Bathroom makeover project - a very belated finale

So, a year ago I started giving the main bathroom in my Mom's house a quick little update. It had been looking pretty rough as it hadn't been updated since the 1980's.<br /><br />So, this was the {sort of} before:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/8755526321_fea254aaa3_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/8755526321_fea254aaa3_c.jpg" /></a></div><br />I say {sort of} because there was a faded blue wall-to-wall carpet that I pulled up before these photos were taken.  It was pretty gross. One of the few actual design missteps my parents every took. Luckily it pulled up easily to reveal a not too terrible vinyl floor, though it was discolored.<br /><div><br /></div>This was inspiration, which is a montage I did of a bunch of pretty bathrooms found on Pinterest. It's probably one of my post pinned images.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/8755526917_216a0e27dd_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/8755526917_216a0e27dd_c.jpg" /></a></div><br />While I would have loved to really re-do the bathroom, it wasn't in the budget, so a "cheap and cheerful" ensued.  These were my main elements that I planned on using.  My original plan was to paint the vinyl floor a glossy white and put a custom cut sisal overtop.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8755528463_25c016855b_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8755528463_25c016855b_c.jpg" /></a></div><br />I did do the sisal, courtesy of the <a href="http://www.naturalarearugs.com/" target="_blank">Natural Area Rug</a> company, which offered me a free rug to try their service.  I never got around to painting the floor or swapping out the faucet, though I did install a fab rain shower head in the shower.<br /><br />One of the biggest changes was painting the dark wood cabinet and mirror.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUtaDU6UFCgIu55XONa_VPE3-MBYY1bkcrkX9pEjhRXSL30IPRSvu3c7byhBWGraXKWsA_nYS7fn52jhjzGdKqqMx86bCs4pC50o31n5PXj2eLXU2Y5xbwfK-xAdZqZCGcuU_QSHcuc0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUtaDU6UFCgIu55XONa_VPE3-MBYY1bkcrkX9pEjhRXSL30IPRSvu3c7byhBWGraXKWsA_nYS7fn52jhjzGdKqqMx86bCs4pC50o31n5PXj2eLXU2Y5xbwfK-xAdZqZCGcuU_QSHcuc0/s1600/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>And here it is...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyPomDIyfH8TL4HEc07KMmKvqUPcP1tOJGx3IQhDaJt9FOp3EuzGw104gV4E1a-F3jTEc4Ug9OrP0DjahInMK1_WotR3YFBZAcfJSe_snfTLbWQi3n8LesGT7nXipvy2dkPi2igYrTvo/s1600/bath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyPomDIyfH8TL4HEc07KMmKvqUPcP1tOJGx3IQhDaJt9FOp3EuzGw104gV4E1a-F3jTEc4Ug9OrP0DjahInMK1_WotR3YFBZAcfJSe_snfTLbWQi3n8LesGT7nXipvy2dkPi2igYrTvo/s1600/bath1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />(real estate shot above)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ik0NqoY-HhXHXWou-I-mQHzt-67B8JjkTyWfovSJ7BLZNpRSXc9MJkN1RphSHLs4T-8NUR3JTk6opF-MVYv07ZnYJK4SBR6gcYIvaU3qA7jIoi_z8Zw5NkmhIYuJEqHCk7qP3938d1M/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ik0NqoY-HhXHXWou-I-mQHzt-67B8JjkTyWfovSJ7BLZNpRSXc9MJkN1RphSHLs4T-8NUR3JTk6opF-MVYv07ZnYJK4SBR6gcYIvaU3qA7jIoi_z8Zw5NkmhIYuJEqHCk7qP3938d1M/s1600/photo.jpg" width="478" /></a></div> And a better shot of the rug. I definitely made a mistake not ordering it right to the walls especially since I never painted the floor. But, oh well, life has a way of intervening.<br /><br />Thanks again to the <a href="http://www.naturalarearugs.com/" target="_blank">Natural Area Rug company</a> for the offer of the rug.  There ordering process was day and it's now a year old and has worn very well and gotten many compliments.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmGd4CLp1ZURwjTIhcAtsIRq8ZhGch5iXKki-qr6lQ4Yjliy_FZlwCWqbFLuyfLP66kXNg5lw0ZpNevPI5FiIdtGqw0BNqsAnP2MX0tkRLeKqKOFj4MZdp70TP52J7r4lnwV6kZwj1_Y/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmGd4CLp1ZURwjTIhcAtsIRq8ZhGch5iXKki-qr6lQ4Yjliy_FZlwCWqbFLuyfLP66kXNg5lw0ZpNevPI5FiIdtGqw0BNqsAnP2MX0tkRLeKqKOFj4MZdp70TP52J7r4lnwV6kZwj1_Y/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br />

Bathroom makeover project - a very belated finale

So, a year ago I started giving the main bathroom in my Mom's house a quick little update. It had been looking pretty rough as it hadn...

