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Sunday, February 22, 2009

the half bath- updated...

The main floor of the farmhouse needed a half bath, so we added it off of the barn room. The room measures 5 x 7' and will have a new two-over-two window, just like those in the ell in the photo. It will eventually be painted the same color as the farmhouse and ell, and will visually go away! It is very common to see antique New England homes that have been added-onto time and time again; these little bump-outs just add charm and character!. The house and ell will be a classic New England white and the barn will be a driftwood gray.



While antiquing down the road in Massachusetts a couple of days ago, we came across this wonderful antique marble basin top and back splash! The space was having a 20% off sale, so it was only $76! But.... $76 isn't a good deal unless we knew what we were going to use as a base. We decided to think about it.



We thought about it for about one minute while we walked to another space about six spaces down and Dan found this cutie! We will take the wood top off and place the marble on top. Did I mention the wood top was exactly the same size as the marble! It was meant to be, and was only $126 after the 30% off sale the dealer was having! I haven't even begun to contemplate colors for the barn room, but I'm initially thinking black or a gray for this piece. It has these really sweet original wooden tassel-like pulls.



This small barn door (with it's original iron hardware- isn't it cool?!) will be the faux door for the outhouse. For privacy there will be an actual door, but this will be moved and hung over the door from the barn room to the half bath. (And if you like this one wait until I show you what we're doing with the huge barn door and hardware!)
From this viewpoint of standing in the barn room facing West you also see: (1) the floor (at the top of the photo) of what will be an enclosed loft- in other words, it does not open into the barn room (2) the room on the left will have stairs coming up from the new garage below, a staircase leading up to the aforementioned loft and a bench and coat rack (using the original hooks from the barn) (3) the room on the right will be a large storage room (the opening you are looking into will be closed off.)



The iron gates for the barn room. Once installed they will be in the opening to the left of the sliding door in the above photo; dividing the barn room from what we are calling the Barn mudroom. I thought Patti would like to see them again!!!



Some other projects happening today... Two plumbers, two plaster guys, and a finish carpenter are working inside, and on the outside- the exterior shingles are going up! You can't see it in this photo, but the farmhouse and ell has a "skirt" to it that flares out on the bottom. I have never seen this on a house before, but it is absolutely precious. This is the area the guys are working on in the photo. They had to soak shingles inside (it was too cold outside), so they could contour them to make them fit the skirt. The framers are making the awning for over the kitchen mudroom door. There will be two large granite steps off of the door.



The floor above the barn door where the old window is covered up is now our new master closet! That window is boarded up and will be shingled in anticipation of the chimney chase for the Barn Room fireplace. On each side of that boarded window we are adding two, two-over-two awning-style opening windows that will be in the master closet! I'm a fresh air girl and the thought of having opened windows and natural light in a closet makes me one happy girl!


Update:
The very night we got home from purchasing the marble basin top and base I googled "12-inch round sinks" to see what the damage would be for a sink. About the third entry was a Craigslist listing for a 12" round sink! Now I've had this happen before when looking at various items, but the listing would always be clear across the country, but this was in Boston- only 1 1/2 hours away! Oh, and it was old (a new, bright, shiny one would have been wrong with my antique marble top) and was $10!! Isn't it the cutest little thing?!


So yesterday, we drove to Boston. The owner lived in Beacon Hill, and all I can say is OMG, I'm in love. If I were to live in a big city, and I couldn't live in Paris then I'm living in Beacon Hill! The architecture of the homes is amazing. My pictures do not do it true justice.

12 comments:

  1. OH, OH, OH...I can't get ENOUGH of this soon to be GORGEOUS place!!

    Every detail is so fullof thought and detail and love. Amazing.

    LOvin' the outhouse and your great patina'd finds! Those barn doors. SWOON! The whole lay out sounds amazing. Those gate doors...are ya kiddin!!!

    I CAN NOT wait to see the final unveiling of this gem. Can. Not. Wait!

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  2. WOW!!! i just Love everything-- your vision is incredible and seeing it come together is amazing. What serendipity on the countertop and vanity and what exquisite taste! I cannot wait to see the final product. soooo beautiful. Did i mention I love the doors?!

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  3. WOW you have been busy....you're putting me to shame. I love it all and am jealous of all your antique finds. Maybe I need to get out and poke around a bit more.

    Did the gates move with you from Texas? Beautiful! And I envy all your windows....I am a fresh air girl too, and that is a problem I am having here - those stained glass windows may look pretty but they are "bit" hard to open ....ya think?

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  4. Joan, what wonderful progress y'all are making. I love your use of found objects -- and what deals you've found!

    Have a great weekend.

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  5. TOOOOOO FABULOUS!

    Susan

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  6. I do love seeing the iron doors again! And I am still seething with jelousy! I can believe you find such fabulous things, because as your sister,I have seen you do this over and over again. BUT, for the rest of us in the world who are paying top dollar for stuff, must you rubbed it in for the little you have paid!!!
    Did you and the contractor kiss and make-up? Everything is looking wonderful!
    Love You.
    Patti

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  7. Thank you all SO much for your comments- we love them!

    Patti- didn't you know, antiques are cheap 'everywhere' EXCEPT b.r.!!! Well, no kiss & make-up, but we are tolerating each other to get to the end!!

    Mary- iron doors were found here in NH! Too funny about those pesky stained glass windows! And you definitely need to start poking around- bet you have some great finds in your neck of the woods!

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  8. Your house is going to be so wonderful when it is finished. I love everything you've bought, and it sounds like you've had a great time shopping about.

    Don't let up on your contractor. He's lucky to have a job in this economy.

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  9. Oh the outhouse looks so sweet. Your beautiful home has so much character. Oh those doors - my heart stopped! A-M xx

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  10. Joan you are driving Patti absolutely crazy with all your wonderful "FINDS" ---If it wasn't for Baby Stella--she'd be up there in a minute "HUNTING" with you....Mama

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  11. I'm reading through your blog from the beginning. It's a real pain to go backwards through old posts but as I was backing up through this post about the 12" round sink, I saw the shutters and said "Hey, those are 'Beacon Hill' shutters. They're the only ones that have the blades that are wider than the frames.

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  12. I love your house, and I LOVE Beacon Hill!

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan