Antique Lamps

Over the past few weeks, we've had several of our antique table lamps re-wired. It started with on of our lamps being quite a challenge to turn on. We would have to turn the switch to just the right point in order for the bulb to come on, which would usually take several turns.

I discovered that this means that the switch is bad and can be a fire hazard because the lamp may be on when the bulb isn't illuminated. 

A more obvious sign that it is time for updates is a tattered cloth cord with exposed wiring. 

Another trick to determine if your cord should be replaced is to bend it in half. If you see cracks form in the bend, it's probably time to update.

We've been replacing our old cloth and vinyl cords with new cloth cords. The reproduction cloth versions come in various colors (my local antique light repairman had a selection of brown, gold and white in his shop).

In addition to updating the cords and plugs, we've also updated bad switches with new three-way switches. I honestly had never considered this before, but it was an option that I thought we'd try. Now that most of our table lamps are three-way lights, I absolutely love the versatility it offers in the lighting a room.

The cost of updating a table lamp has run us between $25 and $35 each, depending on how much gets updated. The cost is well worth it for the peace of mind that safety brings, along with the added aesthetic benefit of the lighting versatility.

A New Painting

19" x 27"

Once it was decided that we would be moving east, we began to review our possessions and started the process of deciding what to keep, and what to sell or give away.

This can be a complicated process but in the end, we adhered to two values. Was the item something we truly loved, or was it useful? Or better yet, did is possess both qualities?

I did this with just about everything - furniture, clothes, linens, and even our art work. I had a regional painting of the Three Sisters in Oregon. Although I thought it was a beautiful painting, it was not something I truly loved. So I took it to our local antique art gallery and sold it.

In its place (although there wasn't supposed to be an acquisition in exchange), I purchased this landscape painting. It absolutely grabbed a hold of me. So I put the value of the Three Sisters towards it, and paid the rest through the gallery's lay-a-way program.

Last week, I finally received the painting. I had forgotten what it looked like actually. I even wondered, especially in the midst of our long move, what on earth I was thinking to purchase something at a time where most of our belongings were in storage.

But when I opened it, I understood once again.

I love the ornate and intricate detail of the gilded frame and the contrasting simpleness and complete calm of the subject matter, which is thought to be Greenwood Lake in New Jersey (from markings on the back of the frame).

Unfortunately, the frame did not withstand shipment across the country and arrived with a few broken pieces. They were clean breaks and likely easily glued. But nonetheless, I took it to a local antique frame restorationist and he mended the pieces back in their place.

In addition to repairing the frame, he also was able to give me some wonderful information on the piece. He believes it to be a painting by the 19th century American landscape painter, Thomas B. Griffin.

I haven't had a chance to further research the piece, but I am excited to learn more.

A New Sconce

Original light was a reproduction tin sconce. 

We replaced it with an $8 sconce I found at our local ReStore (while looking for something else). 

The shade comes from one of the old sconces we used above our fireplace in our old house. 

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND! 

The Upstairs Bathroom

This is the upstairs bathroom in our rental house as it was when we moved in. I was thrilled to see it because it had a lot of great features that could shine with a little TLC. My first thoughts were fresh coat of paint, new ceiling light fixture, replace mirror, and install new light sconces over sink. In addition, the homeowners wanted to replace the bathtub and sink as it has been on their to do list for quite some time, and had already selected new ones. 

So here's a little peek with the new sink and bathtub. 

The sink has a lip on it so it's easier to place things around the basin, which is a nice upgrade. The bathtub matches the lines of the original. After the tub arrived and sat in the dining room waiting for installation, Mike and I pondered out loud to one another how he and the homeowner were going to be able to move it upstairs. We then discovered, to our astonishment, that the tub is fiberglass. 

This before photo looks like a black and white image because the original paint was a light grey. We chose to paint the bathroom white because we had extra paint left from painting the hall and stairwell. The end result gave us a much brighter space. 

We kept the blue floors but added a large throw rug. It comes from Dash and Albert. Dash and Albert rugs are not chemically treated with stain repellants or flame retardants, which is absolutely wonderful. 

I tried all sorts of paintings above the bathtub and settled on The Torn Hat, in this case a reproduction of the original painting by Thomas Sully (1820). The mirror is the first example of our movement to use lighter woods in the house. I really liked the warmth that lighter woods offered in our old guest house, so we're phasing out the dark and adding the light. 

In the end, we opted to not upgrade the ceiling light or replace the sconces. Instead, to save money, we left the ceiling light and simply removed the old sconces. We economized by not replacing the sconces, but they were also off-center from the new sink. Thus covering their wallboxes with blanks and mirror made the best sense to us. 

I added my Grandmother's old buffet for storage (she used to keep napkins and See's candy in it and I can't help but think of that every time I open the drawers). 

Christmas Two Thousand and Thirteen

I hope that everyone had a wonderful and joyous holiday! 

