This year we moved to a new home in a small town about an hour away from where Ken and I were born and raised. While this may not seem like a big move, it’s quite an adjustment only having one grocery store to choose from. After three years of searching for the perfect historic home for us, we found one to settle in and make our own. A former homeowner completely updated the wiring, plumbing, and basement during an early 2000s remodel. (That was good news for us!) But, the most recent homeowner neglected to keep up with basic historic home maintenance, so we have a lot of things to do, like re-glazing all of the original (working) windows, refinishing the original iron railings (there are a lot of them), and taming the overgrown property full of invasive plants.
In the coming months, I’ll be sharing how we are updating and caring for our almost 85 year old home. Since the major mechanical systems have been updated, many of the updates I’m making are considered cosmetic. I’ll be sharing the planning process and the exact materials I’ve used. The process I’m using and selections that I’m making are timeless, which means they will look wonderful in my home and yours, too.
As you follow along, keep in mind that I am working to create a backdrop that can stay in place for decades to come long after I’m gone. Tile, flooring, and countertop selections are not exact copies of what a homeowner would use in a 1930s home, but they are reminiscent of colors and materials that could have been selected. My home is in a town that would have been very rural and agricultural, so “modern” art deco themes wouldn’t have been used. As I showcase rugs, furniture, and accessories, please remember that I am not aiming to create a museum-like atmosphere. While my style is certainly traditional, I am not actively seeking period pieces to fill my home.
Tomorrow I will be sharing our kitchen remodel, which includes countertops, backsplash, flooring, appliances, and adding an extra lower cabinet. In the meantime, I share quite a bit more on Instagram if you’d like to see more real-time progress. See you then!
Abby