Time flies so fast, and now October is here, with 2024 al...
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Time flies so fast, and now October is here, with 2024 already three-quarters gone. Looking back on September, I can hones...
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Back in the 80's, my dad and I watched a weekly TV show called "This Old House". The host talked about making repairs to older homes and restoration projects. We talked about how much fun it would be to redo an old house. The TV was located in my dad work shop which was filled with saws, drills, hammers, levels, planers and a lathe. The floor was carpeted with several inches of saw dust and wood shavings. The walls were lined with stacks of lumber for future projects. My dad was a craftsman, designing and building beautiful furniture for our home. He built a custom sewing machine cabinet for me and also restored an antique wooden icebox that sits in my kitchen. My dad passed away on December 21, 1992.
In 2014, my husband, Richard, and I had the opportunity to purchase the house next door to our current home. It was originally constructed in 1951, same year and builder as our home. The house was structurally sound but in need to some major TLC. We knew we could save money if we did as most of the work ourselves and repurposed materials inside the house. We ripped out carpet and padding, pulled down paneling in the kitchen and acoustic tiles from the living room ceiling. Base boards, door & window trim were gently removed to be sanded, painted and put back in place. Original door knobs and hinges were sent off to be re-chromed and reinstalled. Sheet rock from all the walls and ceilings were removed. An electrician was hired to rewire the entire house and bring it up to code. With the help of a family friend, Richard removed all the old casement windows and replaced them with new sash windows. He installed all the new sheet rock and walls and ceilings all by himself. Richard also installed the new cabinets in the kitchen. I hit estate sales and resale shops for furniture. I refinished a few curb side finds to furnish the house. After months of hard work, we finally had the house ready for our first Airbnb guests.
All during the renovation, I could hear my dad's voice reminding me to sand with the grain of the wood. He is in my mind as I apply another coat of stain to a salvaged piece of furniture. Richard often says my dad would have loved helping us with this old house. I like to think he would be proud of the job we did.
Hi @Katie Yes, here is a chest of drawers I dragged from the curb. Two damaged drawers were removed and the open space fitted with a shelf. Faux pressed tin was used to line the opening. The piece was originally much lighter in color. I used a walnut stain to refinish this piece.
I repurposed vintage yardsticks to make a coffee table, side tables and a wine bar.
I collect and repurpose old treadle sewing machine bases as side tables. Some are topped with found pieces or slabs of granite.
Our patio furniture was left behind when a neighbor moved out of state. We had it sand blasted and powder coated for less that the cost of 2 new chairs.
I found this old cigarette display stand at the antique show in Round Top, Texas. It now holds cook books and decorates a corner of the kitchen.
I made this little display stand from a found slice of mesquite wood and some 4 inch hairpin legs.
So this little house is filled with unique furniture, original artwork and one of a kind creations. It has been a labor of love and continues to evolve with each little "treasure" I drag home.
@Branka-and-Silvia0 New furniture was not in the budget for this project. We did purchase 2 new chairs for the living room but everything else is second hand or curb side salvage. My husband spotted this vintage school house light fixture just as it was about to be tossed into a dumpster. It now hangs over the kitchen table.