Like some of you, we lost power the night before Christmas Eve due to the major ice storm that swept the Northeast and Midwest. The power came back on Christmas night (thanks to the help of crews from other states to help mend fallen power lines) and we rejoiced. 

Here a few scenes from the last week. 

I bought about a dozen battery-operated candles for the house, which I love! Little did I think that they would also come in handy when the power was out. It's great that they can run all night without worry - I am a huge fan of them. I think that we'll continue to leave a few out throughout the year. 

I started my amaryllis and paper white bulbs about a week before Christmas, so we haven't enjoyed their blossoms quite yet. Perhaps they will be here by the New Year. 

A quiet glimpse into the snowy wonder. 

I never tire of the scene just outside that window. 

I snapped this picture on our Christmas Eve. We postponed the holidays for a couple of days when the power was out, because it was just too hard to keep up with simple tasks of keeping everybody warm and fed. So after we regained power, our delayed Christmas Eve felt extremely warm and cozy - for both heart and soul. 

Here is the living room, enjoying the twinkle of the candles (battery operated) and tree lights. 

My dear friend Kate told me about this lovely Swedish chime candle that she'd been enjoying with her sweet twin boys. I ordered one for our family and our little dumplings just love watching the angels spin around and ring the chimes. We lit it every night, and will continue to until the candles have expired. 

Christmas morning. 

And of course, there's the food...There's always the food. So good. 

Using local organic carrots and butternut squash, Mike made an AMAZING soup. 

AMAZING. We had something similar at one of our favorite local bakeries and our sweet dumplings gobbled it up. 

With a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top, it's especially festive. 

Mike also made some buckwheat pancakes. We have a wheat and egg allergy in our family so we've been exploring new recipes. This recipe requires no added sugar as the pureed dates provide the sweetness. They were fantastic. Locally harvested maple syrup helps make them the perfect breakfast treat. 

There were also sweet potato muffins, which we made for our new neighbors. Mike's last batch (he made four) had a couple of minutes left when the power went out. He also made a special version for us that were wheat and egg free. 

I ended up eating about a half dozen during the power outage. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL! 

xoCatherine 

The Duncan Phyfe - AFTER

My Great Great Grandmother's Duncan Phyfe sofa was reupholstered in white organic duck cloth. Over the original horsehair and burlap, all new organic cotton batting was used throughout the sofa. The cushion is comprised of a custom-made 3-inch 100% natural latex cushion, wrapped in similar organic cotton batting.  

Here is what the sofa looked like before. 

The cosmetic changes that were made to the sofa include replacing the three thin cushions with a single long, cushy one and updating the trim styling. Overall, I think that the white fabric highlights the beautiful lines of the sofa, accentuating the contours of the camel back, the arms and the feet.

In doing away with the three separate cushions, we also made the camel back seam-free. I like the streamlined look much better. The cushion cover is removable for washing, and I also had an extra cover made with the leftover fabric. Instead of the original gimp-style trim, we did a double-piping trim that my upholsterer suggested. I think it offers an elegant simplicity. In addition to the above upholstery, the brass feet and wood trim were polished as well.

Originally, I was going to use throw pillows as accents, but ran into a similar predicament as with the upholstery fabric. I couldn't find chemical-free options (within my budget). So after having the sofa home for a week or so, I decided to do bolsters with the leftover organic duck cloth and cotton batting.

RESOURCES: 

ORGANIC FABRIC: 
I used $14.99/yd organic duck cloth from Sell Fabric. I debated between the white and the prepare-for-dye (PFD) color options. Below, you can see the difference in color.

Using my IKEA Parson slipcovers (which look very white on their own) as a backdrop, I was able to see that there are many shades of white...and not so white. After washing, the prepare-for-dye is exactly the same color as the IKEA slipcover. The manufacturer guarantees that this fabric will fade a shade after washing, so definitely pre-wash it before using if you're not going to dye it.

Undecided, I also asked my dear friend and expert on everything design for her advice. That's right, I asked Joan at for the love of a house. She recommended the warmer white (the off white). She's never wrong.

In the end, the prepare-for-dye was chosen for its white, but not too white, essence.

The decision to use the organic duck cloth came after many conversations with fabric manufacturers. I became pretty frustrated by not being able to get definitive answers regarding whether the materials were chemically treated. Many assured me that their lines were probably not treated, but most just didn't know since their fabrics are made by a third party. The duck cloth was the most affordable guaranteed chemical-free fabric, and that made me love it more and more.

ORGANIC BATTING: 

Organic Cotton Plus - 1-inch thick batting
Online Fabric Store - 2-inch thick batting

The 1-inch batting from Organic Cotton Plus was used for the sofa back and arms, while the 2-inch batting was used to wrap the latex cushion, and for the sofa bolsters. The 2-inch batting is a better deal, but its thickness and narrower width make it less useable for upholstering the whole piece.

