Tuesday, March 13, 2012

next up...

It's time for a new project.
Remember, I am on a mission to finish this house 
and get the piles outta here.
I know, I know
this is so last  year...(read all about it)
I am still pluggin' away; baby steps for sure.

My next project is my entry.
This is what it looked like  a few weeks ago.


It has become the landing spot for all of the leftovers...
So, it was the next logical choice.


The front porch (to the left) is the one area 
we didn't get finished last fall 
when working on the outside of the  house.
It is the priority for the summer, 
as well as sprucing up the landscaping.

No one uses our front door...we want to change that.


Back to the project...one fine morning,...(I blame it on my exercise class...I came home feeling like I could conquer the world)...
I (impulsively) started ripping  wallpaper  off.

(Insert a word of encouragement here:  if you are ever hanging wallpaper...DO your prepwork...use oil-base primer...it made ALL the difference...I had that top floral paper off in 2 hours...by myself!)

By the end of the week, I was here...
paper off and walls painted.
Painted white, of course.


which will lead me to my next post....
To paint or NOT to paint. 
I know, another teaser...
You'll have to come on back.

Thanks bunches for your sweet words of encouragement with my last post...it is so encouraging to know that you all understand...you really would think that after this many years, we would *get* it.  We did have a nice, relaxing weekend away...talk to you soon.

White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805 


53 comments:

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

I want your house! It's beautiful and I can't wait to see how your entry turns out.

Just a little something from Judy said...

I am not sure if I speak for anyone else, but I sure do look forward to when you take on new projects. This seems like a big job as it always does when one removes wallpaper, but I will be waiting to see your magic.

Patsy said...

Rene'...I love your house, and your blog. The house reminds me of our home we lived in in Glen
Ellyn Illinois..a small village west of Chicago. The house had been completely restorde when we bought it...thank goodness. :) It was on Main Street, and historically plaqued, so we felt it really belonged to the village. We worked constantly to keep it "tourist pretty". We loved living in our Victorian house ..older homes are very special! I am a new member of your blog! Patsy

from me to thee......... said...

wow, that is alot of work, I thought the paper was pretty, but now that it is gone, LOVE the simplicity of it. Just like the exterior, love the white! I have been on a mission to declutter also, hard work, but well worth it! I am staying tuned...........

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Oh my--I think my heart skipped a beat when I saw your house...had to make sure it was yours and not something you pinned:) I LOVE your house--it is like my dream house. That front door is gorgeous! I am going to pin some of your images for my dream house board. Hope that is okay. TFS!

debi said...

Oh, it looks so fresh and pretty! Can't wait to see what you do next!

Victorian1885 said...

Wow...I can't wait to see how you finish the walls! Enjoy your week!

Wanda

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Glad you had a nice weekend away. I have been married to the love of my life for almost 16 years (half the time you and your mister have been together), and let me tell you, we struggle. Some days are good, some not so good, but I choose to keep plugging away and I think he does too. Thanks for being so real in your last post (and others as well). It is one of the reasons I like to come and visit with you. I loved your entryway before, I can't wait to see what your after looks like.

Hugs,
Judy

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

That entry is looking amazing. With a staircase like that, you don't need much decoration. I also love your front door. All the detail should be showcased!

NanaDiana said...

Oh- Looking so much better already! I can't wait to see what you are doing...you are SUCH a tease! xo Diana

Annesphamily said...

You are an ambitious girl! Hee Hee! I love the entryway! The paint looks so fresh and clean.
You have a lovely home. Keep sharing and know you encouraged me to keep downsizing too!
I hope you will stop by and read my quilt post. Trying to get a quilt together for a dying little girl. The thought of them losing her is heartbreaking enough but the quilt perhaps can give them an ounce of comfort. At least they would know so many cared.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

WOW!!! You have a wonderful home and I'm sure enjoying your makeovers!
Deb

June said...

Hi Rene,
I am so excited to see inside your gorgeous house again. I love how your kitchen turned out and I know your entry will knock our socks off too!!!

I loved reading the post before this one. It wasn't all roses for us for a few short years of our marriage either. The years that we had four of our six children in their teenage years at the same time and us searching for a diagnosis for Landon was the toughest time we ever went through. I am surprised we lived through it at all. Sometimes I tease Dale that the only reason he toughed it out was the lack of money to pay child support for all our kids. I am actually thankful that we went through that tough time, because we have been so much closer the past fifteen years. Closer than we ever would have had we not gone through it. It is a kind Lord who uses trials to test us until we bend to His will.
When I wake up in the mornings I am always amazed at how wonderful my life is now. I guess it's because I remember how hard it was for about a five year stretch until we realized how blessed we were to have been given the hard things to strengthen us.
I didn't mean to write a book here :)

Every time I see a photo of your home I SIGH. I hope to see it again in person someday.
sending hugs...

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Wow you have been busy. I am so afraid to think that the paint or not to paint is the woodwork....I am so old fashion...and I wouldn't touch it...but I know it is the thing to do now...and either will be beautiful...just don't tell me till it is done!!

Unknown said...

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for your entry way!

EllenaElizabeth said...

How exciting. What a beautiful old dame of a house you have. I love where you put the on point window near the stairs. Is there a storage area under your stairs with a door in the room behind? I love house renos and restorations. Just so exciting. Thanks for sharing.

Diane said...

I'm looking forward to your entrance redo. I know it's going to be wonderful. Hope things are looking up for you. God bless, Diane

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Wow, you go Rene! You really did a number on that entrance. I can't wait to see what it's going to look like when it's done! I love your house! ~Stacy~

Barbara Jean said...

Oh I LOVE that front door!!

And our house is wonderful.
What a difference with the wallpaper out of there.

blessings
barbara jean

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

Your house looks amazing!
... love what you've done so far :)

Greetings from Australia♥

Pamela Gordon said...

I love your front entry way. Well, I love your whole house too! What a difference with the paper gone. It's going to be gorgeous when you're done. Love that old front door too! Hugs, Pamela

Unknown said...

Oh, my...so glad you did away with the paper...looks a ton better. Can't wait to see what you do next. These old beauties always need some TLC! I've got one...I know.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Your home is stunning! A dream come true! Congratulations on 32 wonderful years of marriage! I married my high school sweetheart also!

Lady Pamela said...

I am so proud of you. Taking the baby steps and the big steps. You are an inspiration to so many people, myself included. May God bless you richly.

Karen Valentine said...

Oh boy did that freshen up the space!! It looks fabulous! I always love that feeling after a big project is finished, when I can stand back and look at what was accomplished. It looks fabulous Rene!
xo,
Karen

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

You house is a treasure. We live in Southern California and I wish I could fix up a house like yours. Can't wait to see what wonderful things you do. New Follower.

Jody

mudderbear said...

I love that door...so much!!! It's just beautiful and I hope you keep it.
I'm looking forward to watching your big transformation.

Anonymous said...

It looks beautiful! Please don't paint the wood! I feel like that's what's on your mind.

Sandi said...

Okay now I KNOW I am losing my mind. I know I read this post yesterday , but can't find where I left a comment so here I am again! lol

I so enjoy watching you transform your house. I have so many things I want to do to ours and am getting kinda impatient, but that is life I guess. Hubby has been working long , hard hours and that leaves little time for my wants, but one of these days it will happen. I think our whole house needs a makeover!!
Blessings~

❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ said...

I totally understand the piles at the bottom of the stairs. We don't use our upstairs except for my sewing/craft room and I always have a pile of things that need to go up there. Taking several things at once is much easier than making a trip each time!!
I'm the same way when I get a thought in my head about getting something done. Jump in with both feet and take off running before I change my mind. LOL. Looking forward to seeing what you want to do with that area.

Amy Kinser said...

I would use your front door because I would just want to stare at it for a few minutes. Can't wait to see what you do in your entryway. Those floors are gorgeous and your house is amazing.

Always love your projects. Exercise away, my friend, so you will have plenty of energy.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

I am sure you are going to create an entry way that is beautiful, warm and welcoming...just like you!

Cindy said...