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Decorating for myself: Nook Cottage

So, progress is being made selling my parent's house. Things are moving fast! Since my Mom passed away, I've been scouring real estate listings for properties to rent or to buy. I felt more like renting at this stage in my life versus all the issues associated with owning, but then renting isn't always a bed of roses either. A big issue with renting of course is the inability to make big decorative changes to the space. Plus, bringing RoyRoy into my life cut out at least 50% of the rental market. I was beginning to have a little panic, but I tried very hard to believe that when the need presented itself, the right place would come along.<br /><br />And it did. Within twenty four hours of getting an offer on my parents place, this cute little {dog friendly!} was listed on Craigslist.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSdEPZV5X-OUGHi1EnCRUL1_dhomo7tZ9jVcIIu5notBlAmIBFG4vw4uOYDpV4ZKTqeyyLUOjXcISUQWhxLtfdfZwD79_Q1-WmMlSkXnLzMfvl7cNDo3MLv9q0HcWhyphenhyphenrVG_b5aJYTP8o/s1600/IMG_4831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSdEPZV5X-OUGHi1EnCRUL1_dhomo7tZ9jVcIIu5notBlAmIBFG4vw4uOYDpV4ZKTqeyyLUOjXcISUQWhxLtfdfZwD79_Q1-WmMlSkXnLzMfvl7cNDo3MLv9q0HcWhyphenhyphenrVG_b5aJYTP8o/s1600/IMG_4831.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Cute, well maintained, perfect location, and size of about 950 sq. ft. Plus, working fireplace, water views, washer/dryer and ac. Yay! I've dubbed it "Nook Cottage" due to its location.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM6EHH0m76GTV6eGomArQa_1V9Cp8_GR5DAiNdlzXOc_Y8YAeEaxyiyLWhoDNSyBV3kZiHr9-PhczS9MZTuzJVeIHWyEvTTCt5ZSuvnXUCf5oSGqbxusRBcD7h9Sk488pZL5Hs3szCmc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM6EHH0m76GTV6eGomArQa_1V9Cp8_GR5DAiNdlzXOc_Y8YAeEaxyiyLWhoDNSyBV3kZiHr9-PhczS9MZTuzJVeIHWyEvTTCt5ZSuvnXUCf5oSGqbxusRBcD7h9Sk488pZL5Hs3szCmc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This is the front door. The fireplace works, though is narrow so there's no chance of putting a sofa or chairs there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqXCIMT08vYcCXVolskvenT0ge5i-IDiXvuLRjyyve0rtQ0mP7NyP7h8e-lzWFtIMO5t1ca0lMNIBHzFkvqJXXSICFZL03n07gwCDjwwkMtj3xM6LRiyQ9WIFIdVNEQthwPR4NCE_VHA/s1600/Dining+to+entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqXCIMT08vYcCXVolskvenT0ge5i-IDiXvuLRjyyve0rtQ0mP7NyP7h8e-lzWFtIMO5t1ca0lMNIBHzFkvqJXXSICFZL03n07gwCDjwwkMtj3xM6LRiyQ9WIFIdVNEQthwPR4NCE_VHA/s1600/Dining+to+entry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />So, I've decided to keep it as an entry that moves right into the dining space.  Naturally, I have the whole place decorated already. I wanted to do complete design plans before I move in next month so I could be assured that everything I bring to the house will fit and have a place. The owner (my new landlord) is fine with me painting and said he's excited to see what I will do with it. Not sure what he'll think about the pink walls! I'm going to keep most of the open spaces the existing beige, but add in some pink accent walls. The cabinet by the door across from the fireplace is the stereo cabinet that I'm turing into a bar cabinet - <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2014/05/bar-cabinet-makeover-plans.html" target="_blank">discussed here</a>. I am pretty sure that the armoire will fit next to the fireplace (was my parents) which will hold my china and silver.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt68SjnzlUngvToT3UUpe-wPFOUqQYEKiPWWNxN2pB8jgR1lo_1Dy8DNWFMgjPTR3qZlPyn_of6da82aBnXs3287Jh5JDh_MdwJqMasvPLLmOQfvo9Y11KE_FRmz32m0nHbsCOPkSSLmM/s1600/Entry+to+dr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt68SjnzlUngvToT3UUpe-wPFOUqQYEKiPWWNxN2pB8jgR1lo_1Dy8DNWFMgjPTR3qZlPyn_of6da82aBnXs3287Jh5JDh_MdwJqMasvPLLmOQfvo9Y11KE_FRmz32m0nHbsCOPkSSLmM/s1600/Entry+to+dr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I already have two slipcovered parsons chairs in a cotton velvet and have ordered two more with casters for my office, and use in the dining room when I have guests. The pedestal table will have a leaf for dinners with guests. The settee will be this one I recovered a few years ago seen in the photo below.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_4-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchentoDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_4-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/KitchentoDR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;">photo by Michael J. Lee</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6q3D1Qxt-bXFox6XZhI2kxwx-TkmUadc50PRvZt9I2_0IEzD-UqvlSGFDBnIYeaWJchuin5HJYrgfUf1IFhBa-8dY10VB42mU9KidbCMb9xvgE4RYC5LjPTr3U9UyC50fCKK2o0QrV4/s1600/dr+to+middle+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6q3D1Qxt-bXFox6XZhI2kxwx-TkmUadc50PRvZt9I2_0IEzD-UqvlSGFDBnIYeaWJchuin5HJYrgfUf1IFhBa-8dY10VB42mU9KidbCMb9xvgE4RYC5LjPTr3U9UyC50fCKK2o0QrV4/s1600/dr+to+middle+space.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The house is a little oddly configured inside, but I really like that about it - it's not cookie cutter.  The dining space opens up to this middle space from which the kitchen goes off to the left, between the two walls (center of the image) is a small living room and the bathroom is back there as well. The closet on the right is substantial and will probably make a great pantry closet. There is a hall leading to the back of the house with a laundry closet and out to a deck. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-Tx_rhczCdEGHgwSiZtN5-GplOPCcRcQE-AXBlHGSW2LBu5KmGIXqs68H0QTijWSx6VOkCIFHS0uh4lUVQiNHzJ8VwS-Ir-yb62Bmtp2ckD8nUX3CEquQcvdvDBDl0vFMiC7cyfAsM4/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-Tx_rhczCdEGHgwSiZtN5-GplOPCcRcQE-AXBlHGSW2LBu5KmGIXqs68H0QTijWSx6VOkCIFHS0uh4lUVQiNHzJ8VwS-Ir-yb62Bmtp2ckD8nUX3CEquQcvdvDBDl0vFMiC7cyfAsM4/s1600/photo+4.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_j2AfVPFNvEY0MyE5wp9dlAefldWllMcFd5Pd1aseytJ_8eaMMq40N3fcx9TYOIYzBK6luwmXfWLYjzpLLh1AeFRZ6xa3QT-tatb6mXh1zm2uRMNa1LlebhGvrQdlSDNSH7sIoiri9E/s1600/kitchen+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_j2AfVPFNvEY0MyE5wp9dlAefldWllMcFd5Pd1aseytJ_8eaMMq40N3fcx9TYOIYzBK6luwmXfWLYjzpLLh1AeFRZ6xa3QT-tatb6mXh1zm2uRMNa1LlebhGvrQdlSDNSH7sIoiri9E/s1600/kitchen+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am hoping I can lay a custom cut sisal in the middle section of this space because it will get cold in the winter!We'll see about that. The green blob on the left is meant to be my antique desk that my Dad refinished for me when I was young. I'll be able to use it for keeping my bills, stationary and maybe linens in the drawers. And it's so pretty. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZOutEoq-kEgL78D5f6xuSf0CfDhoh1fftD8-OY7ja1njRqBISj4Flybc3LUG2MAsEJyltt8SkGvszkl2hkzPj9LgfFQBsbJH5mgxCKpWTjxwnEAJui6z3rQTjvKD5gwDAq3YS_mg21V-/s400/100_3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZOutEoq-kEgL78D5f6xuSf0CfDhoh1fftD8-OY7ja1njRqBISj4Flybc3LUG2MAsEJyltt8SkGvszkl2hkzPj9LgfFQBsbJH5mgxCKpWTjxwnEAJui6z3rQTjvKD5gwDAq3YS_mg21V-/s400/100_3530.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakKa43022H9Aw4L2FQxvoqdUjCfaSwfQCTq_7JzUa30kTWogAnYv15ovK1yGoNxIInefP2Er4Es0w06vFPaN4sIMMMMtcvLjOD7HLntjqIEaON6lwWFINk_O_mlNtlXmuFUufWPvOX18/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakKa43022H9Aw4L2FQxvoqdUjCfaSwfQCTq_7JzUa30kTWogAnYv15ovK1yGoNxIInefP2Er4Es0w06vFPaN4sIMMMMtcvLjOD7HLntjqIEaON6lwWFINk_O_mlNtlXmuFUufWPvOX18/s1600/photo+3.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The kitchen is basic, but has all the important things and I can pretty it up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJL-tiBqmRQSzv0k_9ALdlQgXOrQlPjqh_6WOSB7dkV9AfgV5kAsu8mXKPTGmtAKn9ITulhcE0Yjnn8F7fFaIYHMu8hPTsdPUuiZY6DPM0R3AdB9v1ZjX4PwPZNaEgLdG-Z4x-PycKBs/s1600/IMG_4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJL-tiBqmRQSzv0k_9ALdlQgXOrQlPjqh_6WOSB7dkV9AfgV5kAsu8mXKPTGmtAKn9ITulhcE0Yjnn8F7fFaIYHMu8hPTsdPUuiZY6DPM0R3AdB9v1ZjX4PwPZNaEgLdG-Z4x-PycKBs/s1600/IMG_4841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The bedrooms are fairly small. This one will be my bedroom and is in the front of the house. It's the larger of the two and I still won't be able to fit a dresser. Oh well. The closet is quite large so I will trick something out in there. Meanwhile...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYplBhH0lC3s24Qlfcy60JUsamjJZmLeIddTvE3JOhFnxWldbWDkbo9oyPbeN8qSZoa4qT1dTRwUBDT-yPTDkObFuUXPNBG-wvt1bfN_GREXhBlbutTSxeYkFcYVJYDVhlZ_d__1JQKMA/s1600/Bedroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYplBhH0lC3s24Qlfcy60JUsamjJZmLeIddTvE3JOhFnxWldbWDkbo9oyPbeN8qSZoa4qT1dTRwUBDT-yPTDkObFuUXPNBG-wvt1bfN_GREXhBlbutTSxeYkFcYVJYDVhlZ_d__1JQKMA/s1600/Bedroom+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is my plan. A big repaint job to green. Custom upholstered headboard covered in Aerin for Lee Jofa's Watersedge velvet. I've been drooling over it since I first saw it. All white bedding, artwork on the walls. The side tables are from my parent's living room. I have new crystal lamps ready to go. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhmBXzGJoN0JZQe4aTPS5fJHPe7HWbCOIa4pymLcm2q-zkTGL6n6mxrR5NFVJ-TWk7LtiXKphn29AK3CT6tGAE6Bg2EWKj7ZS9YMt_pgZEUnS2tvcfQ_UQrnSkP2FwIpkhsMBoIADhNw/s1600/Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhmBXzGJoN0JZQe4aTPS5fJHPe7HWbCOIa4pymLcm2q-zkTGL6n6mxrR5NFVJ-TWk7LtiXKphn29AK3CT6tGAE6Bg2EWKj7ZS9YMt_pgZEUnS2tvcfQ_UQrnSkP2FwIpkhsMBoIADhNw/s1600/Bedroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The arm chair on the left is from my parents. It's currently covered in a green striped velvet but  I will recover it to match the headboard. The oriental rug is antique from my grandparents.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRc4hT505lK0yW-ZMdljXOCilmrEfHMPby5dTccR574wjxQOaE3fCWCAdSDqb5Gd7LhwZgX_xK86ZFeTp9gnNo29pmKDsTLIaWGNE4DEJ5JDr3QciVAFjBO_QoOUqGwewYxkSMR4dTHw/s1600/Bedroom+RoyRoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRc4hT505lK0yW-ZMdljXOCilmrEfHMPby5dTccR574wjxQOaE3fCWCAdSDqb5Gd7LhwZgX_xK86ZFeTp9gnNo29pmKDsTLIaWGNE4DEJ5JDr3QciVAFjBO_QoOUqGwewYxkSMR4dTHw/s1600/Bedroom+RoyRoy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And, of course, there's got to be a little place for RoyRoy!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-IhgIstySj_iAYXmtcjHkNllao9TTXYFHr0d0nVULO-F2zB8tWI5uFKkQPz-EweNGmN5pPyYAeZl9GYpV4nvtv6FHNw_w_6oJajL1v98633xBosj9KMMOgp6WSCfIshOKtAClGwQcqU/s1600/IMG_4835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-IhgIstySj_iAYXmtcjHkNllao9TTXYFHr0d0nVULO-F2zB8tWI5uFKkQPz-EweNGmN5pPyYAeZl9GYpV4nvtv6FHNw_w_6oJajL1v98633xBosj9KMMOgp6WSCfIshOKtAClGwQcqU/s1600/IMG_4835.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The second bedroom is a bright blue and is very pretty, but not me. It's also very small - 8x11 and a few inches. It will be my office. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcho_KBpPCVM5B8v_EohyphenhyphenqcD0d5Vm5VlCW99desjRK76xQFprORqz1A51qjushWxXYN7D_dRdoLHdQb-wqd7Q6wyuT6fbegOCHAgnURX_CpwYs4LPNrDtbBhHlPAcjbCYqQsSTf6jjnI/s1600/Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcho_KBpPCVM5B8v_EohyphenhyphenqcD0d5Vm5VlCW99desjRK76xQFprORqz1A51qjushWxXYN7D_dRdoLHdQb-wqd7Q6wyuT6fbegOCHAgnURX_CpwYs4LPNrDtbBhHlPAcjbCYqQsSTf6jjnI/s1600/Office.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The planning is still a work in progress.  I think I'm going to paint it beige (I know, the other room is beige why not just use that, but this room is better for an office). The armoire is coming from a friend and has beautiful wood on the outside and is painted pink on the inside. While it's probably too big for the room, it's so beautiful I have to have it!! And, it will provide a lot of storage. My desk will be in front of the window which has a water view. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrrCv5IbTVmOmwtqtEqOAt5J4r9a4l9kSaO8CLU3vR0ojFAdYqwHH7tAT1sMEW3XdHigdLCsyapenWVF9rVP6DCIuWjPf_Fy4sk-G8LaTED9nh6Ovi8gIujJ14iSak421WrPrHu6Q0Dg/s1600/Office+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrrCv5IbTVmOmwtqtEqOAt5J4r9a4l9kSaO8CLU3vR0ojFAdYqwHH7tAT1sMEW3XdHigdLCsyapenWVF9rVP6DCIuWjPf_Fy4sk-G8LaTED9nh6Ovi8gIujJ14iSak421WrPrHu6Q0Dg/s1600/Office+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm going to take the doors off the closet and put in shelving to hold samples and whatever else I need to be holding. I'll bring in the pink by painting the closet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-MMM070TzM-aRG4MMl_kQapiCq26JjAFg8BbJmWfRxwj58dbMQRC4SoXTBn7YLHk61ldVYv6IFEn2sSan7aqkCfif7dhdGA0MfSiXuE7a2d7S2eSdTezTa2NYjrCMgZ_mXwHNv_Cuzg/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-MMM070TzM-aRG4MMl_kQapiCq26JjAFg8BbJmWfRxwj58dbMQRC4SoXTBn7YLHk61ldVYv6IFEn2sSan7aqkCfif7dhdGA0MfSiXuE7a2d7S2eSdTezTa2NYjrCMgZ_mXwHNv_Cuzg/s1600/photo+5.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The living room is teeny tiny. I'll be putting a sofa in the nook in the back facing my green upholstered settee and a small cocktail table. Still figuring out where the tv will go. The saving grace of this space is that the ceiling is vaulted. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaV313cBOBNetLp5WfA5w2fOXR3KgnvFQ-fJxwgV2NjxAsvKPV6jZ_PEEpALjvumX2ipSqD-YIpGyTTJqou4SdSpxhBcQiUuUxmGeSgk_UaU4VTy2-p39eay94K8aynpheee80PuivZc/s1600/Middle+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaV313cBOBNetLp5WfA5w2fOXR3KgnvFQ-fJxwgV2NjxAsvKPV6jZ_PEEpALjvumX2ipSqD-YIpGyTTJqou4SdSpxhBcQiUuUxmGeSgk_UaU4VTy2-p39eay94K8aynpheee80PuivZc/s1600/Middle+space.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is another approximate view. You can see the back hall, which has a large closet and the stacking washer/dryer. Out the door is a small deck and cute back yard. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTPo5J4osFlLOntM5tDvGA-ykqZ2-kyKEGvCcKXDKx7PMFHMYFXwhph4HFDdFKauInlOV_P_qTx2lHHerYuRbOOwSlS2AbPg1oH9Xrgkf2N0_figARpykA9k4cfvjEFZkQpLY0B7HBDQ/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTPo5J4osFlLOntM5tDvGA-ykqZ2-kyKEGvCcKXDKx7PMFHMYFXwhph4HFDdFKauInlOV_P_qTx2lHHerYuRbOOwSlS2AbPg1oH9Xrgkf2N0_figARpykA9k4cfvjEFZkQpLY0B7HBDQ/s1600/photo+5.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And, did I mention the water views? This is the picture window in the front room/entry/dining space. It's the Jones River that empties out into the ocean. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RALneCf4kYc1P8a1R0EPmOBLLgQ8vD0XSBCS0LwBalshAX31ekfb3_4gQU31bi93pbRkzFKv2NjpQrshmLzEllzXpff9imzZw1AfWOcNDhRhILUgVRiCPxXf7CpuBM5Os6k813BfGGY/s1600/IMG_4830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RALneCf4kYc1P8a1R0EPmOBLLgQ8vD0XSBCS0LwBalshAX31ekfb3_4gQU31bi93pbRkzFKv2NjpQrshmLzEllzXpff9imzZw1AfWOcNDhRhILUgVRiCPxXf7CpuBM5Os6k813BfGGY/s1600/IMG_4830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />And a closeup.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSHqXWBVFqJST00bw5UQGj4TdTl5ISlSWUPZ5YvyyZV8KYTE3Chcc1ai_HMat540dKBxabWsWr9j-JLyqLh5DNHfpaiW0ppHiFcNzw_QJN5l0zz3C46rwrPmhA8ekYxcCBqvP69EAbwY/s1600/IMG_4840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSHqXWBVFqJST00bw5UQGj4TdTl5ISlSWUPZ5YvyyZV8KYTE3Chcc1ai_HMat540dKBxabWsWr9j-JLyqLh5DNHfpaiW0ppHiFcNzw_QJN5l0zz3C46rwrPmhA8ekYxcCBqvP69EAbwY/s1600/IMG_4840.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, that's my intro to Nook Cottage. More to come! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, I have a house to sell and a book deadline. Yes, that's right. I have a book deal. It's not a true author deal, I'm doing the 6th edition revision of a business of design business book while working from home. More to come on that. Meanwhile, I have a strict July 15th deadline!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdcDiHj9thEi_go5w_WjaZguUuO8WiiIVCUjKZolJHcf9YMQtoRBUplxRgFMb7dWLxqw0GFZZE-iKxOqevAbOqg6hMk7fgvNZbWiTl830D2ku3cjfC-uzRRPGbNXDAVHwYDlsSOaPP48/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdcDiHj9thEi_go5w_WjaZguUuO8WiiIVCUjKZolJHcf9YMQtoRBUplxRgFMb7dWLxqw0GFZZE-iKxOqevAbOqg6hMk7fgvNZbWiTl830D2ku3cjfC-uzRRPGbNXDAVHwYDlsSOaPP48/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Decorating for myself: Nook Cottage

So, progress is being made selling my parent's house. Things are moving fast! Since my Mom passed away, I've been scouring real esta...

