tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234771037630520672024-03-29T03:33:07.631-04:00modchesterfalling in love with our mid-century ranchmodernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-25820887564816570202017-06-13T21:12:00.001-04:002017-06-13T21:12:22.265-04:00Stone Planter Salvation and Other Masonry Tales
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our stone planters really did not look good when we bought
the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew it but in our blindness
accompanied by falling in love with our dream house neglected to factor in the the
reality of masonry work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
could have beer goggles for a house, we had them:-)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last year, we decided to face the situation and make the
stone planters a priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The planters continued to deteriorate during the 6 years since we bought the
house and they looked even worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The original owner said that "someone ran into them with their car". Not so much. </span>It
took us awhile to realize that they were falling apart because of the freeze/thaw
cycle in the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the more
it went on, the worse they got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
know how you get used to things around your house—even the things that don’t
look so good?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you say to
yourself “They don’t look THAT bad” or “Nobody really notices…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that was us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then I was shocked into reality when even my sweet MOM said something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that happened, I knew we needed to
face the situation.</span></div>
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</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QMTU7b_YvTQI7DVPObXRxKAx8ZZFTBkGzHUb4cYAIppXo0_NhLVn-C925H-y2hCW8N2rrhhL2mU7PDhCpc6Ox2CIfn27yAS2uv6AKtZ5-svLlB88TU4wb648clh7Eqb0_qXqFqjgjnYK/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QMTU7b_YvTQI7DVPObXRxKAx8ZZFTBkGzHUb4cYAIppXo0_NhLVn-C925H-y2hCW8N2rrhhL2mU7PDhCpc6Ox2CIfn27yAS2uv6AKtZ5-svLlB88TU4wb648clh7Eqb0_qXqFqjgjnYK/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our large planter by the front door. See the vertical crack running through the middle? It was splitting in half.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We interviewed 3 masons before selecting one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot remember the one bid but the
two that we seriously considered were very close in cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was an eastern European father/son
duo—the father didn’t speak English so the son interpreted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We liked them but the company we ended
up going with is called “<a href="http://www.stonelovemasonry.net/" target="_blank">Stonelove</a>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We liked the owner and their company had done some
impressive work on a church in Buffalo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plus I liked that they approached the craft as an art rather than just a
job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">These pictures are all during demolition of the planters:</span></span></div>
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</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnPAZ3_rp9cQgzANemMgFHljAUt02ECR_ejpiQisFreCNULXYZBeWSUC6oWa8wBFJRt15uU67GpYMGnqPkAPmaFE9FOaPBWobKwh02UQth3bfFw50trd3w7Gc39ARIl9ebhM7rUs5BLqZ/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnPAZ3_rp9cQgzANemMgFHljAUt02ECR_ejpiQisFreCNULXYZBeWSUC6oWa8wBFJRt15uU67GpYMGnqPkAPmaFE9FOaPBWobKwh02UQth3bfFw50trd3w7Gc39ARIl9ebhM7rUs5BLqZ/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small planter 2 on the far side of the driveway.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But these guys earn every dollar—masonry is not a job that I
would ever want to undertake myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9F3XntJnoizUE0NnNtjqgDEixq0r7sqX1LOTStDLXOQwcamdvlsjb16VwAX5PwcyqYIxcmGYOckIvt0zg-XDA35mfNFXpN_tFpSDdqvUTvsPR5kNaixGodvnlYOJDG3feX4rPmb8AXnT/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9F3XntJnoizUE0NnNtjqgDEixq0r7sqX1LOTStDLXOQwcamdvlsjb16VwAX5PwcyqYIxcmGYOckIvt0zg-XDA35mfNFXpN_tFpSDdqvUTvsPR5kNaixGodvnlYOJDG3feX4rPmb8AXnT/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small Planter 2 during demolition</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DiYJKS9o7JQOi2fNwVm4yo6tdfMDoppCNfzX9JZCJidkWjBrw7iDde0kLwKpV_ypAlhH2MkROtttvjzO7JH4Pz2cyH-VgHeQgSGGiyG6jtBxH98hQ30We9WpP_OqchwUwc1UWIcLgNQk/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DiYJKS9o7JQOi2fNwVm4yo6tdfMDoppCNfzX9JZCJidkWjBrw7iDde0kLwKpV_ypAlhH2MkROtttvjzO7JH4Pz2cyH-VgHeQgSGGiyG6jtBxH98hQ30We9WpP_OqchwUwc1UWIcLgNQk/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small Planter 1 near the front walkway during demolition</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6mdZvFVGxFC5JCbOTDYlr_xP6fTuzmU2-xG1-xHG5aRCX_YlUqP8tuSksKqftQ2I4G9q1hzewG1N6vf9xpsy4G1t-w5kT1huf8Hn852dVoF0AUgrKPTN0Jiq71esOW8A6fY-sNzRrxOQ/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6mdZvFVGxFC5JCbOTDYlr_xP6fTuzmU2-xG1-xHG5aRCX_YlUqP8tuSksKqftQ2I4G9q1hzewG1N6vf9xpsy4G1t-w5kT1huf8Hn852dVoF0AUgrKPTN0Jiq71esOW8A6fY-sNzRrxOQ/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_23d5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small Planter 1 mid-demolition</span> (and Stan the Goldendoodle!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is what they look like now—a 1000% improvement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk2DukHyvrqMSfktq3kSsV340T3ODEDBv1Wrso2S1fphPjsVw0yvGZB6LmZwc4WuBM_pb8x-Ahf_qp24fjjs5ooOpP3tZAqYMiiXWGBGtrSiBoaIjKaHa354Mefsal2MEopoviYoJZmnv/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk2DukHyvrqMSfktq3kSsV340T3ODEDBv1Wrso2S1fphPjsVw0yvGZB6LmZwc4WuBM_pb8x-Ahf_qp24fjjs5ooOpP3tZAqYMiiXWGBGtrSiBoaIjKaHa354Mefsal2MEopoviYoJZmnv/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small Planter 2</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd35y4ARtUxPfR8y55T4o1pOTC2jYz3E7jOVwFlPwVfYjblD7AeN9ZCu06iPhowYcp3b_kH1lUdqrg_7TzN6ZbpvRnIRUv5G86Z09-PO9kIMQXF5O74_PK5LBnE5MyfQU4j32NDdcYGO5u/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd35y4ARtUxPfR8y55T4o1pOTC2jYz3E7jOVwFlPwVfYjblD7AeN9ZCu06iPhowYcp3b_kH1lUdqrg_7TzN6ZbpvRnIRUv5G86Z09-PO9kIMQXF5O74_PK5LBnE5MyfQU4j32NDdcYGO5u/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small Planter 1</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh3Yj2hz3hQfYJpq1dvRk2ubuq4op4vqdnppvVLhZOhjm_KFO3tbJVnSbzy024paoFoJAhaekAou6sO2ArgSnIeUS_PokOtIPRZQGZ3t_u0eOF13EDpHcEi9m04pup_Bl11V-XxdVqSGd/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh3Yj2hz3hQfYJpq1dvRk2ubuq4op4vqdnppvVLhZOhjm_KFO3tbJVnSbzy024paoFoJAhaekAou6sO2ArgSnIeUS_PokOtIPRZQGZ3t_u0eOF13EDpHcEi9m04pup_Bl11V-XxdVqSGd/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Large Planter</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_fQPJUZPZcu5oRT_taG0FhDJuUybW2WGtSVLczxa00wV4hzuzs8nRkQPhnlae618Sf10ymj2MNjzQpZbdc3NoFM3fjpyftwJUjmTFLBspv6cC7nElx301-EFlT-52uzVzzyHcmlHIfas/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_fQPJUZPZcu5oRT_taG0FhDJuUybW2WGtSVLczxa00wV4hzuzs8nRkQPhnlae618Sf10ymj2MNjzQpZbdc3NoFM3fjpyftwJUjmTFLBspv6cC7nElx301-EFlT-52uzVzzyHcmlHIfas/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46c9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Large Planter</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is what they did in addition to rebuilding the
planters:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>New light fixture:</b><br />
We have cool light fixtures integrated within the stonework of the large
planter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of the three worked.
We never knew why the last one did not work and this was an opportunity to
replace it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out the original
fixture was all corroded and not salvageable so I needed to find a new one in a
hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problem is that these
fixtures are not low voltage, which modern fixtures are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They run off the line current in the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After an exhaustive
internet search, I was actually able to find one that is nearly a perfect match
for the original (hallelujah!) and with overnight shipping, it literally
arrived an hour before the mason needed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about just-in-time manufacturing.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcsiLkeibOEtu86bg4jhtchBaFnFYmQKcfm0TdPrq9j4RxghpMF7C0UU3ib_JdMpQJDPZWx4s3WLf8zEw-b4TOpfcAeiQJxoSktOqMKBxUDqfBPCKv7hocHOfrpB6SvlOJ5aOFzw6ogqY/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46ca.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcsiLkeibOEtu86bg4jhtchBaFnFYmQKcfm0TdPrq9j4RxghpMF7C0UU3ib_JdMpQJDPZWx4s3WLf8zEw-b4TOpfcAeiQJxoSktOqMKBxUDqfBPCKv7hocHOfrpB6SvlOJ5aOFzw6ogqY/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46ca.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New working light!!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpg02ZYj7BJGdKHcdXsl9nEacvhxDKol0XZmOuZkkfiBBHrjt_w6X3q1c3z92AXvh0azyEG_JhdT08Y6iTl-WCHqoB_wHvxqqLQpZTHE-P6ZV7H1_mcNQu3NCJvaqLVwIxfOsF5eAGCz6/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46d1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpg02ZYj7BJGdKHcdXsl9nEacvhxDKol0XZmOuZkkfiBBHrjt_w6X3q1c3z92AXvh0azyEG_JhdT08Y6iTl-WCHqoB_wHvxqqLQpZTHE-P6ZV7H1_mcNQu3NCJvaqLVwIxfOsF5eAGCz6/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46d1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Close-up of new working light</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBzrURAd46uCMCaXchgvXLP9vs_o1SGUiSBHzZ5TU7uFuUwKKz-KSwmnlHfsS4o0BT1PkoWeePgS6rYbBBWzGCp8rYBf7lcznqgS3H6Jp-cP_PzVHRPZuwOub_o_MqEuBcF_-l-mgedKN/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46cb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1087" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBzrURAd46uCMCaXchgvXLP9vs_o1SGUiSBHzZ5TU7uFuUwKKz-KSwmnlHfsS4o0BT1PkoWeePgS6rYbBBWzGCp8rYBf7lcznqgS3H6Jp-cP_PzVHRPZuwOub_o_MqEuBcF_-l-mgedKN/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_46cb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Both planters rebuilt and with their pretty mid-mod lights on.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Better drainage:</b><br />
Now we have drainage pipe at the base of each planter to better allow the water
to flow out of it, so the chance of it freezing and expanding in the winter is
diminished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Going forward, we have decided to cover the planters in the
winter to keep snow and rain out of them as best we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that we will enjoy many years
with these planters without having to rebuild them again!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll be sharing more Modchester projects soon. Follow my blog if you want to know when new content is up. What do you think of our "new" planters? </span></div>
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modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-92017786736221028352017-04-25T16:32:00.005-04:002017-04-25T16:32:44.971-04:00Brushing off the Blog with The House Next Door<br /><div style="border-bottom: solid #C6C6C6 1.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 2.0pt 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things have been moving along nicely at Modchester and I
wanted to get back to my blog. Things
have been really busy the past year and it’s mostly because of this guy:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK8Oi_a0IfGF0dRLUtEOegfrdcvdg_hUiKzIImGlKwXR693AqcKpfw8b_Iz_bJCnVUf8wLi2a-7BhtuxUlwhndDFgMX_olivogG1sSbBncMVWfiUmKk-5AkAo05FkuFAwB2-KTglpHu20/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK8Oi_a0IfGF0dRLUtEOegfrdcvdg_hUiKzIImGlKwXR693AqcKpfw8b_Iz_bJCnVUf8wLi2a-7BhtuxUlwhndDFgMX_olivogG1sSbBncMVWfiUmKk-5AkAo05FkuFAwB2-KTglpHu20/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He’s a goldendoodle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
name is Stanley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His birth-Daddy was
100% standard poodle and his birth-Mommy was ½ standard poodle and ½ golden
retriever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is now a happy, happy 9
month old bundle of furry joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
quickly become the love of our lives—at least for me and my daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my husband is a little less in love
with Stan than we are—but he’s just not as much of a “dog person”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stanley pretends to be a tough guy sometimes, especially
with the deer that come into our yard, but he’s really just a big teddy
bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is sometimes naughty and it can
get frustrating—he surfs the counters for food and he has eaten 3 pairs of
sunglasses so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pretty much
like having a toddler with endless energy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never thought I’d be the type of person to put clothes on
my dog or send them to doggie daycare but I’m finding myself doing both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves wearing his football jersey and
doggie daycare provides lots of socialization and tires him out on days when I
don’t have time to give him a long walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A tired dog is a good dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
husband said recently as Stanley was lounging on all of the pillows on the
sofa, “Well, he certainly wouldn’t survive in the wild.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep…that pretty much sums him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we love spoiling him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stan will probably appear a little bit on the
blog in the upcoming months since he is my shadow and never far away from where
I’m taking pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, back to the house stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have actually been steadily working on
things which I’ll reveal soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first
I wanted to show a beautiful piece of mid-century architecture that happens to
be the </span><a href="https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/18-Denonville-Rdg,-Rochester,-NY-14625_rb/?fromHomePage=true&shouldFireSellPageImplicitClaimGA=false&fromHomePageTab=buy" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">house next door</a>.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was built in
1964, the year before ours, and designed by architect James Johnson.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m planning to do a separate post on James
Johnson because he should have an entire post of his own. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He recently passed at the age of 83, and he
left behind an architecturally significant body of work.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With its cantilevered roof, low profile, and
prominent fireplaces, this house was very inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our neighbors recently sold it after living there and
renovating it over the past 20 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a labor of love for them and I’m sure it was a bit difficult to sell but
they both retired and decided to downsize a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While some of the design choices are a bit
too traditional for my taste, it is a beautiful space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess there were some others that thought
so too because there was a lot of interest and it sold in one day at a high
price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the eye candy.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-77181001294641948992015-01-01T12:53:00.001-05:002015-01-01T13:00:01.173-05:00Happy New Year! Master Bedroom Redo (again)Happy New Year! I cannot believe it's been so long since I've posted. I had to take a bit of a break last year but I'm back and I hope to post a bit more often again.<br />
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I've been working on our bedroom this year, very slowly, but I think it's close to being done. I really like the point it is at but I think it probably needs a few more finishing touches...in time. But to refresh your memory, here is what our bedroom looked like when we first toured our home:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy2_uRxfqXIiJugtaWWoJilcV-ClXMDtpqehBxQmLd1HLq_6-K-rW9Q751S6gCKLSwz0SEmjSJj1F4lpfcaxrVqCwBrUdBk0AwaJlBIRPbJ96yPpL5-Tb0XXFR5qPZs91FgE_OzCThHeW/s1600/master+bedroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy2_uRxfqXIiJugtaWWoJilcV-ClXMDtpqehBxQmLd1HLq_6-K-rW9Q751S6gCKLSwz0SEmjSJj1F4lpfcaxrVqCwBrUdBk0AwaJlBIRPbJ96yPpL5-Tb0XXFR5qPZs91FgE_OzCThHeW/s1600/master+bedroom.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom (BEFORE). Awesome retro bedroom. Love the twin beds and tailored bedspreads!!</td></tr>
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The room is challenging as everything is asymmetrical. The window placement is asymmetrical and the ceiling is vaulted going from 8 feet on side of the room to about 12 feet on the other side of the room. Asymmetry was a hallmark of mid-century modern design but it sure is harder to decorate around than symmetrical rooms. <br />
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This is actually the third time we've repainted this room in 4 1/2 years. I know. Good thing we do our own painting. The first time it was a mint green color--good intentions but bad execution. The second time it was a beautiful gray color. It was a nice color but it didn't really work well with our rug and furnishings. So this time we went very neutral. <br />
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I normally love color but I needed something a bit more subdued in my bedroom. The feeling I was going for was serene, modern, organic, collected, and peaceful. I feel like I've accomplished it.<br />
