The Man, The Houses, The Renovations

The craft room is full of treasures that bring back wonderful memories. Like seeing my father’s antique armoire where he kept his dress hats, ties, socks, and suits. My mother’s cedar chest that was given to her by my father. Baskets given to me by a very special friend. When one of my friends passed away, her daughters gave me a few things that have been placed or hung in memory of her. The teddy bear pictured above was made by my sister, who passed away, and the picture was handmade by a sewing friend. There is also a secretaire bookcase filled with my Amish heritage treasures.  My craft room could also be called a special memories room. This room is a bonus room above our garage. It’s my office, it’s where I write, sew, quilt and who knows what else I do.  It’s another room where more memories are made.

Five of my dear faithful friends, come almost every Monday to sew. First, we gather together and have our morning cup of tea with all sorts of interesting conversations. When six ladies are in a room, there is also lots of fun and laughter. Then after we have finished solving our life and sewing problems, we make our way up to my craft room. There we get out the fabric and plan our projects. This past Monday, we made flannel baby blankets for a Monastery that helps young mothers.

I started this group over ten years ago, and we have made many things that we donate to different organizations. When we first started, someone suggested that we get a notebook and keep a record of all the things that we donate. I decided not to because I didn’t want our sewing group to be able to brag about how much we have made and donated.  I feel if God wants to keep an account, and decides to tell us someday, that would be a great blessing! “Good deeds should be done with intention, not for attention.” heartfeltquotes.blogspot.com

One problem developed when our group made quilt tops. We had no way to get them quilted, except to pay someone to machine quilt them. That cost us money. So, I asked Hubby if I could buy a quilting machine. Well, of course, he said I could until we started investigating. Purchasing one of them cost $10,000 to $15,000, or more depending on what we wanted. I wanted one that would help us get our quilts sewn without spending a fortune.

I heard or read somewhere if you want something pray about it. Visualize where you will put it and see what God will do. I was telling Hubby about the praying, and that we were not getting our quilts done. He said, “Naomi, stop whining and just start praying about it, and figure out where you are going to put that huge machine!”

(By the way, my siblings and Hubby think I whine. I don’t, but I let them think they are right.)

“I know where I can set up the sewing machine, but I can’t justify paying that much money for it.  I’m not going to have a business quilting, it’s for charity.”

“Pray anyways!” Hubby reiterated.

That’s what I did, I prayed. I also tried to figure out how I was going to clear the area where I wanted the quilting machine.

Every week I kept looking in the paper and online. One day I did find an ad about a long arm quilting machine that was in the next town. I called her and asked if we could come and see it. She said, “No, it’s all taken apart, but we can bring it over to your place and put it up for you. My husband is an engineer, and he has written directions on how to set it up.”

Well, it sort of sounded good, but I just didn’t feel comfortable about it. I said, “Okay, I’ll get back to you if we decide on it.” Knowing full well, I didn’t want to purchase something I couldn’t see if it worked. You wonder if all the pieces were there. What if something is missing? So, I forgot about it. We kept searching for just the right one, but all of them were way too expensive.

After a few months, we still didn’t find a quilting machine, so I decided to call the lady back. The problem was, we didn’t want to buy it if we didn’t know that it worked.  

Hubby did his homework and looked up the machine online and found the going price for that used model. “Offer her $800 if she still has it.”

“Are you kidding me? I can’t do that. She wants a lot more. I feel foolish!” I moaned.

“What’s it going to hurt? Just ask her!” My matter of fact Hubby said. Sure, he does that kind of stuff all the time at work, but for me, it was a little out of my comfort zone.

I called her, and she still had the machine. She said, “I got lots of calls, but no one wants to buy it because they can’t see it.      

I offered her $800, and she said, “How about $1000, and my husband will come over one night to set it up for you?”

I never thought about how much detailed work it would take to set one of those things up. They came over around 6:00 p.m., and he took over my craft/sewing room. He worked all night, unpacking, leveling, setting up until around 10:00 p.m. That is when she took over demonstrating how to use the machine.

