Wednesday, June 29, 2011

2011 Work Detail - Part II, Duex, Two, Dos

So, you can see from my previous post that me, the Mrs. and my workcrew (a 5 and 3 year old) have our work cur out for us. Whether setting up sound systems, identifying color palettes, or creating new fun vehicles from Legos, the summer is filled with happy reasons to stimulate the economy and bring additional exhaustion to where there is plenty.

But enough about me, let's get back to the house!

First, the outside. Steeped in 1970's greenery, the cape cod style has been well maintained and still presents nicely (the new neighbors haven't run us out yet!).















From here, it's a bit of before and after, so let's take a look inside.
First, the Living Room.


























Clearly, a beautifully maintained interior, resplendent with the best fabrics and decorations money could buy. In 1960. However, seeing it's 2011, it was time for the floral patterns and spectacular wool carpeting to go.


And what lay underneath? Glorious hardwood, that's what;


























Then there's the master bedroom. Each aspect supports a tranquil, rustic Provincial French scene...luxuriating in the French Countryside, working the fields, scamping with domestic animals of French descent.

And the furniture matched perfectly, a slightly distressed look (as if from the time of Marie Antoinette!) with soft light cascading through the sheers, recalling a time of bawdy innocence.




Gone.



You, by now, are clearly picking up a theme of "significant transition". So as to not lull you to sleep here are a few more BEFORE and AFTER photos...



The Boys' Bedroom...





The Dining Room...







Quite a leap forward. From museum quality 1960's to bringing it into the 90's, to all the way into the second decade of the 21st century, we're doing our best to get stuf done to set the tone for the next 20 years of our lives.





We're not done yet, and there's still work to be done, but we are underway in Troy, and couldn't be happier about it.

Now where did I leave that screwdriver...?

Monday, June 27, 2011

2011 Work Detail - Part I

Despite the incredibly wet Spring the Detroit area is experiencing - nothing in comparison to those along with Mississippi - the calendar keeps rolling along, and here we are at the front door to Summer; Memorial Day, 2011. And, with the recent purchase of a new house, having sold ours very quickly this past March, there's only thing a long three-day weekend brings. Home renovation!

But first, a word from our sponsor:

The house we bought was built in 1959, and has been occupied, since its completion by the same family. A family of four, who, very pridefully, took great care in delivering to their neighbors and the community around them, a stylish and well decorated home of traditional flavor. Please enjoy these photos from the Wendover Subdivision Salesperson Literature:



































Did I say 1959? Apologies, readers, these photos were taken in March, 2011. Clearly, as you can see, not much has changed at our new house in many years.

Sadly, after the former owner's husband passed away, and the children grew and moved away, not much changed. And now, in addition to taking possession of the house, we've taken possession of 40+ years of memories, multiple layers of wallpaper and paint, solidified carpet padding and a scent which can only be described as "the only discernable change of season is when the thermostat switch was flipped from "Heat" to "Air Condition".

This was my Memorial Day palette, and as an artist these were my tools.



















They may not look like much, but in the hands of a rank amateur, I tell you what, work got done. For after three days, this is the fruit of my labor;














and sets the stage for the transition to contemporary.

Work Detail - Part II (coming soon)
The work in progress, from 1960 to 2011...almost.