This Old House

I was looking for something on my computer today and came across the photos that I took while we were selling our old house in Drexel Hill, PA. The house was a Dutch Colonial built in 1923. We lived there for five years, and didn't exactly enjoy it. It was too small for the four of us (and occasional visits from in-laws) and it seemed like something was always breaking. In order to even sell the house, we had to replace the sewer line from the street to the basement. Which meant that our front lawn became one big dirt mound. This all happened in December, a time when grass doesn't exactly flourish in this part of the country. We had to lay sod in order to bring some semblance of curb appeal in the dead of winter. What an exciting way to spend $6,000 on a house you are trying to get rid of: sod and a sewer line.

But, looking at these photos today, I realize what a cute little gem we had. The house had so much character. The original French doors with glass doorknobs let in such an enormous draft, but they sure were classy. The tiny galley kitchen had been redone in the sixties, but I tried my darndest to bring it back to the forties. And I miss the little "bonus room" that was attached to the master bedroom. It had two closets made out of beadboard paneling, with a little desk area between them. We were told that is was originally the nursery.

Here are a few pictures of our first home. It took us five years to make this house look like it does in these pictures. We have a long way to go in our new home. Only one room is painted. We've designated October as the Month of the Paintbrush. As you will see in these photos of our old home, I'm not a big fan of white walls!

I painted all of these cabinets Behr's Cottage White and replaced all of the dirty brass hinges with chrome ones. I also replaced the old wooden knobs with antique glass knobs. They were all a little different, which added to the charm. The valances were made from Martha Stewart tablecloths that I bought at Kmart. I was so damn proud of myself after I made those valances.

The dining room had a huge picture window that had been added in the seventies:

I'm the first to admit that we made a mistake with the color of the living room. The yellow was a tad too bright. But that baby gate in the fireplace is tre chic, no?

Here's the bonus room off of the master bedroom:

Finn's bedroom (yes, the ceiling is green):

Maeve's room (not quite as neon green as it looks here):

The front porch:



The kids loved to sit at their little table and color:

This garage was packed to the gills with lots of great junk. I had a big sale right before we moved to our current home.

Hopefully, I'll be brave enough to show you photos of our current home after we've painted the rooms in October. If Chris and I don't kill each other in the process.

Comments

[Sarah]

Ha, painting starts more arguments in my house than anything else.

[julie (jane's apron)]

that is an unbelieveably cute house...if you come anywhere close to the same charm (and you will) in your new house, I can't wait to see it.

[TinaTx]

Any 'home improvement' project has the potential for a spat!
I'm sure your current home will be just lovely when you are finished - can't wait to see pictures.
As for the yellow living room, haven't we all asked ourselve 'what was I thinking?' at one time or another? (in my case that would be way more than once!)

[vintagesue]

Hey, I live alone and still get pissy (with myself) over painting and home improvement projects. Thankfully, my dog doesn't care what I do as long as he gets to sleep in the bed every night.

The old home was adorable, so I'm sure the new one is.

P.S. Is that a new tag line ("getting fresh with my vintage finds" or have I not been paying attention? It's awesome!

[Rosemary]

I love those pictures. You never realize how great something is until you don't have it anymore.
Thanks for sharing.
Rosemary

[Cathy]

Good luck with the decorating. Your old house looks so lovely I'm sure you'll be fine. I hate decorating but love it when its done - it makes it worth the aggro!
Cathyx

[Laura]

I'm in love with the kitchen...and that window in what looks like a nook off of it...so charming.

[Richelle]

Wow, I would have died to live in that house. When you were complaining about it I pictured our first home: The floors were uneven, the only heat was a fireplace that was broken so it was either 150 or freezing in our house. The shower was an add on so it was in the back of the house and it's wall didn't meet the floor so mice would dart through while you were bathing, and oh the bath, if you wanted one, was under the stair case so you had to practically crawl into it and it would get so stuffy that you had to open the window that was actually bigger than the bath that went right out into the pasture with the horses who loved to stick their head in to say hello, or take a drink.

I think your house was great!

[Connie]

Your old house was adorable. I live in a colonial revival built in 1935 and there is nothing like the charm of that era. And your garage, now that is beautiful. Can you tell that I don't have one. I have to stash my finds in the corners of the basement and attic.

[PETUNIAROSE]

Colleen: I was to your home in Drexel Hill only once, and it was charming. I never did understand why you and Chris moved SO FAR AWAY! I do love your "new" home, but the "old" one was a treasure.
Love.

[Selena]

Your house was very charming. I especially am impressed with your decorating in the kitchen. I have a 1927 home and they redid the kitchen in the 70's and then 80's. I'm slowly painting the kitchen a lovely mint, vintage like green but I have such a long way to go with the cabinets and counters. I love the glass knobs you used.

[tammyCA]

What a sweet, charming old house...you decorated it so fresh & pretty. I prefer old homes over newer. Our small house was built in '54, but out here that is old. I don't think I would be happy in a new one - sure there would be fewer things to repair but I love these original hardwood floors, plaster walls and lots of windows.

[Kosik]

It's so funny reading this - I just visited your booth at Renninger's (great, great, very great stuff - including the dresser in the previous post and a huge pile of cute stuff I forgot to put in my car!).

When I got home I found the For Sale sign on my front lawn. Our home is very similar to yours - 1925, small but v. cute 4 bedroom in Maplewood, NJ. We're movig into a 5 bedroom in the same town but I am going to really miss this place. So much charm and character. I hope I can make it feel as homey as this house feels.

I'm drinking a beer as I write this - I think I am going to cry.

You're 1st home was lovely - I'm sure the new one is even more so! Enjoy the memories of both!

[kerry]

can you tell me what is the name of the dark green paint you used in your dining room

thanks kerry
kerrydineen@yahoo.ie

[kerry]

can you tell me what is the name of the dark green paint you used in your dining room

thanks kerry
kerrydineen@yahoo.ie