Wednesday, March 21, 2012

World's End Update; INSIDE

the parlor.

This needs to be split in two parts; Inside and Outside.
I'll start with inside, since the outside part has to do with hellebores, and I feel you may be sick of them at the moment, or at least reading about them here.

bathroom

At some point it became clear to me that this is actually my house, that I will live in it, that I am at liberty to make my own aesthetic decisions about it...and that it is not just another project that I'm managing for a client. Which means I can choose to have no shower, or I can choose to have a laundry shoot. So much at the farm has been about efficiency, moderation and synergy - the renovation on the house the same...I've had the attitude of whatever works, whatever is cheapest please god! until the other night when - and it pains me to say this but it's true - I uttered to eric:

"Do you want to drink wine and look at renovation blogs with me?"



He declined.

And I suppose I'd rather research garden stuff and let the house fall where it will, the detritus of our lives filling the corners eventually. It will be great, I know, regardless of whether I spend a few too many fruitless hours researching clawfoot tubs (predictable?) - resulting in a downward spiral of delusion: suddenly a salvage yard in Buffalo, NY "is not that far!" and minor cracking around drain is an "acceptable compromise!"

After all, early in the process we walked through the house with a copy of World of Interiors flashing it around each corner like a smudge stick and whispering words of encouragement.



There are a total of 4 rooms under construction right now. 2 bedrooms, one for Eric and me, one with bunks for Asheley and Deanna who can never marry or date too seriously, because there will be no room for significant others! A few weeks ago we were all there and I looked out the window up at the north field, the girls were out taking soil samples. They looked so small like little ants. I hope they stay around forever but at least long enough to see big real things happen at the farm.



I'm loosing my train of thought...There's a bathroom and a parlor where I will take my cocktail hour. My parents want to get rid of their piano and we're going to throw it in there, make it seem regal. I need to learn how to play the piano. Maybe I can find a teacher near Albany who will barter for flowers. Mom and Dad, when you come and stay you can have our room, and we'll sleep with Nea out in the yard, barking at the slightest noise, because it could be a dear fixing on my tulip bed...

17 comments:

Margaret said...

did you already try this source for new clawfoot bathtubs? I have one and it's perfect.

http://www.sunrisespecialty.com/

An Urban Cottage said...

I have to say the gorgeously thin mullions of your old windows sing love songs to me.

Bow Street Flowers said...

Steve, you're a true Romantic. I love the floors.

Clare Day Flowers said...

Hey Sarah, let me know if you need any advice. We're just winding up a two year reno on our farm house and my partner is a carpenter / contractor which really helped (understatement).

jennifer said...

Wow, those floorboards!

17 beats. said...

wow ! things are really coming together -- so exciting.

Nell said...

ah, the shop vac. brings back some beautiful memories of plaster dust gracing every surface of my home. i do cry a little for you. this shit is hard and rough on relationships. wine is a wise companion during times like these.

the place is looking gorgeous though. hang in there.

Jo said...

Please tell me that you are keeping the wide plank wood floors. Unless that is in fact the sub-floor, then I'll understand having to cover it.

sarahbeth said...

yep. yo' farm is a meditation in me to not be green-eyed-with-envy. not that I don't know that it takes a busket of cash & hard ass work. It's a sure thing as to what to work hard for.

BELU - JUEGOS DE VESTIR said...

I agree that the wine is good companion at various times and in various circumstances ...
very interesting article ... excellent post ....
greetings ..

fleur_delicious said...

oh, to live in NY - I would gladly teach you what I know of the piano (from a decade of playing) for a few flowers (esp. hellebores!) =)

I like these photos; everything feels like late winter, just waiting to burst, suddenly, into glory this spring and summer.

edi gardner said...

And you will play Billie Holiday in your parlor

Jessica said...

You pretty much described why I prefer renting to owning.

Heather Keyser said...

funny :) and always say yes to a deep soak in a clawfoot, just sayin'

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you are finding the deer "dear" these days! It is always best to make peace with the original inhabitants.

Anonymous said...

Your shop vac looks like "R2-D2". R2-D2 and smudge sticks. Smitten. Yes, I'm back from D.C. Will be in touch...

anne said...

What a beautiful house - we're renovating (essentially rebuilding) an 1860 greek revival farmhouse in Maine, which is in far worse shape. The buckets full or plaster bring back painful memories! Whatever you do, don't let anyone tell you to replace those gorgeous windows - it's worth the work to reglaze! Good luck with this labor of love (or as an old timer near me joked, "love of labor")