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Real Estate: My parent's cozy cape on the Cape

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeWIgtQHPmbo0u-ZoKRbz64gQthDdECM0kzYEniP6CNo5hgHjjn9jKmRc9sAh4Nh9KvGEuCFU3Iyh96azFUOGzXg2PM-UQpkII4V6rgGL2IddkMkVa0Q3RUt8QZiZNlQ1CM22SCF0Pck/s1600/DSCN7438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeWIgtQHPmbo0u-ZoKRbz64gQthDdECM0kzYEniP6CNo5hgHjjn9jKmRc9sAh4Nh9KvGEuCFU3Iyh96azFUOGzXg2PM-UQpkII4V6rgGL2IddkMkVa0Q3RUt8QZiZNlQ1CM22SCF0Pck/s1600/DSCN7438.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />As I've written before, I've spent the last couple of months getting my parent's house ready to put on the market. It's a bitter sweet experience because while it does signify that they really are gone, I am so proud of the beautiful home that they created - truly created - themselves. When they bought it thirty years ago, it was a depressing, dated looking place - even though it was only five years old. My Dad wanted a big project and he sure got it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4N5YlLzgjdHilx5U-e5vh6GkWDNSmHo8JELVrZK9wEoN1hwmvV22pFDKYbjHb_6MRpQlubmrfHOMVsT24ShJFodLwLgsscteSnb1SjxmI4eoUOGUjiMySwGJirUahzHZoCIXELVP7no/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4N5YlLzgjdHilx5U-e5vh6GkWDNSmHo8JELVrZK9wEoN1hwmvV22pFDKYbjHb_6MRpQlubmrfHOMVsT24ShJFodLwLgsscteSnb1SjxmI4eoUOGUjiMySwGJirUahzHZoCIXELVP7no/s1600/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This was sort of drab and depressing back in 1986 when they took this photo. I took the top photo a few weeks ago to show off the gorgeous cherry tree in its full glory as I knew the professional photographer wouldn't be here in time to capture it. As you'll see in the second shot, the cherry tree wasn't even there. My parents planted it themselves and my Mom would look out at how huge it was remembering that they'd brought it home in the back of their station wagon. It's hard to tell, but I'm pretty sure that scraggly sad looking thing in the law is not the cherry tree (wrong spot).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMRPybrGkKwfvFGRGvwkhJanMLnuBjifTkCC8qdTRbjqQetd9LfMF0lAN9IppTnMa7ol1V9ee_yqovYWlx4z1mhTV2-jcSmCaShC7828dS7lWVbyLenw0VrGB0MXMG8eMoA6EFwdCzaI/s1600/exteriorfront1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMRPybrGkKwfvFGRGvwkhJanMLnuBjifTkCC8qdTRbjqQetd9LfMF0lAN9IppTnMa7ol1V9ee_yqovYWlx4z1mhTV2-jcSmCaShC7828dS7lWVbyLenw0VrGB0MXMG8eMoA6EFwdCzaI/s1600/exteriorfront1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My realtor, <a href="http://www.beverlycomeau.com/home.asp" target="_blank">Beverly Comeau</a> of Jack Conway here in Sandwich, brought in a company called <a href="http://www.planomatic.com/" target="_blank">Planomatic</a> who shoots the property, creates a floor plan and creates an interactive "vision" of the house.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWgf4iz3bkGgKPN88G6Bcm11PecsoS7QJRb8-hYPeRdlB2UF0k3ZhAqvY293HzOdBrdX_38Scb1y7e_f_5BmaYFk1FbJpA3UKVQycNRE3P6Rk8gI2LcGUJX2LTEblU5doEhVjrzdeQDs/s1600/planomatic+page.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWgf4iz3bkGgKPN88G6Bcm11PecsoS7QJRb8-hYPeRdlB2UF0k3ZhAqvY293HzOdBrdX_38Scb1y7e_f_5BmaYFk1FbJpA3UKVQycNRE3P6Rk8gI2LcGUJX2LTEblU5doEhVjrzdeQDs/s1600/planomatic+page.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />They published 22 photos and they rotate in and out on the page. You can see the one for my parent's house <a href="http://www.planomatic.com/mls29890" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXGC6GjZ_MRtMG4whOZaqDkWiqhBrjsPVYP5HGIxIK_bnBuuguDWkmf5pm4ARPsC7yvJSzdjZdjZnExb_Euof0DSzGfZ-yS7rr_33NgHm9DbfEnTXLP9Slm2OIx56N-v7nyGgrTPjjds/s1600/plan+w+photo.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXGC6GjZ_MRtMG4whOZaqDkWiqhBrjsPVYP5HGIxIK_bnBuuguDWkmf5pm4ARPsC7yvJSzdjZdjZnExb_Euof0DSzGfZ-yS7rr_33NgHm9DbfEnTXLP9Slm2OIx56N-v7nyGgrTPjjds/s1600/plan+w+photo.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />When the floor plan is clicked, it brings up a larger version and you can select different views within each room. A great way to get a sense of how a house flows together.