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The only new things in this room are the large botanical print and the bed frame. Everything else is either from our previous home or we purchased when we first moved into this house. I've been able to incorporate a few very sentimental items as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXVjlRAakiBHNHZxK_eFyU85yzvDFlkYPFZI4GsqKc7wWXciWnpuZH4B3dILlBipqRXU0r4uVirlb7Rx-6FFS1BELswetzYNZ29eWjrGLZND4e8DCNyC9g4QZ-1zFmNpugfa1xHvddn06/s1600/DSC_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXVjlRAakiBHNHZxK_eFyU85yzvDFlkYPFZI4GsqKc7wWXciWnpuZH4B3dILlBipqRXU0r4uVirlb7Rx-6FFS1BELswetzYNZ29eWjrGLZND4e8DCNyC9g4QZ-1zFmNpugfa1xHvddn06/s1600/DSC_0383.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful Paul McCobb dresser. We purchased this at a local antique store when we first moved into our home. The pulls are brass and could use a bit of polish. The print was purchased at the Evolution Store in NYC and framed locally. It's a vintage German botanical plate. It's huge and makes a great statement in the room. Room and Board sells the same one and it is on sale right now. It's a great deal--cost us more to buy and frame this than the sale price.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uAKKPUeXoRdUjj1gLmTDPYvoE-iJqLAHRrTYOSR7E9pfDYa9IQ-oPRmyu1P38CaRRnXeFSQLqhV4AZcaF8tmDmbaI0cRe-O4-X5UWsPhiKRs0QDOMAFU5Oob7kQGBsrbvGO1h1AJdK_X/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uAKKPUeXoRdUjj1gLmTDPYvoE-iJqLAHRrTYOSR7E9pfDYa9IQ-oPRmyu1P38CaRRnXeFSQLqhV4AZcaF8tmDmbaI0cRe-O4-X5UWsPhiKRs0QDOMAFU5Oob7kQGBsrbvGO1h1AJdK_X/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tray belonged to my great grandmother. The vase is from West Elm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZzI-1n5b2YE8CgB_-TBqZIpCFDRk7vGTrcdULj1g8Ky1nYf_vEeWH_0hGAt6o3QUa8cmzry6-Vnx3ZaJ0y3sI56KDwTD1i8U7mSALY9PDTkwcrloMi1p7qHSz7Fy8hPkcaS0tg2LoNyv/s1600/DSC_0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZzI-1n5b2YE8CgB_-TBqZIpCFDRk7vGTrcdULj1g8Ky1nYf_vEeWH_0hGAt6o3QUa8cmzry6-Vnx3ZaJ0y3sI56KDwTD1i8U7mSALY9PDTkwcrloMi1p7qHSz7Fy8hPkcaS0tg2LoNyv/s1600/DSC_0389.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture from our wedding:-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hkFzjXqoGOQGxrdnsXA_iwzbSf28jmC0H0kEaj57AhI2wACz8uFgWlBFT32XYvOPOmEfwgmpL2Sx-bHVkLdcAND52aeyPjsl4Np4jNwEQXlYYm_WNuIay-NBM1TAlpRRBnrPjcAY4rOw/s1600/DSC_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hkFzjXqoGOQGxrdnsXA_iwzbSf28jmC0H0kEaj57AhI2wACz8uFgWlBFT32XYvOPOmEfwgmpL2Sx-bHVkLdcAND52aeyPjsl4Np4jNwEQXlYYm_WNuIay-NBM1TAlpRRBnrPjcAY4rOw/s1600/DSC_0387.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The duvet is from Dwell Studio. I purchased this YEARS ago when it first came out and I've never found another duvet I've loved as much as this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8dUKqWgTqqIyGQI7356346SIgctR-uByhuXLDGEtba0NPiknqYnYFXdKMaZkwzCKLeQLk1AhnyW6-o969bIwoDz4FrrYpJ2V6NJq2e8KOL-8GnFWsrPB6H4sVvyR6kXJ_XFcGav-EA4Q/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8dUKqWgTqqIyGQI7356346SIgctR-uByhuXLDGEtba0NPiknqYnYFXdKMaZkwzCKLeQLk1AhnyW6-o969bIwoDz4FrrYpJ2V6NJq2e8KOL-8GnFWsrPB6H4sVvyR6kXJ_XFcGav-EA4Q/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of our bed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTfuYaci-LNkQJZpRHv26P4axFcn3J8Kx4rfiI85Cnm8aKl29ooFSo4jpBv2L2ABSBXEpnt-SVvcaVIiZZcbMYNf4c55rj24LDNbgpHOSh2Djn_t93H2jHhqQQBuC73RLnv8rPI_4xZkY/s1600/DSC_0392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTfuYaci-LNkQJZpRHv26P4axFcn3J8Kx4rfiI85Cnm8aKl29ooFSo4jpBv2L2ABSBXEpnt-SVvcaVIiZZcbMYNf4c55rj24LDNbgpHOSh2Djn_t93H2jHhqQQBuC73RLnv8rPI_4xZkY/s1600/DSC_0392.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In-suite bathroom; 6 foot closets on either side. Bathroom is original and we love it. Tile is in perfect condition.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRofvuVud7ibgAx_7AILs6_9vznPTauhds0uQvWt_khlA4XZIH2u8VFlW4LgBcCxVYuOGI9ll4xgOrzcWatqeQ29hIpMC9w2cIXiqlxSBkavMvjex9_HRNTxWsSXAhLxclSNLwDWD90IZ/s1600/DSC_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRofvuVud7ibgAx_7AILs6_9vznPTauhds0uQvWt_khlA4XZIH2u8VFlW4LgBcCxVYuOGI9ll4xgOrzcWatqeQ29hIpMC9w2cIXiqlxSBkavMvjex9_HRNTxWsSXAhLxclSNLwDWD90IZ/s1600/DSC_0399.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little seating area in the room. Overlooks our back yard.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe1EZ4zSKBiDSehMksM7jyRnH0YayWrmM4AYKjmn6DkVglMQuFm1Ex5MifipGTv4gncd4Rcn_Et-792BP4iaQX2Yy9Ojz53e5k_G8nFmpJBvYZJiMscetMa1-1_3CNLf0qCEHW_bfTkhA/s1600/DSC_0390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe1EZ4zSKBiDSehMksM7jyRnH0YayWrmM4AYKjmn6DkVglMQuFm1Ex5MifipGTv4gncd4Rcn_Et-792BP4iaQX2Yy9Ojz53e5k_G8nFmpJBvYZJiMscetMa1-1_3CNLf0qCEHW_bfTkhA/s1600/DSC_0390.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewelry box made for me by my father when I turned 16.</td></tr>
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-87537653475286950412014-06-02T20:41:00.002-04:002014-06-02T21:02:41.593-04:00Oh yes we did. We painted the paneling.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Things have gotten pretty much back to normal for me which means I've been busy, busy, busy. If you haven't been following along, I had my hip replaced on 10/23/13 (because of <a href="http://hipdysplasia.org/adult-hip-dysplasia/" target="_blank">hip dysplasia</a>, not age) and my recovery was intentionally a bit slow. My anatomy wasn't quite normal and my surgeon wanted to be conservative with my recovery. But he gave me the green light at 6 months so I've been back painting, renovating, and gardening. Life has been really great!</div>
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As the title of this post says, we painted the paneling. And before any paneling purists out there say "why did you paint the WOOD?!" hear me out. Our upstairs family room and hallway had/has wood paneled walls, wood floors, and a wall of built-in wood cabinetry. You couldn't PUT any more wood in this room. Well...maybe the ceiling but that was the only wood-portunity. </div>
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The paneling was not solid wood like the teak or mahogany walls you see in some mid-century homes, it was wood-veneer with grooves in it. The grain was actually quite nice, which is why we lived with it for almost 4 years before deciding to paint. I like wood, but not this much of it. It felt very dark in there. It was downright depressing after the long winter we had here.</div>
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Another reason for painting is that some of the beautiful features of our room were getting lost with all that wood. We have a stunning brick fireplace that covers one wall and you barely noticed it. And we have a beautiful, vintage Howard Miller George Nelson Spindle clock that was completely getting lost in the room because it was wood on wood. All you really noticed in the room was that it felt like you were in a wood cabin.</div>
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Here are some "before" pictures:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYivT_y66J0gon9kV5uakez8gX7kp5-PKT2V6govAOhox97TBxHJnk3gW4LXDhRejpl1WhveW7M5OQAhHOe9WcL7xYuEgftZkRHZbkM4PySoICABldLs55_ODVVvBDK3VOVPmuZZ8f330/s1600/P1010123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYivT_y66J0gon9kV5uakez8gX7kp5-PKT2V6govAOhox97TBxHJnk3gW4LXDhRejpl1WhveW7M5OQAhHOe9WcL7xYuEgftZkRHZbkM4PySoICABldLs55_ODVVvBDK3VOVPmuZZ8f330/s1600/P1010123.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: Upstairs family room with window looking at entry. You can
see the long front planter in the picture. The curtains are original
burlap pinch-pleat (and disintegrating). On the right is a full wall of
built-ins. The TV is in the center cabinet.</td></tr>
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</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnztQi5-fbbmDuAJK5yEWAWlWwVQXeBhcH535yMVcMmaUok1opk1zGx0pTQgmL7jhxfS9UGYox7lAfbobzPEsMar6tPVdarR5JpRv6DnyQJP6rvGALkYe1_do3JLK-8nfO87LI5JVztRMs/s1600/P1010120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnztQi5-fbbmDuAJK5yEWAWlWwVQXeBhcH535yMVcMmaUok1opk1zGx0pTQgmL7jhxfS9UGYox7lAfbobzPEsMar6tPVdarR5JpRv6DnyQJP6rvGALkYe1_do3JLK-8nfO87LI5JVztRMs/s1600/P1010120.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
BEFORE: Hallway leading from family room to garage. The curtains there were plaid and not original. I had already taken them down before I took pictures. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6quXBx8HTgQUz2eL4yBGIahwx8oQ0vBgCFybzEcCgCWJt9FNgDyX2vSbj-BIyptt8WcV78KK7xuoAJueFyxMNR6-SkQvwGlPx-uaI2gRp9cTtSxMyA7lbEjfbiJQYyRfuff0SCLetY-3Z/s1600/P1010124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6quXBx8HTgQUz2eL4yBGIahwx8oQ0vBgCFybzEcCgCWJt9FNgDyX2vSbj-BIyptt8WcV78KK7xuoAJueFyxMNR6-SkQvwGlPx-uaI2gRp9cTtSxMyA7lbEjfbiJQYyRfuff0SCLetY-3Z/s1600/P1010124.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: Brick fireplace and doorway that leads to entry.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_dhSYfEbWf3W-r1bjVPpyTeM094pAITTD5HWaDo-6JK2r1BCnHCkvr1Ca4PKB4K7uiFsOp_f-S7s2oYLgtf8tXHUHequ0Qfwn6Ar8LihyphenhypheniiuF6T0OXrBX8tR3C_rphORbQZHE3g1253u/s1600/P1010125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_dhSYfEbWf3W-r1bjVPpyTeM094pAITTD5HWaDo-6JK2r1BCnHCkvr1Ca4PKB4K7uiFsOp_f-S7s2oYLgtf8tXHUHequ0Qfwn6Ar8LihyphenhypheniiuF6T0OXrBX8tR3C_rphORbQZHE3g1253u/s1600/P1010125.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: More dark and depressing wood paneling. The pass-through and doorway on the left go to the kitchen.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU29SXDzx0g7aAc67Ef3ktw7R5C0lpbBI03uFpq5Y2VKp7U1P2-202fOOQAE3trvZERwlonXaAB5nOKDgtgRCbfHI5RbJr1veUu3W20Z9pOQrCfHhbduOr5-cgeWSvHTi1dfbYENgMBO2K/s1600/P1010127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU29SXDzx0g7aAc67Ef3ktw7R5C0lpbBI03uFpq5Y2VKp7U1P2-202fOOQAE3trvZERwlonXaAB5nOKDgtgRCbfHI5RbJr1veUu3W20Z9pOQrCfHhbduOr5-cgeWSvHTi1dfbYENgMBO2K/s1600/P1010127.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: Another view of the fireplacewall and built-ins.</td></tr>
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Over the long winter, the dark room became too oppressive and I finally decided it needed to be a lot lighter in there. So on a cold, rainy weekend at the beginning of April, we painted the paneling. We decided to paint it Benjamin Moore's Edgecomb Gray, which is the same color as the kitchen. I love this color--it is very versatile. It complements wood tones very nicely. It's also a very similar color to the grout in the fireplace. </div>
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First we had to sand and wash the paneling to take off any gloss. Then we primed the family room and the hallway. I decided not to paint any of the cabinetry or the wood trim around the windows.</div>
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In case you were wondering, painting paneling isn't very much fun. We thought we would be able to paint the walls with a high-nap roller. It didn't get the paint into the grooves well enough so we had to brush each groove in the paneling separately. Let's just say that this project took 2 full days.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF9Q8JR8pUDgXONLFLEUxZfqjHb9RupOCqFtvyXIKwTLu2pMD0KNoDxN9Etr1DOgX5TIi54wHKpEACd1hfLtYoP9joNLVFPlVN9ZYIAn-uJrtrF2HigE4RJtZHJ3iiX7udvqQChjbGE5w/s1600/P1010129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF9Q8JR8pUDgXONLFLEUxZfqjHb9RupOCqFtvyXIKwTLu2pMD0KNoDxN9Etr1DOgX5TIi54wHKpEACd1hfLtYoP9joNLVFPlVN9ZYIAn-uJrtrF2HigE4RJtZHJ3iiX7udvqQChjbGE5w/s1600/P1010129.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Priming the paneling.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBJbR9yGVoCxRRf91MHjSJbr0HcV_hK7QppjOV7bPwCALTvUkU54XWWLfG4XqEbkTQu6M_JfEWZs_Y5Bk9naeHLDraY7UY3H3iioYgl9C2RAgeFjGl6d3IQ3r5P0zi5fTozLtF3aZWrwX/s1600/P1010130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBJbR9yGVoCxRRf91MHjSJbr0HcV_hK7QppjOV7bPwCALTvUkU54XWWLfG4XqEbkTQu6M_JfEWZs_Y5Bk9naeHLDraY7UY3H3iioYgl9C2RAgeFjGl6d3IQ3r5P0zi5fTozLtF3aZWrwX/s1600/P1010130.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After priming.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiwXK8ZMeIN4qF22mBda-i7L-fFJw94-_9fIOHfMZi7s_4PEiTr5emjyXZrb8hWSUus3iAiAxK9BWPnMlevYAOQznCMDjhrjMCpZsMwnBwEvuEscE673BlCfHl4VHSoFQNrEuLGh8UuOj/s1600/P1010133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiwXK8ZMeIN4qF22mBda-i7L-fFJw94-_9fIOHfMZi7s_4PEiTr5emjyXZrb8hWSUus3iAiAxK9BWPnMlevYAOQznCMDjhrjMCpZsMwnBwEvuEscE673BlCfHl4VHSoFQNrEuLGh8UuOj/s1600/P1010133.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After priming.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXXVyDpgAOdNZkJuRsnacVS0yu5zqEkIOu9NT-QfsVo6nLIkEnIxS-VBP6nUjGztfm_aRsyyDepiQIl4Gg2Vf-pAni7xb0Ym6wut8UEanX80HLm_LLvVWy1m_CpZuYDSmQef5tHzHivWE/s1600/P1010134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXXVyDpgAOdNZkJuRsnacVS0yu5zqEkIOu9NT-QfsVo6nLIkEnIxS-VBP6nUjGztfm_aRsyyDepiQIl4Gg2Vf-pAni7xb0Ym6wut8UEanX80HLm_LLvVWy1m_CpZuYDSmQef5tHzHivWE/s1600/P1010134.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Notice how the fireplace stands out so much better? I love this brick.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERFXDmPbxFDNo8L78jBkg3lWYTNEg_i4gPKbMnLej-DpZn-VdYglifDnZnimyziXPv5OrJBSN0slXBvvLnGRtEZqqd16j1J7sY-9LQEZI26kVc1Z4BEdGqFQY0_sI-palTeGY1L9eiTyf/s1600/P1010135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERFXDmPbxFDNo8L78jBkg3lWYTNEg_i4gPKbMnLej-DpZn-VdYglifDnZnimyziXPv5OrJBSN0slXBvvLnGRtEZqqd16j1J7sY-9LQEZI26kVc1Z4BEdGqFQY0_sI-palTeGY1L9eiTyf/s1600/P1010135.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: I painted the backs of the built-ins a darker gray that I had leftover from my bedroom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5qf1jWKrMufqyo1nELYWornWebTQBp_ZpzRCai3X6k78n7bcmxYMnnOZIZ81KhtoKjwBEGOuzLum0y2qaF1vG6_T72xrfoLP0oxHDjOupUOg3WGdeoVgEsdwLTjEQRc3LjO4Sfp3YPec/s1600/P1010141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5qf1jWKrMufqyo1nELYWornWebTQBp_ZpzRCai3X6k78n7bcmxYMnnOZIZ81KhtoKjwBEGOuzLum0y2qaF1vG6_T72xrfoLP0oxHDjOupUOg3WGdeoVgEsdwLTjEQRc3LjO4Sfp3YPec/s1600/P1010141.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Wall of built-ins. The TV is housed in the center of the cabinets. They look so much nicer now! We also got a new carpet as the old one felt very "country" to me.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieq592GgasneJJBPToivXHcDd-Wfo1jqy-ZJym36KL4JKOcZZueo_IHM-ybW5mHIC3CXcOix45zcole2IURFt_Qm_fsGzbGxjn3452WFN6IWq6dD0EOjBQ4T-6gACrzJswABZyKc7OE1xi/s1600/P1010142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieq592GgasneJJBPToivXHcDd-Wfo1jqy-ZJym36KL4JKOcZZueo_IHM-ybW5mHIC3CXcOix45zcole2IURFt_Qm_fsGzbGxjn3452WFN6IWq6dD0EOjBQ4T-6gACrzJswABZyKc7OE1xi/s1600/P1010142.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Back hallway after painting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC-KoCtrhPntWEsffPq8Q1YDBzz-jU7SEvtzjRUlb8Hg4vSWO5-yLHAf5OlP4n6TvHwLIDvkJJti_22a0h0q-iqQMYHRjw8srMvR3UR5__oIiGSsoOFvLxQO1gdrtdefr8W5OQ8GlosS9/s1600/P1010143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC-KoCtrhPntWEsffPq8Q1YDBzz-jU7SEvtzjRUlb8Hg4vSWO5-yLHAf5OlP4n6TvHwLIDvkJJti_22a0h0q-iqQMYHRjw8srMvR3UR5__oIiGSsoOFvLxQO1gdrtdefr8W5OQ8GlosS9/s1600/P1010143.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Back hallway. We also painted the door trim to match the rest of the house "decorator's white". The floors are slate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpPUeZORkMqeQqFp42GmeWT92CYLC2NkWnPI309megxZ_0gUnwLLNNpFCg0qymR6rWUtXmHoJ0nnDKhpGmZ2cl09WtMzGhrR4EJIV03vJOwy12bKOTUUn4o5ODGSvriv2cInpwpuo3tiQ/s1600/P1010144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpPUeZORkMqeQqFp42GmeWT92CYLC2NkWnPI309megxZ_0gUnwLLNNpFCg0qymR6rWUtXmHoJ0nnDKhpGmZ2cl09WtMzGhrR4EJIV03vJOwy12bKOTUUn4o5ODGSvriv2cInpwpuo3tiQ/s1600/P1010144.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: We also cleaned and treated all of the louvered doors with Howards Feed 'n Wax. There were 4 sets of bi-fold doors. They look beautiful now. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIrzr56ds0lPUH_XB-Q7ax10Ehhh15xBOQ66svZBlLVxnwEvGJQVKX1zqhVsTR7_gWuxl5Jt1lqfa06Kq83LMHw_3eYaLe4FLc_U9j9aFgpkXnokRvMJrWrwFqTC42XxFEMMM7w7kgvDk/s1600/P1010147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIrzr56ds0lPUH_XB-Q7ax10Ehhh15xBOQ66svZBlLVxnwEvGJQVKX1zqhVsTR7_gWuxl5Jt1lqfa06Kq83LMHw_3eYaLe4FLc_U9j9aFgpkXnokRvMJrWrwFqTC42XxFEMMM7w7kgvDk/s1600/P1010147.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: "After" view of fireplace. Now you can see our beautiful George Nelson clock. My mother made the quilt and I liked the color it brought into the room so I'm using it over our sofa seat cushions. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOiK_4gUYXyetkcFGYHH0vruhxT98XDxMQKKyqIlQKqfWN_2jK0N3DT6la94MeJD3LGpriZfCAl60rhX_fY4vnWxE52D_cm9q1qksZZG6bGOn2RFfOJwU4FlR7q2Rj2fuLdz8mKxxbiLe/s1600/P1010148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOiK_4gUYXyetkcFGYHH0vruhxT98XDxMQKKyqIlQKqfWN_2jK0N3DT6la94MeJD3LGpriZfCAl60rhX_fY4vnWxE52D_cm9q1qksZZG6bGOn2RFfOJwU4FlR7q2Rj2fuLdz8mKxxbiLe/s1600/P1010148.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Close up of clock and veiw into entry. We actually re-hung the <a href="http://modchester.blogspot.com/2013/01/kitchen-updates-part-2.html" target="_blank">drapes from the kitchen</a>. They look great in here!</td></tr>
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Things we have left to do: My husband decided that he wanted to replace all the switches and outlets to something more modern. And I want to get some kind of shade for the windows in the hallway. A few more accessories and I think this room can be called complete!<br />
<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-34273963000984829582013-12-16T13:52:00.001-05:002013-12-16T17:25:47.130-05:00Finished Metal Roof Pictures (and more metal in my life)I took a bit longer-than-expected blogging break. I had intended to post the final pictures of our metal roof sooner but I am actually recovering from a hip replacement. I'm young-ish, but I have hip dysplasia, and it took a big toll on one of my hips. In the past year, my ability to function was so severely impaired, and a hip replacement was the only option. I thought about starting a blog for my hip replacement because I have lots to say on that subject, but I decided not to. I will just say that I'm glad to be in recovery mode now but I still have a long way to go before I am "recovered"and I can get back to work on DIY projects. Hopefully my recovery will be significantly improved by the spring.<br />
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So onto the other metal in my life--the roof. Our roof took a while to finish because the company was working on a local green addition to a school simultaneously, but it's done and it's gorgeous. Here are some pictures from different angles. (And no, I wasn't on the roof! That was hubby's job.)<br />
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BEFORE PICTURE: Can you believe this? This is the original flashing around our chimney. Completely corroded. I find it really hard to believe that the roofers didn't think to replace this when our roof was done 8 years ago! To quote <a href="http://makeitright.ca/Holmes_Media/Holmes_On_Homes/" target="_blank">Holmes on Homes</a>, "Unbelievable!"<br />
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A close-up of our non-existing flashing. This was completely redone with the new roof, obviously.<br />
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And here is our gorgeous new roof! The color is "Burnished Slate" which coordinates nicely with the stone fireplace, stone planters, stone patio, and stone walkways around our house. This is a view of the side of our house. This is also the view that is most visible from the road.<br />
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Here is a little closer view...(hard to take these pics from the ground.) <br />
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Here is a picture of part of the front of our house. That piece of metal hanging out of the gutter is an old leaf guard.<br />
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My husband got up on the roof to show me what was going on up there. Note the new flashing around the chimney. The roofing guys took a masonry saw and adhered the flashing into the stone. <br />
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Here's another view of the metal work. This is a ridge vent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM0IhjxloaVooVrhP5PCdKxcPssXCXn8GfE5ZTWxMNHU_DS6alNEPeXcPrB9WyxKrmxk25HhQBHLAMYwEbXCtIvOQrTRa8WLuNgWKVlVI0jD88IZ2ax6PFzhGqG94uJSEat2cCG20I18r/s1600/P1010034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM0IhjxloaVooVrhP5PCdKxcPssXCXn8GfE5ZTWxMNHU_DS6alNEPeXcPrB9WyxKrmxk25HhQBHLAMYwEbXCtIvOQrTRa8WLuNgWKVlVI0jD88IZ2ax6PFzhGqG94uJSEat2cCG20I18r/s640/P1010034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Below is a picture of the the backside of the chimney. It's built up to divert the rain and snow from hitting the chimney and causing leaks. It was built that way from the beginning. (Of course the old flashing was completely corroded so it didn't help from causing leaks.)<br />
