Oh Hell. Garden week is coming.

Yes, I’ve been MIA for some months now. Truly I’ve just been sitting in a chair in the corner of our living room doing nothing…

Except there is this pesky garden tour at the end of April.

Task list since my last post:

1) New Terrace connecting the Mudroom and Den to the Schoolhouse
2) Schoolhouse renovation including new joists, new floor, paint, lighting and furnishings
3) Den, Mudroom and Master Bedroom built-ins
4) Window renovations
5) Removal/Clean up of the 25 some odd trees we lost in the hurricane
6) New plantings in the areas that were cleared during the renovations and terrace construction

Oh, did I mention we planted 5000 bulbs in November.

Truth be told “garden tour” is a little miss leading, it’s really more of a home tour. If you follow the link ours is refered to as “the Parsonage, c.1855″. We’re on the Warrenton tour Wednesday, April 24th and Thursday, April 25th and in contrast to any whining you may have perceived we are very honored to be included. It’s a worthy cause and one we hope you will take part in. Just promise you’ll stay out of the medicine cabinets.

Here’s a little tease of the schoolhouse. Not 100%, but well on its way.

Interior 1

Interior 2

Interior 3

While I’m at it…

Here are some more images of completed (yeah…like that will ever happen) areas of the Rectory.

Front Door

Front Porch

Foyer

Living Room from Den

Living Room

Living Room 2

Living Room 3

Kids Room

Kids Room 2

Moms Room

Moms Room 2

Master Bath

Still to come – Master Bedroom, Den, Library, Mudroom, Schoolhouse/Dining Room

Always leave ‘em wanting more.

More Kitchen Progression

So It’s been eight months…what?

Just got two of the cabinet doors back from being repaired. Slow and steady wins the race? Next time you hear me say that…shoot me.

Drapes are up though and we just need one more piece of art and it will be complete.

Rectory Kitchen One

Rectory Kitchen Two

 

Kitchen Progression

A few photos to satisfy your curiosity. How did I know that you lay awake at night wondering how our kitchen is coming along you ask? I have my ways.

Looking Down the Kitchen Toward the Foyer

Kitchen Stove Wall

Kitchen Stove Wall with Cabinets and Stove

The cabinets were custom-made and finished to match Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. You know how much I love grey! The stove is by Jenn-air.

Kitchen Stove Wall with Cabinets, Stove and Counters

The Soapstone for the counters was quarried right here in Virginia by Alberene Soapstone. The trim and frame of the opening/doorway and the baseboards were carefully designed to replicate the originals. Trim seems like such a small detail but the craftsmanship of the contractor and his team makes you take notice. When completed the transition between old and new should be nonexistent.

Kitchen Sink/Fridge Wall

There is a pretty awesome view out that window and now the sink is in front of it. Even better.

Kitchen Sink/Fridge Wall with Sink and Fridge

The fireclay farm sink is by Rohl. The cabinet above the fridge was a tragedy of contracting. The cost of home renovation is that there are always a few errors. Do you brush yourself off or make the rest of the project a drudgery. It’s really up to you, because having a project go off without a few mistakes is not humanly possible. If you think about it…in the grand scheme these aren’t really “problems”.

Kitchen Sink/Fridge Wall with Counters and Missing Cabinet

Ahh…there it is, and the counter too. BTW – the back splash is 3×6 honed Carrera marble tile from Mosaic.

Kitchen Sink/Fridge Wall with Dishwasher Panel.

And finally the dishwasher panel. We still have a ways to go, but things are wrapping up. Stay tuned.

Don’t MESS WITH MY KOUSA!

I came down the driveway to discover we had been invaded by giant dinosaurs, or the drill had arrived to dig the geothermal wells.

…all I could think was, “Poor Travis.” He worked so hard seeding the island in the middle of the circular driveway. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time it needs to be redone. Honestly the contractors are being as careful as they can, they just have massive machinery and can only do so much.

