master bedroom: progress

Remember last year when I told you we were going to focus on the master bedroom? Ha.

Sadly, it was not "our next project". Today, though, I am happy to report that we made progress!
I had our Seattle poster framed, and I finally hung a few of my finds on the wall. These finds have been in my closet for a year now, waiting for me to hang them up. I recently found an old record cabinet,
and it looks great as hubby's nightstand.

We also purchased a dresser. Yep, hubby spent the last few months sans dresser, digging for clothes
in piles stacked up on a chair. Forgot about that chair. In fact, now that it's been uncovered, I'm not sure
I like it anymore. Alas, my ten dollar wicker seat will have to do, because on our list, new bedding,
area rug and nightstand (for me) outrank new chair.

The current bedding I do NOT like; we've had it for years. There will be no more flowers.
We are purchasing a white duvet, stripe sheets and kilim pillows (check them out on etsy). We need a bed skirt too. As for the rug, well, area rugs are tricky. There are so many choices, even if you use price/ color/style filters. We have one picked out, I just need to click the place order button.

Here is the same view of the master bedroom from last February and then from today:

- only five months after we moved into the old house -

- flowers, yuck - picture all white with fun pillows -

I feel excited about the progress, even though it is slow. Hopefully I will have we're done photos to
post for you in the next few months.

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- very old church bench, $15 garage sale -

- where hubby and i met and used to live -

- cast iron horse is one from a pair - my friend, kerry, has the other -

- new, clean, simple, white dresser -

  

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in the details:

Seattle poster purchased from Ork Posters - check them out

dresser is from IKEA

sunday antique fair

My friend, J, and I went to a local antique fair yesterday.

I love antique fairs, sales and cute stores full of all things vintage. You readers know this, of course.

It was nice yesterday to stroll through the aisles, imagining what we might do with the 595 dollar, perfectly worn farmhouse table. Or, all the cute littles (a few of which made it home with me).

We also got caught up on the everyday life of the past week. I am so thankful for Sunday antiquing.

- my vintage finds - wooden letters, valentines, wood-handle bottle opener, bottle brush tree, ornaments -

- vintage ornament (eyed first by J) - most likely from west germany, mid-century -

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I purchased the little pictured below back in December. Also a trip with my friend, J, we took an hour

and popped over to a couple antique shops just a few blocks away. This little girl was sitting on a shelf in a

glass display cabinet. I saw her, hesitated for awhile, but finally asked to have the case opened.

Once in my hand, she had to come home with me.

- cast iron toy, only 1.5 inches tall - rare and likely early 1900's -

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one of my favorite things

Dishtowels.

Here are a few I received this holiday season. You all know me well.

I have plans for a few of these. Yes, I do use most of my dishtowels, but yes, I also have a small collection
that remains crisp and clean. My Mom and I always talk about framing one. I think it may be time to
give the idea a try.

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in the details:

a few of my favorite places to find dishtowels-

crate&barrel, anthropologie, and be sure to pop into the local kitchen and gift shops

in your city or when traveling

new year, new windows

I started this blog one year and four days ago with a post about windows, and so, it seems

appropriate to start this year with another of the same. The old house, with its 42 windows, has provided much inspiration for my writing and sharing with you.

This Fall, we replaced seven more windows. This second round was not any easier.

You all know by now, that we are old house purists (within reason). Removing something original from the old house is emotional and goes against our daily work towards restoration. Here's the but-

But, there are certain windows, with ice-cold air pouring through them, that just need to be replaced. Rotting, frozen over bathroom windows that do not open, drafty (understatement) windows next to the boys when they sleep, north-facing windows in our room that keep it 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the house.

We also replaced the stairwell window. When it was done, it felt like a 25x55 hole in our house had been eliminated and suddenly we had a semi-temperature-controlled upstairs. Because we are doing this in rounds, we have to be strategic with our choices. If we finish out the last six windows upstairs, then we have

heating/cooling issues. I think we will move into the kitchen next. The kitchen has seven windows,

and since hubby and I got new windows in our room, the kitchen is now the coldest spot in the old house.

Winter temperatures in the kitchen are miserable, actually. And, like most families, we spend most of our time there. It is no fun to sit next to a drafty (understatement) window, shivering, and try to gulp down your dinner before it freezes. Perhaps this is a slight exaggeration, but only slight.

- we did some of the windows on our own this time -

- careful hubby! -

- we needed the help. thanks, J! -

Each bedroom in the old house has four windows, and now each bedroom has two new.

And can I just say how wonderful and amazing it is to have windows that open! The things you take for granted when you live in a new house:  garbage disposal, level floors, on-suite bathrooms, walk-in closets, laundry rooms, kitchen islands, windows that actually open. This does not conclude my list,

but I think you all should know that I have a list equally as long (maybe longer) of the joys of living in an

old house. The first is:  42 windows.

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