<br /><br />One of the reasons I selected the realtor that I did was because she said she'd be using a professional photographer and it really makes such a huge difference! I'm always shocked at the crappy real estate photos that are so prevalent even on luxury properties. I have done a lot of work getting things looking great for the listing and the team that came to shoot the space also made some little tweaks here and there. Always good to have another set of eyeballs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GNxibbSlsxw8Cs9ChspyBBVHBH6s7ZJSGz2PQuI6kT_bOC0iEtvLSEe2lHcnClI-WeEfkRuv8NVbnxUeRccWLhPMkDKveUtxFYed7XQM-I36FyuGCHLYiF5uqvsDOhsk9LQaeqjpCvs/s1600/fr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GNxibbSlsxw8Cs9ChspyBBVHBH6s7ZJSGz2PQuI6kT_bOC0iEtvLSEe2lHcnClI-WeEfkRuv8NVbnxUeRccWLhPMkDKveUtxFYed7XQM-I36FyuGCHLYiF5uqvsDOhsk9LQaeqjpCvs/s1600/fr2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />So, I wanted to share the photos and brag a bit about all the personal touches and family memories they represent. These are of course the family room looking in to the kitchen. (stay tuned for the original kitchen photos - yuck!). My Dad made the grandfather clock and my Aunt and Uncle painted the clock face (he did the hand lettering and numbers, she everything else). I made the draperies for them a few years ago.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcj8YW4vm_dLw0p65NMcCNeVAVGDL4P4WGonoN5G7ECJObk7vlbWdyUj4ol1ZqlhB-t7oL2xDwNdLGvjIEpFj50sT9L1K5UuRelVSqvbjOnGgkEe3urIMZT9d5GzYEEgeDnrRiDgbNnQ/s1600/fr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcj8YW4vm_dLw0p65NMcCNeVAVGDL4P4WGonoN5G7ECJObk7vlbWdyUj4ol1ZqlhB-t7oL2xDwNdLGvjIEpFj50sT9L1K5UuRelVSqvbjOnGgkEe3urIMZT9d5GzYEEgeDnrRiDgbNnQ/s1600/fr1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The big leather wing chair was my Dad's chair. It has always been next to the sofa, back to the table for conversation. But they moved it away from the center of the room and while it's not good for conversation or even tv watching, it sure opened up the space!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUAOdPLmuTlwNKD5rKsGzhKIl7BXYgCevzbVJXOMwAQWQw5qYNDKAbPWJwU6L2Kv0AZL48pCvx1hRF4AHapsWa9q5EE1r4GHWKCgTR19s32kDorfbL2rO7W5feuWsRjFcEx-307VAWpo/s1600/fr3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUAOdPLmuTlwNKD5rKsGzhKIl7BXYgCevzbVJXOMwAQWQw5qYNDKAbPWJwU6L2Kv0AZL48pCvx1hRF4AHapsWa9q5EE1r4GHWKCgTR19s32kDorfbL2rO7W5feuWsRjFcEx-307VAWpo/s1600/fr3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ok, so, the kitchen.<br /><br />Before:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHZIZ-C2Bvkc0bLRMadV2r8omzQJObbSB_mKHZaBjnY3M9ko6K9csXbKyco_p6_MNWeGP1lK43yKxwI-md1wSua_ZbONVNjFOz5kgfOrhLod0Yh0H6B15TC9r3Nn8KxiY_aFZ0jaZFKg/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHZIZ-C2Bvkc0bLRMadV2r8omzQJObbSB_mKHZaBjnY3M9ko6K9csXbKyco_p6_MNWeGP1lK43yKxwI-md1wSua_ZbONVNjFOz5kgfOrhLod0Yh0H6B15TC9r3Nn8KxiY_aFZ0jaZFKg/s1600/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Horrifying, no? My mother must have been ill having to use this kitchen until they replaced it. She hated orange and the laminate faux wood cabinets were just too awful. When my Dad built the new kitchen (which he did by himself), he thriftily kept some of the cabinets and counters to be used for storage in the garage and basement.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENpe10STtfSyDPVK0x7wplC0MsXhpShvQ4EFnw3kk2AdFMbVRxX84Q_TMTKtTA57Tgoud8mUsvOZ92fHxPbIyPzUV1UrLcvzCacCoBZ5hdGeSa9loXm1tAPpJ-Q3VpEP_E91s51I_z3M/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENpe10STtfSyDPVK0x7wplC0MsXhpShvQ4EFnw3kk2AdFMbVRxX84Q_TMTKtTA57Tgoud8mUsvOZ92fHxPbIyPzUV1UrLcvzCacCoBZ5hdGeSa9loXm1tAPpJ-Q3VpEP_E91s51I_z3M/s1600/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoNnHOA_8BlXMLvMK4V9roiITijYDMMcogbrcpd9o9mTlxfzNhI4FdvBqe80oHBJd1AksR49fAl9V3uVbXwAbokRRBQ2klej2rveVefr2gPh5vOvWdmkMp1JMPSdz-1A_wcD46gzFUjc/s1600/kit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoNnHOA_8BlXMLvMK4V9roiITijYDMMcogbrcpd9o9mTlxfzNhI4FdvBqe80oHBJd1AksR49fAl9V3uVbXwAbokRRBQ2klej2rveVefr2gPh5vOvWdmkMp1JMPSdz-1A_wcD46gzFUjc/s1600/kit1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My Dad bought the stock cabinets raw and finished them all himself and then installed them. He also planned and layed the tile countertops, and installed the beams on the family room ceiling. The lantern is actually an oil lamp, which they thought would be useful in a power outage except that it turned the ceiling black, so that was that. The bin at the end of the counter is for trash. Dad probably made that from a kit in the 1970's.