Living With Architectural Salvage and Family History

Penny Without Vinyl

I mentioned today that I had a few blog posts rolling around in my head.  One, I did earlier around noon.  The rest, I'm going to try to combine into this one.  It's amazing what a few days of relaxation can do for your mind.  I actually have the energy to put collective thoughts together!!!  When I sat down to write the earlier blog, I realized that there were projects which we have completed in the last six months of Penny's renovation that I haven't brought you all up to date on.  The following is our latest project report for your perusing pleasure.

Kitchen Before

I think the best way to show how completely this house has changed is by showing the before and after pictures.  Sitting on my stool at the peninsula where the oven used to be, I frequently gaze lovingly at my kitchen today.  Before there was a refrigerator, clothes dryer and microwave.  The ceilings were dropped to 8'.  Now there is my dream stove, a beautiful backsplash and the piece de resistance... a pot filler.  The ceilings are 10' high.  There is so much space and warm light in this magical place.  It's a place where people want to stand and gather.  A place where multiple people can work in at the same time.  We are thrilled with the end result thus far. 

Go back to that kitchen before picture, but look beyond the kitchen into the dining room entrance.  There was a pocket door that you can't really see.  It was a vanilla box, somewhat age appropriate - probably the least remuddled part of the house over the years, with the exception of the painted over wall paper.  When we took the house down to the studs to fix all the issues, we decided to change the pocket door into a barn door.  It was too pretty to be hiding in a wall 90% of the time.  Bill stripped it of its years of grime and stained it back into a glossy beauty.  Then we looked at the doorway and decided that we needed a transom window above it.

Dining Room View

Bill cut the area out so that the drywall could be put in, but we had no window as of yet to place in it.  We played with the idea of making a stained glass window.  We even drew up the design and purchased glass.  It was such a big task to do that we kept putting it off.  One day Bill sends me a link to a window at Caravatti's in Richmond, Virginia.  I measure the space and we realize it's a perfect fit.  Before the day was out that window was on it's way to us.  It's a stunning piece and was truly meant for this space.  Even the center pattern is close to our backsplash behind our stove.  I can't tell you how relieved Bill was to not have to make something for that location... and how we're happier to have an old salvage piece instead of something new.

Living Room View

An integral piece to one of the last projects for our kitchen arrived in October.  My grandparents 1940's chrome and yellow formica kitchen table.  My childhood memories at this table include cracking nuts, eating family dinners with other kids while the adults ate in the formal dining room and as I grew older... sitting around drinking and laughing with the women in my family.  Gramma and Grandpa had a L shaped brown pleather banquette booth around it.  Bill's project sometime in 2021, will be to build two benches (think pew type) for us to sit at.  The main reason I chose the blue and yellow backsplash for our kitchen was to incorporate this table into the design.  I almost cried when Bill put it back together and placed it here.  It means so much to me.  I'll be deliriously happy the first time we sit at this table for sure.  :) 

Penny Before

Our biggest news is that "Phase II", our 500ish square foot addition, has started.  We have lived for eight months out of boxes because we don't have a closet... have either used a laundromat or Cherie's washer/dryer because we don't have a laundry room.  Penny went from a three bed two bath house to a two bed two bath house... we're now adding another bed and bath, laundry room and walk in closet.  We are eking out this last bit of remodel before our funds are gone, but we can comfortably live in this house and still work on it for a long time, once we have these rooms.

I have started shopping for the addition.  The squirrel in me has had to be tamed a bit as I can't overspend.  That said, when I see THE piece, I grab it.  One item we needed was another small colored glass chandelier for the addition's hallway.  While junking in California with mom, I found the answer.  The bohemian red etched glass body of this chandelier screamed my name until it was in my hands... I had to have it.  I didn't love the rest of the look, but I knew I could glam it up and make it blend with the others in the hall.  I'm loving how it turned out.  I may still change it up once more before it's hung but so far, so good.

The most exciting thing about the addition to me?  The fact that once it's ready to have siding, the whole house will be re-sided.  Bill has been tearing off the ugly cheap looking yellow vinyl siding that I've abhorred since day one.  The original siding that was under that monstrosity gives you an idea of what Penny will look like when her facelift is complete.  Unfortunately there was too much damage to try to repair.  Currently 60% of the house is wrapped in Tyvec and ready to go.  By the end of the year Penny should look finished outside.  The inside, no promises of a timeline... we still can't agree on a crown molding... but at least she'll be able to shine as strangers drive by.