Tag Archives: renovation

the farm: the bathroom, take two

The bathroom off of the kids playroom is now clearly the nicest bathroom in the house. The decision to work on this bathroom came from me quite some time ago before demo of the other downstairs bathroom (which still remains that way). My husband and I were just so undecided on what to do with…

15 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Michelle

    Love it!!! When I moved into my first apt, I found a paper from the 30’s with the exact same date as the day I found the paper… wierd!!!

    ReplyCancel

  • Susan

    AMAZING!!!ReplyCancel

  • Michele

    Looks great…love the ceiling and the old newspaper- hope you’re keeping that.ReplyCancel

  • You guys did such an amazing job…really impressive. I love that mirror. The imperfections are what make it charming! Which Red Bank antique store did you find that? I usually spend too much time in that has a gravelly parking lot but I never find anything like this in there.

    Personally, I don’t think the prints work that well in here. But if you love the circus theme one, maybe move that one over the toilet and get rid of the old man one? The frames are beautiful and work perfectly.

    I bet you could find a great rug in the same shades in the room at Home Goods.ReplyCancel

  • Hope

    Laura…it’s looks AWESOME! And I love both of the paintings you picked. Gorge! That mirror is FAB! Great work on yours and Jimmy’s part!ReplyCancel

  • jen

    as always, you rock!
    it looks awesome! good team!ReplyCancel

  • Thank you, thank you!

    Mrslimestone –
    yes, indeed I need a rug! The mirror was from the exact store you mention. I love it in there – I end up there often, simply because it’s easy – but this time I was there with a purpose and for once I found something I actually loved, which is not common. I was actually thinking of hanging some old map of the area from their artwork section, have you sifted through those? I found the mirror in the back right booth. I’ll have to try the hanging suggestion also.

    Hope – thanks for your comments! I’m glad I am not the only one to see the charm in these works although I’m still on the fence about the grandpa one. I have my work throughout pretty much the rest of the house in some manner or another and I really wanted to just “hang something different” here.

    Michele – of course I’m going to keep it! Should I shadow box it? 😉 I wonder if there are any interesting ways to display old newspapers without using the standard shadow boxes.ReplyCancel

  • Wow, that is some renovation. I love the sink console and the exposed wooden beams. And I think the idea of a framed old map would be a great addition to that room – it has the right “feel” I think.ReplyCancel

  • Thanks Becky!

    I love the Beams too! That main beam (the lower one) felt a bit odd but I’m getting used to it now.ReplyCancel

  • Joe & Maryann

    Beautiful job guys we are very impressed! Actually, we would not expect anything less. I love everything about it, the colors, the sconces, the art work, the sink cabinet, the faucet and especially the mirror. The mirror is definitely a great find and a great center piece. A map of the area would be very cool and the old news papers you found while renovating that particular room would be even cooler. Hope you find a cool way to display the news papers and we can’t wait to see what you come up with. Good Luck with all the upcoming renovations and hope your Boo Boo is better!ReplyCancel

  • so I abandon my faithful blog reading for a week or so and you post the motherload of entries! SHEESH! I need to catch up. I totally chuckled ever so slightly at your splinter, ONLY because Eric did a similar thing with macaroni……..
    Eric had to have an emergency “hand” procedure……….like done by a hand surgeon. He was scraping a piece of dried macaroni off of a plate that went through the dishwasher, Penne to be exact, and the shard of petrified pasta pierced through his finger, ya know that painful area under your nail, where the finger/skin meets the nail. All the way to the nail bed. OUCH! When he tried to pull it back out a piece broke off and got stuck in there. he was in pain and, well, he let it fester for a few days and then came the swelling, redness and lets just say it got infected and abscessed. It was highly NOT pretty looking……..he’s lucky they only had to remove the nail to drain the infection.ReplyCancel

  • Barbara

    Laura,

    As usual, a beautiful job. The color is great – I wouldn’t change a thing except add a rug. Paper towel? What WERE you thinking? LOLReplyCancel

  • Rosalie

    you are an inspiration!!!ReplyCancel

  • aunt poppy

    I love the “roundness” of the room (LOL) really you two did an amazing job! very cool sink fixture! Beams really add charm and flavor of the “farm-ness” keep on going! xo poppyReplyCancel

  • Paulina & Christian Gravier

    Hi Laura. So glad the color worked out for you. The bathroom looks fabulous. Looking forward to seeing you soon!!!! We’ll be in touch shortly.ReplyCancel

the farm: the bathroom, take one

This blog post has been a long time coming, well, not this one, but the one that will follow it (with all the nitty gritty details for which you have to request the password). For this post, I’ll attempt to satisfy the blog readers that are just happy with basic before and afters. For everything…

6 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Great job. The ceilling looks amazing! Did you uncover that?