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This little window is in the upper corner of our great room.<br />
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More views of where some of the roof planes meet. Sorry about the glare. It is really hard to get good pictures of a metal roof. <br />
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So far, we are really happy we put this roof on. Some people have asked me questions about it so I'll try to put together an FAQ post at some point for folks who are interested in this type of roofing.<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-80077777518226152772013-10-20T19:22:00.000-04:002013-10-20T22:08:48.427-04:00Roof in Progress...Our tearoff went fine and I was able to confirm with the roofer that, YES, we did have full ice and water shield under that 8-year old, 30 year architectural shingle roof that leaked in about 8 places. So that should be a lesson to anyone with a house with 2/12 pitch. DO NOT SHINGLE YOUR ROOF. Don't be mislead by a roofer that says its fine to shingle a house at that pitch with full ice and water shield. Guess what--it isn't fine. Water is insidious and WILL find a way to get through all of those nail holes in time. Trust me--it happened to us.<br />
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The roofers re-flashed all of the flashing and installed the new ice and water shield. Then we had about a week's delay before installing the metal. The standing seam metal we are using is for low-slopes, so the seam is higher and there is a special machine that is used to seal the seam of the panels together. The machine was in use at another job and my roofer got the run around on when it would be available from the metal roof distributor. So they finally started to install the metal on Thursday. This is what the house looks like after a few days of metal work.<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-7952168974102621712013-10-08T20:04:00.002-04:002013-10-20T19:23:00.843-04:00And so it begins...My <a href="http://modchester.blogspot.com/2013/09/our-roofing-decision.html" target="_blank">new roof </a>is under construction!<br />
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Tear-off began last Thursday. I was actually in Ireland on business, so I didn't witness it, but my husband said that they found full ice and water shield under the shingles. If that is true for the entire roof, then it further confirms my feelings that you shouldn't put shingles, even with full ice and water shield, on a roof pitch this low. <br />
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We had a couple of days of rain, so tearoff continued today and the NEW Carlisle WIP 300 HT ice and water shield was put on the roof.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New ice and water shield.</td></tr>
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I tried to take conference calls from home this morning so I could see what was going on but it was so loud in my office--it sounded like elephants were walking on the roof! And the banging...not for the faint of heart. So I went into the office. Before I left, though, I took some pictures.<br />
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This is what our place looked like today while the tearoff was going on.<br />
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And here is what it looks like tonight after work. (They left their truck in our driveway....its ok, it's a big driveway.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof with ice and water shield.</td></tr>
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The coolest part about today was seeing how they make the metal roofing on-site. Using this machine:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal Roof Machine</td></tr>
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But that is the subject of the next post...sorry to keep you in suspense...:-)</div>
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On tomorrow's agenda is the installation of our ISO board on our cathedral ceiling great room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPl0Uvso2ammMv2Fvq_wejHyevCU85NbE-WqR8AXFXrnGIYDN6uStq9zO-aTwtZQ_FhnmE7rDg3HUEi7c50YKqs_38YhG14dJhuSh93D9h5cV4gW_LHIy0pI5WaRJqRLn1L2N-bAZ0520/s1600/P1000936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPl0Uvso2ammMv2Fvq_wejHyevCU85NbE-WqR8AXFXrnGIYDN6uStq9zO-aTwtZQ_FhnmE7rDg3HUEi7c50YKqs_38YhG14dJhuSh93D9h5cV4gW_LHIy0pI5WaRJqRLn1L2N-bAZ0520/s320/P1000936.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Yay for more insulation!</div>
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And they will be starting to put the metal roof on tomorrow, too!</div>
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modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-6697107673946813292013-09-14T09:58:00.001-04:002013-10-20T19:23:00.840-04:00Our Roofing Decision<br />
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This post has been a long time in coming...nearly 3 years, actually. As I mentioned in my last two posts <a href="http://modchester.blogspot.com/2013/08/roofing-decisions-we-need-to-make.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://modchester.blogspot.com/2013/08/low-slope-roofing-choices-for-mid.html" target="_blank">here</a>....we have been dealing with roof issues since we moved into this house. And they were very unexpected as we had a 5 year old roof on the house with 30 year architectural shingles. We've spent the last 3 years trying to figure out what to do--research, educate ourselves, determine how we were going to afford this, and there may have been a few tears as well.<br />
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Our roof is not small...when you have a sprawling ranch, things like the roof are expensive. So cost was definitely a consideration. But at the end of the day, I really felt like we didn't have a choice. Shingles seemed too risky (and we had 2 roofing companies flat out say they wouldn't put shingles on this house and one no-bid.) I felt like we would be in the same situation in 10 years with shingles. <br />
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The next set of options--the "membrane group" didn't seem aesthetically appropriate for this house. Our roof is low-slope but visible, and I thought a membrane would detract from our house (and our neighbors too). <br />
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The next option was rolled asphalt roofing--I basically felt the same way about this as I felt about the membrane.<br />
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The last, and most expensive choice by far is metal roofing. Standing seam specially designed for low-slope applications. And that's the choice WE WENT WITH!! I couldn't be more thrilled to shell out the big bucks right now. We'll be dry this winter and have a awesome looking roof to boot!<br />
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We picked "Burnished Slate" as our color. We were between that and a color called "Charcoal", but the "Burnished Slate" matched the stone around our house very nicely. I felt it was a better color for our home and looked less "tinny". <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not our house--but this is the color roof that we chose.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We signed the contract just after labor day and they came to take final measurements this week. It will take a few weeks to get material so I'm anticipating having this roof put on in October. I am very excited!<br />
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modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-25216053995969643692013-08-28T21:10:00.003-04:002013-10-20T19:23:00.838-04:00Low Slope Roofing Choices for Mid-Century HomesI have a confession to make. In the last 3 years, I've become borderline obsessed with roofs. I notice them when I drive, I stop and look at them, and I note where all the interesting ones are so I can go back and show my husband. (He plays along although there may be an eyeroll or two....or some slow blinking.) <br />
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Yes, I've become a roof stalker. The only thing I haven't done is stop and knock on doors. I haven't had the guts to do that. Not yet anyway. There's still time, though. (Or maybe I can get my husband to do that...)<br />
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In <a href="http://modchester.blogspot.com/2013/08/roofing-decisions-we-need-to-make.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I shared our roofing woes with you all. To recap, our 8 year old roof is failing. We did not have it installed, it was already here when we purchased our home in 2010. <br />
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The existing roof was installed incorrectly, on a slope that is too low for shingles (a little less than 2:12), and we need to do something. There are 3 basic problems that we can figure out:<br />
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1. Ice and water shield was not used over the entire roof, only at the edges of the roof.<br />
2. The shingles were "cheated" in the installation; i.e. they were not overlapped properly so some of the nails are not completely covered by the higher shingle. During heavy rain storms, water can actually wick uphill and get under the shingles through the nailholes. <br />
3. Flashing is failing--probably poor installation here as well if it was replaced at all.<br />
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I have met with 5 different roofers and received 9 quotes of varying materials, opinions and price levels. In addition, I had an architect come out and do a roof consultation. This was money well spent--I highly recommend it if you are in a similar situation. I felt like I had an honest broker's opinion to compare to the roofing companies. And the first words out of his mouth when he came here for our consult were, "Is this a <a href="http://www.donhershey.com/" target="_blank">Don Hershey </a>home?" Bingo...I found the right guy.<br />
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I selected roofers to come and look at the roof based on several criteria. Most of the roofers I selected did both residential and commercial roofs. I tried to get a commercial-only roofer to come out but they declined saying they only do commercial roofs and won't look at residential. So I didn't try that again. I only looked at roofers that had decent reviews in Angie's List. This is the first time I've used Angie's List and I found it quite helpful.<br />
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Our roof is 50 squares...that is really, really big. Quotes ranged significantly--surprisingly, actually. And the range didn't correlate with my perceptions of the quality of the work. I should note that one roofer came out, measured the roof, and then never submitted a quote. <br />
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Here are the choices that we investigated and the collective opinions. (There may be others...but in here's what people have to choose from based on my experience in upstate New York):<br />
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<b>1. Shingles: </b>Two of the roofers said that we could do shingles on this roof if we used an ice and water shield over the entire roof. I should also note that two roofers said they wouldn''t put shingles on this roof at all and wouldn't do it if we wanted to. The architect said that the only way this would work is if you used a higher grade ice and water shield over the entire roof--he recommended a product called WIP 300 made by Carlisle. The other roofers recommended a product made by Grace. The idea is that conventional ice and water shield expands and contracts in our weather. Eventually (as in 10 years down the line), the material would not expand and contract the same way and it would leave small gaps around the nailholes. At this point, we could get leaks. The higher end ice and water shield (like the Carlisle WIP 300 product), has material properties that prevent the expansion and contraction problems that the lower grade one has due to a higher melting point. <br />
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<b>2. Standing Seam Metal: </b> This is the most expensive option but it will basically last 100 years or more. Essentially, long sheets of metal are mechanically welded on site to provide a seamless roof. There are products made just for low slope roofs all the way down to a 1/4 pitch. The architect recommended using a full ice and water shield underneath as well. This is the option that the architect recommended. It was also the most aesthetically desirable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/c461979c00802745_4-5943/-exterior.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/c461979c00802745_4-5943/-exterior.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing Seam Metal Roof on low slope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>3. Rolled asphalt roofing: </b>I would simply describe this as rolled shingles. It is less expensive than metal, but the look isn't as great. It is only warrantied for 12-15 years as well. Usually used on porches, not on an entire house, although I have seen it on an entire house.<br />
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<img alt="http://stpaulroofing.com/Product_Logos/Roofing_Materials/Flat-Roofing-Gaf/Liberty-Flat-Roof-Brown.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://stpaulroofing.com/Product_Logos/Roofing_Materials/Flat-Roofing-Gaf/Liberty-Flat-Roof-Brown.jpg" /><br />
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<b>4. EPDM.</b> Black rubber. It's not as expensive as other options, and its water proof, but you basically have an inner tube covering your roof. It has a good warranty--20+ years. It's glued down so you don't have any nails. But it's not a great look if your roof is visible, like ours.<br />
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<img alt="http://www.guymarcompany.com/resources/EPDM-flat-roof-fulham-laying-sheet.jpg" class="decoded" height="240" src="http://www.guymarcompany.com/resources/EPDM-flat-roof-fulham-laying-sheet.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<b>5. TPO. </b>This is another synthetic roof membrane. Comes in a few colors. Heat welded onsite. Warranty of 30-40 years. Used a lot in commercial applications. I've never seen this in a residential application although I did find this picture on the internet.<br />
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<img alt="http://www.tporoofing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/tpo-roofing.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://www.tporoofing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/tpo-roofing.jpg" /><br />
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<b>6. Torch-down. </b> Not recommended--insurance won't cover your house if it burns down. I think my neighbor has this, however, and it's coated with a silver paint.<br />
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In my next post, I'll tell you what we picked. We are deciding this week! We are also addressing some insulation issues and lack of bathroom fan issues as well. So stay tuned!<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-2916632863688673582013-08-16T17:19:00.004-04:002013-08-16T17:21:20.660-04:00Roofing Decisions We Need To MakeI normally like to spend my money on pretty things for the INSIDE of the house and my patience for spending money on FIXING my house is running thin. My intention for writing this post, and one of the reasons for writing this blog, is so other people can learn from my experiences--the good and the bad. There are many mid-century homes out there with low-pitched roofs, like ours.<br />
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When we purchased our home in August, 2010, we were told it had a 5 year old roof. 30 year GAF architectural shingles. I had just put a new roof on my old house and I was pretty happy that I wouldn't have to address that again for a long time. Plus, this house needed so much TLC that I was relieved that wouldn't have to redirect my funds towards a roof. Or so I thought...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CfBTWjgFM9erMI4dZwfZhE5ncHf78FV8S_hKiIhY2YxtYVJB-SS30GAf5SqLtSiAPNuXHhHr9nnAdsuZIUKNdgZr9C_k2T11hh18dabR14-sPopiSegFGFgvBwc8kXjmXBhyKlQPQ0pr/s1600/P1000861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CfBTWjgFM9erMI4dZwfZhE5ncHf78FV8S_hKiIhY2YxtYVJB-SS30GAf5SqLtSiAPNuXHhHr9nnAdsuZIUKNdgZr9C_k2T11hh18dabR14-sPopiSegFGFgvBwc8kXjmXBhyKlQPQ0pr/s400/P1000861.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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We had our home inspected as is customary in real estate--the inspectors spent about 4 hours and actually caught a lot of problems, including alerting us to the rotten wood on the screen porch and the siding--and we got a fair bit back at closing to go towards fixing those issues. But the roof was given a "Good" on the inspection report. They missed the fact that the pitch is probably too low for shingles, or that the roofing job that was done was poor. And I didn't know that the roof pitch was low and the impact that would have so I didn't think to ask.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNOdYYzcm_GmKXS6A86ZN_KOE6qI_pp_LWKQIroFjbVZK0JBbsNdzO2lKLItAJCeghalQCf1KAW2yllDtAftQxHWo4PSAppAtQr5qiwJsII6JA_uh05UHz9dY6NBvbCEyZ7V7QSKJmqaj/s1600/P1000860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNOdYYzcm_GmKXS6A86ZN_KOE6qI_pp_LWKQIroFjbVZK0JBbsNdzO2lKLItAJCeghalQCf1KAW2yllDtAftQxHWo4PSAppAtQr5qiwJsII6JA_uh05UHz9dY6NBvbCEyZ7V7QSKJmqaj/s400/P1000860.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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The previous owners gave us the paperwork to the roof on closing and it showed that
the roof had been installed in 2005. It also had a piece of paper
slipped in there that showed the roof had at least one problem and that another
roofer had been hired to re-flash around the hood in the kitchen. Ominous. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS16Qnf7CD6jjO-7uswLbofVe668wtO-VWhiYP7OkyRe8ZC6i1Lpybhz2EDn52ZzOwmKW9ZI87Ie9z2SgVrJ1QQWjxXG_tLfsXoXR_ddYRe47WcxqIkqbQNqDR_NIq0GnYaNZyJ71yfkMH/s1600/P1000862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS16Qnf7CD6jjO-7uswLbofVe668wtO-VWhiYP7OkyRe8ZC6i1Lpybhz2EDn52ZzOwmKW9ZI87Ie9z2SgVrJ1QQWjxXG_tLfsXoXR_ddYRe47WcxqIkqbQNqDR_NIq0GnYaNZyJ71yfkMH/s400/P1000862.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The problems started for us with ice damming over the winter of 2010-2011. It was a particularly "bad winter" and we got over 120 inches of snow. Here was the summary of that winter from the <a href="http://www.erh.noaa.gov/buf/products/043011pns.htm" target="_blank">National Weather Service</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, mono;"></span><br />
<pre><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, mono;">THE WINTER OF 2010-2011 WAS A VERY DEEP AND CONSISTENT ONE. IT WAS
NOT PARTICULARLY LONG...STARTING AFTER THANKSGIVING...AND PETERING
OUT ABOUT ON SCHEDULE IN LATE MARCH AND EARLY APRIL. THE WINTER WAS
REMARKABLY CONSISTENT WITH VERY FEW THAWS. TOTAL SNOWFALL WAS ABOVE
NORMAL EVERYWHERE (EXCEPT ON THE TUG HILL)...BUT NOT SUBSTANTIALLY
SO. THIS WAS DUE TO THE HIGH FREQUENCY OF THE SNOWFALLS RATHER THAN
THE SIZE OF ANY STORMS. SNOW COVERED THE GROUND JUST ABOUT THE
ENTIRE PERIOD FROM EARLY DECEMBER THROUGH MID MARCH WITH JUST A FEW
BRIEF BREAKS. ALL FOUR COLD WEATHER MONTHS (DEC-MAR) AVERAGED COLDER
THAN NORMAL.