 We have used it for almost five years. When someone asks me how much I paid for it, I say, “We got it free. We paid that dear man $1000 for his labor.” What a labor of love that couple gave us. The best part, God answered my prayer. It truly was a gift that I am very thankful for.

Precious memories are still being made in my bonus craft room. The quilting machine is kept busy by my faithful, sewing friends.

Creating a room for our guests and grandsons was a little more challenging. Since I decorated a room for my granddaughters with the color pink, I felt I needed to make a room that my four grandsons would like. But I still wanted it to be very inviting for whoever stayed.

I call the new addition, the west wing. It is a large bedroom that could be two bedrooms. It was Hubby’s idea, thinking if we ever want more bedrooms, all you would have to do is build a wall. It has two doors for entry. It has two walk-in-closets, and two ceiling light fans. It has four large windows that capture the scenic farm view. The closets are empty, except for hangers and laundry baskets. The drawers are empty and ready for guests to unpack. There is a chair to recline, putting up your feet, with a good book.

There is an extra mattress under the bed that can be pulled out when my grandsons come to visit. There is plenty of room for the boys to stretch out and relax. The boys are not the only ones who use this suite. We have welcomed many other guests, and it is a privilege to be able to have a place for them.

• Family and friends from out of state.
• Children home for the holidays or summer vacation.
• Pastors that needed a place to stay while attending a pastor’s conference.
• Children from another country, for some summer training.
• Amish girls that needed a safe place to stay, during their transition.
• A family of 7 has stayed for several weeks while waiting to move to their new house.
• Our grandson lived in the west wing for almost two years while working at Hubby’s computer business.. 

When we were planning the bathroom, I wanted something old to go along with the old farmhouse. I had remembered that Hubby had old furniture stashed at his rentals.

“Hey Hubby, I was wondering if you could look at the old furniture you have at your rentals to see if something could be useful for a bathroom cabinet?”

“Really? Don’t you want something new?”

“No, I really want a piece of old furniture. I think it would fit the old farm look. Plus, I think I remember an old buffet int the Tavern basement.” I suggested.

“I’m not sure what shape it’s in, it’s been in that basement for a long time, but I will check it out. By the way, that’s a great idea, Honey.” He said, giving me his cute smile of affirmation.

I’m sure buying new cabinets would have been much faster and easier, but my renovation addict Hubby was up for the challenge. So, he checked it out, and he played his magic on that old mildewed piece of furniture. He took the old buffet, restored it, and made a vanity out of it. I loved it and was very proud of his accomplishment.

When I was five years old, our family moved to a large country home. It had three bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. My parents had the one downstairs. My brother had one of the smaller upstairs bedrooms. My oldest sister had one medium size, and my two other sisters shared a very large bedroom. On both sides of the large bedroom were walk-in-closets with slanting ceilings. The closets were the whole length of the room, just like the picture above. So the closets were big. It even had a window in it. That’s where I had my bedroom. I was the youngest, and of course, that is where they put me. I loved it.

It was a small, cozy, fun place to play, and it was all mine. I filled it with things I loved as much as I could. My parents didn’t have much money so, I would always try to get the pretty things my older sisters didn’t want anymore. Or, when they would ask me to run and get something for them, I would ask, “What will you give me, if I do it for you?” I usually got something out of them. My sisters were a lot older and had jobs. So they bought things, pretty things, I wished I could have.

I have very fond memories while that was my bedroom. My sisters one by one left, and by the age of around twelve, my sisters all moved out, leaving me with any room I wanted.

As I was starting to write this chapter, I studied the picture above wondering what I should write about the toy room. Amazingly, something that I had never notice before, it reminded me of my little closet bedroom. Memories of my little room flooded my mind. As I think about it, I think it is around the same size and shape. No wonder I love the toy room.

The toy room was my idea. I wanted a special place for my grandchildren to play in. During the planning, I asked if part of the family room ceiling could be extended, vaulted, up to the second floor. I also asked if we could finish off the attic with the one side open to the family room. Sure enough, Hubby got it on the blueprints and had the job done.

