at the farm. The mirror is beveled and the finish is paper, not paint. It has held up very well over the years. This is the third home for the mirror.
I was using it in the master suite of this home. When I decided the hallway needed a table, I knew the mirror was the right choice for above.
I changed the hallway print for a third time. With Fall arriving next month, I believe I will stay with the apples.
I added the cloche within a cloche and a silvery tray to the foyer chest vignette.
This secretary is one of the pieces we moved from our former home.
We are winding down to the end of what we need to move from storage. We are so happy we made the decision to move from storage slowly. Going slow means less stress. So far it has been just about five months.
There is lots of Christmas to move and that includes Christmas dishes. All that is tidily packed in storage tubs. They should transfer fairly well from there to our basement. As slow as we move they just might be here in time for Christmas 2015. We shall see.
Foodie Friday and Everything Else