LATEX CUSHION: 

I found the 100% natural latex cushion at Foam Source. They specialize in custom orders for projects such as this. The latex is third-party certified 100% natural latex, which is great, as finding a true natural source for the cushion was a challenge. Even soy foam is commonly treated with flame retardants apparently.

However, the most critical component to the success in reupholstering my Great Great Grandmother's sofa was finding the right upholsterer. I spoke to a total of five upholsterers before selecting one. This wasn't intentional but I suppose I was looking for someone who saw the value in using organic materials, saw the essential grace and elegance of the piece, and supported my passion for creating a beautiful but non-toxic piece of furniture for our home. Luckily, I did indeed find that upholsterer.

The coffee table is something I found when running into an antique store (while Mike and the sweet peas waited in the car) to look for a dining table. This is a common occurrence these days...me walking out of a store with something entirely different than what I walked in for. But it was $30, and I thought it would go well with the Duncan Phyfe.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Dear Friends

Natural Fiber Rugs

I have been very happy with our natural fiber rugs. They offer neutrality and durability, and offer a stylish look to a room. We've purchased seagrass, jute, washed jute, and braided jute versions in the past several years. 

They have all been good purchases but after living with them for a while, we definitely have a preference for some over others. 

Our old living room had a washed jute rug with a very thick wool rug pad underneath. We purchased this rug instead of seagrass because it is much more comfortable to sit on. 

We found that the washed jute stained very easily- just plain water in fact. For this reason alone, I probably won't purchase a washed jute rug again.

One of our sweet peas decided it would be fun to spit their cherry smoothie out onto the carpet, throughout the room. Surprisingly, the red stain came up fairly well, but the water used to clean it left a dark spot. Also, water spills from sippy cups or from watering the Christmas tree left dark spots. 

The plain jute rug in our old bedroom was similar in that regard. It was very susceptible to stains, even simple water spills. 

Photo courtesy of Country Living magazine. 

Seagrass on the other hand, which we had in our old dining room, has been indestructible. 

Things that have been spilled or mashed into our seagrass rug are: 

tomato sauce

blueberries, blackberries, raspberries

avocado

banana

cherry smoothies

sweet potato 

All of these cleaned up stain-free. 

Our only complaint with our lovely seagrass rug was that it left dent marks on the fir floors, which is a soft wood. If we had used a rug pad underneath that could have been prevented I'm sure. Also, the texture of the seagrass is coarse, so this type of rug may not be the best choice in all settings. 

Photo courtesy of Country Living magazine. 

The only form of jute that has been as indestructible as the seagrass has been the braided jute, as seen here in our old kitchen. It has received various food and cooking spills, and has always cleaned up really well - with no water marks. It's been relocated to our new kitchen here.   

We just purchased this sisal rug for our new dining room last week. We found it on clearance at our local Home Goods store. I like the fact that it is so light, as this is the darker of the two front rooms in the house. We'll see how it works for us over time.

This photo also shows tremendous progress in our effort to settle into our new home. It may not look like much, so I've attached a glimpse of what the room looked like just a week or so ago. 

Eastlake Mirror

I stopped in at our local ReStore yesterday and found the loveliest Eastlake mirror. I was looking for a full sized bed frame, so not sure (Mike is especially not sure) how I left with a mirror. 

It's in outstanding shape and for $45 I couldn't leave it behind. I actually purchased it with a specific spot in mind, though not on the wall where I took this photograph. I will keep you posted as we continue to finish our painting projects. 

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are not-for-profit retail stores that sell both new and used donated home goods. Their inventory ranges from furniture to appliances, lighting, and many other building materials. All proceeds go to support Habitat's efforts both locally and around the world. 

I first learned of ReStore when following Steve Thomas and his wife Evy's renovation of Sea Cove Cottage. Steve Thomas is spokesman for Habitat for Humanity International. You can follow along with their renovation here. 

Settling In

Between the never-ending tasks of unpacking and sorting, there are moments to pause. 

The quiet ending days of Autumn are so beautiful. 

My dear Joan, stoic as ever, has made such a journey with us. 

She is a constant companion. 

This is her lovely view. 

Late Autumn tidings to all of you. 

A New House (Rental)

Mudroom/Entry 

Dining room. 

Formal living room. The painting is the first thing I moved in. 

Kitchen. 

Kitchen nook. 

Office. 

Upstairs Master Bedroom

These are a few photos of our new house rental. 

Our little cottage by the river has been wonderful over the past four months. We've also especially enjoyed the company of the folks that we rent from and share the property with. Logistically however, the small space created some challenges for us, most specifically with the kitchen, playroom, living and dining area all being in one room. 

So we stumbled upon a nice historic Cape that was available, and decided that it was time to move to something larger that we could live more comfortably in for awhile. 

It will also be nice to unpack our storage unit. We still haven't found our printer! 

Or the charger for our video camera, 

or my Canon Rebel, 

or our little one shot....

We do know that they are somewhere that was very obvious for safe keeping.