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv7jGz3wLi_qQfM0XtC0Pug2dqfzqlD2iS1ukul6FgoVWNWzRYiNTI6fv-JJXZDbqOxDtOxDRNcqUavy5fC-l6Rtfy6tHQj-lIBfn-tyobdzu5LIDJjKa5mCW1K8BesEQTLA4_PXg6V4/s1600/kit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv7jGz3wLi_qQfM0XtC0Pug2dqfzqlD2iS1ukul6FgoVWNWzRYiNTI6fv-JJXZDbqOxDtOxDRNcqUavy5fC-l6Rtfy6tHQj-lIBfn-tyobdzu5LIDJjKa5mCW1K8BesEQTLA4_PXg6V4/s1600/kit2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Just to see the same view as above. The door to the dining room was framed in and there is a small pair of doors that open into the dining room to separate the two rooms. (you can't see them in this photo).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHZIZ-C2Bvkc0bLRMadV2r8omzQJObbSB_mKHZaBjnY3M9ko6K9csXbKyco_p6_MNWeGP1lK43yKxwI-md1wSua_ZbONVNjFOz5kgfOrhLod0Yh0H6B15TC9r3Nn8KxiY_aFZ0jaZFKg/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHZIZ-C2Bvkc0bLRMadV2r8omzQJObbSB_mKHZaBjnY3M9ko6K9csXbKyco_p6_MNWeGP1lK43yKxwI-md1wSua_ZbONVNjFOz5kgfOrhLod0Yh0H6B15TC9r3Nn8KxiY_aFZ0jaZFKg/s1600/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpfv6_KqcPPkjhsDhN8tQ6XOJt3R0dne4Yxgb8DVfFXwFZRvaowvaPAaL4JRDs7VIHyxOqr1nBwaUvoghvVuma-LJto0-UGqquZOS5lwMlIMwWNpSrhShKDnWeQNuKXxeyQZ_1jnwlGw/s1600/dr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpfv6_KqcPPkjhsDhN8tQ6XOJt3R0dne4Yxgb8DVfFXwFZRvaowvaPAaL4JRDs7VIHyxOqr1nBwaUvoghvVuma-LJto0-UGqquZOS5lwMlIMwWNpSrhShKDnWeQNuKXxeyQZ_1jnwlGw/s1600/dr1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've shared the dining room before when Michael J. Lee shot it for my holiday issue of ::Surroundings:: magazine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWF1hxBKn-jfi7fTrj_C88ru_qEp2vGvIjHIDTN9j2XQoKRYZz_ffUPvWkzR0Zj5y79IE1v09QHezSg4u8atootX6hM9dJ6hFAk9rj1-ApElk-zICg6FHXHuM6wq4xiHH-qMlbyYIGnNbh/s640/Surroundings+Nov%253ADec+2011cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWF1hxBKn-jfi7fTrj_C88ru_qEp2vGvIjHIDTN9j2XQoKRYZz_ffUPvWkzR0Zj5y79IE1v09QHezSg4u8atootX6hM9dJ6hFAk9rj1-ApElk-zICg6FHXHuM6wq4xiHH-qMlbyYIGnNbh/s640/Surroundings+Nov%253ADec+2011cov.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br />The rug is antique and was my grandparents. My Dad papered the walls with this Schumacher (we believe) paper. He and Mom spent a year looking for the right shade of blue fabric for the window treatments. These real estate photos are a tad washed out and they are a beautiful shade of blue/green. Apparently the sales people kept suggesting off white since they couldn't find the blue, but they stuck to their guns and finally found it. That treatment has been there for twenty years at least and still looks perfect in person. It's pretty amazing. The furniture was bought with some of their wedding money sixty years ago. Every Sunday dinner and family holiday was spent around this table for my entire life. My Mom was a great cook so there have been a lot of great wines and crumbs spilled on this table, not to mention all the wonderful family memories.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJczBKkS03AKzEqaNqgercVu0SHd4A3DrZiZtDmga6HUiv6uVp90O7uRTBVWdiZ68_p1qzXZEdwqwUDte-x0a58slVgKDvXWiBY7OuJz5pTvllIuvn1BSWfj03C_ijPsgf1rL1fheqvgc/s1600/dr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJczBKkS03AKzEqaNqgercVu0SHd4A3DrZiZtDmga6HUiv6uVp90O7uRTBVWdiZ68_p1qzXZEdwqwUDte-x0a58slVgKDvXWiBY7OuJz5pTvllIuvn1BSWfj03C_ijPsgf1rL1fheqvgc/s1600/dr2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPnxNoSiRa3gA0rD_qR0yUthat3NqSttOqu2s30Mno3Mpn8l_T81zxDzf3EKNcuFd8dApGLdPiJ2McJFU5USEEd5Ywa0_HFqSDYL2IXaOusYuIEek6mCbcxSZN9tIIplonBHz23ErraY/s1600/lr3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPnxNoSiRa3gA0rD_qR0yUthat3NqSttOqu2s30Mno3Mpn8l_T81zxDzf3EKNcuFd8dApGLdPiJ2McJFU5USEEd5Ywa0_HFqSDYL2IXaOusYuIEek6mCbcxSZN9tIIplonBHz23ErraY/s1600/lr3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The living room. They bought the wing chair and cut velvet Hickory Chair camelback sofa in the early 1970's through a department store when we lived in New Jersey. They've both held up amazingly well. The antique desk dates to the 18th century, though the base is a replacement. My Dad refinished it with his Dad.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYyI5npA1Kch6-_TvFC3fH4GfoKa_4CxTCKimmHJy_b2Uax25Ki95hpfmI1oF9Ko8m-092tmuFpqNgFIcBt0ffEPhlPyd4ceW3HNw5xDGn7XeCj9U-1HNek1dBscxT0BBsREev8a9Vxg/s1600/lr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYyI5npA1Kch6-_TvFC3fH4GfoKa_4CxTCKimmHJy_b2Uax25Ki95hpfmI1oF9Ko8m-092tmuFpqNgFIcBt0ffEPhlPyd4ceW3HNw5xDGn7XeCj9U-1HNek1dBscxT0BBsREev8a9Vxg/s1600/lr2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The stereo cabinet above is the one I am going to turn into a bar cabinet. I've removed all the "guts" and will add a couple of shelves and a glass piece on top. I'm keeping the side table for use as a bed side table as well as the one below next to the sofa. The crystal lamps are new.