Photos of the fabu

The top two photos show the new hutch that I got from a fun shop in McKinney. It is circa 1955...Eames era although it definitely isn't Eames. The bottom two photos are the new/old fiberglass umbrellas that a gal who Esther met gave me. They need some cleaning but other than that they are in terrific shape. Now, I just need two umbrella stands and to figure out where I want to put them. The colors are kind of fun...can't wait to see them standing! 

Still moving forward

I haven't added to the blog lately but the projects are still moving forward! Nothing terribly picturesque though...painting trim, painting the ceiling, organizing the closets, etc. 

Today, I bought a mid-century modern china hutch, that was an incredible buy and is in terrific shape...I've cleaned it and put all of my italian glass wine glasses and dessert plates, along with a lot of other baubles inside. I was also given two 50's era fiberglass poolside umbrellas that need some cleaning but will look awesome by the pool once I get them erected...I'll post pics soon!  

Privacy fence pergola

OK...the first photo shows a little of my lovely neighbor's "brown house of burglar bars"...after meeting my neighbor, a friend said he didn't know if the bars were to keep people out or to keep the neighbor lady in...my guess is to keep her in. 

Anyway, I've wanted to put something up here for a while but couldn't decide exactly what I wanted to do...it's the west side of the house so the afternoon sun is severe so I chose a contemporary style for privacy...I'll take the horizontal slats all the way down but for now stopped at the top of the fence. For phase 2, I will add the rest of the slats and then add crossbars on the top and attach solar screening to block the sun...then I'll let the wisteria take over from there!

Labor Day...emphasis on the "labor"

This long weekend is filled with lots of projects; however, as is usual when I have a lot to do, my back is having issues...may be time for yet another procedure for pain relief but we'll see how far I get and I'll add photos later!

Caulk...more caulk...

I had no idea one house could require so much caulk...but with 25 windows, 4 doors, and miles of trim there are a lot of cracks that need plugging. In addition to all of the caulking this weekend, I also finally painted the closet door and the last window in the master bedroom...now I've noticed that the bathroom door needs some new paint as well as the bathroom itself so that's next.

I've seen a number of Cliff May homes with colored front doors so I am thinking of adding a fun mod color to one or both of the front doors...just to make them stand out a bit...hmmm...what color???

A few more pics

Things are getting cleaned up and pictures are getting hung...I found that I am more motivated to get things put away if I leave it out because I hate clutter so after almost a month in the house I am pretty much unpacked and many of the smaller projects are completed. 

I have energy efficiency experts coming to do an audit and weatherstrip and caulk so the house will be ready for the winter.

I thought I'd add some pics of the back back yard and deck since I haven't focused on that much. There used to be a water feature in the bed by the deck but I had it removed so now I have to fill it with plants that'll feed the hummingbirds and butterflies. I'll probably add a tree in the yard as well.

The last pic is the walkway to the pool...I love the wisteria over the gate!

Getting there!

I thought I'd show the front of the house again since I changed the numbers to more MCM style numbers...I think they look better. I need to straighten the 1 out but other than that I like them! I also thought I'd spotlight the fence that Mark built on the master side of the house...he did a great job. The guest rooms are turning out a little different that I had thought initially, but at least they aren't full of boxes anymore. Now I just have to get the furniture!

Splish Splash

This past Sunday it was about 97 degrees at 10am so Faye finally jumped in the pool...she was so proud of herself and ran around like a pup for quite a while after!

Leo

Here's Leo...he was feeling left out and driving me crazy so I took his photo and now he is lying in his bed...go figure.

Making progress

I thought I'd show the pool at night...it's really amazing to just sit and relax there. Still can't believe it's mine!

Picture #2 shows the master bedroom, where you can see the new closet...it's painted but I still need to trim it out and paint the door.

I've made some progress getting a few pics on the walls and putting the kitchen together...it's not done but it's getting closer! The sheetrock is up so now I have to finish painting, adding trim and then tile the backsplash...easy (right)!

All the workmen are gone!

Finally, the last of the contractors is gone! Today, Steve Kinney (Kinney Electric) finished his work and the inspector came and gave a green tag so all of the electric is done...for now. I have been incredibly lucky with the contractors I have had working on the house...they have been clean, completed the work on time, and did everything I asked. Now the work is up to me!

A few more pics

I had to add a couple more but especially one of Faye and the pool. Faye loves to swim and has been thinking about jumping in so I think any day now she will be in the water rather than looking at it. Leo doesn't seem interested but if Faye goes in he may rethink it!

Furniture is in!

Here are some photos of the house since moving in. There is still tons to unpack but that will just be a matter of time! 

Moving In!

First let me say "Thank You" to my Mom for all of your help...I couldn't have done it without you! To my friends Esther and Nicole...thanks for the boxes & packing materials!
And finally, a special thanks to Janice & Michael for providing some household essentials AND especially for braving the Texas heat to mow and edge the yard!
Most of the big projects have been completed or are almost complete, so I moved almost everything in this weekend. Needless to say...I HATE moving. I forgot how tedious it is.
Sunday night was our first night at the new house and all of us were a little freaked out...no one got much sleep, but Monday night was better (though it could have been the sleeping pill)!
There are boxes triple stacked in the guestrooms but I've at least gotten the furniture set up the way I want it (I think) so I will download some photos tonight once I can locate the download cable for my camera. Stay tuned!

Earlier this week

A lot has been happening this week...I'm back to work, packing my house and finishing up projects at the new house! Needless to say...I've had to be talked down from the ledge a time or two...thanks to my peeps for keeping me sane (well...sort of)!

Pic #1 is the hallway I painted Saturday, pics #2 & #3 show the closet that is now completed. The contractor moved the wall in 3 feet and moved the door to the other side...all in all...I love it...the room is so much bigger and the closet is still huge. 

Since I uncovered the windows in the master bedroom that had been paneled over - I now need a privacy fence on that side of the house, so Mark, my fabu handyman has been working in 100+ degree heat putting that up for me. I'll have more pics of what's happened this week up soon!

The week I took off work!

I took a week off work and removed the wainscoting from the kitchen island. It came off so easily, I think it wanted to come off! I also removed the trim and shelves on the blue pillars which you can see in picture #1. I sanded them and they are now the way they were back in the 50's except for the glass panels that were probably there originally. 

The livingroom/kitchen and breakfast area were painted off white with white trim and the chimney was painted a cream color that I love. The light colors really open the room up and makes it look HUGE!

The last picture is very special to me. It is one of the headers that has the patent pending notice on it that shows that it is indeed a Cliff May original! 

Week 1!

These photos are from the first week of ownership. The whole property is fenced so the front door is actually a fence gate. When you enter the gate, you come into the courtyard with the pool. 

I ripped down the rickety entertainment center that was built into the wall in the living room (pic #3). My painter (Thanks Jeff!) started the day after I signed the papers and he also helped me out by removing the wall of the "Carrie Bradshaw" master closet so the contractor would be able to move it faster. In picture #4, you can also see that he started painting the walls a pale blue and the brown panels are actually windows which he and I uncovered so in the next photos you will see windows there!

The first photos

These are the first pictures I saw of the house...

A new day!

I decided to create this blog because so many of my friends don't live in Texas but they do want to see what's going on at the house! So what better way to keep everyone updated than to show them the various stages of renovation and restoration here!