I grew up in a 150+ year old farmhouse. When my parents purchased it, I was probably 6 years old. There were chickens running through it! They fixed it up and called it home. I didn’t appreciate it’s history at the time. I didn’t appreciate the work they put into it. I certainly didn’t appreciate an upstairs bedroom with no heat and stoned wasps in the winter time hiding in my nightgowns or the stray bat in the summer that managed to get caught inside or the flying squirrels scratching in the walls or the closest neighbor being 5 miles away. But, appreciation and love and “home” must have stuck somehow because here I am 30 years later and I’ve become my mother! The instant I saw the house and property, I knew it was exactly what I wanted and that night when we returned to our rental home after looking at it, I drew sketches of all of the changes I wanted to make to help Russ see the potential and he fell in love too because he grew up in a small house with neighbors and a small yard. A bidding war ensued and we worried we might not win but it was meant to be. Here we are!
We could tell right away that our home was once loved. It was built by a doctor. His original farmhouse is next door and much smaller. He built a beautiful Craftsman on one side for his mother and this one on the other side of the original for himself, I’m told. I don’t know much about him other than his name etched on the knocker that is on our (hidden) front door. I only know of one other owner who was a ‘candy man’. I believe he owned this home for about 50 years. He also owned a locally loved candy shop with the best chocolates. There is a log book with projects that was left in the house. He was a DIY’er too. The landscaping although overgrown (another project) is beautiful. It’s not a farm anymore. Lots were sold somewhere along the line but we do have the barn and 3 acres. Sometime (maybe the 1980s), an addition was built on our home which nearly doubles the size of our original farmhouse. Vinyl siding makes the house uniform on the outside but the roof is still slate. There are 2 brick chimneys but only one fireplace. We have an idea of where the original fireplace was between the built in shelving in the livingroom and see the brick in the old cellar. Some walls have the old gas pipe plugs. I wish I could have seen my house when it was brand new and then through the years.
It’s always neat to see the projects and ours impress us because the ‘befores’ are so bad. I’ve shared some of the DIY projects we’ve accomplished so far. Sometimes seeing the pictures doesn’t give you an idea of where things are or what it all looks like together, so I drew (don’t laugh!) a very rough floor plan (obviously not to scale) of our home and property to help you visualize all that we have to do. I’m not ready to share pictures of the rooms we still have to attack since the “before” pictures = “present pictures” which are not pretty. Remember the DIY Drama video – a peak of what things I don’t show off look like! Sometimes it’s overwhelming. I’d love to have a gorgeous kitchen NOW. Patience isn’t one of my strengths, but we’ll get it and we’re enjoying the journey.
So, here it is. Click any picture to enlarge it. Spaces with red x’s still look outdated, scary and need some work. We have DIY projects to last a lifetime. By the time they’re all done, it’ll be time to start over again. 🙂
I wish I had a name
for our home. The candy shop was called the Sugar Bowl. I like it. It’s no longer in business. A name is for personal use only so it’s not a big deal. Just something for ‘us’. Another one that I’m considering is Lunaria House. I’d love to call it a cottage but cottage to me feels small and cozy. Our old farmhouse is big and drafty! But, one side of our driveway is lined with silver dollar plants hidden in the pines behind a small stonelined border. The latin name for this plant is pretty. “Lunaria“. Maybe it appeals to me because it makes me think of lunatic.
Does your house have a name? Any suggestions?
I hope to share more DIY makeovers and decorating in the coming year. I enjoy showing off yours too. So, keep me posted! I love sharing my hard work and ideas but I love when my inbox includes your DIY submissions even more!
I hope you have the best day saying goodbye to 2009 and start off 2010 with a happy heart, fresh beginning and new motivation (and DIY determination)!