Needless to say, this is a favorite room for children. Now that the grandchildren are older, I have pillows and bean bags for them. We find them overlooking and eavesdropping on the adults below. Also, when we’re watching a movie in the family room, some of the grandchildren go upstairs to watch. The view is great, and it’s so cozy!

I wanted to make our homes inviting to all ages, even children, letting them know they are welcome to play and have fun. Even more important, a place for relaxation. Trust me, with ten grandchildren a fun cozy place for them to go, is sometimes needed.

One of the first rooms I wanted to decorate was my linen closet. I wanted it to look like a pretty hat box, full of lovely things for my granddaughters. We had the perfect place between the hallway and playroom. The linen closet also became a private room to play dress up and all sorts of fun girl play. I filled it up with pretty little dresses, hats, shoes, gloves, little beaded purses, jewelry, and all sorts of pretty little things.

Yep, it became a favorite place of almost every little girl that entered our home. Always, hours of play which ended up with a delightful style show. One time my cousin was visiting. His two little girls loved to play in the linen closet. They actually convinced Hubby to let them put hats, gloves, and jewelry on him. They took a picture, but I don’t dare post it.

One summer our grandchildren were home for one month. Nana’s summer camp on the farm. I ventured upstairs to see what the granddaughters were doing. They seemed to be playing a long time without making any noise. I entered way of the toy room. I opened the small door and couldn’t believe my eyes.

“What in the world has happened to my linen closet? Where is everything? The linen closet is almost empty?” I asked bewildered.

“We are playing. This is my store, and the girls are buying everything.” My oldest granddaughter answered.

I still couldn’t believe how empty it was and asked. “Where is everything?”

“In their house.” She pointed to the hallway landing.

I looked in the hallway, and their pretend play house was all set up with blankets, lace, linens, dolls, and all sorts of their favorite things. Yes, all the lovely things little girls love. The girls looked at me with happy but guilty little faces, wondering what was going to happen next

“Okay, but when you are done, you need to return all your items back to the store. Neatly! And make sure you get your money back.”

“Okay, Nana.” They giggled.

Over the years, those little girls have grown and have entered the teens. At our last family gathering, a few months ago, we had a style show. They surprised us and came down in their mother’s formals all dolled up. Then the other little second-cousins also joined in on all the fun.

I have to confess that I am a little fussy. I hate disorganization. I just can’t function when surrounded by chaos. Almost every morning I go through my house and put everything in order. When the children were little I did it in the evening after they were in bed. Always have. If God allows with good health, I probably always will. If I see something disorganized, my first thought is, how can I organize it. If I can’t because of someone not allowing me to, I just don’t get involved. I leave. It’s very stressful for me, like Hubby’s shop. He will not let me organize it for him. “I have projects that I don’t want you disturbing.” He says. I shake my head and leave, or try not to enter. Good thing he has his tools in his shop and not in our attached garage. If I would have to see that every day, I would have to organize it and ask for forgiveness later.

So saying all that, I must have my linen closet organized. I have all my bins labeled. Twin sheets, double bed sheets, queen size sheets, pillow cases, table cloths by size, etc. It’s a great feeling, and it’s a lot less aggravation when trying to find the right size sheets when Nana’s summer camp starts.

When my daughters were growing up, I wanted to decorated their room with something that we all loved. We had lime green carpet that was difficult to match. One day I was walking in a department store and saw this green and pink bed set. I loved it. Hoped my girls would. They did. Over the years, I kept everything. When I was deciding how to decorate the guest bedroom, I chose to use the girl’s set. The problem was the girls had twin beds, and we now had a queen bed. The nice thing was the twin comforter fit perfectly on top of the queen bed. So I took the bed-skirt and sewed it to the comforter. It makes a perfect bedspread. I then took the twin sheets and made curtains.

The oak chest of drawers that is in the picture was picked up from someone’s garbage. Hubby fixed a few things, and it turned out perfect. Most of our furniture is from our parents, thrift stores, garage sales, or a roadside rescue.

