Those of you who have been reading my articles and blurbs have already learned a little of the history of my house. (Goodness knows, I talk about it incessantly.) For those of you who are completely unfamiliar with my "dream house", allow me provide you with a few of its characteristics.
First, it is believed that the house was built in 1880. (That's EIGHTEEN-80)
The city historical society's undated "plan drawing" ~ which is actually a hand-drawn sketch of a (then) nameless street ~ reflects the footprint of the structure. The structure is not defined as a residence or a business or an out building. Records do, however, provide information that taxes were paid on "improvements" that were made in 1903.
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There were things I was going to need to fill up some of the unique spaces in my wonderful "new" house; the living room being the most demanding. Oh, I possess the basic living room furnishings ~ sofa, love seat, coffee table, TV and a lamp or two, but not near enough to fill a room with two bay windows on one side of the room and a ready-made, den-like conversation/TV-watching space on the other.
Just prior to moving in, I had been the winning bidder at a silent auction at Goodwill. (I love this monthly event!) My latest acquisition was a sun-faded wicker-and-wood love seat on a rusted steel frame and rockers. Now was the time to get it in shape.
A thorough scrubbing with a stiff brush and a solution of Murphy's soap revealed a diamond in the rough. There were a few broken "spokes" in the wicker, but nothing of great concern. Goo-Gone on a toothbrush quickly remedied the rusty spots. Prep work for introducing a new finish took about two days.
I used black, oil-based, high-gloss, rust resistant, metal paint on the frame. Applied with a 1" brush, this chore was tedious but not difficult. (Gravity was my enemy ~ oil-based paint moves fast!) A beautiful stain called "Norwegian Teak" was applied with a rag to the wooden rockers, the arm rests, and the curving trim along the back. Staining the "wicker" areas was fun! With a very inexpensive 3" brush (and a large drop cloth) I applied the stain to the wicker. The first two applications were quickly sucked up by the dried, twisted reed material. But when the color began to really take hold, I knew I had chosen the right shade of stain.
A 3" foam slab was covered with a home-sewn "pillow slip" cover made of a textured, eggshell white remnant of upholstery fabric. The cinnamon colored faux suede pillows were store-bought (twenty bucks for the pair at Costco), the two rectangular pillows are actually 2nd-hand throw pillows from Goodwill sporting home-made covers.
The accent table? Well, that's a piece of 3" x 12" lumber I found in the discarded pile at a construction site ~ complete with burrs, nail holes and hammer dings. I stained it with an Ebony stain and mounted it on two wooden wine boxes, stained with Norwegian Teak, of course. The decorative candle box is a wooden box left over from a Christmas pack of wonderful breads. I painted it the color of Merlot, filled it with fine playground sand, placed short, stubby candles into it and scattered in a few seashells.
On the left is my magnificent fireplace! (Unfortunately, the chimney is condemned and the fireplace cannot be used.....yet. That's a project in the planning stages!) The lamp on the mantle is one of a pair. Yard sale. It was oxidized aluminum with some kind of blue film on the glass panels. A razor blade quickly removed the film. A few squirts of black spray paint solved the oxidation and covered the damage. I put a tea light candle inside of a brandy snifter and place the whole thing inside the lamp. Beautiful results.
Obviously, I'm proud of my handy work and I love showing it off. I hope you've enjoyed this brief tour of my little corner of the world.
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Comments: 17
hugz,gayle
The table - I would have never guessed you made that.
I have never met a lantern I didn't like - nice job.
Old houses can exude a ton of charm and I love the houses with a happy spirit - your place really sparkles.
...and did I read this right on Marianne's birthday thread, you just had a birthday?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT BONI!
I will be there come January - hope you had a lovely birthday:)
In an e-mail, I forwarded the link to my article to a friend I have known all my life. After high school we were roommates while our long-time, newly enlisted boyfriends were serving during the mid-Viet Nam era. It's a long and wonderful story. Life happens, things change. We have not seen one another in over 35 years yet, somehow, our friendship ~ even though it's been bruised a few times ~ has always healed. We communicate on birthdays, Christmases, and during an occassional Super Bowl game (a three and a half hour period each year when we can have the phones to ourselves!)
For whatever reason, she did not leave a comment here on gather.com, but she sent her comment to me. I could not be more flattered.
"As far back as I can remember, you always had a flare for decorating. I remember when we were kids you were doing this. Are you just learning that you have a talent? I think you should have hung out a shingle for interior design 40 years ago!!!!!!! Now, me. It might take me months to put together a room.....if I can get it close to right.....it will never be touched again........ I wish I had just a smidgen of talent. Just in case you are too old to remember, your birthday WAS yesterday! love you have a GREAT DAY!
Am I tooting my own horn? That's not the intent. Her words set me aback; you see, I was always so envious of her.
I'm simply blown away by your craftiness! Your home is beautiful and I love the rocker settee in front of the window!