I must say I love your blog and all the creative DIY projects you have featured on the site. I think you definitely should give your house a name. We named ours "Heardmont." My husband's great great (great great…) uncle was Stephen Heard, the governor of Georgia, and when he built his estate, he named it Heard-mont. We like to think of our little estate as Heardmont, too. Definitely go for something sentimental and personal – it will make you smile every time anyone asks why you chose the name!
Our historic home of 20 years is Casa de Redneck, a blending of my Antonio Banderas hubster and his southern born bride. We've constantly refered to it as the world's largest trailer, but it's my dream house, and he says as long as I live there, he will too.
Love your blog. You are officially bookmarked.
Ilove it AND now you have me thinking of a perfect name for your home.
Happy New Year my sweet friend
Cheri
It sounds like you've done quite a bit already, Roeshel, and I'm sure you'll get to the other projects as time and budget allow. What certainly comes across is that you love the place! Your graphics are great and it is probably very helpful to have a plan like that. I can't wait to see some of your projects in 2010!
Your new house name made me laugh out loud – love it! I can't wait to see all of the projects you'll accomplish in 2010. If next year is anything like 2009, it'll be a great one!
Happy New Year!
Roeshel ~ I love reading your posts…I was so drawn in by your story I could clearly picture each owner and what the property looked liked way back when. I love houses with a story and yours sure has a great one. I am looking forawrd to seeing what you have in store for us for the upcoming year…your ideas are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your world. Happy New Year!
yup, still with you, didn't find it a long post, found it oh so interesting! Your plans are lovely and will become more so in the future. Can't wait to see all you have planned. This looks like a dream come true. I wish you all the best in the coming new year.
I love seeing floor plans! You are so talented I can tell you now your house will be beautiful when it's finished. Not that the parts I've seen now aren't; I love them!
Hope you have a fabulous New Years!
Rachelle
Hey, I've missed seeing you recently! This was, once again, a great post. I love reading about your home. It gives me hope for ours.
Did I tell you how much I LOVE your slate floors? Ya know, my husband went to buy a motorcycle one day, and the guy tried to GIVE us tons of boxes full of brand new slate tile, the same color variations as yours. Our house is 3200sf, and it would have been enough to do the ENTIRE house, plus more. Hubby didn't like it, so we didn't take ANY of it. *rolls eyes* So, he has to pay for wood floors, now. tee hee!
Happy New Year, darlin'!!
I love, love, love seeing what you are doing with the house. So happy to have come across your blog early on. Keep it up! Happy New Year!!!
Well I do like the Lunaria House for a name. My husband is a psychiatrist and works at a mental hospital. IT should be called the Lunaria House! Oh, could I tell you stories! Happy New Year!
Brenda
Yes…name your house! I did a blog post on that very subject. My house is named Lakewood and having a name helps make it a home and gives it some personality. Go for it! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
Happy New Year Roeshel! I'm so glad you liked your gifts. Mr DIY is paying loving attention to you. 🙂 This New Year post is an inspiration to me. Your passion about building a "home" and not just decorating a house is heartwarming.
Happy New Year & Many Blessings!
Your home is gorgeous! ~Melissa 🙂
You have made so much progress in your house! I wish you and your family a very happy and blessed New Year in 2010.
I had the MOST FUN looking at all your completed projects. Wow! You must be really proud of what you've done. Congratulations!!
All the best for a wonderful 2010.
I'm glad you two found the perfect house…full of opportunities for making it your own. You've done so much with it already.
I appreciate all that you do for DIY bloggers. I'll be sending some projects to your inbox! 🙂
Happy new year to you and your family…
Amy
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. How have I managed to miss your blog up until now? I've spent the past half hour checking it out. Love it! A new one to add to my list.
All the best in 2010!
Happy New Year! Thank you for your wonderful blog and inspiring us all with your own projects and the remodeling that other bloggers have done. I love it all!
Hey, Roeshel!!! Happy New Year, girl!! Wow, its so great to see the whole place in context. I'm seriously jealous. I love the sound of Lunaria House…it makes me think of light…which the home you've made is definitely filled with…light hearts:)