New Post for a New Year

Feels Like Home Away From Home

I just returned from two weeks in South Carolina and I still have a lot to do, but my house really feels like a home!  I'm so pleased with all that has been accomplished.  It would have not happened without the help of family and friends.

Here are a few photos from my latest trip:

I arrived January 9th to find melting snow on the roof and rye grass on the ground.

Living area.  Added mirror above sofa.
Will add more pictures.  Eventually.

Painted both sides of front doors!
Finished painting and added third stool to island.
New rug.
Will add more to window treatments. Eventually.


Notice the old screen door in this picture?  It came from a children's home where a friend works.  A donation to their institution, which I was happy to make, allowed me to take the door home.
The sewing machine base belonged to my grandmother so it is also a treasure.  The green chairs came from my brother and his wife and the dining table was a Craig's List bargain.
And... my rescue dog is also in this picture.
I love "found" treasures.

Red oak shelves installed.  Keeps my counters clear.
The red oak boards came from trees on my lot.

Repainted my old bed and will add new mattress/springs on next trip.
Added some curtains that I already owned.

The back porch is usually my work space while I'm in SC so I did this little bit of staging right before I left.  I've had the wicker for years and it will also get repainted.  Eventually.

Both front doors now painted.  Hope to get to the black trim on the next trip.
My mom and stepfather gave me the table and chairs for porch as well as the planters.  The table and chairs will be freshened up with new paint.  Eventually.

Nancy and Dusty and I picked out new trees to replace the ones that had to go when the house came through their field.  The trees are Arborvitae and grow three feet per year.  Much like Leland Cypress, but less prone to disease.  We also picked out Jasmine (non blooming) to cover the slope.  All plantings will give privacy to my house and reduce erosion.  I hired people to plant everything.  I had zero confidence in my ability to dig a big hole in the clay!


I look forward to all of the future projects and trips to SC.

Exterior Update

I was in South Carolina last week and one of the final activities was a visit from the landscaper.  I will do the plantings, but the yard needed some attention!

I now have a properly graded front yard with berms to route rain water away from the house.  The yard was seeded with rye and fescue so it should start to look better after some rains.  The grass will, of course, limit erosion. This also means a lot less red clay/mud will get tracked into the house.  The new driveway greatly reduces my chances of getting stuck in the mud with my vehicle!

The goal is for the yard to eventually look like it might look if it had not been scraped bare.  I don't want to be tied to lots of yard work when I am in SC so I'm thinking of a natural look with shrubs and small trees.  Limited need for mowing.  It will take some time, but that's OK.

Still need to finish painting  doors and trim, but the yard is so much better.
Frost on the roof that morning!

We added a turn around spot to keep me out of the mud!

The cat and the dog went with me on this trip and the cat was a very good traveler!  A few squalls, but once Barney (dog) got right next to her crate she was silent the rest of the way.  On some level, I think he must have been letting her know it would be OK.  Silence is golden!

Barney and Allie (in the crate)

There are a couple of items for the builder to finish and I have to pay at least one more payment, but I think we are very close to the end!  I am very happy!

Looks Like A Home and Feels Like Home!

It's been a journey of about seven months, but the end is in sight!

On December 3rd, one of my brothers, my sister-in-law and I set out from Florida in a three vehicle caravan to take a load of furniture to South Carolina.
Doug drove the 16 ft rental truck, Katie drove one of their cars and I drove the pickup truck filled with "treasures" for my house.  It was a whirlwind trip and Doug and Katie worked tirelessly while here so my house is starting to look like a home. Nancy O. has been here (again) helping and working very hard.

Take a look back at all that has been accomplished...
Please note that I still need to:

• paint the woodwork and doors
• complete the touch up painting on walls
• add window treatments (on backorder)
• set up and decorate the larger bedroom (no pictures of that room  in this post)
• finish recovering sofa in living area (The pinkish fabric will soon be  completely gone!)
• turn piano into a desk (Piano is in pictures, but draped with sheet.)

Living Area - AFTER

Guest Room - AFTER

Kitchen - AFTER

Kitchen - Looking into former bedroom area

First meal in new house!  (Take out, but delicious.)

Small seating area with paddle arm chairs.

Next:

Final grading of lot, landscaping, installation of post lights,complete driveway and parking pad.

Certificate of Occupancy!

My house was inspected yesterday and I may now stay there next time I visit.The yard has not been completed but here are a couple of pictures showing the inside:

The rods on the wall will hold an open shelf.

  New vinyl floor in foreground and refinished hardwood in background.

Floors in both bedrooms have also been refinished and look great.

November 2nd

See What's New...

Take a look at the latest progress on my house:

Railing around back  deck area.

Back steps from deck down to back yard.

Completed now with railing all around. Kitchen Counter top Installed Counter top and appliances ...  and dust Wood floors have been repaired and sanded 

and stained !

And a peek down the hall !

Floors will receive 3 top coats of satin finish.They look great now so it should only get better.

The plumber has also finished up and I now have running water and a working toilet INSIDE the house.