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHg0FRMGRl3BHXfYinKF0t_pYnChhujiuZp7koYCKKqxe4on2CKbgCDQOrzPNan7_P5UaDoYVTPkv7AbXiMKI_WYu4i1hg2GIGOqEU20Oc9gqEaUu6vgJYrKzRH9WzLOLtamfZzhPwaQ/s1600/lr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHg0FRMGRl3BHXfYinKF0t_pYnChhujiuZp7koYCKKqxe4on2CKbgCDQOrzPNan7_P5UaDoYVTPkv7AbXiMKI_WYu4i1hg2GIGOqEU20Oc9gqEaUu6vgJYrKzRH9WzLOLtamfZzhPwaQ/s1600/lr1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUff_nNjNisGInNhi2F5Sve_Hj3R3lOKx1dHjzrtV1QnFitUSXb-X7_1OBxir9XtJGeSxs-5W8QVbEkFwN0XOQS7bWoqTU6jy4lQfMT8BLI1AB-v_nuFLYjUoYmkZTSf9a8rCkOzddzjw/s1600/mast1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUff_nNjNisGInNhi2F5Sve_Hj3R3lOKx1dHjzrtV1QnFitUSXb-X7_1OBxir9XtJGeSxs-5W8QVbEkFwN0XOQS7bWoqTU6jy4lQfMT8BLI1AB-v_nuFLYjUoYmkZTSf9a8rCkOzddzjw/s1600/mast1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bedrooms - not much to say. Master is above. Though the green bedroom below originally had pink flowered wallpaper and a rust rug. Pink and rust - great combination! My Dad painted it white with pale green trim for me when they moved here. They bought this bedroom set for me when I was six - it was used as the guest room when needed so I got a nice set. After my Dad had a stroke in 2000, we had to move his office down from the upstairs so the room got a makeover. I had them paint it a Ben Moore Sherwood Green  and repaint the trim a nice gloss white. There were plaid valances on the windows - very masculine. It's since been turned back into a pretty bedroom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEaRXPD1_bo68hdYTrAAWcWbBVmgA6ejiq_YBzW_pw6Z8Vbn3Dy9VIjTWQzqUYk9yAstqBvAIgVfVY8lOd2x9-6kR3R9lVMKrU-haahFPHDfS5GLBObJspDPYWIPnGLtfzEXAIcAN_mM/s1600/br1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEaRXPD1_bo68hdYTrAAWcWbBVmgA6ejiq_YBzW_pw6Z8Vbn3Dy9VIjTWQzqUYk9yAstqBvAIgVfVY8lOd2x9-6kR3R9lVMKrU-haahFPHDfS5GLBObJspDPYWIPnGLtfzEXAIcAN_mM/s1600/br1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The backyard has a cute shed (Dad made the cupola) and garden which used to be really spectacular when my Mom could keep up with it - she was a wonderful gardener, a trait I did not inherit. They bought the wrought iron dining set in the 1960's. My Dad would strip and repaint it every few years to keep it looking great.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP01Mn19r7_nUs1qIqcXGfUnx16Ad8B_gw8rzpeyEsgOng-1LWVVpcaaUwi1J3DYISJwvpBufz01vAtJ62A9qCuvEr9KGScZDp7ERC-L6LrV1R14xB675NLvOHZmN9SedKRVVXFucP1oE/s1600/patio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP01Mn19r7_nUs1qIqcXGfUnx16Ad8B_gw8rzpeyEsgOng-1LWVVpcaaUwi1J3DYISJwvpBufz01vAtJ62A9qCuvEr9KGScZDp7ERC-L6LrV1R14xB675NLvOHZmN9SedKRVVXFucP1oE/s1600/patio2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I did a lot of cleaning things out - all stuff one needs to do when moving - and it paid off greatly for the photos and for showings.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're planning on selling your house - do not skimp on the clean up and clean out. My parents were great about not being hoarders and I still filled a 16' box truck with junky furniture and stuff from the attic, basement and backs of closets. You are marketing a product and as annoying as it can be at times to pare down and live neat, it's no longer your house - it's a product on the shelf with lots of competition. Finally, make sure to select a realtor who cares about how your place is being marketed. It makes all the difference!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9fS3vqcqnlRqEkQr0VZ-7KEJF3wfqFqRzF04vQ25dW7hyphenhyphenL-uQvMz1DWlTZAxWdtsMG924m2mBkoeLORhsiwRXl8V7aehI9EqkjZyYHdMcJmi-Q__jgnFK9K3OvB7JmMcxHNSxad9KwM/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9fS3vqcqnlRqEkQr0VZ-7KEJF3wfqFqRzF04vQ25dW7hyphenhyphenL-uQvMz1DWlTZAxWdtsMG924m2mBkoeLORhsiwRXl8V7aehI9EqkjZyYHdMcJmi-Q__jgnFK9K3OvB7JmMcxHNSxad9KwM/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Real Estate: My parent's cozy cape on the Cape

As I've written before, I've spent the last couple of months getting my parent's house ready to put on the market. It's a bi...

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