Well, I am slowly but surely making progress, LOL....but somehow I thought I'd have more done in the 5 months I've lived here.

For those of you who don't know me, I finally decided to get out of the city and move to the country, a dream I've had for years now. I sold my house in Rhode Island, and headed to the Sunflower State. Found a house for $42K, and am re-doing it, head to toe. I've already done a lot of planting outside; there are hundreds of feet of flower beds along the house, and the perimeter of the property.

Here are pics of my bedroom...seems that no matter what camera I use, I can't do the color justice; the walls are a darker shade of periwinkle. It is very soothing, and I've already purchased all the linens/throw pillows in various light blues, lavenders, cream, and sage green. I have several antique dressers I will be using in this room, so all I have to buy is the bed....I'm going with a Shaker-style full size model (it's only going to be me in it for at least ten years, LOL), and a huge leather steamer trunk at the foot of it for blanket/quilt storage.

And yes, on that table there are piles of movies that won't fit in the storage centers in the living room ;)

The only thing that would make it more soothing is some soft carpet for the feet :D

*runs before she gets smacked for knocking hard wood*

looks very nice....i bet it will be BE-UTIFUL!

Maybe area rugs? I am a big fan of wood floors. I too like the soft feel of carpet on the feet, but area rugs work for me. It looks great! I had to laugh when you said you thought you would be further along in the 5 months, well, we have been here over 10 years, and it is an ever evolving process! LOL Matter of fact, my daughter in law and two of my grandkids have spent the last two day helping me work on revovating the kitchen. Again. I love it, and hopefully my husband will recognize it when he comes home. LOLOL

These pics are of the dining room.....the color is "Loganberry", and I have to say, it's my favorite ever. I've always loved bold colors--I like a room that makes a statement! The sunlight in these photos tends to distort the color a bit, but it's a cross between burgundy and a very dark rose. The hardwood floors (entire house has them) are just gorgeous, and I've got a contractor lined up to lighten and refinish them as soon as all the painting is done.

The dining room is on the small side, so I bought a cherry dining set that is meant for 4-6 people. But the room has a lot of character; the French door, the built-in bookcases, the huge entry into the living room....it's the first thing I fell in love with when I initially saw the house.

I have new switchplates, and new light fixtures still to put in; two aluminum drop-down shades with dimmer switches, and they're going right where the old one is....directly over the table.

The first pic is how the dining room looked when I bought the house....the previous owners had EVERY room painted white, and way too much "country" type clutter....yuk :eek: Boooorrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiing!

wow I love that color...and I am luvin' the curio in the corner....you should be proud of yourself! Can't wait to see more pics!

I LOVE that color...

and now I know where to find the car keys when I come visit :D

*hears phone ringing*

What a BEAUTIFUL home! I'm a big fan of bold color too, and I've always wanted hardwood floors. Carpet is WAY too high maintenance for country living! Congratulations, you've done a great job and should be proud!

I love the dining, that color is fantastic and I am so jealous of your hardwoods! You're doing a great job.

Love Love Love your home! Can you come here and decorate mine - mine is currently I guess you would say "Shabby Chic" with the emphasis on the shabby! French doors, built-in bookcases, hardwood floors -my dream! You have a true eye for color (and i can't believe that you can buy a house for that price-amazing- is that just a fantastic deal?)

Actually, DLM, that's about average for a home in this town. The house next door is for sale, priced at $40K...the only difference is they have a storm shelter instead of a full basement.

There are some newer, high-end homes out on the main highway, US281...but even those are only in the $150K range. They come with land parcels of 10-20 acres, and many have a private access road. Those same houses back in New England would fetch $400K without a doubt.

This is a completely rural area, which means it is not desirable for younger, urban folks....that tends to keep the population down.

As for the decorating....I am now in the living room, which will be medium khaki with cream trim. The fireplace is done, and I'm currently scraping wallpaper border that was sealed with CrazyGlue, apparently. Ouch, my arms :(

After that, the kitchen will go from white and sky blue (yuk, yuk, yuk) to a golden sunflower yellow with royal blue trim.

I'll post pics as the progress unfolds...

WOW...your house is coming along GREAT.
its beautiful.


~missing

I absolutely love the color you did the dining room and especially with the hard wood floors!

Deb

Okay, here is the finished entry hall...it is the same khaki color the living room will be.

Sorry for the crappy pics; by the time I realized they weren't clear enough, I had already put away the camera. The living room shots will be better; more light. Still, you can get a feel for the color, I think.

I want this place done already! LOL!