    If I may add my 2 cents, I think you need something that takes up more space on the yellow wall. The picture you have hanging is totally throwing the room off balance for me.ReplyCancel

  • I agree completely. Add more things or remove completely??? I’m at a standstill here.ReplyCancel

  • If you have something larger (or a collection of smaller things) to hang, then definitely. There is a lot going on the one side and the blank space looks odd to me. Maybe add a rug too? (And this is totally the kettle caling the pot b/c I don’t have a single thing hung in my bathroom nor am I making any strides to getting that task done!)ReplyCancel

  • Ceiling!! WOW! And that mirror…I *love* it. We just looked at that faucet (or something similar) last week at Lowe’s in Eatontown — I’ll have to show your picture off so the man can see it “in action.” What make is yours? (and did you get locally?)

    And I love the prints…both of them. I wonder if you add a rug only if that would help you feel more at one with the wall? I would pull one in from another room just to see.ReplyCancel

  • Yes! I think the faucet was Pfister? Not sure exactly sorry! I got it locally 😉

    I have no rug that will FIT in this room right now!

    Mrs. Limestone – I have to say, I could use an ottoman similar in size to the ones you were looking at for this room. Good place to put a bag down or something.ReplyCancel

  • hi Laura,
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us. We recently purchased a home that is in need of major updo’s. I’ve spent all summer peeling wallpaper and getting walls painted, switching out hardware, etc. but i see a long road ahead. It is comforting to see bloggers that don’t just move in and make it perfect in a month. I look forward to seeing your ideas. Have an outstanding day.

    BTW, enjoy your snow! We are going to reach 78 degrees tomorrow in San Antonio, Texas. Most annoying…ReplyCancel

the farm: my office update

Finally! I’ve made some progress on decorating my home office. Still much left to do but I think I’ve come to a point where I can at least post a notice to myself on what needs to change in here. I’ll post two before images and for those that want to see in better detail…

5 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Looking lovely. I especially like the chandelier 🙂ReplyCancel

  • That looks SO great. I’m going to buck convention and say that you need something totally minimalist for your desk. But yet something with weight and an organic presence. Something like these:

    http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11155/index.cfm?pkey=cfurhofdsk

    or a laquered white parsons desk.ReplyCancel

  • LOL…I was going to recommend Mrs. Limestone’s desk in her recent post. And here she is! 🙂

    I can NOT believe how great your office looks, and wow those shears open the room up so much. It almost makes me want to work! I also like the idea of something minimal since you have some fancy pieces already — I just checked and the “Spotlight” desk is on sale and Crate & Barrel…I like the “crossed legs” design but just not sure this particular desk will work with those very regal chairs! When we closed on our house, our lawyer had very similar — and said he found them IN THE TRASH at a Mason’s Temple outside of Red Bank (Fair Haven) several years ago.ReplyCancel

  • Mrs. Limestone – Nothing like a little bit of sparkle in your day 😉 I want to hang chandeliers in every room lately.

    Becky – I’m surprised. Clean lines, open. I’m surprised because I like it – it probably does need something like that.

    Shore-Chic Laura – Ah, Mrs. Limestone has indeed fabulous taste 😉 ! You know, I think I’m just now getting used to the main elements in the room, I’m not particularly sold on any of the furniture in this room right now. The chairs need to be painted *something* – and since I have such a play on whites (3 whites, 3 finishes), I need to have something cheery. The finish of these chairs is too dark for my taste. If they are to work in here they must be changed. I need to start doing some fabric research but based on my current work/life schedule that won’t be happening anytime soon. Another great recommendation in the Spotlight Desk.

    I really appreciate everyone’s input, this place can become a bit overwhelming to say the least.ReplyCancel

  • Um, ok. This might be the most fantastic office I’ve ever seen. To say that I’m jealous would be an understatement! You’ve got fantastic taste.ReplyCancel

the farm: the parlor | take 3

We’re not happy with the paint color in the parlor. Not to mention – it really doesn’t even look like a parlor at all. Here are some images from the old parlor post. These are the “afters”, so definitely check out the original blog post if you haven’t already. We didn’t buy this furniture for…

5 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Do you have some options for the couch you’re considering? It might be easier to paint with the couch in mind rather than picking out a couch after the color is selected.

    Just my personal style but for a room on the main floor, I’d say go with something very neutral. You can add color pops with accent pieces. Since you have a beautiful ceiling, anything too attention grabbing on the wall might detract from that detail.ReplyCancel

  • Jenny

    Hi Laura, I followed you from my sister’s blog (casacaudill). I love your old farmhouse and what you’ve done with it so far. 🙂 Your photography is also breathtaking!ReplyCancel

  • Hi Jenny! Thanks for your kind words – always nice to hear, and thank you for stopping by!

    Mrs. Limestone – I have NO IDEA where I’m going with this room right now. We’ve had the Macy’s credit for some almost a year (after fighting for 2 years to get it). A miserable experience I would like to try to forget.

    This all being said I am going to scour the plethora of magazines I have for ideas. I’m not against painting the ceiling molding either – we’re planning to do that in the dining room. I saw some ideas of light ceiling trim with a darker shade on the actual ceiling – which gives the impression of higher ceilings – which is what I ultimately want ;-).

    What scares me is that I have been back to Macy’s furniture twice and have yet to find anything that remotely interests me. Hopefully in the next month I will find something new there!

    ReplyCancel

  • Okay, I actually really like the color in the photos. But it could just be the photo because let’s face it, you’re an amazing photographer. 🙂

    As for couches and Macy’s – don’t get me started. I hate those effers and will never order another piece of furniture from them again. I might buy straight from what’s in stock, but never a special order. After our couch was several months late they finally gave in and gave us a gift certificate. Couldn’t cover the cost of a couch, but it was put to good use in getting an $$$ down comforter that I am in love with, a Coach purse, and an espresso machine, so I guess I can’t complain too much.

    Our couch is by Lee and I consider it to have deep seating. I’m also in love with the fabric because I can take it off and throw it in the washer and it never stains. Very useful for any home with animals or kids. It’s not the softest when you first get it (after all, it’s Sunbrella fabric which is traditionally outdoor fabric) but after 2-3 washes was perfect. I LOVE our couch and think it’s the most comfortable one I’ve ever sat in, so you might want to ask your local Macy’s what they have in the way of models from Lee. We checked out a few but given our loft size the one we got was the biggest and best option. Now of course it is totally oversize for our bungalow but I love it too much to get rid of.

    Good luck! I know how hard it is to choose the exact right paint color (I’m still lamenting our dining room).ReplyCancel

  • Thanks Becky!

    Macy’s has really stunk for me in the past, but since I’m getting a “free” or rather “replacement” sofa (for unequal value mind you – my sofa has been discontinued and they’re giving me less than face value) so I MUST deal with them since the credit is sizable and the sofa is the only thing they will replace! In other words, it makes no sense checking out dining room furniture ;-).

    I went this evening and snapped some cell phone shots (which can serve as tomorrow’s Cell Shots of the Day – talk about multi-tasking), but I didn’t see this post before and I must go back anyway. Apparently they’re “All about change” at Macy’s these days, bringing in Martha Stewart Collection (which looked rather nice) and they’re having their huge “Designer Show” the 3rd week in July (for anyone near a Macy’s Furniture Gallery, check out their dates).

    So, I’m getting on the horn with Macy’s Monday and making sure I have until at least then – I want to see the new stuff!

    They did have several sofa’s I was interested in, will post shots of those later.

    I must admit, I’m pretty scared to deal with them again, but if I must, I’ll try to look at the bright side.

    Re: Lee couch – Sunbrella fabric? I’m familiar with that fabric, but I’ve never heard of it being used indoors actually! I’m off to see if I can sneak a peak somewhere on your blog.ReplyCancel