My Latest Project: What The Yuck!?

A couple I worked with on a renovation a few years ago called to see if I was interested in doing a whole house renovation on an income property they own. It was built in the 1970's and they have owned it since the mid 1980's. As newlyweds, it was once their residence. My response...when can I see the place!?

If you have read my blog for some time, it's no secret how much I love renovations. This is such a unique project to be able to work on something from scratch, or nearly. Even though I won't be doing any decorating since it's going to continue as an income property and in 2 years it will serve as a first home for their college age children, still I am enthusiastic!

At first glance this seems like a really decent townhouse. It's a large end unit that has a tall side window and that means lots of natural light in the stairwell. It's almost all brick with a wide side yard that has a path next to it, and backs to a private tree lined no build area. Very promising!

The landscaping and grass need some attention and a fresh coat of paint will be in order, plus a new light.
 New windows and storm door were added the week before this photo.

Looks can be deceiving...

Shall we start in the kitchen? Come in, if you dare. Welcome to the latest episode of hoarders. The male version. Two single men, I'd say in their early 30's (yes, I met them when I came over to do the measurements) have lived here for 6 years. They both move out at the end of the month.

The purses on the counter belong to me and my client. I had to grab a paper sack and to rip sheets of paper from my notebook to put our purses on so the bottoms wouldn't become a petri dish! I was tempted to ask the husband to hold them. My measuring tape was wiped down with a Clorox wipe the minute I got home. Can I pour you a drink? There must have been over 300 bottles of liquor throughout this house. That explains a lot....must be hard to clean when you're drunk all the time.

The clients did warn me the place was in bad shape and used primarily for storage. Hmm...not exactly how I would describe it, but within 5 minutes I can envision major changes and a dramatic outcome in the kitchen and regain my enthusiasm.



Other side of the kitchen. If I get the structural okay, this wall and door are outta here!



and goodbye vertical blinds and hello beautiful tranquil view!

Shall we go downstairs?


1970's stair rail. I wanted to rip it off the wall the moment I saw it! Why is an old screen still here?



This is the basement powder room. It's the cleanest bathroom in the house.
Trust me when I say I truly wish I was kidding. It gets worse. Much worse.



This hallway between the powder room and utility room is just such a waste of space. This is the ideal
spot to add a shower, but a special contractor is required to do a foundation drill on an attached property. 



Under the basement stairs. Scruples, really??? A closet appears to be in order here.



These stupid stick-on mirrors will likely require all the drywall to be removed! There is actually a nice stone fireplace behind the skull (Jolly Roger) flag. The fence and deck are very nice, they just need a little power washing.

Let's go upstairs. Please forgive me for showing you these. Perhaps this will explain why I've had no time to blog. This past week, I have been completely immersed in coming up with plans for a new kitchen design, hopefully a bathroom addition, plus things like carpet, flooring, lighting and a whole lot of YUCK!

The master bedroom. I had to push this box out of the way the way to get to the bathroom.
Cue the Psycho  music...



Who thinks design is glamorous work? There was also plenty of mold in the hall bath too. But, I love my readers
far too much to pile on any more torture. The smell of mold was so strong the minute I reached the upstairs landing.
The mold had spread from the shower to the bathroom floor to the carpet in the bedroom!!!
 Even though I showered as soon as I got home, I ended up with a 2 day mirgraine and was feeling quite sick.
I insisted my clients get a mold abatement specialist in to do samples and testing before we go any further.
The results are due in today. 



It has rained for 8 straight days. A stream now runs through our backyard. I rush home every day to see if the basement has flooded. All this craziness makes me feel compelled to end on a pretty note. I fell in love with this gorgeous linen embroidered quatrefoil fern fabric and ordered a sample. Why is the sample so small you ask? It's $295/yd. I can not afford anything more than a few pillows at this price I could have pillows made using antique textiles pieces. If the damn leaf had been centered on the sample, I would frame it!!! Seriously. I thought about having it printed, but it's an exclusive design and can't be copied.

However, thanks to blogging and new friendships, I have found a beautiful fern alternative that can be custom made by a super talented man in the colors I love.  I plan the fern fabric in my kitchen. I look forward to sharing all the details as soon as the work is complete!





Fabulous Ferns

After an unwelcome dusting of snow and this equally unwelcome and lingering cough and cold, my thoughts turn to anticipation of warmer weather and bright greens.

This would go in my fantasy conservatory or sun room.

I can't think of an easier and better way to add green than with ferns. They are great indoors, especially when rooms need a little lift or a dull corner could use some life! I honestly can't remember a summer without Boston Ferns hanging from the porch or deck. Ferns love humid climates and plenty of shade which makes them perfect for southern gardens.



Antique print



A combination of art and plants.



Perfect paperweight.

If you want something smaller, Maidenhair Ferns are so charming and perfect for any table surface. I also love them in a bathroom for a more casual alternative to an orchid.

Maidenhair fern.

A super simple and fresh centerpiece.

Need something really low maintenance, how about a fern fabric? It will breath life into the dullest piece or give a favorite piece a fresh crisp look!



A very clever execution of twin headboards! Design by Tom Scheerer. 



Images courtesy of Country Living, House Beautiful, Google,Schumacher, John Derian

Tuesday Tip

Gather your fabric scraps and remnants! Let's make stockings, ornaments and sachets.

Sometime in the 1990's, Martha Stewart got me obsessed with turkey red damask fabric after seeing photos from her house. I went to several flea markets, tag and estate sales hoping to get my hands on a tablecloth or two. I was pretty sure after a long search Martha had already bought up all the good ones!

From my tear sheets...details unknown.

But I finally scored a small one that had holes and was badly stained. I made a little pattern of a stocking that I traced out of my daughter's coloring book! Then I convinced a friend with sewing skills to make these mini stockings.  We were able to do 9 in all. Three for her, three went to another friend and three I kept. I must confess, I wish I had kept them all to hang on a small tree or somehow re-work for place cards!



Fireplace mantle in the A&A master bedroom

The sheer and satin ribbon was added to give them a little something to make them look polished. It's never been changed and has held up well after being packed away each year. These sachets were filled with lavender from Crabtree & Evelyn and still smell great! They could just have easily been turned into ornaments with a ribbon loop. So,  if you happen to have a few yards of favorite fabric or an old tablecloth you love...create something special!