I love your staircase, it looks nice in it's creaminess right now.
I look forward to seeing what you do, I know it'll be gorgeous.
Yes, you would think that we would get it after a couple or more decades of living with the same man. Unfortunately, we still expect something different. Gotta love it!:)Hugs, Cindy

Little Bit said...

What a beauty! I'm now following you on LF...hope you'll follow me too! Little Bit from DecorateWithaLittleBit.com

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

What a difference it made to rip that wallpaper off. Beautiful house and stairway. Visiting from Common Ground. Hope you're having a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

time worn interiors said...

Wow! You got a lot done in a short time! I don't think I will ever get my house put back together! I just can't find the time.

Happy Anniversary!

tot

Curtains in My Tree said...

Your house is a dream of mine I always wanted an old house like yours

I think paint will do the job just fine. It will lokk like a magazine spread when your done

Ivy and Elephants said...

Rene, I know you are going to work your magic here as well. Your style is impeccable! I can't wait until you're done.
Thanks for linking. Keep plugging away and we'll keep cheering you on!
Hugs,
Patti

Tracy said...

I have begun some of my best work on impulse! Sometimes you have to strike while your courage is high, because it might take some time to come back again. Can't wait to see how the entry comes out. And your front door is just fabulous. :)

Katie said...

Oh my gosh! I love your house...XoXo

Anne said...

I love that white.It really brightened that area up.And I see the details on your wall now.So pretty I can't wait to see the rest.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Oh, Rene, I just LOVE your house! I adore older homes and you have a real beauty there! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your nice comment. I am a new follower and I look forward to my visits. Have a lovely weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Dianne said...

Rene, they may be baby steps, but YOU are making a difference!!! Way to go!
I love coming to your blog to see the lovelies you have put together!

Unknown said...

I love your front door - it is just gorgeous. I think you have a great entry and I am sure it will look beautiful when it is done!

the old white house said...

ooooo I can't wait to see it when you put more of your special touch on it! t.xoxoxo

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Your house looks beautiful, I so love the staircase! Can't wait to see how your entry turns out too! Thank you for coming Gracie and for the lovely comments you left me. I'm going to follow you, hope you like to do the same, as I want to make a new giveaway as soon as I have 300 followers. Happy Sunday.
FABBY

Wild Oak Designs said...

Darling house that is worth the wait! Love the detail on the wainscoting...is that paper or??
You had lots of energy to take off paper....good grief!
Great job, I am definitely staying in touch...
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

That looks so great...the entryway looks so much larger now! When the wallpaper comes down easy like that, it's actually FUN to remove!

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Well...my friend, we have no "talked" to each other for a good while...I am GLAD you stopped by and said hi. You have indeed made progress in your getting your house in "order"...whatever..order is for each of us. I know mine is appropiately named "delightful clutter" for a reason !!
I am jealous of your sweet old home.
Rose

Bohemian said...

You totally inspire me to keep plugging at my Great Edit & Purge of 2012. I too am making slow progress, but at least it IS progress. *Winks* The "Letting Go" has been more effortless this year, perhaps it was finally time. It has helped that I got that Booth at the Antique Mall so what is exiting is also earning $$$! *LOL* And what is entering I'm being much more discerning about. I'm ADORING your Beautiful Victorian Home... it is like something out of a Fairy Tale, how awesome it must be to Style such a place. I saw a Throne-Like Chair {in today's Post} that would be awesome in such a magnificent Home! But I shall not further contribute to your delinquency *smiles* since you're doing such a great job of your Edit & Purge... and dying to know if you paint or not???

Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

PCovi said...

I was prepared to hear a scary wallpaper story and yours came right off :) Huge sigh of relief!
Man it looks nice and fresh now!
Your kitchen is awesome....I've stared and stared.
Yes, to the marriage thing...as always, we must depend on God and not ourselves...he'll multiply a good thing like crazy...I get tickled thinking about it!

Malissa said...

I love the banister in your home. The front door is beautiful. If you redo the door. I hope you keep most of the original character.
Take Care
Missy

On Crooked Creek said...

Rene,
WoW...removing your wallpaper and painting really brighten up your entry! This is a gorgeous space. I can hardly wait to see what you do with the space! It's going to marvelous, darling!!!
Fondly,
Pat