That’s my Kousa on the left, its leaves haven’t changed yet. It is one of the most perfect specimens I have seen. Keeping our fingers crossed that all is still well when everyone has cleared out.

There’s my Kousa again on the right. The rig is actually gone now, and our two 400′ wells are complete, but we still have a 5′ deep by 3′ wide trench leading over to the house. We’ve tried to find some bodies to throw into it (just seems like the thing to do), but haven’t had any luck yet.

Oh, BTW – if you want your own geothermal HVAC system you should check out Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc. Ask for Shaune Roop and he’ll hook you up. (Even if you don’t need a place to put the bad people.)

Design – “On the House” Take Two

“The surest way to artistic failure is to stick to what you know.” I don’t know who said that or where I heard it, but something reminded me of this gem and I got to thinking that maybe I could do better with my country guest room. So, this is “Rural Modern”. If I’m lucky we’ll end up with something that hasn’t been seen too often (ever.) Well, a boy can dream.

The guest room has now become a suite with a sitting room and full bath:

Guest Room Inspiration Board - REVISED

Sitting Room Inspiration Board

Bath Inspiration Board

At the risk of sounding like a broken record…yes, most of the furnishings can be acquired through David & Daniel Design. Please inquire for specifications, pricing, and availability. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, Master Card, and American Express (Read: We’ll take your money however we can get it.)

A tribute

I intended to post about a revision to my country guest room, but it will have to wait…

I mentioned briefly our gardens, a small part of the legacy of one woman, and the product of a quarter century of diligence. These are the best of this past season:

The perennial garden

The perennial garden

Liriope and Hostas

Holly, Blue Spruce, Weeping Norway Spruce

Redbud, Holly, Dogwood

Kousa

Spirea

???

???

Rock Garden

Rock Garden

Iris and others

Iris

Blue Spruce

Allium

Flocks

Clematis

Pansy (mini)

Catmint

Dianthus

Azaleas

Poppies

Iris

Star of Bethlehem

It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers. – SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

RIP GD

Design – “On the House”

How do you feel about me giving away design for free? It makes me want to cry… (j/k)

I have some new projects I’m working on and I thought it might be an interesting exercise to post my inspiration boards and layouts as they come together. Having your opinion would be invaluable and it would be a good forum for creative expression. Bonuses: Most of the featured furnishings, as well as fabrics are available for purchase through David & Daniel Design at exceptional values. So if you want to use (steal) my designs and are feeling guilty you can always absolve yourself by placing an order. If that all seems like way too much trouble just throw some money in the hat.

Guest Room Inspiration Board

• Wall color: Benjamin Moore “Natures Essentuals”
• Drapery Fabric: Nicholas Herbert - Chalvington Yellow. Available through Claremont New York (To the trade only…we’d be happy to purchase on your behalf)
• Mirror: Handcarved Solid Walnut, 34″w x 2″d x 58 1/2″h, Antique Gold Schlag Finish. Available through David & Daniel Design
• Desk Lamp: Barbara Cosgrove Antique Drafting Lamp, h.16″-36″ x base dia.10″, Pewter and Antique Patina on Brass. Available through David & Daniel Design
• Table Lamp: Triple Gourd Lamp h.33″ x dia.20″, Oxblood Glazed Ceramic, Lucite Base, Pearl Dupioni Fabric Shade (Made in the USA). Available through David & Daniel Design
• Sconce: Emma, 9w x 4.5d x 13h, Hand-blown glass, iron in flat black finish. Available through David & Daniel Design
• Arm Chair: English 18th Century Country House Arm Chair, h.42″ x w.24″ x d.25″, Solid Mahogany Rush Seat, Ebonized Highlighted Walnut Finish. Available through David & Daniel Design
• Writing Desk: Lady’s Desk, Solid Walnut, 43″w x 20″d x 31″h, One Drawer. Available through David & Daniel Design
• Chest: Three Drawer Gustavian Chest with Black Top, h.32″ x w.35″ x d.18″. Available through David & Daniel Design
• Credenza: Sideboard with Four Boxes in Bleached Pine, h.34″ x w.71″ x d.22″. Available through David & Daniel Design

Our price for this room (not including rug and drapery)  – $4,925. Their (“them”, “those guys”…you know the ones) price – $9,455 (minimum.)