IT WAS THE COLDEST AND SNOWIEST WINTER OVERALL ACROSS OUR REGION IN
EIGHT YEARS (SINCE 2002-03). NEARLY ALL OF THE SNOW THROUGH JANUARY
WAS OF THE LAKE EFFECT VARIETY...WHILE VIRTUALLY ALL OF IT IN
FEBRUARY AND MARCH WAS SYNOPTIC. </span></pre>
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I chalked the ice damming problems up to the fact that it was a very bad winter and to "getting to know the house". From that point on, we made sure to use the roof rake to get the snow off the roof. (For those of you in more temperate climates, ice damming is a problem that those of us in high snowfall areas have to worry about. Basically, it's a problem with lack of insulation and venting of the roof. Snow melts and refreezes in the gutters, forming ice that backs up onto the roof and under the shingles.)<br />
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Then spring finally came in 2011 and it rained BUCKETS for weeks on end. We had so much water coming in the foyer that we had to use 3 buckets at once to catch it. It resulted it this damage to our original grasscloth.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wvctW3aeK6TKEERd8kDD3O_8zV7RY7L3pOdpPJ7CcEJ2rbg_mUosi1wXOBuZT2yB1tPlnL7RRG7oi-GILw9AWpwMt5-6PIcc-brqTyXHhIYhCtPqdLIF7HsCZNPlAP2CpGf1zdYQnsIX/s400/P1000865.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damage to original grasscloth from 5-year old roof leaking.</td></tr>
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Fortunately my insurance company covered the damage and I used the money to get the roof fixed over the foyer. We had about 5 or 6 roofers come out to fix our roof and we had trouble getting a quote from anyone--they all said that the roof needed to be replaced. They said that the shingles weren't installed properly on this low of a pitch--which is 2/12 or just under. </div>
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Finally, we found someone who was willing to fix the area above the foyer (along with some other work) so we thought we were going to be ok for awhile. We were wrong.</div>
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We have plugged (aka caulked) leaks in the valleys of the house, next to the fireplace, 2 leaks in the garage (not near any flashing) and in a soffit area outside my daughter's bedroom. We have had water come through two of the recessed lights in the family room and the "repaired" kitchen hood. My husband and father have caulked so many areas of the roof. I joke that our roof is held together by bubble gum. Basically, I cringe every time in rains. Here is some other nice damage photos.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXuV45x_e-sAccTSw-DLst-kqcfyMGCuqJNc3ReEZCGPrzKlm9Tx-Pn4xc8LzPCPLcTkaEW5W_ojalUJGCv_fsmyy-Ra4YfNUH_mdvjFiM-fHn5mVX_F2dehPDrzxrVkcdmgIRTSgWhhQ/s1600/P1000864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXuV45x_e-sAccTSw-DLst-kqcfyMGCuqJNc3ReEZCGPrzKlm9Tx-Pn4xc8LzPCPLcTkaEW5W_ojalUJGCv_fsmyy-Ra4YfNUH_mdvjFiM-fHn5mVX_F2dehPDrzxrVkcdmgIRTSgWhhQ/s400/P1000864.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent water damage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6K_DzRMiUD5EeapPCcIvvu_dohdXQ_UIIMrhbB2dzugTzRXjjbTpjftWdqRorHG6H5RL6S1gfdQgwBws3aB0Y7MoTQfRcTTMGCozS8UNeNgrGNtD6SWQ_FcATCo7jxV-IhFCqD-Lv0o3/s1600/P1000866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6K_DzRMiUD5EeapPCcIvvu_dohdXQ_UIIMrhbB2dzugTzRXjjbTpjftWdqRorHG6H5RL6S1gfdQgwBws3aB0Y7MoTQfRcTTMGCozS8UNeNgrGNtD6SWQ_FcATCo7jxV-IhFCqD-Lv0o3/s400/P1000866.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracked plaster from water damage.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The company that put on the roof is non-responsive. I consulted an attorney a couple of years ago. We have two choices: We can sue the person that we bought the house from but we have to prove that they knew about roof problems when they sold it and didn't disclose it. Or we could try to sue the inspector.<br />
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The person we bought the house from was the original owner and I don't think he tried to deceive us intentionally. Besides, my conscience wasn't going to let me sue a guy in his 80's.<br />
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Our inspector is protected by so many caveats in the contract that the likelihood of winning a case was low, so I opted not to go that route.<br />
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Basically, we will be funding a new roof. Ourselves. Ugh.<br />
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In the last two years, I've done extensive research into roofing and contractors. And I've consulted an architect for his opinion on what we need to do with the roof. At this point, I know way more than the average bear about roofing--something that is coming in quite handy when talking to roofers. I've interviewed 6 of them--their answers and the architect's view are the subject of my next post. modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-25305599758373403972013-07-30T21:47:00.002-04:002013-07-30T21:48:42.666-04:00From English Ivy Overload to a Rock GardenWhen we bought this house, the landscape was <strike>pretty overgrown</strike> taking over the house. The original owner liked to golf, not be in the yard, and it was evident. We have a long way to go before we have it all in shape again, but we've been working on it diligently over the past few years. One of the problems of the original landscape was the proliferation of English Ivy.<br />
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English Ivy is not indigenous to North America and it can be really invasive where it's allowed to grow free. At our house, it was allowed to grow free in the beds next to the east side of the house.<br />
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It was everywhere...it actually grew ON AND UNDER OUR SIDING! When we fixed our siding and painted the house the first year we lived here, I literally pulled out yards of the stuff from under the bottom of our siding. And I had to sand the rest of it off from the visible parts of the siding. You can see a little bit of the problem in the picture below. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlMmcyMl6-twv1ts8I6GBQNCsyZJtQ2OicBoIk3lV01PT0wCt9FDcjgvSYWz-sqlDggd862zVDZP359H2LgliLFPBu_niMdguBI6v_TlzoGKPEAg8zAcJSLSTvoWNswo27vnc00FxlyjN/s1600/100_2672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlMmcyMl6-twv1ts8I6GBQNCsyZJtQ2OicBoIk3lV01PT0wCt9FDcjgvSYWz-sqlDggd862zVDZP359H2LgliLFPBu_niMdguBI6v_TlzoGKPEAg8zAcJSLSTvoWNswo27vnc00FxlyjN/s400/100_2672.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Ivy overload. Note the ivy trails growing up the side of the house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixTIyhU8y1XXEdXHzLL3HWWsJZd8QyHW9tE_AVcyuePFed4utWOowDcQcwL8mQI5fb5BfH7ojLZvzoZ7mtzIfhMUl1BVXXWeez28-Ly9Hz8igdNj3QK_i8o49YGhTmTFnNj1Is8zR8xrI/s1600/100_2673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixTIyhU8y1XXEdXHzLL3HWWsJZd8QyHW9tE_AVcyuePFed4utWOowDcQcwL8mQI5fb5BfH7ojLZvzoZ7mtzIfhMUl1BVXXWeez28-Ly9Hz8igdNj3QK_i8o49YGhTmTFnNj1Is8zR8xrI/s400/100_2673.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The landscape is taking over the house!</td></tr>
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Despite growing up in the country on 11 acres, learning to drive a tractor years before I could drive a car, and having parents who are amateur farmers, I am not confident with vegetation. Worms, bugs, and critters in general scare me. Circular saws don't scare me but the sight of a mouse will have me shaking in my boots. Good thing I have a desk job. <br />
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But here I was--in my new gardening gloves and determined to win over the English Ivy. After I pulled away some of the English Ivy, I discovered a rock wall! Who knew? It was buried under the mess. And I didn't see any critters so I thought I could proceed. (Note the unpainted wood--we were in the process of repairing our siding in this picture.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnAd_avm8W99Qy1vUmdOGpB6UqwBHC-rPQpPT1Lz9W5sNIqD52Lq5SujJF8gyPs_1O7EY6ysOHzj5DdJOEnmHNKSxbhl-FVrOIm8UKdMCqKnAHATKeOqwA6n-LKu5vAFHt7Utw7bbcvWe/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnAd_avm8W99Qy1vUmdOGpB6UqwBHC-rPQpPT1Lz9W5sNIqD52Lq5SujJF8gyPs_1O7EY6ysOHzj5DdJOEnmHNKSxbhl-FVrOIm8UKdMCqKnAHATKeOqwA6n-LKu5vAFHt7Utw7bbcvWe/s400/photo.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly discovered rock wall.</td></tr>
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I dug up the rest of the English Ivy. While digging, I discovered quite a few rocks including one very large one! I "left the large one for my husband to get out" while I continued looking for rocks. (Sorry, honey!) It was then that I decided to do a rock garden.<br />
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We have a lot of deer here and we have a little bit of a problem with "deer-resistant" plants so it isn't quite as lush as I would like, but here is what it looks like today:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0FTJo7kHzKzC-i2HKMJCFvn1hYcrg4c3JLotgT3n-iX9WDWv3v9gQIZ0_DaQ-_xzJmxvbU71EKPLqaswsf_5DYzIHndx563kcqizU4M91Zs9Yv5i_E78ftxncimX5IwQmQBGwd5eIOZe/s1600/P1000843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0FTJo7kHzKzC-i2HKMJCFvn1hYcrg4c3JLotgT3n-iX9WDWv3v9gQIZ0_DaQ-_xzJmxvbU71EKPLqaswsf_5DYzIHndx563kcqizU4M91Zs9Yv5i_E78ftxncimX5IwQmQBGwd5eIOZe/s400/P1000843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up the stairs from the patio.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yGlttuPC4iSOzlrMkS0m_i1Aj8_PuADM1aeN6vwy_D7Y87Vrwcp-L5cks9bNEqdCGMBFAvRigiM5cAFj9xq5jWomWgoNN0Y5GU-hGDq9cbm2YQZaFxifzKEO2ga4hzhM8PxGtbKuAS_A/s1600/P1000844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yGlttuPC4iSOzlrMkS0m_i1Aj8_PuADM1aeN6vwy_D7Y87Vrwcp-L5cks9bNEqdCGMBFAvRigiM5cAFj9xq5jWomWgoNN0Y5GU-hGDq9cbm2YQZaFxifzKEO2ga4hzhM8PxGtbKuAS_A/s400/P1000844.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking from the patio towards the front of the house. Groovy light fixture:-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a8acCySe5xsvS7fLQRVBAYqzQWfnl4-vLtniWHCSTGx0VBdlNPeBsxRktPz95HJHRtYE5W5HQgyfGh_ZjdWXByjRe3tR2lpM_lpWeR-Alsv4GcLHDwNYT6mRRQwiWQPvTI7K-NBTVVxU/s1600/P1000845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a8acCySe5xsvS7fLQRVBAYqzQWfnl4-vLtniWHCSTGx0VBdlNPeBsxRktPz95HJHRtYE5W5HQgyfGh_ZjdWXByjRe3tR2lpM_lpWeR-Alsv4GcLHDwNYT6mRRQwiWQPvTI7K-NBTVVxU/s400/P1000845.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty close-up of pretty flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYeXIoFFxt8f9_bO9EeXR1Ic5TTfBpxVtRNKZiyOV4pqP4yJ21Kl8lxcbzRbRCpCNAk6eLFP0FlSrClK2TnvE_shoiP68N6t75hI1vv1-IVvjwTItcc7UIP6iLmkITht8gOSZIy6jtleU/s1600/P1000846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYeXIoFFxt8f9_bO9EeXR1Ic5TTfBpxVtRNKZiyOV4pqP4yJ21Kl8lxcbzRbRCpCNAk6eLFP0FlSrClK2TnvE_shoiP68N6t75hI1vv1-IVvjwTItcc7UIP6iLmkITht8gOSZIy6jtleU/s400/P1000846.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the giant rock that <strike>I made </strike>my husband <strike>dig</strike> dug out</td></tr>
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We have a mix of phlox, impatiens (something keeps eating those), petunias, chicks and hens (remind me of my grandmother) and some other flowering geranium ground cover. I'll keep adding to it next year but so far, it's MUCH better than that despicable ivy.<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-57905716766926344442013-07-20T12:13:00.004-04:002015-01-01T13:00:20.574-05:00How to mix traditional furniture in a modern houseDo you have furniture that maybe isn't your style anymore but it has sentimental value?<br />
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Or are you just trying to save a little money by using what you have instead of buying new?<br />
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We had those challenges recently when we redecorated my stepdaughter's bedroom. We had a full-size bed that fit perfectly in the room and used to be mine, and my mother's before me. It also happens to be FRENCH PROVINCIAL--*gasp!*.<br />
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We also had my husband's childhood dresser that fit perfectly in the room-I don't even know what style it is but it was traditional, not mid-century modern.<br />
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We are also on a budget and didn't want to buy new furniture for this room if we didn't have to. The room is used by my stepdaughter when she comes every other weekend and it's also used as a guest room when we have relatives and friends in town.<br />
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Before I go much further, here is a before picture of the room from when the previous owners had decorated it:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBZZamcx8DM/TX1ZIW7GLDI/AAAAAAAAABw/07GyL0zVlc4/s1600/100_2336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eBZZamcx8DM/TX1ZIW7GLDI/AAAAAAAAABw/07GyL0zVlc4/s400/100_2336.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before" picture</td></tr>
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It's not great but it's the only picture I have of the room from "before". The original owners had decorated it for their grand-daughter and it was really, really sweet. The color scheme was pink and mint-green. But very "country cottage" and it seemed really out of place in this house.<br />
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This room actually had really nice, creamy white wall:wall carpet in here. It was very high quality and pretty new. After living here <u>for about two weeks</u>, my 13 year old stepdaughter decided she didn't feel well and she took some Pepto Bismol, unbeknownst to us. Well, it didn't help and she ended up barfing all over the carpet. Ugh.<br />
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I had no idea of this before, but Pepto Bismol <u>has red dye that doesn't come out of carpeting. </u> We had the professionals come and they couldn't save the carpet. So we had to rip it out. Fortunately, our entire house has hardwoods under the carpets. Pristine hardwoods that have never seen the light of day before!<br />
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So here is the room now after fresh coats of paint on the walls, trim, closet doors and window:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Hab7mbZTcayJerC6KfjoqLD2CS0qndf2XMJlF72gb-k9cxBPNdta8a91937rtSYEZ7nfBwS66Uajj4xLUAwd5bveVB8GAJyc0ePmDFeS7mizQdwXzXTS8qdOdSJ9NlOQ7ffsmGP9dW8g/s1600/P1000801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Hab7mbZTcayJerC6KfjoqLD2CS0qndf2XMJlF72gb-k9cxBPNdta8a91937rtSYEZ7nfBwS66Uajj4xLUAwd5bveVB8GAJyc0ePmDFeS7mizQdwXzXTS8qdOdSJ9NlOQ7ffsmGP9dW8g/s400/P1000801.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much better.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-WRafjPmCjcw60HAFXgsxOY5Gv5U65e_OwXjbrTvtcQxUY0j5yCRTpY6YeB004W58735QD9dZ-3D6-cRJtyR-chQ7DZho0OinA0u7Qls-K5p1ZiDSXSwajFM4U1BYFHw2XkAG-iYj2xs/s1600/P1000803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-WRafjPmCjcw60HAFXgsxOY5Gv5U65e_OwXjbrTvtcQxUY0j5yCRTpY6YeB004W58735QD9dZ-3D6-cRJtyR-chQ7DZho0OinA0u7Qls-K5p1ZiDSXSwajFM4U1BYFHw2XkAG-iYj2xs/s400/P1000803.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the Hallway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pWkdt3qLqTxkZ4VtOP0JiN6Y94m4qJVAyliBf7EMnr0mC2CETl3M_nvfDT11E_xup0N63su12owQn2kN9R5TBzuFjlazT2l2DLwJ3RhQqe-pSzfhJMfhHk45RaamNnOKenWT3cNx5qGt/s1600/P1000804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pWkdt3qLqTxkZ4VtOP0JiN6Y94m4qJVAyliBf7EMnr0mC2CETl3M_nvfDT11E_xup0N63su12owQn2kN9R5TBzuFjlazT2l2DLwJ3RhQqe-pSzfhJMfhHk45RaamNnOKenWT3cNx5qGt/s400/P1000804.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly painted closet doors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICTodFVnmLgHURvJ2JMbjd9ncWq7k69aODeu3rbb1PAPwhyphenhyphenUbAeMXA-p6w6Owcfut9f-vbjn2_TOcYzItLKMgaT_eCwYFt02e7d6oMM_bzAzthjiHqPMbdHAAz4RNPeyFVrRs0zFjueaE/s1600/P1000802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICTodFVnmLgHURvJ2JMbjd9ncWq7k69aODeu3rbb1PAPwhyphenhyphenUbAeMXA-p6w6Owcfut9f-vbjn2_TOcYzItLKMgaT_eCwYFt02e7d6oMM_bzAzthjiHqPMbdHAAz4RNPeyFVrRs0zFjueaE/s400/P1000802.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corner nook</td></tr>
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We have a real mix of things going on in this room but it turned out great! It's one of my favorite rooms in the home.<br />
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Here are my top tips for mixing traditional furniture into your modern home:</h2>
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1: Pick Modern Paint Colors: </h3>
We chose modern colors for our walls and for our furniture. Depending on what color your furniture is, you may be able to just paint the walls. Our furniture's finish had seen better days so we opted to paint them. It also helped to create a more cohesive look in the room.<br />
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Our trim in the whole house is Benjamin Moore Decorators White, which is the truest white I could find. The walls in this room are BM Nimbus Gray, which is actually pretty blue. We also chose to paint the furniture a modern color--BM Chelsea Gray, which is my favorite gray with a lot of brown undertones. We also painted the <a href="http://modchester.blogspot.com/2013/01/easy-inexpensive-powder-room-update.html" target="_blank">walls in the powder room</a> and the <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2013/02/butlers-pantry-updates.html" target="_blank">cabinets in the butler's pantry</a> this color.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aWOT0ulXNDkeVxt25Zr0SdvsJfDYXV50NrYsFMD3f0ZmZn62o4Bs0jeED5imZwntHKihBQodMn0hpvM3ree0NRTBUocepvDxNg4oNVIT267a4UFD7fmJzR03c7wUEMOTFEzN77Cm47E4/s1600/P1000808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aWOT0ulXNDkeVxt25Zr0SdvsJfDYXV50NrYsFMD3f0ZmZn62o4Bs0jeED5imZwntHKihBQodMn0hpvM3ree0NRTBUocepvDxNg4oNVIT267a4UFD7fmJzR03c7wUEMOTFEzN77Cm47E4/s400/P1000808.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Provincial Bed Painted Chelsea Gray</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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2. Pick Modern Textiles--Fabrics and Rugs.</h3>
We chose modern drapes and bedding for this room. The quilt was made by my mother but it is also very modern. The drapes are from Ikea (sad to see they don't seem to sell these anymore--they are amazing!) and the comforter is from West Elm. <br />
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The other bedding is pretty modern--the bedskirt is a simple ticking stripe that we had left over from another house and the carpet was an old Crate and Barrel striped wool carpet that I had rolled up in the basement.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ikea drapes</td></tr>
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3. Add in Modern Accessories</h3>
I added a modern round mirror above the dresser, modern lamps, artwork, and a very vintage modern tulip chair. It's an eames knockoff that <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2013/04/travelingand-craigslist-score.html" target="_blank">I found on craigslist</a> a few months ago. Layered with a sheepskin, it's the perfect teenage girl's chair.<br />
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And there you have it--so don't be afraid to mix up your furnishing a little bit It adds personality, depth, and character to your home. You don't have to get rid of things you love just because your decorating style has changed a bit.<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-79147660277708614352013-06-28T09:33:00.002-04:002013-07-04T11:08:00.995-04:00Beautiful Mid-Century Beach HouseI have a love affair with the beach. It might sound odd considering I live in Rochester, NY and we're nowhere near the ocean. Around here, people think the beaches around the great lakes count as going to the beach. This includes my Buffalo born and bred husband. While I'm sure there are nice places around the great lakes, they pale in comparison to going to the ocean to me.<br />
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I grew up just outside Philadelphia. When you're from Philly, you go to the Jersey shore in the summer time. You go to South Jersey, where the beaches are beautiful and the architecture is quaint. Avalon, Stone Harbor, Ocean City, Cape May--these are the towns I grew up going to.<br />
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So I love to see beach houses. And here's a great one over on the <a href="http://www.happymundane.com/2012/12/project-sb/" target="_blank">Happy Mundane </a>blog.<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://www.happymundane.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/projectsb2-01.jpg" width="350" /><br />
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Happy Weekend!!<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-22937362536722801532013-06-21T11:49:00.000-04:002013-06-21T11:50:59.048-04:00Deja VuAs I was browsing the Estate Sale website of my area of upstate New York, I came across these pictures. The fabric of the sectional looked strangely familiar.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the matching stools and the awesome sofa table!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBwJGi5hNzz-VgSK7Oto73BrZ5jjWNSRrO7nYfO0rBaMD23yt5l53mJxZMiMvTe2mKHCTwrJf7v3PkIBa-rG68tDh6se6xCrX5bm_I9V8gd2SstI9cbuGqt43ZqT3k0pfFPJTC1QoLi1G/s1600/8955308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBwJGi5hNzz-VgSK7Oto73BrZ5jjWNSRrO7nYfO0rBaMD23yt5l53mJxZMiMvTe2mKHCTwrJf7v3PkIBa-rG68tDh6se6xCrX5bm_I9V8gd2SstI9cbuGqt43ZqT3k0pfFPJTC1QoLi1G/s400/8955308.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the sofa (note the fabric.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56l4Zn_Dm8SeFngp0qFNcPHLXI-eXlIXaB30g5h6NHzD_-SE_Zh8xYOodTax9rhuNfaiDiw3ktsPvwGmm38wWL1R0QxU8ZGv-DbXxVONIQpxdYW1Zy1px6EiXgKsX-zIWa17OIhXqfHLG/s1600/8955309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56l4Zn_Dm8SeFngp0qFNcPHLXI-eXlIXaB30g5h6NHzD_-SE_Zh8xYOodTax9rhuNfaiDiw3ktsPvwGmm38wWL1R0QxU8ZGv-DbXxVONIQpxdYW1Zy1px6EiXgKsX-zIWa17OIhXqfHLG/s400/8955309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super groovy vases on the table.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I realized....<br />
<br />
Oh.<br />
<br />
My.<br />
<br />
Goodness.<br />
<br />
My eyes! My eyes!<br />
<br />
It's an entire sofa upholstered in the same fabric that was used <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2013/02/butlers-pantry-updates.html" target="_blank">in the drapes I took out of our butler's</a> pantry!!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2n8euINyFiNRa6GU5j-Q8A7KTum7OgeJQmKu-ymK-QDZNyX0QFbG-4PTtYEjQV5KToucoxtDhyphenhyphenBR2ABVGQjE340usI66HlwCk6zH0fR2z2yEXldY3QdBkztY6hHY6VB6I3ECDKQ1VawV/s1600/P1000083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2n8euINyFiNRa6GU5j-Q8A7KTum7OgeJQmKu-ymK-QDZNyX0QFbG-4PTtYEjQV5KToucoxtDhyphenhyphenBR2ABVGQjE340usI66HlwCk6zH0fR2z2yEXldY3QdBkztY6hHY6VB6I3ECDKQ1VawV/s400/P1000083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think it may be starting to grow on me:-)<br />
<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-40380248764294249172013-06-10T22:19:00.001-04:002013-06-10T22:41:33.593-04:00Before and After--KitchenI think our kitchen is finally ready for its reveal. It's not that it's perfect, or that it will never change. It's just simply that it's "done for now". We still would like to put new window treatments in for light control, but we don't want to rush the decision. Which means it will probably stay like this for a year.<br />
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This is a picture of our kitchen when we moved into the house:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwB-MM8D97jYPg3kEWNQNgb96B3kMMI-kicDYTD-PeBJflrk7I_yVwnqWe6m28fx4jytyyKlS-3ui75z_o_TAVZCePoTc0HB4UHivmPl27ZlkoCmRYXyHCPUOOMJtm2qWZZJ5diwEf3XZ/s1600/kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwB-MM8D97jYPg3kEWNQNgb96B3kMMI-kicDYTD-PeBJflrk7I_yVwnqWe6m28fx4jytyyKlS-3ui75z_o_TAVZCePoTc0HB4UHivmPl27ZlkoCmRYXyHCPUOOMJtm2qWZZJ5diwEf3XZ/s400/kitchen.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen "Before"</td></tr>
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Our cabinets are stick-built, which means they were built on-site to exactly fit our kitchen. They are in very good shape with a thick walnut veneer that could actually be refinished if we want to in the future. The ceiling fixtures and knobs are all chrome. The counter was white formica, the backsplash is subway tile. The stove was so small it reminded me of an RV stove. It was all original. The dishwasher had been replaced (Bosch), in 2005. The subzero and the ovens had been replaced in the 80's, I believe. The carpet runners were all custom bound for the kitchen. Come to think of it, every rug, bedspread, and window treatment were custom-made for this house by the original owners. Unbelievable on today's standards.<br />
<br />
The thing that bothered me most was how the windows in the breakfast area and above the sink were dressed in these heavy, heavy triple pinch-pleated drapes on traverse rods. When you closed them, you literally had fabric covering two entire walls of the kitchen. For some reason, when I look at this curtain fabric I always think of Mrs. Roper from Three's Company. I'm pretty sure she owned a caftan in this print.<br />
<br />
Look at it...it's actually pretty awesome--for somebody else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5jgBzwuIa8/TX1ZhZss1DI/AAAAAAAAACw/ZRwcNpUytBI/s1600/100_2349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5jgBzwuIa8/TX1ZhZss1DI/AAAAAAAAACw/ZRwcNpUytBI/s400/100_2349.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen "Before"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU32iynszj0piClGdUgCtmlAUwdZY7NyTgdgKs9TdEmFec-ykn5sQjeukCC6wYJ_13zR1UnoEwA9rQOBvixb20f8dfJfP2aJGaCwnEF1kG65w2SYvoRQOs-b3YKHB_Tgk8DXQN54dKByzA/s1600/P1000408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU32iynszj0piClGdUgCtmlAUwdZY7NyTgdgKs9TdEmFec-ykn5sQjeukCC6wYJ_13zR1UnoEwA9rQOBvixb20f8dfJfP2aJGaCwnEF1kG65w2SYvoRQOs-b3YKHB_Tgk8DXQN54dKByzA/s400/P1000408.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drapery covering windows in breakfast area of kitchen.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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While I appreciate that these drapes were in good shape, custom made, and probably very expensive--they weren't my taste and they were just too heavy for a kitchen.<br />
<br />
"wall-wall drapes + kitchen" = "wall-wall carpet + bathroom"= "ick"<br />
<br />
(A long time ago I graduated with a BS degree in mechanical engineering--so you can't question my mathematical equations.)<br />
<br />
We initially budgeted around $10,000 to update the kitchen. We ended up spending about $7000 all total, but we didn't update the ovens. After doing all of the other work, the ovens really didn't bother me anymore so we decided to wait until they break to update them.<br />
<br />
Here is what we did:<br />
1. Remove carpet runners to expose hardwood floors.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=123477103763052067#editor/target=post;postID=7938021771766123521;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=12;src=postname" target="_blank">2. Replace cooktop.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=123477103763052067#editor/target=post;postID=3291668256174709250;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=11;src=postname" target="_blank">3. Remove hood and replace Nutone exhaust fan.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=123477103763052067#editor/target=post;postID=3291668256174709250;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=11;src=postname" target="_blank">4. Paint hood (stainless steel spray paint) </a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=123477103763052067#editor/target=post;postID=6662118632097279864;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=22;src=postname" target="_blank">5. Replace countertop, faucet, and sink.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=123477103763052067#editor/target=post;postID=4961412139900294185;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=18;src=postname" target="_blank">6. Remove drapery and hardware.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=123477103763052067#editor/target=post;postID=6124764009504691257;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=9;src=postname" target="_blank">7. Strip wallpaper and fix plaster.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=123477103763052067#editor/target=post;postID=6124764009504691257;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=9;src=postname" target="_blank">8. Repaint kitchen walls and ceiling.</a><br />
9. Replace light fixture above table. (We saved the original.)<br />
10. Re-glaze windows and paint trim. <br />
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And here is our kitchen now! It's quite the transformation:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GUcxasvnD5sMGD5gUQZ87swie68guz2Yhnw4eydZZ5DfR8iQXzu6VKme0Lpr7mvu335hl8vSP7cFj8LR1jCDbv5wsh7o47YlyDKTwATkqFLgb9JZQ7FeM03r2ztJfGdFGAYoaliCcs7z/s1600/P1000800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GUcxasvnD5sMGD5gUQZ87swie68guz2Yhnw4eydZZ5DfR8iQXzu6VKme0Lpr7mvu335hl8vSP7cFj8LR1jCDbv5wsh7o47YlyDKTwATkqFLgb9JZQ7FeM03r2ztJfGdFGAYoaliCcs7z/s640/P1000800.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "new" kitchen!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNuaqpSqOFsmlm-wPe6NVddYoEZcYSwNy8PSY0idFGvH6eUIcPzR8Q12Wv7MjPloSS0lGc3EHtJRKoUx7WR0S8LP_4_bUNGSdpOUHIp5uDp1PZbvzwY7Cb-VZvS4Z_7TlrNfEW40MeUfI/s1600/P1000732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNuaqpSqOFsmlm-wPe6NVddYoEZcYSwNy8PSY0idFGvH6eUIcPzR8Q12Wv7MjPloSS0lGc3EHtJRKoUx7WR0S8LP_4_bUNGSdpOUHIp5uDp1PZbvzwY7Cb-VZvS4Z_7TlrNfEW40MeUfI/s640/P1000732.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desk chair is original to house. Subzero is from the 80's.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1q8npuvzZF3ngrVhK_9jcMxTGtdRCC5ZYzB93hiWzTW1Pyx8U3WCQMwvGjT093K4Ol6UhG6HiIVfNrIjZLhfACXpII-1hrhuPAze25xnWdqel6Q07k3U8rJZYkoRUQVTb7oCX2Kr8zB8/s1600/P1000798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1q8npuvzZF3ngrVhK_9jcMxTGtdRCC5ZYzB93hiWzTW1Pyx8U3WCQMwvGjT093K4Ol6UhG6HiIVfNrIjZLhfACXpII-1hrhuPAze25xnWdqel6Q07k3U8rJZYkoRUQVTb7oCX2Kr8zB8/s640/P1000798.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast area with new chairs from CB2 Look at those windows!! Now they aren't hidden by grimy drapery!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SZmXzOqxxy4CvLSxWf_smr-YfUjhbyWditogYX5nRyfc0s1PVjxMjd8K33hIIzwtWqZ0Ht9W7wX81GjEv8g9exFFo-uCuIkWmvmuyJFYy2Qa3khQHPJ9ptmalm__7m8ipe7Ie0zqnWqN/s1600/P1000735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SZmXzOqxxy4CvLSxWf_smr-YfUjhbyWditogYX5nRyfc0s1PVjxMjd8K33hIIzwtWqZ0Ht9W7wX81GjEv8g9exFFo-uCuIkWmvmuyJFYy2Qa3khQHPJ9ptmalm__7m8ipe7Ie0zqnWqN/s640/P1000735.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot is a little older but you can see the beautiful windows. We ended up moving these chairs into a different part of the house. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftZqK3ugDr0q1lz4RT3cCQ3gBNzsTE9v6ksM2rB26QDuKqlge1oxmhJb5Z6uj9ZPj6WWj4GlAa_MCQs1aJlq1SF-5tZHJEytXGnB_-0vUbtYMGQyJ3MZvTv8iYZt6pfRbC40jV83hRiTA/s1600/P1000393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftZqK3ugDr0q1lz4RT3cCQ3gBNzsTE9v6ksM2rB26QDuKqlge1oxmhJb5Z6uj9ZPj6WWj4GlAa_MCQs1aJlq1SF-5tZHJEytXGnB_-0vUbtYMGQyJ3MZvTv8iYZt6pfRbC40jV83hRiTA/s640/P1000393.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New modern sink and faucet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So there you have it. I'll post our "window treatment dilemma" in another post. #firstworldproblems...I know.<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-85470165457229510612013-05-09T22:33:00.003-04:002013-05-09T22:33:41.927-04:00Before and After-ish: Back Patio and Screen Porch<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVv2g4Z2zg7-Anfl9TC33JNfp_r5xyXNJ8e3yGxxd_qflMlU7fE95ERSscyPXXj83y8y14CBfGlSdzQ-MpxNAl2KHPoZxd-phW7ha-W-tQn900UDaVWFTqrdo8mYK-Jf7CAe2DjJ2KbVb/s1600/P1000718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVv2g4Z2zg7-Anfl9TC33JNfp_r5xyXNJ8e3yGxxd_qflMlU7fE95ERSscyPXXj83y8y14CBfGlSdzQ-MpxNAl2KHPoZxd-phW7ha-W-tQn900UDaVWFTqrdo8mYK-Jf7CAe2DjJ2KbVb/s400/P1000718.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of our screen porch and the back patio after extensive renovation.</td></tr>
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I don't think I properly revealed our back patio and porch area. I call the after "After-ish" because we will be upgrading some of our patio furniture at some future point but I'm not sure when yet. I'm learning to "live with what we have" a bit better this year. I have accepted that it's not economically feasible to change all of our furniture to a style that fits the home. So it kind of "is what it is". <br />
<br />
The back patio and screen porch are what sold me this home. It is my favorite space in the house. We have a walkout basement to an incredible 900 square feet of bluestone patio. Then we have an additional 300 square feet of screen porch. Both are accessed by sliding glass doors from the house. And they are connected by an outdoor staircase. In the summers, I can be found almost every night and weekend on that screen porch. We have breakfast and coffee out there and even dinner and drinks. I even work from there on my laptop sometimes. We have a large lot (1.5 acres) with tons of mature landscape so you can't really see the neighbors. The only thing you hear when you are out there are birds chirping and the occasional lawn equipment. It's a very calming, peaceful place to come home to after a stressful day. It's my little piece of heaven.<br />
<br />
My little piece of heaven was in rough shape when we bought the house. We were actually afraid the screen porch would fall off the house as it failed the home inspection miserably. ROTTEN was the theme of the screen porch part of the inspection. Thankfully I had the support of my father and I knew we could save it with his help. I documented the screen porch renovation here in <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-screen-porch-renovationi-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2011/07/screen-porch-part-2.html" target="_blank">and Part 2</a>. I documented the Bluestone Patio leveling project <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2012/11/were-on-level.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Here are some BEFORE pictures of the outdoor space. I don't really have better pictures from then but hopefully you will get the idea. You can see the weeds growing up between all of the bluestone pavers and in the planter. And the pavers were all uneven--huge tripping hazard. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucky weeds, beautiful yard.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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And take a look at how bad the decking boards in the screen porch were warping in the below picture. All rotten from a carpet that they had laid over the floor at some point. Note to self: never install carpet over an outdoor wood floor. It just holds moisture and moisture and wood don't mix. That old trim was hiding a completely rotten main header beam and rotten posts. And a pretty good dose of carpenter ant damage. Can you see those cross-beams? A bunch of them were rotten too. Rotten, rotten, rotten, rotten. Water is insidious. (The gentleman is the previous homeowner.)</div>