One of my granddaughters has claimed this room as hers. She was getting older, and I thought that she might want to sleep in the toy room, instead of the crib. The crib was tucked in a closet, surrounded with fun little girl things. I ask her where she wants to sleep, she says, “I want to sleep in my room.” She is now 13 years old, and the other week when she was here, I asked her where she wants to sleep.Guess where she slept? No, she didn’t sleep in the crib. It is no longer there. Oh, the joy to know that I created a home that my grandchildren claim as theirs.

Having six granddaughter’s, I decided to dedicate this bedroom to them. When our first granddaughter was a year old, I asked my daughter to make sure they took a picture of her in pink. Good thing we took it then because now, her least favorite color is pink. Over the years as each granddaughter was born, I made sure I had a picture of them in pink. There are six pictures in this bedroom, one for each of my precious granddaughters.

One day I told my daughters that I love my grandchildren more than they love their children. They said, “What? No way!” I tried to explain to them, but they will not understand until they have grandchildren of their own. When I had my children I had a love for them that was very precious. When our first daughter was born, I was overtaken with love for her. We had her sleeping in our bedroom and Hubby decided that a month was long enough. She was moved to her own bedroom. I cried. I couldn’t sleep. I eventually got over it, but I didn’t like it. I loved being a mother. I loved having my babies close. So then comes our grandchildren. I fell in love all over again. The same wonderful feeling I had for my newborn baby came back. But there is more, the best part. I didn’t have all the responsibilities. You love them, spoil them and give them back. The love is beyond wonderful. Okay, I might not love my grandchildren more than they love their own children, but it feels like it.

Each of my granddaughters is special, but sometimes there is one that stands out even more. One that brands an imprint on your heart forever. She makes it swell up with so much love and concern, that it feels like it will break. Yep! Then that teeny tiny precious one grows up with a special style all her own. Your heart overflows, and you smile when you find out she hand signs for Nana and Papa’s farm. Quite often. 🙂

The word “parlor” comes from the French word for “speak” or “conversation”. A very formal and elegantly furnished room, it was used exclusively for the receiving and entertaining of guests, most frequently on Sunday afternoons. It was never used as a “living room” by the family. Google

The parlor is now the master bedroom, but it is NOT used exclusively for the receiving and entertaining of guests. It is a quiet place for just Hubby and me. I believe the master bedroom should be beautiful with the things you love. It should also be an inviting place that brings comfort and relaxation.

When we were looking for our dream house, I always said, “I want our bedroom to be on the east side so the sun will shine through the windows in the morning.” That is exactly what I got, and it makes me happy. No heavy curtains, so the sun shines in and brightens my day.

The Victorian dresser takes center attention in our master bedroom. The dresser was in Hubby’s bedroom while he was growing up. When his six sisters got together to go through their parent’s estate, Hubby asked me what I would like. I said, “I do not want to be involved with the estate. I got most of my parent’s furniture from their estate. I don’t need anything. But you can take what you want.”

He said, “Just give me an idea, we have to take some things.”

“Okay, I don’t think we will get it, but I would love to have the Victorian dresser and if it’s possible, the oak, kitchen table.” I laughed. “With six sister-in-laws. No way!” To my surprise that is just what we got. I wasn’t even there to plead my case. It was just the seven siblings that got together that day. Yep, seven! Hubby has three older sisters and three younger sisters. He’s the prince right in the middle, and I am the lucky one to marry him.

The little side cabinet beside the chair came from a dear friend. She had it in her basement and wondered if I wanted it. Well, of course! Hubby used his magic touch and refinished it. It only had one knob, but he liked the original knob. So, believe it or not, he made a knob to match. It amazes me at times. I would have bought two that looked similar. No, he goes out of his way for perfection.

The antique arm chair was a rescue from the trash. When we were first married, we had no money to buy furniture. We lived on love, and also on the second-floor apartment in Cleveland. I saw that antique chair in the dumpster outside our bedroom window. I asked Hubby if he would get it for me. Not only did he get it for me, but he refinished it for me. To refinish it he had to take it all apart and glue it back together. I love the chair so much it’s been reupholstered twice.

