Still Working on a Sewing Repair Project: Roman Shades

I bought these two Roman Shades in a lovely toile fabric at the Fireman's sale in 2019 hoping I could use them. This year I felt I could tackle the project and I am almost at the finish line. I just have to try and iron out all the wrinkles and get my handyman to help me hang them on the French doors that open to my balcony overlooking the rear of my property.

I love this country print in black and cream.

A closer view of the last panel that ends in black grosgrain ribbon that has been box pleated. This panel had the same print on the rear side that was badly sun faded so I made a white panel to cover that damage for each shade.

Here is that back panel in bright white. I had to replace 50 of the "O" rings that had cracked and split from sun damage. The ones I ordered are UV protected and that shouldn't happen again. All of the two middle rows required replacement but only several of the two outside rows. I can't tell you how many times I stabbed my self with a needle doing this part of the repair.

Top looking down showing the pull cords and the wrinkles.

The cord pulling mechanisms.

A closer view of the bottom panel with the last pleat flipped back. I am almost on the home stretch. The worked in front of the TV in my living room for the sewing of the rings. Then I moved to the farm table in my kitchen to work on restringing the cords. I actually worked there when I put pins on all the pleats to hold them in place before I did anything.

Yesterday I set up my ironing board at the end of the farm table to help me with with the design and cutting out a sewing pattern for the rear panels. After I cut and measured and ironed all the seams under, I went to the attic to sew the margins. I ended up having to use a stapler to attach them because the fabric layers were too thick to hand sew. What an adventure but I am pleased with the outcome. I worked off and on for the better part of at least 10 days and it's been a great winter project. I am bothered by the blinding sun I get in the summer from sunup until early afternoon and these will be a big help to keep my living room cooler. I have a glare problem in the winter and the two glass doors let out a lot of my heat. I will probably raise them as much as possible for morning glare and maybe drop them completely at night to prevent heat loss. I'm just taking this one step at a time to see what works. I will post photos when they are hung. xo

Genius Idea for A Pot Filler

I love this idea for a pot filler over an expresso machine tucked away in a cupboard. I never could understand them over a range because you still have to pick up the pot to empty it. This is a terrific idea, isn't it? Photo found in a wonderful before and after kitchen remodel.

Enjoy all the wonderful photos and have a good week. xo

https://erinkestenbaum.com/2019/11/06/one-room-challenge-fall-2019-the-kitchen-reveal/

Kitchens Without A Center Island

I was so excited this morning when I found an article that once appeared in the Wall Street Journal about "Why Kitchen Islands are Ruining America's Kitchens". I went thru this process when I was designing my own cottage kitchen in 2002. My contractor wanted me to put in a breakfast bar and I didn't want one. I don't like them because people can't look one another in the eye when sitting side by side. Please read the article in the link because I think it hits the nail right on the head. The photo above is the author's kitchen. She shows other views in the article.

I measured and measured, put down a cardboard cutout the size of my farm table and it worked perfectly in my cottage as you can see below.

This is my kitchen that was designed around this antique farm table. The bentwood chairs came with my cottage. I have never looked back. xo

Cat with a Sewing Project

I have been busy up in the attic sewing curtains for three windows and I have been enjoying myself immensely. This kitten sewing with a red hot needle made me laugh. Will post photos when I'm finished. I found four long panels of lined sewn curtains in a big blue and white checked fabric and I had remake them for my windows. They were double lined and will make my attic much warmer this winter. More later. xo

A Country Kitchen to Love

photo source

I love this kitchen island with lots of drawers and two open shelves at the end. This large kitchen has a farm table too instead of bar stools. Yay, and a window seat too. The floorboards look old but the construction looks new; perhaps it's a restoration. I couldn't find any additional photos but I know I would like the rest of this kitchen.

Kitchen Doors that Open Out

Hmmm. Would this work at my cottage? If my two French doors were divided and opened out, I could have full-length draperies to block the blinding sun in the summer and the cold drafts in the winter. I must investigate this idea. The only time it might be a problem would be during a deep snow. I like the teak flooring squares on the balcony floor too. Nice! via

All is calm at my home this morning after a day of frightful wind yesterday and last night. I lost power for a short period four times and appreciated having a generator. Some large trees came down in the woods but not on my property. The wind after I went to bed was the worst. It sounded like a freight train but I diverted my ears to the TV and watched The Nun's Story on TCM that I had recorded earlier in the day. I had never seen it and enjoyed it very much. Audrey Hepburn was great. Have a peaceful weekend and be safe if you live on coast where the tides are going to be a problem this morning and this evening. See you later. xo

Amelia Handegan Virginia Restoration

18th Century Rose Hill Plantation

The music room at Rose Hill, an 18th century estate. I adore this painted floor.

The library holds books that have been at Rose Hill for two centuries.

Isn't this the perfect place to enjoy the books in the Rose Hill library before retiring to the adjacent master bedroom? The open fire is the icing on the cake. This old house has been decorated in such a livable manner. Read the article and see many more photographs of this plantation country house via Architectural Digest. Have a great weekend. xo

1829 Mount Fair Farm restoration Charlottesville, VA

I found the article that accompanies yesterday's guest cottage post. The History: The original residence at Mount Fair Farm in Charlottesville, Virginia, was constructed in 1829 as a two and half story Greek Revival home set on 200 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The house stayed in the Brown family until 1930, when the first head of the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, Edmund S. Campbell, moved in. The property remained relatively untouched in the decades that followed, other than the addition of a kitchen in the 1950s. Interested? Read more and see additional photos (before and after) HERE.

1829 Restored Farm in Virginia

‘Revival’ of an 1829 Virginia farm. Mark Finlay Architects. Mark Finlay photo in Garden and Gun Magazine. I cannot tell you how much I love this! via

Veblen House in Minnesota

Such a nice restoration! via

Delightful Vintage Decor

See more photos of this restored blacksmith shop in upstate New York here.

Restoring the Cupola

This takes my breath away.

There is a whole complex of old buildings that look like Old England around the corner from me. New roofs are going on all. These guys on the peak of the cupola are so brave and surefooted. I am always amazed at people who can do this since I have a fear of heights!!!

Nanking Sauceboat c.1750 with Repairs

 

 

I have had the most fun recently viewing a wonderful blog devoted to repaired ceramics called Past Imperfect, The Art of Inventive Repair. Dealer/collector Andrew Baseman is especially fond of pieces with more than one form of early repair. This Chinese porcelain sauceboat has a metal replacement handle as its first repair. When it was dropped a second time, an 18th century china mender applied 9 metal staples. I have always been fascinated by these make-do repairs, the ultimate in early recycling.

Abandoned Cottage By The Sea

I see new boards so hopefully someone is trying to save this beauty by the sea. via

Restored Welsh Farm Without Electricity

This farmhouse bedroom in Wales looks charming doesn't it until you learn that this delightful renovation has no electricity...yet. It's off the grid.

Built in 1805, abandoned in 1948, and vacant for 40 years aside from providing shelter for sheep. The farmhouse and outbuildings were restored and the roof was recovered in thick local Welsh slate. Read full article and view lots more photographs here. Hackett Holland Ltd. Architect

Portland Home of Jessica Helgerson

It's always interesting to see what an interior designer and her husband do when they restore their very own fixer-upper. I love the vintage stove in this delightful Portland kitchen. Click here and follow the arrows for a complete house tour. You'll be so glad you did.

A Real House for Owls

This house is approved for renovation by the owls. They are watching for someone to step up to the plate. via

Fabulous salvaged farm sink.

Repurposed, salvaged sink in a renovated Vermont kitchen. Smith and Vansant Architects. I love everything I see in this photo. via

Repurposed Old Door into A Coffee Table

Here is another old door that is now being used as a Coffee Table.  I'm glad to see they didn't try to disguise it but left on the old hardware instead. Here is another one now being used as a desk.

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Interior Sliding Door Hides Pantry

Here is another recycled door hung barn style in a kitchen to hide the pantry and wine cooler. I might use something in this condition in the basement, loft over the garage or the attic but it would have to look spiffier and cleaner for me to use it in such a nice kitchen. How about you?

See my other posts on this on-going subject.