Another Fable: The Hen and the Apple Tree

Indeed, It is always difficult to pose as something that one is not!

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I went to an Open House today for Realtors Only not far from my house and I was entranced by all the fabulous antique furnishings in a modern mid-century house on a large lovely property. I loved EVERYTHING. 

I can't remember when I have seen any antique chalkware animals and was thrilled to see a cabinet full of them today. It's spring and there are open houses to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and public ones on the weekends. Happy times for me as you can well imagine.

Goodbye April and Hello May. Enjoy getting your gardens ready. xo

Recent Sighting: BEST GARDEN BENCH EVER

Do you agree? I wasn't kidding, was I?

Isn't this the perfect location for this delightful bench?

This would have been a good location for the lover's bench but the the owner's armillary had already claimed the spot. Realtors get to see the best things in the best houses, don't they? The house has been claimed for some very lucky buyers. 

Enjoy the week leading up to Easter if you celebrate.xo

New Listing or Why I've Been Busy

Just posted on Instagram Tuesday 6:45pm

The owner took this photo and I love it.

The cherry tree wasn't as pretty when I took this photo.

The owner took this photo too.

We already have appointments lined up and the first showing isn't until Friday. It has been a whirlwind but it's up and running.

See you later. xo

My Miniature Daffodils

These miniature daffodils in my front garden are in full bloom and they make me very happy just to look at them. The deep yellow color is glorious.

I divide them each year and I have 6 clumps about this size. They were presented as hostess gifts to realtors who attended a broker open house several years ago. Each year, I email a photo to that realtor and thank her once again for them.

xo

Personal Home Library for One

Well, do you love this or what? It's called a reading nook in the MLS but I would call it a personal library for one, wouldn't you? The rest of the house is equally wonderful and I can't wait to tour it at the first open house. 

xo

A House with Curb Appeal

This house certainly has everything going for it, doesn't it? It's close to the street yet still manages a curved walkway. I love it! via

Home Page for Latest Post

Stunning Bathroom with Gallery Wall

There are no words to describe my love for this bathroom designed by Christopher Peacock. I have seen many of this firm's bespoke kitchens at realtor open houses and they have all been works of art.

Newest Post Here.

Bold Wallpaper in Powder Room

I found this photo on the MLS and I think it is a great example of a trend to use bold wallpaper in small spaces like a powder room.

My Cow Creamer has A Calf Creamer

I went to an estate sale on Saturday and found this little calf creamer to keep company with the mama cow creamer I already had. Aren't they a delightful pair? I feel as if I have reunited a family.

Home Offices for Working Remotely

Everyone is working from home these days and this is a great article on how some of you are doing it so successfully. I need lots of room to spread out so I chose this photo. Right now the farm table in my kitchen is a total disaster as I am on the home stretch for a real estate closing next week.

Pumpkin (Spice) Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am a fan of all the spices related to pumpkin pie spices and I know I would love these cookies. You could probably spread the dough and cut into squares. This recipe might be a keeper.

I have been really busy with real estate. That house I recently showed you with my staging in the bedroom is Under Contract and I am dealing with home inspections now. Fingers crossed for smooth sailing. xo

Real Estate Staging Before and After

This is a before photo. The previous tenant was storing his furniture in the master bedroom and after one year he removed all of the furniture with almost no notice.

Being the resourceful person that I am, I remembered that my friend had a beautiful nickel silver king sized bed stored in her finished basement. She could not use it when she moved to her new house. In the flash of an eye, she and her husband delivered it and the rest is history. We already had the mattress and box spring and bedding which went together nicely the next day.

The sofa, leather chair and ottoman, and framed print were removed too. I was left with a completely empty room.

This beautiful sofa was in an upstairs bedroom where there were two sofas. I took the most beautiful one and it looks perfect between the twin built-in cupboards. I think the room looks nicer than before. There was a Victorian marble-top dresser in the spot where you see the black bench. This is an example of "A day in the life of the listing agent." The owners have no idea! I would have had to pay a stager a fortune. I researched buying a bed frame but they cost $275. So all of the above was $FREE. Click photos to enlarge.

Views of the empty bedroom.

House with Amazing Garden

Here is a photo of the beautiful house that goes with the enclosed garden with no grass. My generator is running full blast and has been since the hurricane yesterday. The largest black walnut you have ever seen in the parkland next to me was uprooted and is over the road. No power anywhere. Who knows how long this will take. No words. Be safe. xo

Garden Lawn at Open House Today

I went to a public open house today and this is the front "lawn" leading to the main entrance. Not a blade of grass in sight. The beginning of the front brick walk was lined with hostas that weren't looking so great because of the intense heat we've been having and I think they were getting too much sun. I think it would be very hard to have everything looking great all the time but these hydrangeas were quite happy. Hope you enjoyed the first weekend in August. xo

Antique House Random Photos

You all know I love a good painted floor and this round rag rug is no exception.

Same room showing the decorative painting on the woodwork.

Is there no balm in Gilead?

Custom Adirondack chair reflecting the owner's love of dogs and a life well lived raising and training them. I do love seeing old houses that were never "modernized" in an attempt to keep up with trends. I listened carefully to the comments from the public about the things they would do and I hated all of their suggestions but said nothing. I took customers but stayed behind after they left to take my time and will go back again next week for the broker open house. xo

Miniature Daffodils on Sunday

Last spring I went to a Broker Open House and the realtor was giving out pots of miniature daffodils instead of having a luncheon for the agents. I rushed home and divided the pot into three clumps and they are such a source of joy in these trying times.

They are planted near my hellebore.

I am still overjoyed with having this hellebore in my front garden. The window in my pantry where my laptop lives, overlooks this area behind my birdbath and I can see it from my living room too.

This intense shade of yellow is stunning.

My front yard photographed in the late afternoon yesterday. The governor officially closed down New Jersey last night to all non-essential travel and we are to stay home in order to prevent further spread of Covid-19. Stay put and be safe. I will continue to checkin and post frequently. xo

Two 19thC Farm Buildings

These two 19th Century farm buildings or ice houses were partially buried for cold storage before refrigeration and are still useful. I photographed them at a Broker Open House on Thursday. They are lovely and are currently being used for storing gardening items.
Have a great weekend.
xo

Kitchen Garden Near My Cottage

I photographed this raised bed kitchen garden all ready for planting on Thursday at a Broker Open House up the street from my cottage. There was a huge fenced garden with raised beds on the other side of the house too. I love the design of this one. It looks just right for herbs and vegetables. I will keep going back to see if anything gets planted since the gorgeous home is now for sale. I love the doggie door too that opens into a mudroom off the kitchen.

Bungalow to Farmhouse: Renovation Photos Before and After

I watched this transformation on my street and still cannot believe my eyes. It is now my real estate listing and it is quite impossible to describe the renovation. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? It is perfect now in every way. The vision of the architect owner is now a reality.

Open House Today w/ House Tour

I just got home from putting out my Open House signs and my hands are like blocks of ice. I hope the realtors who have not seen this wonderful home will come. I have scheduled a Public Open House for this Sunday from 1-4pm. I know it's Super Bowl Sunday but it's a Super House and I think people will come. Wish me luck.

Virtual Tour Here Scroll down a bit for the Slideshow Video. Isn't it a wonderful house? The owners are an architect and a designer. It is right down the street from my cottage.

503 Spring Valley Road in Harding Township NJ. It is on the eastern side in the Green Village section. MLS # 3612070

Thanks for looking. xo