Each piece of furniture in our master bedroom has a story. The dresser in this picture has three parts. The first part was the dresser. I bought it at a garage sale for $5, but it didn’t have a top. Hubby made a pine top for it, and I used it in the basement for my material. A few years later, the mirror was in my neighbor’s trash. I couldn’t believe she was throwing that beautiful mirror away. So I called and asked her if I could have it. I had my son go and pick it up. When we moved here, I was at a furniture store and saw a marble top in the clearance section. I asked if they could hold it for me. I went home and measured and found out it would fit perfect. I went back and bought it. After we put on the marble top, it became parlor worthy.

The antique bedside table was at a thrift store for a couple of months. It was marked down a couple of times. I think the reason it didn’t sell was that it had a hole cut out of the top. But it had a beautiful piece of marble to cover it. It fits our parlor bedroom perfectly. It is a well built, sturdy, piece of furniture. It also helped me when I had my hip surgery because I used it to push myself up.

The master bathroom and closet was an addition. That is why we could expose the old wood siding that was on the outside of the original house. The picture on the right is behind our toilet. I use the little shelf to store toilet paper. We were waiting for our carpenter to come back to put trim around the opening and a few other odd jobs. But he had an accident and couldn’t come back because of a long recovery. So I took the smaller matching border and framed the opening. Well, it’s still there, and I don’t know if we will ever change it.

This was my inspiration picture. I looked up parlors on the computer and in books and magazines. For some reason, I liked the border on this picture, even though the picture quality is not that great. That part was fun and easy. To find the border I wanted, was hard. I looked through tons of wallpaper books. I wanted a complete set that had two borders, wallpaper, fabric, and curtain valance that all matched. It also had to be the color I wanted. After having this color and design for 15 years, I still am in love with it.

While the house was under construction, the cell phone reception was poor in this area. Hubby had a device that improved reception, that he wanted to test out for a client. He put it on the roof of the house. He then took his cell phone and was walking though the house, checking the reception. There was no electricity installed, so it was dark in the house. He was making his way through the house, never looking up. He walked through the kitchen, turned right, and was planning to walk down the hall to the master bedroom. All of a sudden, he was falling. He thought, Why am I falling? Is there a hole in the floor in the hallway? A few minutes later, he realized he was in the basement laying on the cement floor. In the dark, he cautiously feels around the floor, hoping to find his phone. He did find it, but it was in pieces.

The hallway and the basement stairs are right beside each other. The door to the basement stairs was off. Instead of walking down the hall, he walked in the basement stairway and immediately fell. Thank the Lord he didn’t have any broken bones. If you look at the basement stairs, it has a stone wall. I don’t know how he made it without killing himself. He only ended up with some black and blue bruises.

He asked me the other day, while I was watching a movie. “I’m getting concerned with you watching all those murder mystery movies. Are you planning something?”

“No! I respond. “I don’t have to, you do a nice job trying yourself.”

We wanted to keep the old staircase, but it had five missing spindles. We thought we could have someone make new ones, but how would we make it look like the rest.
We did not want to refinish it all. So I don’t remember whose idea it was, but we went to the antique row in Cleveland. Hubby and I started at the first store and asked about spindles. Being disappointed with many attempts, we almost gave up hope. Then at one store, we asked the owner. He said, “I might have some, but you’ll have to hunt. Go down the back stairs. Go way in the back to the right corner. Check there.”

That was an exhilarating experience of trash hunting, in a creepy old basement. Hubby finally found an area that had spindles. After examining, seemed like hundreds, he found some that were the same. The thing was now we had to find ones that had the right length. We needed three different lengths. We were so happy when we found exactly everything we needed. We didn’t even have to refinish them, because they had the same color and finish.

We repainted the beautiful design white and the steps a deep burgundy. It might look easy to paint, but I couldn’t get the burgundy steps and the white designs to my satisfaction. So I hired an artist friend to do the final touch. We did not refinish the staircase and I think it looks great. I love the old aged staircase that shows signs of a well-worn family home.