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Here is what we (me, Dad, Dex) did:<br />
1. We practically rebuilt the screen porch. We removed all of the old trim and screens as they were ripped and the trim was rotten. We removed all bad supports and replaced them.<br />
2. We built a temporary support wall under the porch and removed the main header as well as the old posts (they were rotten too) <br />
3. We put in a new main header, new posts, and sistered the rotten cross beams. <br />
4. Then we removed the floor and replaced it with a composite porch floor. <br />
5. Re-screened the porch<br />
6. Installed all new cedar trim.<br />
7. Tore down the stairs and used repainted the iron work.<br />
8. Built and installed new stairs.<br />
9. Stained the ceiling and new stairs with dark brown.<br />
10. Stained the entire structure to match the house.<br />
11. Leveled the bluestone patio. (UGH)<br />
12. Installed a gutter at the roof of the porch and ran the gutter under the patio when we re-leveled it. There had never been a gutter on the porch roof and it caused a lot of damage because the stones heaved.<br />
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Twelve simple sentences; probably at least 400 people-hours of work. Although I discussed much of it in my previous posts (linked above), it was an experience that cannot be adequately summed up in a few blog posts.<br />
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Here is the "after"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAVp2TMrae9cyHHwoJ0QaqFvuG8vqUi7hzJaD4SMWKEKs9TWsMxqJRIqOWz3tOJgsOq-UrMYuakGWjU8KaW1lInlM2KZQ7vBzB5sgCvo7Jc6lfMl4Gw6mhDiN-5auB-UDfBklWKVQzfjd/s1600/P1000710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAVp2TMrae9cyHHwoJ0QaqFvuG8vqUi7hzJaD4SMWKEKs9TWsMxqJRIqOWz3tOJgsOq-UrMYuakGWjU8KaW1lInlM2KZQ7vBzB5sgCvo7Jc6lfMl4Gw6mhDiN-5auB-UDfBklWKVQzfjd/s640/P1000710.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the screen porch. The screen door in the rear right leads to our stairs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging chair from Ikea--love it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the ceiling--it's the same ceiling from the living room extending into the outdoors. We also have lighting in the ceiling so we can use the porch at night. The sliders go to our living room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA3aUbRectaKFfp5tqgDIhTmk4fFhO8HyoZwkYdsWNMmwTLCApMwaaRwTJ8WC7pFsm0xh1r4g84iDA_HpbjRO5AGMoMzADculI_YONCempvOPDqaK-_hjJMyuDREsvtHA0YFZucf8mS2I/s1600/P1000714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA3aUbRectaKFfp5tqgDIhTmk4fFhO8HyoZwkYdsWNMmwTLCApMwaaRwTJ8WC7pFsm0xh1r4g84iDA_HpbjRO5AGMoMzADculI_YONCempvOPDqaK-_hjJMyuDREsvtHA0YFZucf8mS2I/s640/P1000714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of patio dining area from the top of the outdoor stairs. The grill is hooked into the gas line that extends from the house. The pole by the grill has a light on it so you can grill at night. It also has an electrical outlet that comes in handy sometimes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLypsbzR3QJVLL3hjkWrdPi13vEwgbpmBWHgzvTiSA5BTY5-fdwatbYEDMUsuTQaedToxmJgGOv4x1loe1NeBWOpuQf82T-aeAweswn_iqD-7T_cL0dOt4S4gQX_knw3rjCFu7yWj2s0CR/s1600/P1000716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLypsbzR3QJVLL3hjkWrdPi13vEwgbpmBWHgzvTiSA5BTY5-fdwatbYEDMUsuTQaedToxmJgGOv4x1loe1NeBWOpuQf82T-aeAweswn_iqD-7T_cL0dOt4S4gQX_knw3rjCFu7yWj2s0CR/s640/P1000716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the seating areas of our patio. Not a big fan of the firepit and I think it's too close to the house so it's mainly there for looks at the moment. We kept the planter in the background as it's cool (although a beast to move).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vyfbLhoPhvR45mjduTG7jFgZ6AyIKjAsiRcQ7ajiFvGFqLEvhrsL0i3ygFWoKkj7lhEV6hlrxYIK-yrmiZAOHqMf1ww0zHR2yCGiqxQYUtazi4ealLgmU43c7UH_4shFltcppeXQEvPj/s1600/P1000717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vyfbLhoPhvR45mjduTG7jFgZ6AyIKjAsiRcQ7ajiFvGFqLEvhrsL0i3ygFWoKkj7lhEV6hlrxYIK-yrmiZAOHqMf1ww0zHR2yCGiqxQYUtazi4ealLgmU43c7UH_4shFltcppeXQEvPj/s640/P1000717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from one end of the patio to the other. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAzzGZ6MisENserttdkSPZVPRJVsrUzUEwABXh7VtVChEVtTS4wXHRbSMNjZodeT3_teZhEIjsulg8DAPArZXzl4Wq2G43wQNhgvB5uv5hnJiUFx1zZ2zHLAZLnVHXfBtZiIJw_zyzfDn/s1600/P1000720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAzzGZ6MisENserttdkSPZVPRJVsrUzUEwABXh7VtVChEVtTS4wXHRbSMNjZodeT3_teZhEIjsulg8DAPArZXzl4Wq2G43wQNhgvB5uv5hnJiUFx1zZ2zHLAZLnVHXfBtZiIJw_zyzfDn/s640/P1000720.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower level slider to the area under the screen porch. Notice the built in lighting and planters. This provides us a nice covered area if it rains and corrals the kids into the basement.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWNRUeGuRlZ_vK43aOo_LLSg8k5SL_h84EQbBQMh2Se-8aSknNZG26P2AUwJCj-AOex1NVwP11e9Lu12FOBvVRIvQoO5JKy5wcAWortfSDy8xoYUIEtGVWmQkY_IywBcJ6LUbc_nBcFfY/s1600/P1000719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWNRUeGuRlZ_vK43aOo_LLSg8k5SL_h84EQbBQMh2Se-8aSknNZG26P2AUwJCj-AOex1NVwP11e9Lu12FOBvVRIvQoO5JKy5wcAWortfSDy8xoYUIEtGVWmQkY_IywBcJ6LUbc_nBcFfY/s640/P1000719.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rebuilt stairs. Notice the cool retro light under the stairs? We have those in other places around the exterior of the house. Love them. Also, we could really use a little more furniture under the porch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IS1MCwW36co2KxV8VWqbgbBw3xr818Gd_mf6oX14dtwoaHiMmItr6OyDz4qgKovEAZoIS5xYBLTDgpKJz2wMDRGVH_Fql74rZohiv4GZycmIpaUxgMGX5PwXaXv2cSBtX1ZZn3_4b2cC/s1600/P1000722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IS1MCwW36co2KxV8VWqbgbBw3xr818Gd_mf6oX14dtwoaHiMmItr6OyDz4qgKovEAZoIS5xYBLTDgpKJz2wMDRGVH_Fql74rZohiv4GZycmIpaUxgMGX5PwXaXv2cSBtX1ZZn3_4b2cC/s640/P1000722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of the rebuilt stairs and the extensive planters around the house. There's another retro light in the landscape if you look closely.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from yard. It's been a beautiful spring!</td></tr>
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-73288498065177660512013-04-15T21:29:00.000-04:002013-04-15T22:07:51.779-04:00Before and After: Great RoomOur living room is 99% of the way to being done so I thought it was time to post some “Before and After” shots. It’s more likely to be “After-ish” as I will likely swap things out and change things as time goes on.<br /><br />Here is what the living room looked like before. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrliziNOJObmKZan59_jjQJkcNRbd-ht-6BaVmYJEeKszXmjH__qio3TrWNXOYBt_kWxEnKirUPwqFqBcsRv_7wBJu8kLCbhxDuxthHJeUxBDXklNKxVR_nbk-tKJMoTa2FK6vb1M4XT8/s1600/living+room+other+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrliziNOJObmKZan59_jjQJkcNRbd-ht-6BaVmYJEeKszXmjH__qio3TrWNXOYBt_kWxEnKirUPwqFqBcsRv_7wBJu8kLCbhxDuxthHJeUxBDXklNKxVR_nbk-tKJMoTa2FK6vb1M4XT8/s400/living+room+other+side.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Before Picture. Dining area is in the rear of the photo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsq6whtB2dUVjf9b-PXIOh8qci1VorUyrxEH4QLO6m8t-VFGIGgsRuG3uGcKN1ZqjY_eQba-3VhhUXVSve4YIGgi6hvd87adPbU_sXQn9WIZFPi74LgqSlVODKCkyFKbfcch9qdznMMJdW/s1600/100_2331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsq6whtB2dUVjf9b-PXIOh8qci1VorUyrxEH4QLO6m8t-VFGIGgsRuG3uGcKN1ZqjY_eQba-3VhhUXVSve4YIGgi6hvd87adPbU_sXQn9WIZFPi74LgqSlVODKCkyFKbfcch9qdznMMJdW/s400/100_2331.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Owner</td></tr>
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The older gentleman you see in one of the pictures was actually the original owner. He and his late wife had the house custom designed and built in 1965 so I’m sure there was part of him that was sad to leave. He was moving in with his “girlfriend”—or whatever you call your significant other when you are in your 80’s. Lady friend? They ended up getting married!! Older people in love are just so cute. (We have gotten to know them a little because we meet them occasionally at neighborhood parties.) Anyway, enough with the love lives of Octogenarians—back to decorating.<br /><br />I hated that grass green carpet. I knew that there were hardwoods underneath from when we toured the house initially. About 2 seconds after closing I made my husband help me rip it all out (poor guy). That wasn’t that bad but pulling up thousands of staples was a pain in the butt. My hand hurt from gripping the needle nose pliers so hard. And I think I may have even developed a callous or two! So sad for a women with a desk job:-)</div>
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But it was all so worth it—here is the reveal:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFYRu3r6qy_VMGrIO8ub3doJ1RDz-zDK1wHiPkCjeK4APX-IVkqiEyeedcGHL5_IpQtR-NDpT6-S5kXJCKSy7moY5yvXTDOcbeqwDMZ6RBHLpgATIRuICAGKeIUrQJGg431mL93F1Amqa/s1600/P1000697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFYRu3r6qy_VMGrIO8ub3doJ1RDz-zDK1wHiPkCjeK4APX-IVkqiEyeedcGHL5_IpQtR-NDpT6-S5kXJCKSy7moY5yvXTDOcbeqwDMZ6RBHLpgATIRuICAGKeIUrQJGg431mL93F1Amqa/s400/P1000697.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the dining area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxeHIDMMl1H9CHS0Idg_l-I4mOGyKCd9DhODkaEgjhHOHflp2k-RtkSON0Eybhm6GF5EzGmWIu8Jz96YbapKcqlqr4YAFHcgbAf7nl2zJa3Y8jkoYg3wNK7RM9uSKlg19FzAEpCPbWWe3/s1600/P1000696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxeHIDMMl1H9CHS0Idg_l-I4mOGyKCd9DhODkaEgjhHOHflp2k-RtkSON0Eybhm6GF5EzGmWIu8Jz96YbapKcqlqr4YAFHcgbAf7nl2zJa3Y8jkoYg3wNK7RM9uSKlg19FzAEpCPbWWe3/s400/P1000696.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-0MAW_J47eS5ok0atUyJmWxl9kBFfraNscI3HqP8nWyD3ZSXAN45Huw0Nt3Dx4gMoUEZrROPEYX_SvD89MrN_IVZj5WW5dejxCCYZBOItFoXgiv_audvxIjc9jFSaGMIxZZ8m1zt6GR9/s1600/P1000695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-0MAW_J47eS5ok0atUyJmWxl9kBFfraNscI3HqP8nWyD3ZSXAN45Huw0Nt3Dx4gMoUEZrROPEYX_SvD89MrN_IVZj5WW5dejxCCYZBOItFoXgiv_audvxIjc9jFSaGMIxZZ8m1zt6GR9/s400/P1000695.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piano wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHvcywsZUl61WbUnzyokNfZ3ud_0dOK7NC4FRsOOSWjYh1R6jtCcxuPQzUrL6GWv0LW-z8ZYbPDVINVKob3YAFzbnSVDRwxwIk6MNUWkMgGEpnz_sxykzWg4Sbusedl0tngKUNUaQp75g/s1600/P1000698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHvcywsZUl61WbUnzyokNfZ3ud_0dOK7NC4FRsOOSWjYh1R6jtCcxuPQzUrL6GWv0LW-z8ZYbPDVINVKob3YAFzbnSVDRwxwIk6MNUWkMgGEpnz_sxykzWg4Sbusedl0tngKUNUaQp75g/s400/P1000698.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar cart found on craigslist.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4QSiafgkLCplzLlQUUo_AL3LDRvljdduKZ9E8DQmo9ZPAE86rCzYrpYzcKx0Pk6YewRZOO2nCI_FmO5tcPGpSLklR7Fxcf_B4_a1FQBcpWfgeel8puz0d6Fg9BJzx1ReAPvCgqx3bZBV/s1600/P1000699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4QSiafgkLCplzLlQUUo_AL3LDRvljdduKZ9E8DQmo9ZPAE86rCzYrpYzcKx0Pk6YewRZOO2nCI_FmO5tcPGpSLklR7Fxcf_B4_a1FQBcpWfgeel8puz0d6Fg9BJzx1ReAPvCgqx3bZBV/s400/P1000699.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original sofa and coffee table.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zISJwDLG5mzqczdZvfGFygZFNQaQfZ161IveOYkBY5Y4_ysvdnrfXWrSnKkWex2me1JCE6NcuOOAiKC39sZNiBzfzpVJ3ByExW3yX7IB4_EUw1OmlJ4RI1qFTtUTmi6MmRAoiDhFy5FQ/s1600/P1000700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zISJwDLG5mzqczdZvfGFygZFNQaQfZ161IveOYkBY5Y4_ysvdnrfXWrSnKkWex2me1JCE6NcuOOAiKC39sZNiBzfzpVJ3ByExW3yX7IB4_EUw1OmlJ4RI1qFTtUTmi6MmRAoiDhFy5FQ/s400/P1000700.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swanky:-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdoIjGk4kU8gnFfc_irOukfSHF7gIpzvb-vQwlq0uvVxMOlQ3nfVJY9w8eomXMowkC3PDL1UujuD2Gvb-VHabuojY43fvHURKkJIUqIY6m2qojYPH2fQXnRI-TewU6bq7HHxar8e4shbD/s1600/P1000702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdoIjGk4kU8gnFfc_irOukfSHF7gIpzvb-vQwlq0uvVxMOlQ3nfVJY9w8eomXMowkC3PDL1UujuD2Gvb-VHabuojY43fvHURKkJIUqIY6m2qojYPH2fQXnRI-TewU6bq7HHxar8e4shbD/s400/P1000702.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining area. Ikea rug.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgubSX09IHkkwR6eH1tNMnWCGD6QvMFhqWOSL3upypTw1N-F-hdhejMHJgeFSAvq84A3FRRyIZoQSKWTkpOWuvtbTKFUtVYIsNFsXI7qviIT_ppZi-2j96N227GEl4sRUKAC8CywCd5zn7/s1600/P1000701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgubSX09IHkkwR6eH1tNMnWCGD6QvMFhqWOSL3upypTw1N-F-hdhejMHJgeFSAvq84A3FRRyIZoQSKWTkpOWuvtbTKFUtVYIsNFsXI7qviIT_ppZi-2j96N227GEl4sRUKAC8CywCd5zn7/s400/P1000701.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original furniture. Authentic Saarinen table.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBqbAStrGETjiaOjYRuGlqdNXAJjPnX-WiqjC3avcmPTum3HxmX2BZ6ov470siS-dbYD89spcyD-xfrwBEsETkfpO0r0QsYwDH6roKxCcq5WSEy4DuvvV47tCEnRQrz7RkscFpAU3sSRt/s1600/P1000705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBqbAStrGETjiaOjYRuGlqdNXAJjPnX-WiqjC3avcmPTum3HxmX2BZ6ov470siS-dbYD89spcyD-xfrwBEsETkfpO0r0QsYwDH6roKxCcq5WSEy4DuvvV47tCEnRQrz7RkscFpAU3sSRt/s400/P1000705.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffet found on Craigslist. Artwork by me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIrVVxjdSnZqxBChD7dc6Q-Alv4PzhyphenhyphenspgPtHsYR3JjuGZwx1U3Irbocu-GXx5AiwuZhUR-p-aFoloXNAhs0DY-FW8mWBPbFxzdAhx3jQvRD2iT3_WVbwCVmNAcAPsZRIw5373ae_QHWM/s1600/P1000704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIrVVxjdSnZqxBChD7dc6Q-Alv4PzhyphenhyphenspgPtHsYR3JjuGZwx1U3Irbocu-GXx5AiwuZhUR-p-aFoloXNAhs0DY-FW8mWBPbFxzdAhx3jQvRD2iT3_WVbwCVmNAcAPsZRIw5373ae_QHWM/s400/P1000704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards living area. The screen porch is through the sliding glass doors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ssf6b7OdmvfBqeaRroPlx7k8WApcreO2A9BcawaUbVDdKp9yjBNrAKxMflAfQAsmTfkd_NhLOITA7H7iHndE9MuBZSBq8i_oste75-wKzerPuKUf483h5isu8rJ7Sl58RZ7E2sHBQHu2/s1600/P1000706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ssf6b7OdmvfBqeaRroPlx7k8WApcreO2A9BcawaUbVDdKp9yjBNrAKxMflAfQAsmTfkd_NhLOITA7H7iHndE9MuBZSBq8i_oste75-wKzerPuKUf483h5isu8rJ7Sl58RZ7E2sHBQHu2/s400/P1000706.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of dining area</td></tr>
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As you can see, we bought some of the original furniture from the
previous owner. And we kept it in the same places in the room! It just
goes to show that good design and quality materials are timeless. It
fits perfectly and we love it. We believe it has all been recovered
once because the tags are missing from the sofa. The upholstery is in
great condition.<br /><br />Here’s what we did:<br /><br />1. Tear out carpet to expose hardwoods<br />2. Install shoe molding to cover the gap between the hardwood and the baseboard<br />3. Paint—and repaint the room<br />4. Scrape, glaze, and repaint the windows and trim<br />5. Lubricate the sliding glass door<br /><br />Still to do:<br />1. Find art for piano wall<br /><br />Sources: (most of this was owned, craigslist, or on a budget)<br />· Ivory shag carpeting from local carpet dealer—custom sized and bound<br />· Black and white carpet and dining chairs are from IKEA<br />· Living Room sofa, chairs, ottoman, and coffee table from previous owner (vintage)<br />· Bar cart—craigslist<br />
· Dining table--purchased at local furniture store<br />· Piano—owned<br />
· Saarinen table--owned<br />· Floor Lamp—Jonathan Adler from Interior Designer<br />· Stereo—Geneva Sound L in Walnut<br />· Lamp on Piano—Ralph Lauren (owned)<br />· Buffet—Broyhill Brasilia—Craigslist (vintage)<br />· Lamp on Buffet—vintage found in retro furniture store<br />· Artwork above Buffet—DIY<br />· Metal Sculpture above fireplace—reproduction C. Jere<br />· Owl Sculpture on fireplace—Jonathan Adler<br />· Other art accessories—owned or found via estate sales or thrift stores<br />· Throw pillows--etsy<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-65400461399972144132013-04-13T19:52:00.001-04:002013-04-15T22:08:00.524-04:00Mad Men through the 21st Century LensLike many mid-century enthusiasts, my husband and I LOVE watching Mad Men. We own all of the seasons on DVD. It's one of the few things we actually watch together. (There's only so much NHL hockey, College Hockey, and golf that girl can take!) <br />
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But I wasn't too thrilled after the premiere last week. Truth is that I actually fell asleep--I thought it was a little too slow. So I'm hoping that it picks up a little bit this week. I seem to remember feeling the same way about the premiere last season and it definitely got a lot better.<br />
<br />I came across <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/2013/04/mod-men-the-world-of-mad-men-through-a-21st-century-lens/#more-29610" target="_blank">MOD MEN</a> and thought it was fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Header" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-29677" height="237" src="http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Header2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/2013/04/mod-men-the-world-of-mad-men-through-a-21st-century-lens/#more-29610</td></tr>
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-18728215388473337722013-04-11T20:48:00.002-04:002013-04-11T21:01:46.968-04:00Some fun and retro finds from CB2As I mentioned in <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2013/04/travelingand-craigslist-score.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I've been traveling a lot lately for work. So although the renovations at home have slowed since I've been gone so much, I get to spend a little time checking out fun things from stores we don't have in Rochester. <br />
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First up: <a href="http://www.cb2.com/" target="_blank">CB2</a><br />
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I went to CB2 in Atlanta. I have never been to a CB2 before and I was very impressed with the quality for the price. The designs were very fresh and fun. Here are a few things that I thought were especially nice in person.<br />
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These chairs were very, very comfortable. Actually, who cares about comfort when they would look so great on a retro patio! Or use them to add a dash of retro to a modern patio. They are even ON SALE right now! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjMTictMhwckG2484rCjamUPV1l-XhHJHqM0GMW4wRkY4zb3NjE_KqZEtcOyz1P6thA1ZJnBVZRH6gC569meUGd0XWa9W2iGX08HqdBcLghE0189dXAvemOhae36vX5B8BQYC2Ak7ixTQ/s1600/acapulco-black-blue-lounge-chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjMTictMhwckG2484rCjamUPV1l-XhHJHqM0GMW4wRkY4zb3NjE_KqZEtcOyz1P6thA1ZJnBVZRH6gC569meUGd0XWa9W2iGX08HqdBcLghE0189dXAvemOhae36vX5B8BQYC2Ak7ixTQ/s320/acapulco-black-blue-lounge-chair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <a href="http://www.cb2.com/acapulco-black-blue-lounge-chair/s613282" target="_blank">fun chair</a> on sale for $229<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bTql5gLmJuNKEc3nk1lIOfRc8k2VYuPKyhPqR5DALtFyu7IOILmRfbr_-LG3Tok38Zo7FIP12XNxNjE65PO7HPnYxXeR-btllxnOtc7z5sVtq4xQXF1ttfZNWOljRZDfnnkQeqPmhxTK/s1600/ixtapa-yellow-mint-lounge-chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bTql5gLmJuNKEc3nk1lIOfRc8k2VYuPKyhPqR5DALtFyu7IOILmRfbr_-LG3Tok38Zo7FIP12XNxNjE65PO7HPnYxXeR-btllxnOtc7z5sVtq4xQXF1ttfZNWOljRZDfnnkQeqPmhxTK/s320/ixtapa-yellow-mint-lounge-chair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And<a href="http://www.cb2.com/ixtapa-yellow-aqua-lounge-chair/s613134" target="_blank"> this chair</a> is on sale for $199. I like this one even better!</td></tr>
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So along the lines of "I like how it looks" is this sculpture: I liked it so much that I came home and ordered it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8JniZtYo7kUIGwceQbjziXHpi2xFp4qI-4mImMxtyWMq2n1aHIvXOT-KgJoM5gls59bbJ_w7S0tpcCyOoN7IRcdurRQdI7eakFodjEnIBu-ZCPUsXBizQqsSPeaGvj296xLYRieuEovm/s1600/connect-8-sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8JniZtYo7kUIGwceQbjziXHpi2xFp4qI-4mImMxtyWMq2n1aHIvXOT-KgJoM5gls59bbJ_w7S0tpcCyOoN7IRcdurRQdI7eakFodjEnIBu-ZCPUsXBizQqsSPeaGvj296xLYRieuEovm/s320/connect-8-sculpture.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <a href="http://www.cb2.com/connect-8-sculpture/s517127" target="_blank">modernist sculpture</a>. At $59.95, it's a bargain.<br />
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Another thing I came home and ordered were 4 of these Breuer-style chairs. They were extremely comfortable. Full disclosure: my husband cares WAY MORE than I do about how comfortable a chair is. But for those of you who value function over form, I can honestly vouch that they were very comfortable. They even bounce a little when you sit on them. There is no padding under the upholstery and it seemed pretty durable. I thought it would be fairly easy to clean. I ordered them for our old kitchen table before I found <a href="http://www.modchester.blogspot.com/2013/04/travelingand-craigslist-score.html" target="_blank">the reproduction Saarinen set</a> on Craigslist. They are back-ordered and haven't arrived yet but I may keep them and pair them with the tulip table. If so, I'll use the tulip chairs in another room where they won't be used every day. We'll see...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGToZ0LJ19kuohb1eskZxOkQRD_KhJgOr-FIA_XMq9xeaGN6mEA7g44XCPyGibZ7LMORlIAwKE2o4RQXFxUCx733EKQQkwhmKTZWQjhTKHUo8Q2lc78zMYUqP7e3QP3Zlwp0EVJcf_bum7/s1600/pony-tweed-chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGToZ0LJ19kuohb1eskZxOkQRD_KhJgOr-FIA_XMq9xeaGN6mEA7g44XCPyGibZ7LMORlIAwKE2o4RQXFxUCx733EKQQkwhmKTZWQjhTKHUo8Q2lc78zMYUqP7e3QP3Zlwp0EVJcf_bum7/s320/pony-tweed-chair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <a href="http://www.cb2.com/pony-tweed-chair/s414118" target="_blank">chairs</a> were really beautiful in person. And very comfortable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
These tulip table lamps were only $59.95 and they would look great in a mid-century bedroom.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMTPPnq_efeagodvyffl1aTKFVB-aBZtHcX8fK8HgiSS79oIxBGWfadvZEwQ5IqQV3koXjyxcX48CXXlXkb2t7WWWHijD1Ntk7Rsx_mMG72jE1l59cOrShnDVO3ddCM1_Hco8X8HpxEt1/s1600/AdaTableLampWhiteLitS7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMTPPnq_efeagodvyffl1aTKFVB-aBZtHcX8fK8HgiSS79oIxBGWfadvZEwQ5IqQV3koXjyxcX48CXXlXkb2t7WWWHijD1Ntk7Rsx_mMG72jE1l59cOrShnDVO3ddCM1_Hco8X8HpxEt1/s1600/AdaTableLampWhiteLitS7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cb2.com/ada-white-table-lamp/s128778" target="_blank">tulip lamp</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
And I was seriously impressed with the size and stability of this arc lamp. At $199, it's a total steal. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cb2.com/big-dipper-arc-floor-lamp/s126317" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudeefNVE_afo8wnhDF4fGHYSUDB7Ffwr5pt6RxP2ntTjwXAAV5XQm9bgElQUKBW0nnGtYWKL9V5Sx_5u4FYZraZieON9JTqNBbkK4uEP44q2btl-Q2XqY0MvqYwxf2-7LXIL4bg-eSH3v/s320/big-dipper-arc-floor-lamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cb2.com/big-dipper-arc-floor-lamp/s126317" target="_blank">Floor lamp</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So those are some fun and fresh finds from CB2 that seemed particularly nice for the price. Some more of them may even end up in my house:-)modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-78064588110700929092013-04-08T18:58:00.001-04:002013-04-08T19:02:38.553-04:00Traveling...and a Craigslist Score!I have been traveling a crazy amount lately--mostly for work but I did take a trip for fun to Philadelphia (where I'm from) and Washington, DC last week with my 11-year old daughter. We were supposed to be there for the Cherry Blossoms but our cold weather in the east coast this year meant that they are weeks later than usual--all we saw were buds...bummer.<br />
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All of the other travel has taken me to Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and New Orleans--all places where they have cool stores that we don't have in Rochester. I'll post some of my favorite finds from these places in another post.<br />
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While I was traveling, I had more time to look at craigslist than I usually do and lookie here what I found last Friday!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha83P26UHsvNgj0ERsiy_1IjyJhzu3dlPauC5WHyfn0wxG4cQR0Li2fObGjlRh20DujHg7fQFf_gp56bE_43sNKR5arm0mEf4i4v86Rb54eWF1YF7fJCMA7C2XZWJk0v4n0w0ae85APOdX/s1600/P1000692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha83P26UHsvNgj0ERsiy_1IjyJhzu3dlPauC5WHyfn0wxG4cQR0Li2fObGjlRh20DujHg7fQFf_gp56bE_43sNKR5arm0mEf4i4v86Rb54eWF1YF7fJCMA7C2XZWJk0v4n0w0ae85APOdX/s400/P1000692.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our craigslist score (in our kitchen)!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The craigslist post was titled:<br />
<h2 class="postingtitle">
kit./dinning room table - $400</h2>
<div class="postingtitle">
(Yep...mis-spelling and all.) There was little more information in the post itself and no mention of the words "mid-century, retro, saarinen, eames era" that would have flagged anyone using search tools. Heck, even searching on "dining" wouldn't have worked on this post! I was still out of town at the time so I sent it to my husband to arrange to go look at it on Saturday morning. My husband screwed up his timing that day and couldn't look at it when he was supposed to--ugh! I arrived back home on Saturday night and we went to look at it Sunday morning. We met the craigslist guy on the other side of town at a storage unit. The set was in his parents house and
they passed on so he was looking to get rid of it. He said his parents bought the set in the 60's. It was covered in crud but I could tell underneath it all was a beautiful set that would probably clean up. It also has cushions but they are recovered in purple velvet so I didn't show them in the picture. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="postingtitle">
If my husband had gone alone, he probably wouldn't have bought it so I think it was fate that I was here to see it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="postingtitle">
It's not a Saarinen or a Burke but it's a very good reproduction from North Central Industries of Johnson Creek, WI (who?--does anybody know anything about this company?). I don't care because the table and chairs are in really good shape and it has very minimal rust (nothing that a new paint job won't fix). All the chairs swivel very nicely after a shot of silicone spray. The chairs are fiberglass and there are no cracks. And we negotiated the whole set for $300--woo hoo! As you can see the set cleaned up beautifully.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM02PgW-U6m0VjSed1yjz09ck0IaG7Lpk0_ujR9Dbui2zs3YvESE3pfJ_XturM5XZVNBmQ_SJc2n81HsX5jMovhv0ydwSohfjVXOBJePOiyRToBuOhUiIv7Vl3wtMyEDVi9eZh2NGeFdyR/s1600/P1000694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM02PgW-U6m0VjSed1yjz09ck0IaG7Lpk0_ujR9Dbui2zs3YvESE3pfJ_XturM5XZVNBmQ_SJc2n81HsX5jMovhv0ydwSohfjVXOBJePOiyRToBuOhUiIv7Vl3wtMyEDVi9eZh2NGeFdyR/s320/P1000694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_776454444"></span><span id="goog_776454445"></span><br />
I'm so excited...I never find anything good on craigslist around here! Even our children love it and think it's cool--now that's a shocker! Now I need to read <a href="http://retrorenovation.com/2011/01/25/how-to-restore-avintage-tulip-tables-and-shell-chairs/" target="_blank">Pam's post </a>on how she fixed up her vintage tulip table and shell chairs.<br />
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In case you are interested, here is a picture of the furniture this set is replacing:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EZoCsmFWsFbAMmKn-OLpvBi7pvOYqnxUCDtOVWKYegIUK_5xpEEOdAX_f-UjnLZJ46IAiiuE1seYykTSz0DlqJKxAGTTBIJIcH80sLtd69ExLqnA7MkwceZtR6P-Fpo6v3PWFYszqKJP/s1600/P1000445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EZoCsmFWsFbAMmKn-OLpvBi7pvOYqnxUCDtOVWKYegIUK_5xpEEOdAX_f-UjnLZJ46IAiiuE1seYykTSz0DlqJKxAGTTBIJIcH80sLtd69ExLqnA7MkwceZtR6P-Fpo6v3PWFYszqKJP/s400/P1000445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before" furniture from previous house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was actually kind of sad to part with this set. It's Nichols & Stone--high quality stuff. I bought it about 15 years ago when my tastes were so totally different and it's held up beautifully. The table had a solid cherry top and the chairs were all solid wood as well. It looked nice in our previous home (a 1930's Tudor) but it was so out of place in our MCM home. The good news is that my mother wanted it for her home so it's still staying in the family. Am I the only one who is attached to their furniture??? It's a sickness...<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-60034459398307260772013-03-24T14:15:00.002-04:002013-03-24T14:16:20.707-04:00I'm a sucker for sparkly retro things.Cool, mid-century vintage stuff isn't the easiest to find around here. There are other parts of the country where it's much more common. But once in a while you see something good. So when a friend tipped me off about an estate sale at this house, it sounded promising!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCogiuijovaa0rCi9O74XyTwR65MoNf1FwzREQkDD8h3PE7zWTOYdLxMb7HYwsVfAPpMdpQzLb9XJMs3VcHv65U_RUeyft60PIBGHVabKYspi7bugMagk71NA3pcQJ6-xyxwAEHvyyoXF/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCogiuijovaa0rCi9O74XyTwR65MoNf1FwzREQkDD8h3PE7zWTOYdLxMb7HYwsVfAPpMdpQzLb9XJMs3VcHv65U_RUeyft60PIBGHVabKYspi7bugMagk71NA3pcQJ6-xyxwAEHvyyoXF/s400/IMG_1007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Estate sales around here start on Fridays so usually all the good stuff is snatched up by dealers by the time I can get there on a Saturday. But this time I found one cool thing--and it was 1/2 price by then--bonus!<br />
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One is this atomic/retro serving tray. It's clear, pinkish, iridescent glass with raised gold atomic starbursts. It's about 18" x 18"-- pretty large. It is kind of glamorous in a way and I loved it. It kind of blended into a glass coffee table so that's the reason why it was still available, I think. At $6, I think it was a bargain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7OVr75qrr84DwIFKAlJl-dnHYrtjQ7AWpuDNhDkhTDY9oUcxDs_GFb897ubUQhCHPc7lEryfZw1qvsEqn02gUocGIgoZbgQtGE8stzpAf-m0SDavqBD8XarQsAS-vmB6ktxmh5zVPd7t/s1600/P1000525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7OVr75qrr84DwIFKAlJl-dnHYrtjQ7AWpuDNhDkhTDY9oUcxDs_GFb897ubUQhCHPc7lEryfZw1qvsEqn02gUocGIgoZbgQtGE8stzpAf-m0SDavqBD8XarQsAS-vmB6ktxmh5zVPd7t/s400/P1000525.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The second was a lamp that came from the same house but I actually found it at a dealer that I know. It's kind of 70's glam with a giant shade. The lamp is 43" high and the shade is 18" high and 19" in diameter. The base is both matte and polished chrome. The shade cleaned up pretty well with a bit of windex. It's actually made of a very thin plastic material. I may decide to replace it someday but for now, it's great.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZxOhfMUGO0PTiEVpWwTCWYgKUOVne-JoVIpbcjpVyy-54DlyaCgLW23_bog-3B6iQ4OSblLagEZkY70rwgwXmD5Vsz6xBgfLU6dcNAouuB4uq-82SN6PybMGmyNSnSpqaX_0_pLCrb0p/s1600/P1000583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZxOhfMUGO0PTiEVpWwTCWYgKUOVne-JoVIpbcjpVyy-54DlyaCgLW23_bog-3B6iQ4OSblLagEZkY70rwgwXmD5Vsz6xBgfLU6dcNAouuB4uq-82SN6PybMGmyNSnSpqaX_0_pLCrb0p/s400/P1000583.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It fits nicely on my Broyhill Brasilia console.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4ihL73MnOh6A2tooQS-mV-Y-LeKX_rRRW592xL-RSD5W2g3P7kIl-UgLNZs-vBWkfDvf4hpgS54Po4SbCjVhSFD08TCt3Y-2ItOJmUJrLmDI2HoQKPLHnJun4cOA2EZbx4oscrMR84BP/s1600/P1000584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4ihL73MnOh6A2tooQS-mV-Y-LeKX_rRRW592xL-RSD5W2g3P7kIl-UgLNZs-vBWkfDvf4hpgS54Po4SbCjVhSFD08TCt3Y-2ItOJmUJrLmDI2HoQKPLHnJun4cOA2EZbx4oscrMR84BP/s400/P1000584.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see my blurry image in the top!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So those are my latest finds. I can't wait until the weather warms up so I can hit more sales! <br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-8067839401075162402013-03-19T20:06:00.002-04:002013-03-19T20:06:42.459-04:00Rochester MCM Architect Don Hershey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc7aLiGH-eza_QFmzLxBGHV4zr_CbFHSIeR83cvoI0ZR9FlqSL-9Ktdraf9hLAGKWIV-uC8HFJ4guc3KAz5EsUteIDXFyc-sNblVzAuJ3Fm_f-JzWmdDpdl8E3zpig_XMlPJg16G28RuI/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc7aLiGH-eza_QFmzLxBGHV4zr_CbFHSIeR83cvoI0ZR9FlqSL-9Ktdraf9hLAGKWIV-uC8HFJ4guc3KAz5EsUteIDXFyc-sNblVzAuJ3Fm_f-JzWmdDpdl8E3zpig_XMlPJg16G28RuI/s400/IMG_1007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beauty in Brighton recently sold in 4 days for top dollar.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rochester, NY is really a pretty traditional city. We don't really have MCM neighborhoods--more like "pockets" of MCM homes. But the ones we have are pretty special and spectacular. And we had some noted Mid-Century architects from that period.</div>
<br />
Don Hershey was one of the most prolific mid-century architects in Rochester. He designed over 500 homes over a period of 50 years. They varied in size from the very modest to the extraordinary. Here are some examples of his homes in <br />
and around Rochester, NY:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG15209wFuL41BInfGU-zytScbmU7odPUDeaWa_8Lzy6OduwJNy_iYszdUwKhomD-lHGD2-9sjVq3pyhlJ62xSYpx_DFB18BVsrQKez-ocp4Mzco2GM2VUzZO0axxGKX6lLC8sKs-NCfxC/s1600/P1000551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG15209wFuL41BInfGU-zytScbmU7odPUDeaWa_8Lzy6OduwJNy_iYszdUwKhomD-lHGD2-9sjVq3pyhlJ62xSYpx_DFB18BVsrQKez-ocp4Mzco2GM2VUzZO0axxGKX6lLC8sKs-NCfxC/s400/P1000551.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is at the end of our street and overlooks a golf course.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeLfDLOCmRoFH13DrsUBypIhi2QKw7B0XQIFRPc30GOcrksB_KF1A74uKPW7NqU6CydBIXvtkleja6NtrhvSAyPC73WKmqhYrgORl-HzubR7rE_Q-ZPZHCWaxCT831XPdXm_P_-M3pyaC/s1600/P1000553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeLfDLOCmRoFH13DrsUBypIhi2QKw7B0XQIFRPc30GOcrksB_KF1A74uKPW7NqU6CydBIXvtkleja6NtrhvSAyPC73WKmqhYrgORl-HzubR7rE_Q-ZPZHCWaxCT831XPdXm_P_-M3pyaC/s400/P1000553.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one has been recently renovated. The owners stayed very true to the original vision.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WGJbwK1hHZkRiysS4k0_rFWnV1Am5uySnnD9KBV9PRPnJkXGupGE7m-q-PR7cOuiU4nCUqQ9ox46QQd7tbYXzEPTvSeytm5ThZEKMMgOF3TcHrOknyIG4rqWqVUkVe3EMvZczeFsGQCe/s1600/P1000554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WGJbwK1hHZkRiysS4k0_rFWnV1Am5uySnnD9KBV9PRPnJkXGupGE7m-q-PR7cOuiU4nCUqQ9ox46QQd7tbYXzEPTvSeytm5ThZEKMMgOF3TcHrOknyIG4rqWqVUkVe3EMvZczeFsGQCe/s400/P1000554.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Another view of the above house. The interesting thing is that it seems to have 2 front doors.</td></tr>