I suggest a custom, wall mounted, tufted linen headboard and crisp white bedding as well as contemporary, locally procured artwork for the walls. Perhaps:

Modern Photography by Local Artist

This modern country bedroom provides all the comfort you’d expect to find in Virginia horse country and all the charm of the 1800′s, but reminds you, “Yes, we know it’s the 21st century.”

Adventures in Gardening

We have just under 7 acres at the Rectory and it is daunting. Not to worry, the majority of it is woodland areas and fields of wild grass that get bush hogged ( [boosh-hawag, -hog] noun – device, pulled behind a tractor, having one or more blades spinning parallel to the ground and attached radially to a central axis, used for cutting vegetation and clearing land.) twice a year. However…we still have about 2 acres of proper lawn that needs to be maintained. Through multiple discussions with Travis over the Spring and Summer we came to the decision that in the long run a beautiful and healthy lawn would be the most economic choice, some investment up front, but ultimately easier and less expensive to keep up.

Front Lawn

Partial front and side yard lawn in the distance.

Not trying to give you a panic attack but these two photos equate to about 1/4th of the total lawn area to be maintained. Ha! (slightly hysterical out burst) As mentioned in earlier posts on this subject on our FACEBOOK page, the woman who owned the home for the last 25 some odd years was a passionate gardener and we have made a few decisions that have not gone over so well with some members of “the community”. Any resemblance to the title of an M. Night Shyamalan movie intended. These folks who whisper however are all people we have actually never met. Our friends know we have nothing but the best of intentions and that we are doing a maximum of research in order to preserve this landscape in the best way possible. Woah. I got so serious there for a moment. That brings me to our amazing tress. Yes, to benefit the greater good some (7 of over 150) have needed to be removed, but 5 of those were dead or dying. At any rate, a couple need to be replaced and we also have one area that we want to provide a natural screen for so I finally made a visit to Springtime Garden Center in Front Royal. They came highly recommended (by literally every one we know) and I was not disappointed. The owner spent an hour and half giving me the gardening master class and 1/3 of that time was after they had closed. I wouldn’t expect this level of service from a nursery where I was paying three times as much and from what I could tell at most other garden centers you can expect to pay three times as much. I think that is what happens when you buy anything from someone who is truly passionate about what they are selling…you get value.

These are the recommendations - Dramatic, fast to moderate growers, dear tolerant, and made to last:

Black Gum - Wildfire

Norway Spruce

Just a few of our trees (that we didn’t remove) that are starting to show off for the Fall:

American Dogwood

Maple

Beech and Japanese Maple

Cercis Canadensis Forest Pansy

Destruction er, um…I mean, construction.

Those joists in the master bath floor are true 2x10's!!!

Previously the only full bath – with some minor reconfiguration and a face lift this room will be the new en suite Master Bath.

The blue room (library) is getting a little bigger…and with its own fireplace it will make a choice guest room when complete.

Another view of the new Guest Bath. This room was previously used as the Master, but will now be a cozy light filled guest room.

The old Master Bedroom had a few too many sandwiches so we stole three feet and a couple closets and viola, a new full guest bath.

When the bandages come off French doors will lead to a stone terrace. Not to worry, the removed 3×7 window is being relocated to the Kitchen

Someday soon I’ll be a new utility room (that people might actually want to do laundry in)

Now what could I have done with the back wall of the kitchen? Silly me…always losing things.

This is the South wall of the kitchen sans…well, you saw the before photos, sans all that stuff.

…and if you haven’t seen the before photos yet you can check them out on Facebook.