What a glorious day! Warm, for Chicago standards..........sunny and genuinely happy. The first tour of my home at our event called "Fall into Christmas". My house was decorated for fall, and the shop, Christmas. Almost 100 attended. To those held up by the bus service, please accept my apology. First time events usually have learning curves.
So......... welcome!
Located in Wayne, IL., a rural suburb of Chicago, steeped in tradition, particularly an equestrian history. Our home received a plaque in 1999, being the second oldest home in our village, 1856.
View out my window this week
Mind if I take you through the questions asked and comments overheard?
Q; Gas lamps! Is that original?
A; No, after a trip to Savannah, Ga. I was able to convince my husband Steve, we NEEDED them, yes, he installed them. Lamps by Bevolo.
Q; Where did you find ALL this beautiful wood paneling?
A; It is not wood but the completed Faux Bois finish from my talented artist friend Patrick Rouillier, finishing touches such as accessories/lighting to come....
Yes, that is a close-up of painted drywall, all by hand
Foyer before.
Master Bedroom
Q; What a huge room!
A; Well, in the 40's this was the showroom for custom women's clothing. I found a business card when remodeling and had it framed;
Love that "the large selection of smart and inexpensive cottons" went from size 10-20! $10.95 and up, nice!
master bedroomn
-hand painted chest from Sweden
Q; Who did this kitchen?
A; Steve.........completely gutted, walls were removed and pushed back, floors; hand planed oak floors by Ridgefield Lumber, cabinets; actually a grey/green, built by Steve. I love having "throw back your body" and relax in comfortable upholstered chairs in a kitchen.
Q; What are these counter-tops?
A; Jerusalem Limestone. Personally like the honed versus shiny look, will mark but that only adds to the patina!
A; Steve.........completely gutted, walls were removed and pushed back, floors; hand planed oak floors by Ridgefield Lumber, cabinets; actually a grey/green, built by Steve. I love having "throw back your body" and relax in comfortable upholstered chairs in a kitchen.
A; Jerusalem Limestone. Personally like the honed versus shiny look, will mark but that only adds to the patina!
Crazy for nooks with built in benches, great for extra storage and another opportunity for soft goods
Q; Are these the original floors?
A: EGADS! no!! When the linoleum was scrapped off we found mouse eaten wooden floors repaired in spots with flattened tin cans, circa 1920's.
Current floors are oak (could not afford the walnut I liked), hand planed edges and many a chain, boulders and hammer throws later has a mellow aged look.
The number one conversation piece, the AGA stove and surrounding "cast"
Q; What is that stove and is it hard to use, there are no controls?!
A; once an AGA, always an AGA. emits non-stop warmth, easy to use once you learn how, better energy wise since it is always on and so well insulated it demands less
Q: It is warm and love it now, what do you do in the summer?
A; that is the best part.........i turn it off in July and August.....then.....fire up the grill or make reservations!
Q: Where did you find that old mantle to perfectly fit the stove?
A; Steve made it from dirty, dry, old barnwood. My Stones polish turned it into clean, soft, "butter" without sanding.
Q; What is Stephanie's oil painting on and can you clean it?
A; Masonite. and yes, it is washable
Part of the other foyer (I know, old small houses have floor plans that do not make sense, that's the charm!)
Another view
Q; What is upstairs? (STAIRS WERE BLOCKED)
A; another bedroom/bath turned into aspiring home office..................want a peek? Less horrifying via photo
agghhhemm.....throat clearing here. Combination of 'perpetual disorder syndrome' and "OMG, PEOPLE ARE COMING WHERE SHOULD I SHOVE THIS??!!"
Should I be embarrassed?
Now, this is a beautiful office and belongs to the lovely and talented Brooke of one of my fav blogs; Velvet and Linen. In responding to her post I enquired "where are the piles, the equipment?!" She graciously responded;
- baskets contain some of the electronics
- use the "touch-it-once" rule, that is deal with it at the moment
- if you cannot handle it the first time, put in one basket. As her basket mounts, she disciplines herself to sit down and tackle it.
I have a long way to go but her advice resonates in my head constantly........
Living Room conversation area; two chairs pulled up for fireside chats. There is the dreadful chair that needs to be re-upholstered.
I hate my drapes...........too busy and jarring for my current taste..........BUT, I SPENT A FORTUNE! Linen would suit me just fine
A new favorite, still in living room and just to the left of the previous picture. LEE, INDUSTRIES, settee and leather ottoman under the table. (we are a distributor)
Q; Where is the dining room?
A; Happily, gone!. The dedicated space for a dining room, adjacent to the above and now a "reading" room or "great for party conversation" room, functioned as a "pass-thru". The above table is late 1800's France. The beautiful herringbone patterned top holds a surprise; two built in leaves that pull out, rise to meet the top and can seat 10, easily. A few bits of furniture are set-aside and we dine near the fireplace.
Living/dining/reading/conversation rooms
Q: What are the wall colors?
A; 'Greenfield Pumpkin' by Benjamin Moore Aura collection.
Color is to me a personal decision. Ask yourself:
- What colors do you look good in, tend to wear often?
- What emotions do colors bring out in you? Example; My colors bring out the emotion "warm and cozy", that makes me feel good, reflects my love of Autumn and colors I wear.
- My friend Linda loves grey's, blues and cream. I believe she has used the words "soothing and calming", plus, she looks beautiful in those colors.
Going towards the Den
Q; Who's wallpaper is this?
A; Brunschwig and Fils
Q; Were the beams, beadboard and wrap-around shelf always here?
A; No, Steve again
Q; Why does that table have a crank?
A; Glad you asked! Came from a bakery in France. The handle connected to a slatted tray on the bottom. Prior to a glass top it perfectly held baguettes. As the supply diminished patrons would turn the handle bringing the bread within easy reach
Q; What was that lamp?
A; A fire extinguisher from Italy
Q; Why all the "dog" antiques and no dogs?
A; Because my Corgi's; Cooper, on the left (Cardigan Corgi) and Woofie (Pembroke Corgi) are VERY NAUGHTY AND ILL MANNERED. XXOO......They went to the barn.
A; Not old, maybe 12 years
Q; Who built it?
A; Steve, all by hand, excluding the concrete floor
Q; What is that structure out there?
A; An architectural element I designed AND Steve built
Q; What an unusual birdhouse, where did you get that?
A; At the shop, Steve builds them.......come on! I designed that too!
Q; What is your driveway, brick?
A; Yes, and they are vintage street bricks from Chicago. And yes, if anyone noticed my firm did the landscape AND the brick driveway....not Steve
The latest in fashion forward minded severed tendons...............black, tone-on-tone, CAM-WALKER with AIR-INFLATOR, for your comfort by the push of a blue button! Remember the post on WELLIES? The one with all the options, styles, colors?..........well...........here is my new seasonal little number.......sigh..........
Think I had a premonition? A premonition when I called this event FALL into Christmas?
Lastly, here are some snaps of the shop decorated for Christmas by our very talented staff. Thank you Sarah, Vicky, Susan, Diane, Jenna and Maria!
All Santa's handmade by Dee Gann
NEST candles, the holiday scent is the best! Heard the Godiva Chocolate NEST candles just arrived!
THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE $100.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE IS ANNETTE CARROLL OF GENEVA!
UPCOMING POSTS:
- the "smalls" in my home, where they came from and what they mean to me
- portrait of the artist.....Patrick Rouillier, back from Paris.......you will be amazed, promise!
Debra