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A Don Hershey home owner built a <a href="http://www.donhershey.com/" target="_blank">website, www.donhershey.com</a> to help foster a community around Don Hershey homes. Here you can see much more about this amazing architect and his legacy of homes. A great deal of effort has been made to document where these homes are--go check them out to see some really nice examples of mid-century architecture. The following excerpt came from the Don Hershey website.<br />
<br />
<b>The following exerpt is from the <i>Eldercraft Newsletter</i> in 1982:</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>Don Hershey</b> was one of the foremost
architects in the Rochester, NY area. He designed about 500 homes, and
for over fifty years he conceived his plans, executed his drawings,
contracted builders and fashioned a few ideas and dreams into someone’s
home at a small drawing board in his home on Landing Road.</i><br />
<br />
<i>
</i><i>“Frank Lloyd Wright was my inspiration,” Don says. “I didn’t imitate
him, but I’ve always been fascinated by the strength of his designs,
his hip roofs, open plans, and his use of stone.</i><br />
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With the recent surge of MCM popularity, there has been a renewed interest in these homes. Dex and I recently attended an event sponsored by the <a href="http://www.historicbrighton.org/" target="_blank">Brighton Historical Society</a> that discussed Don Hershey and his homes. Brighton is a suburb of Rochester, NY. It is an area much more dominated by traditional homes so I was excited to see them honoring a modern architect.<br />
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In attendance at the event were Don's two sons--Ken and Al--along with their wives. The event was amazing because along with the discussion of the architecture, his sons chimed in with funny and entertaining stories of their father. It was an afternoon to be remembered!<br />
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I actually have my own entertaining story of how I met Ken Hershey. I was out for a walk last summer around my home and there was a older gentleman puttering in front of his lawn in front of a home that I had long admired. He said a very friendly hello when I walked by so I took the opportunity to compliment him on his home. He said, "Thank you, my Dad designed it." I asked him who his father was and he said Don Hershey. That sparked an hour-long conversation on a sidewalk between two strangers about mid-century architecture that I was thrilled to have. Ken told me a bit about the neighborhood--I wish I had a pen and notebook at the time. It was a good lesson on getting to know the older, established neighbors--they are a wealth of information and you never know what you may find out.<br />
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Our own home strongly resembles a Don Hershey--in fact, I had an architect come out to consult with me yesterday on some roofing and insulation decisions and when he walked in, he asked me if our home was a Don Hershey. The previous owner struggled to remember who the architect for our home was but he seemed to think it was someone by the name of David Bishop. There were a few other architects in the 60's who were designing modern homes around here--the subject of new posts in the future.</div>
modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-61247640095046912572013-03-09T10:10:00.003-05:002013-03-09T10:15:14.980-05:00Adventures in Stripping: Wallpaper, that is...An alternative title is: Kitchen Updates--Part 5. At this point it should be called Kitchen Saga--Part 5.<br />
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Where did we last leave off...oh yes, we were about to strip wallpaper. The old wallpaper was more of a wall-covering. It didn't have a print on it, just texture. It was really non-offensive but taking down the drapes and installing new countertops had damaged it and left holes in it so it had to go. Plus it was peeling off the wall in areas where the previous owners had some leakage from the roof. AND I saw black stuff in those areas which I suspected was mold. This wallpaper really had to go.<br />
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We started by pulling off the vinyl side to reveal the paper backing. Here is a picture that shows both the wallpaper and the paper backing. <br />
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At this point I thought this job was going to be a breeze. My inner voice went something like this:<br />
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"Oh, this is going to be easy--our steamer will take this paper off like nobody's business." <br />
"Wallpaper...you can't stop me. You really don't know who you're dealing with."<br />
"We are wall-paper removal experts!"<br />
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Well, my false wallpaper optimism and bravado was short lived. Because that paper backing turned out to be FROM H*&%!<br />
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We have plaster walls. And that paper was stuck directly to the plaster with about 10 gallons of glue. We first had to steam all of the paper off and it came off in about 1" strips--taking CHUNKS of plaster with it. Then we had to STEAM THE GLUE! I have never had to steam the wallpaper and the glue in separate steps over an entire room before. After the second round of steaming, there was still a good bit of glue on the walls so we brought in the big guns--TSP cleaner. We had to wash the walls 2 times and let it all dry. <br />
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After that, we looked at our horrible plaster and were trying to figure out what to do. The right thing to do would have been a skim coat but we didn't have much success with trying that in our bathroom plus we were on a time crunch so we decided to repair the worst patches and leave the rest to "character". Plus there isn't a ton of wall space in this kitchen so we didn't think the rough walls would be hugely noticeable.<br />
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After repairing our walls the best that we could, we started painting. We primed the walls first in case there was any glue left on them and to start with a blank slate. We wanted our house to have some flow and we are tired of having 25 different paint cans in our storage area so we decided to pick a color from another room. Our kitchen flows into the great room so we decided to try that color. The large sample we had looked pretty good in there so we thought "why not".<br />
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The color was BM "Cashmere Gray". Sounds innocent enough, right? It looks nice in our great room. It looks nice on sample and with our cabinets. Well, it looked like crap in our kitchen. And here is why:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2JNoZAAF2BUW-Xs7Ooj7ggDRkGWYHtTQns6S1ds6kCRdlasPQFr_aA1kYIyYYYzw7HoufnGjOZ1pmrIQGd0g1N7hVk5086NtABZS0cyBFQqW-oRbq-U4gP35gFp0fuJs-hxdrXYWmSgC/s1600/P1000500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2JNoZAAF2BUW-Xs7Ooj7ggDRkGWYHtTQns6S1ds6kCRdlasPQFr_aA1kYIyYYYzw7HoufnGjOZ1pmrIQGd0g1N7hVk5086NtABZS0cyBFQqW-oRbq-U4gP35gFp0fuJs-hxdrXYWmSgC/s400/P1000500.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my eyes!!! My eyes!!!</td></tr>
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See our subway tile? Our subway tile is original to our house. Yes, they had subway tile in 1965. I've seen websites that say it isn't mid-century and I'm here to tell you it is. We thought it was much whiter than that. Check out this picture below--looks pretty white, right? And that was with a pure white laminate counter. At least we thought so. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"BEFORE Picture"</td></tr>
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Well, Cashmere Gray made our subway tile look like a dirty beige. Dirty--not pretty. After stupidly putting on the first coat of the offensive color, we decided that "it wasn't working" and we had to switch directions. This was at 9:00pm on a Sunday. Luckily Dex had off work the next day (some government holiday) but I didn't so decisions had to be made quickly. I have about 50 million swatches of BM paint so we quickly made a decision: Let's try Revere Pewter.<br />
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I've never used Revere Pewter before.<br />
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And my poor husband is tired of painting.<br />
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But we decided to risk it. And boy and I happy we did because here is how the kitchen turned out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night shot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen at night</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen during the day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weird coloring--must have used the flash, sorry!</td></tr>
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modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-79701635413807663382013-03-05T17:28:00.002-05:002013-03-05T17:29:14.881-05:00Making a TerrariumHave you noticed the popularity of Terrariums lately? They seem to be everywhere--even West Elm is carrying terrariums these days. My 11-year old daughter and I are usually on the hunt for something fun to do together so we thought we would make a terrarium. It just so happened that a local nursery (<a href="http://www.grossmans.com/" target="_blank">Grossmans</a>) was having terrarium workshops. For $7 + plant and vessel costs, you could make a terrarium. So we signed up.<br />
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Here is our terrarium. Notice the cute little bird bath with a frog in it? That's my daughter's favorite part.<br />
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We layered the following:<br />
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about 1" charcoal<br />
about 2" rocks<br />
about 3" soil<br />
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Then we added the plants. We used very small plants in the terrarium. (A mini ivy, a kalanchoe, baby's tears, and a coleus). We had to divide up the baby's tears pot into a bunch of smaller plants to use in the terrarium. Lastly, we added the mini bird feeder.<br />
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After those layers, we watered it just enough to wet the top 1-1 1/2 inches. The lady running the workshop said that you only needed to water it every 2-3 weeks. We ended up buying the vessel at Joann's--I really liked the modern look of it. I was glad we purchased it ahead of time because the ones at Grossmans looked like they were from Pottery Barn--not modern enough for our tastes.<br />
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Little did we know that there was a reporter for the local newspaper at the event and we were featured in the newspaper a short while later! There is our terrarium in the Saturday edition. Pretty fun:-)<br />
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<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123477103763052067.post-32916682561747092502013-02-23T12:39:00.002-05:002013-02-23T13:31:09.861-05:00Kitchen Updates--Part 4: Updating/Repairing our vent hoodThere was a significant update to our kitchen that took place a year ago, but I forgot to mention it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before picture of kitchen with previous owner's furnishings.</td></tr>
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Our kitchen's hood was painted a deep reddish orange when we bought the house. It matched the previous owner's drapes, the canisters, and a stripe in the green carpets that were in the kitchen. I loved it for them, not for me.<br />
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Here's what it looked like in the inside:<br />
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Close-up of the old fan:<br />
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The hood was such an eyesore to me. In hindsight, it probably wasn't that bad but the combination of all of it was just way too much. In addition, the Nutone fan in the hood didn't work anymore. Well, it actually did "work" if you moved the switch to the "on" position and then waited awhile. You would hear a very slow hum, then it would eventually get faster and faster and spew black soot and particles all over your food on the cooktop. Something clearly had to be done here.<br />
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The first thing we did was take down the hood. It was relatively easy as it was hung by 4 bolts in the ceiling. Note the rods and wiring--that is for the light fixtures that hung inside the hood. We put plastic in the fan duct to prevent anything from coming in the house as we had taken out the damper.<br />
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Here is the hood sitting on our kitchen floor after we took it down. It is steel but not too heavy.<br />
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It was winter so we couldn't paint it outside. Here is Dex prepping the hood in our basement workshop. We decided not to repaint the interior as it was black already. <br />
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We decided to try to spray paint it silver to look like stainless steel. I went to Home Depot and they allowed me to test the cans to see which "Silver" looked just like stainless. I ended up with Rustoleum's Aluminum Color after comparing it with the stainless appliances in the appliance section.<br />
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Dex first primed it with Rustoleum "Clean Metal" primer to make sure the new paint adhered to the old. And then he painted the piece with a couple light coats of Rustoleum High Performance in the Aluminum color. Here is the primer and top coat that we used.<br />
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The aluminum color was really sparkly! We hated it. I did a quick internet search and found out that Rustoleum made the same paint in a Stainless color. We couldn't find any at Home Depot but a quick trip to Lowes yielded the last 2 cans of the same paint in the Stainless color. So we painted another 3-4 very light coats in Stainless. Here are the two cans of paint and their part numbers:<br />
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Painting the hood was actually the easy part...Next we had to install a new fan. I found a v<a href="http://www.nutone.com/products/product/2649faa8-2380-4e33-841b-8d8499835127" target="_blank">ery similar NuTone fan online</a> and went to our local electrical supply (Maynard's Electric) to see 1) if the old fan could be repaired and if not 2) if the new one would work in the space. The old fan couldn't really be repaired easily so we decided to go with the new one. And guess what--the new fan and the old fan were virtually the same--minimal updates were made in the last 50 years! Sadly, some parts that were originally metal were now plastic--including the grill. And some parts had been combined into one assembly in the new fan. I seriously doubt this new fan will last 50 years. The new fan cost about $100 and off we went. <br />
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<img src="http://www.nutone.com/common/productimagehandler.ashx?id=1a4443f0-8767-480a-bbe0-b81645caf861&type=regular" /><br />
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So now we had to hang this new fan from its new straps inside the vent hood. It all had to be done at the same time due to the way this thing was constructed. <u>This was not fun</u>. "We"/Dex had to:<br />
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Attach the fan and the hood together to the ceiling while<br />
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Sitting on a makeshift wooden platform covering the island cookstop<br />
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While working inside the hood in the dark above his head<br />
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With no way to see what he was doing<br />
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I think Dex would have rather had a root canal. I likened the pain to giving birth. (The birth story comes in handy at times like this.) I did step in for awhile to try my hand. We took breaks to ease the frustration. Expletives may have been involved. It was bad....but we prevailed in the end!!! <br />
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At this point, the hood was up, the new fan was in and working. We decided to re-attach the original metal grill as I thought the beige plastic one would become disgustingly coated with cooking oils very quickly. The last part was to reattach the lights. The wiring was really short. The fixtures were something that I have never seen before. They pretty much look like mason jars with electrical components. Oh well, they do the trick!<br />
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Here is what the hood looks like today:<br />
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It's a dead-ringer for stainless--everyone is shocked that it's painted! So for an investment of about $120 (fan plus paint), we have a hood that looks practically brand new. <br />
<br />modernthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11596787395220786876noreply@blogger.com1