The upstairs landing is supposed to be the quiet area for reading, or for our guests, to relax and watch TV. It is also a place where we found our grandchildren escaping and watching their favorite show. Now the TV is gone, but it’s still a favorite quiet place.

Living Room

Our living room is used for quiet times when someone wants to be alone. It’s for loud, happy, and fun games. It’s an annual Olde Friends Christmas party room. It’s for holiday family gatherings. The bookshelves are loaded with memory books full of pictures to review and ponder.

The table and chairs by the windows were my parents. That is where a 500 piece puzzle is put together, mostly by my daughter and son-in-law, when they come home for the holidays. There is also a piano in the living room that you can not see. My granddaughter comes and serenades us by playing and singing. We also have a musician, for a son-in-law and he also plays when he comes. Sometimes it is a father and daughter duet.
It once was a classroom for homeschooling my grandchildren. That was when my daughter was in the hospital, on bed rest, for a high-risk pregnancy. There are lots of activities going on in the living room, and that’s where we gather while memories are made.

The dining room in the picture above was the old living room. The new living room was a new addition.

Family Room

The porch was really in bad condition, with a groundhog hotel in the crawl space below. So, they tore the whole porch off and rebuilt a new family room.

The family room is where Hubby and I live. Yep, that is his and her recliners. Most of the time, we have our laptops on our laps. He is working, I am writing.

Decorating Disaster Solved

Remember my blog about my decorating disaster, when we bought a red Karastan rug and two green sofas? This is what I wrote. I sat in my living room agonizing over the purchases of the sofas and rug we had just made. The colors would never go together, and I knew I would never like it no matter how hard I would try. Plus, the farm that we were to look at the next day was way too much work.  All that came up in my mind was dismay.  Then I heard a gentle whisper, “Naomi, be content!”  I have learned to put my trust in the one who holds my future, and once again I try to be content in my uncontentment.   
https://www.naomistutzman.com/2019/02/04/decorating-disaster/

I love my burgundy and blue Karastan rug, in my burgundy family room. I love my two green sofas in my green living room. I’m so glad we bought the two green sofas. Yes, I have learned to put my trust in the one who holds my future, and I am content.

Dining Room

We kept the trim on those four doors. It was a little plainer than the original trim in the parlor, but we decided to keep it.

The dining room is one of my favorite rooms. That is because I can change the table settings with the seasons. I’ve had lots of holiday family meals, but also lots of baby and bridal showers. The most unusual parties I’ve had were a rhubarb tea party with my bible study ladies and a fried blossom tea party with my cousins.

My country kitchen has the farmhouse white cabinets, wood floors and beadboard painted backsplash. We received Hubby’s parent’s oak table and chairs, from his inheritance. We also received the beautiful buffet that matched. My shelves and walls are decorated with beautiful antique flow blue dishes. Over the years the wood floors are scratched, and the old chairs are squeaking, an antique plate gets broken, but we are making precious memories around the old kitchen table.

A few years ago, I went to a Christmas party. The hostess used all her fine china. She had tables settings in many of the rooms in her house. On each table, she used a different set of china. It was beautiful, but one room intrigued me the most. Her dining room table was gorgeous and beautifully set with antique flow blue dishes. Her china cabinet was also filled with many beautiful pieces.

I knew the value of these dishes because my sister collected them. I proceeded to let the other guests know that were seated at the dining room table, how valuable the antique dishes were.  I even asked the hostess if she was sure she wanted us to use them because it was a buffet. She assured us all, that it was alright, saying, “Those were my mother’s everyday dishes.”

I thought about how wonderful it must have been to have beautiful dishes from your mother. My mother never had a set of china, never thought it was important. So, I didn’t have a set of china either.

The hostess who owned the Normandy flow blue set of china called me a few years later. She asked if I was interested in buying the set. She was downsizing and knew how much I loved her dishes.

I wonder how she knew!

The first thing I asked her was, “Don’t your children want them?” To my surprise she said, they didn’t.

She also said, “Some of the dishes have chips or cracks, but most of them are fine.”