WOW.....I love the way that color draws out the doors. And those super high ceilings

Cant wait to see the living room

beautiful ...great taste in choices.....
those corner built ins are really nice ....do be careful if you use area rugs on the wood floors ...my house is all wood floors and my experience is depending on the backing they tend to scratch the finish on the floors and dull them up pretty quick.Yes even on polyurethane high gloss finish.I go over mine every four days or so with a wet swiffer and murphys oil soap (the spray dispenser one) of course after vacuuming.Every type of area rug that was ever tried also had us slipping, you wouldn't want to fall out there all by yourself....

all the wood in the house is very attractive.....keep me posted on the floor refinishing I've gotten two rooms that need it and recently I saw a home improvement show where they "pickled" theirs and it looked real nice afterward.

do you have any leaded glass window panes ? my house is full of them and I need some repaired and having no luck with that at all.....dying craft I guess.

Love that khaki color with the wood- so calm and restful. Looking forward to seeing more!

PRetty!!

Susan,

Honestly, your house is EXACTLY what I pictured. I LOVE all the bright colors! I especially like the wood floors and the built in cabinets.

Did you get the mantle put back together? WHERE, OH WHERE, IS THE PTO PICTURE MENAGERIE?

Ok, living room all done...now I'm in the kitchen. Probably the most challenging part so far, trying to work in a small space as well as dealing with all the cabinets/hardware.

I will post full before and after pics soon, but in the meantime....attached is a magazine layout with the exact colors I am doing the kitchen. Two shades of golden sunflower, sponged, and white trim for windows/doors. Also, I am using the same blue in the window treatments (but not those treatments, yuk!) on the trim between the cabinets...eventually, I plan to have the countertops redone in a similar color. A stainless steel sink with a gooseneck faucet, and the Mexican tile you see pictured.....I am so psyched :D

Ordinarily, yellow is not my favorite color...but something about these shades is so inviting, so cheerful. Can't you see spending all Saturday afternoon, puttering around in there? LOL!

NIIIIICE!!!! all of it! makes me want to go house hunting in the Midwest

Well, has (or anyone else)...if you think you could stand having ME for a neighbor, LOL....the attached beauty just went up for sale:

It is about a block north of me, asking price--$32,000! (4 beds, 1 bath, 1/2 an acre, and all the country living you could want)

Nice living room! Looks great!

Oh Irish you don't know how tempting that house is and what a price I could actually afford and an awesome neighbor :) Unfortunatly I'm a big chicken and a Mamas girl so probably couldnt leave!! Although a huge life change might do me good!!!!!

I like the house and the price Irish although I've decided when we move again it's to an even more rural area than we're at now or than that is.... I want a bigger piece of land and more privacy..... Besides, my hubby's here but that house is awesome for the price!

Deb

Oh I would go in a second if I didn't have commitments here-having you for a neighbor would be incredible!(Try living in 'almost suburbia' here :( ) That house for sale is like a dream for me and your kitchen is going to be almost the same color as mine is now(but my yellow was called 'Provence Yellow'-just love the names of paint colors :D )

Okay, here are the living room photos.....

1. Fireplace, long view. I love the wooden blinds, and the little portico cutout to the left of the fireplace...there are several of those throughout the house. It used to be a serving window years ago, directly through to the kitchen (which is behind that wall).

2. This is the truest photo of the paint color (eeek, have to decide on the outlet/light switch plates still!)

3. My sloppy and (obviously way too small!) desk, which is about to be replaced :D

Hopefully, kitchen photos soon to follow......

Your house is beautiful.. I love all the paint colors you are using....

I would love to be able to move somewhere and buy a house for 32,000.. Once my kids grow up I am out of this state...

As JustLisa has already said - your house is beautiful! I LOVE it and you certainly have a talent/eye for interior decorating - have you thought of starting your own business doing that? So looking forward to more photos-thanks for inspiring me!

Susan,
I wouldn't buy a larger desk, try something like an armore where you can put your computer, papers and everything in it, then when you are done, you just shut up the cabinets and everything is put away.

We have one made with a cherry finish. JMO!

BTW, I LOVE YOU HOUSE AND EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING TO IT!

Patty

I love renovations. I cannot wait to buy a house next year. Right now I am doing the paying off debt to buy a house renovation. Otherwise as a financial overhaul. I have been buying all kinds of decorating and do it yourself books so I cna really really buy a cheap house and redo it myself. Hopefully, Ron can help me if things go well with good time. He is very excited. I really want to buy this house, pick this house, and make this house OUR home together.
From one Irish to another your home looks great. It just needed your touch to make it a home and that you have done.

why is it I cant se any of these pictures... it says access not allowed?

I am wanting ideas.. but I cant see the pictures..........:(

Definitely throw in "soft" elements like carpets, rugs, large curtains. Have yo considered painting a wall or two in very bold colors (like yellow)? These would really add character to any room.

Well, has (or anyone else)...if you think you could stand having ME for a neighbor, LOL....the attached beauty just went up for sale:

It is about a block north of me, asking price--$32,000! (4 beds, 1 bath, 1/2 an acre, and all the country living you could want)


I would ABSOLUTLY LOVE that house! Unfortunately I am about $32, 000 short!

It IS a beautiful house, just what I want.