“No problem. Chip, cracked or broken dishes have a special place in my heart and they will be displayed.”

She had an antique dealer appraise them. She offered me the same price they offered her. If I didn’t want them, the antique dealer was going to buy them. Well, of course, we bought the set of dishes, and they grace my kitchen beautifully. Every day I enjoy the beauty of these dishes, and they remind me of all my blessings!

Hubby searched the internet for a Normandy flow blue teapot because he knew I wanted one. He didn’t find a teapot, but he bought me two cups and saucers. They had chips on them, but they were still expensive. You might not think that chipped, cracked or broken dishes are valuable. The thing is, when you know the meaning behind the item, they become priceless treasures.

I went to England a few years ago with four other ladies. While we were in England, I was looking for a Normandy teapot. We shopped but with no success. One of the ladies said, “Why do you like those dishes anyway? Do you know they are rejects? Lots of people used them as flower pot saucers. At one time you could buy them real cheap. People used them for common dishes. They also threw them in the trash.”

It is true, the flow blue dishes were rejects. The reason they were discarded was the blue dye overflowed outside of the lines into the white area.  So, they were discontinued.  Over the years they became sought after and valuable. To me they have a special meaning. Not because they are beautiful or that they have become a collector’s item. No, they have a life lesson that I treasure.

It takes wisdom to have a good family, it takes understanding to make it strong. It takes knowledge to fill a home with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3.4

Blue and white dishes. Chipped, cracked or broken dishes. Being rejected. From trash to treasure. These are all examples of stories that are dear to my heart. They are written in my book, “A Basketful of Broken Dishes”.

Laundry Room

How do you capture the charm of an old house with a total new renovation? A lot of people were surprised when they saw I was not putting in all the latest new trends. I just couldn’t. I wanted a home that when you walked in, you would feel welcomed with down on the farm charm. Why not? We have the perfect setting, a barn, a chicken coop, a milk house, and a shop. I wanted a home that would welcome my ten grandchildren, family and friends with open arms. To have it filled with laughter, love, and memories that last a lifetime.

Notice that there is no curtain on the window. The window is the picture frame that captures the beautiful view of the farm.

We left two hand-hewn old beams exposed in the laundry room and one along the stairs. They are part of the old structure which nicely displays and holds the new.

The old picture of the laundry room was the entrance to the house and our first impression. I don’t remember what I thought when I entered, but now my entrance is also the laundry room. Not thrilled! That was not in our original plan. We have a friend’s entrance in front of the house with a place for guests to park. But it seems everyone who comes to our house, even strangers, automatically drives to the back of the house. If I had to do it all over, I would put the laundry room in our master closet. Then I would have added an entry in the back of the house. Now our guests go through the garage, then enter my laundry room. I guess all who enter are back door friends. There is a saying that “Back Door Friends Are The Best” I have to say that is true.

Oh, by the way, the old concrete double sink in the old picture is now a beautiful flower container in my garden. The old wringer washing machine is in the barn and is sometimes filled with ice and cans of soda at parties.

Friends Entrance

The friend’s entrance area contained six doors. Old houses often had doors at every opening to another room. That way they could close off each room to contain heat. We took away two doors but added a friends entrance. Now there are five and only two are the same, but the historical color green pulls them all together. I also choose to keep the old doors. Some we didn’t even fix up and paint. We kept the old chipped painted doors. Some we had to replace but tried to keep it looking somewhat the same.

On the top shelf, you see The New England Village Series Snow House a collector’s series. The set, in the middle, is called the Mullet Amish Farm. My maiden name is Mullet, and my parents come from the Amish. So when I found this treasure, it was very special. I wanted the snow houses in a place that would be up and out of the way. I wanted them to give a welcoming glow when friends entered. I have a light on in almost every room in the house 24/7. I love light, and the little lights just give enough glow to brighten up my day. Especially on Ohio dreary days.

Guest Bathroom

The guest bathroom has a new appearance. I decided to use fabric and baskets, instead of wood doors, because I wanted the old farmhouse charm.

“May All Who Enter As Guests, Leave As Friends. “