Tuesday, August 26, 2014

An Old House Tour



There are several entrances to the house. At the moment, this side entrance is the primary entry we're using while completing renovations before we move in. 


It is a classic old mudroom. 

Here we are in the dining room. The sliding metal door to the left goes to an outdoor patio. 

This will be the living room, which is a wonderful larger room. 


The other side of that same room. 

We'll use the other front room for our office. 

The downstairs bathroom. 


Here's a peak down the center hall. 


I love this little door underneath the stairs. 

Here's the upstairs master bedroom. 

The other side of the master bedroom.  


Off of the master bedroom is the master bath. A second door leads to a hallway and to the other two upstairs rooms. 

I had an amazing ah-ha moment this morning regarding this bathroom - a true old house mystery! I can't wait to share it in a future post. 

Here is the larger of the other two bedrooms. 

And the smaller of the two. 


From the top of the stairs, there's a peek at the front door. 

The kitchen, looking one way... 

And the other. 

The kitchen nook. 

Off of the kitchen is a room we'll use as the family/playroom. 

It has two great big windows. 

The other windows are blocked by a very overgrown rhododendron that we'll be pruning back a bit to allow more light to enter. 


This is the utility/laundry room. 

Laundry area.


The utility room leads to another door. 


That takes you to a very special place...


A place where Grandma (my mom) and other guests will stay when visiting. Lots of work to do before that happens! 

It has two big windows, which brighten the space. 

The door to the left is the bathroom. 

There is a shower on the opposite wall. 


The door to the right goes to a dark but rather spacious area. This space thrills me as it provides extra space for nieces and nephews. I realize that this isn't the most wonderful photo to offer incoming guests but I promise, improvements will be made! 

The barn, which is located beneath the guest quarters. 

So that is our new old house. Built in 1825, it is of Federal-style architecture, with most of the historic features still in tact. For the last 25 years, it has been owned by a wonderful man and his family who used it as a summer home. 

There's plenty of work to do before we move in. We are going to update the kitchen and bathrooms and there will be a lot of paint involved (adding and subtracting). 

I'm excited to share the renovation process with you. 

108 comments:

  1. A beautiful home with so much potential! How exciting for us readers that you are willing to share the process of making it your own. Thank you!

    I am curious what the little cupboard is next to the living room fireplace.

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  2. How exciting -- I love your new old home. Looking forward to future posts and updates.

    Love the exit sign in the utility/laundry room. Made me smiled as I thought of my grandfather who was a retired fireman.

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  3. So light and bright with all the wonderful original windows. The ceiling beams in your family room are wonderful. I'm so excited to see what you have in store!

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  4. How fortunate I feel to be able to follow along with your changes and additions . . . A treasure you have found!

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  5. I love it now and I know I will love it after your renovations. It looks like a huge job but having seen what you can do , I can't wait to see the finished product.
    It is a wonderful old house .. congratulations :)

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  6. Oh the possibilities!! Can't wait to follow along! Thank you, Sara, Ohio

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  7. Love this house! Thanks for the tour! Wondering what the little door goes to next to the breakfast area.

    (Got a little tickled to learn you keep your nieces & nephews in the closet! lol)

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  8. What a lovely home! I can't wait to see what you do to it to make it your own! After watching your skills with your old house I am sure this house will turn out spectacular! Thanks for sharing your journey!

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  9. Oh my goodness, what an amazing house!! I cannot wait to see what you do with it and will just live vicariously through you during the process! What a beautiful piece of history that I know you will give new life to while embracing its past. Gorgeous:-)

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  10. So beautifully classic!! You will do wonders to this home and I look forward to watching your progress! Thank you for sharing.

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  11. Oh, Catherine, I can't wait to see what y'all do with your wonderful old house!! I loved everything you did with your other house, so this will be a real treat! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

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  12. What a fabulous home. I can't wait to see it as you do all the renovations and updates.

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  13. Two posts in two days – life is good! Your new house has great bones and I can tell already that it is going to be a very special home. So many wonderful fireplaces. The kitchen is huge and I love that it’s an eat-in. I can’t wait to see what you guys do with it. Love all the moldings and that you have guest quarters too. And, it’s always important to have an exit sign so you know where to leave at! ;-) Is this house in a country setting like your last house? Linda r (phila burbs)

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  14. Love, Love, Love it. I am soooo excited for you. I can't wait to see what you do to make it your own home. But judging from the past, you will do wonders.
    PS: I am glad that you are back - Have missed you

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  15. How exciting!

    NancyO.

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  16. I'm also curious about the fireplaces and little doors next to them . . . I've never seen that before.

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  17. Beautiful old house! Those old windows are amazing. And built in the 1800's - you have found a gem! I simply cannot wait to see what you guys do to this old beauty!

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  18. The cabinets next to the fireplaces are all cabinet-like. It doesn't look like there were used for anything other than storage. Perhaps in the bedrooms, to keep clothes warm. It will be interesting to look into it more.

    The little door next to nook is a pantry. There is also another pantry next to the refrigerator. We'll keep both of those spaces when we do the renovation.

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  19. Can't wait to see the progress as you dig into the renovation process. I'm sure it will be amazing. So looking forward to watching the journey.

    Kim in Washington

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  20. I love, love, love it! One of my favorite styles. I could look at the photos over and over, taking in every detail. Cannot wait to see everything you do with this house. Thank you so much for continuing to share with us!

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  21. a lovely house -great bones -can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  22. Oh my gosh, what a wonderful house! I am so happy you will be posting again and renovating and we get to follow along.

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  23. what a wonderful house, that TUB in the downstairs bathroom is amazing. and that utility room has so much space it can be an office/craft room too. Simply wonderful to think how this will become your home.

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  24. Catherine and family: I am so happy for you! It is great to see that you are undertaking another restoration; I will be following along. Best wishes, Cindy

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  25. So Exciting! Can't wait to follow along with this journey! Thank you for sharing with us! Robyn C.

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  26. So exciting! I can't wait to see how y'all transform this beauty!

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  27. I can't wait to see what you do with this old house!

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  28. I can't wait to see what you do with this house!

    Michelle

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  29. Oh my goodness, I can not wait to see what you'll be doing to this charming home - what a treat for all of us! Thanks for sharing.
    All the best,
    Julie

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  30. I can't wait to go on long on this journey with you! My dream was to always renovate an old home like that but it just didn't happen, I can now live vicariously through you! It will be fabulous when you're all finished!

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  31. How exciting! Being from Portland I was so sad to see you and your family move away...but I can't wait to follow you on this new journey!

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  32. May it be blessed with peace love and joy and may you make the best memories and may it shelter you and comfort you all the days of your life.
    Love ya my friend
    Lisa

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  33. This home has 'lovely bones' and I can't wait to see what you do to make it your own. I know it will be wonderful!

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  34. Oh, I can't wait to see what you do in this beautiful home!

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  35. congratulations! what a project. post lots of updates!!

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  36. Wow! So awesome - I love all of the fireplaces, which of course make sense in a house from so long ago. Can't wait to watch the transformation.

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  37. What a beautiful "new" old home. :) I agree with the other commenters---sooo much potential!! It's such a nice large space than your last...I'm sure you are thrilled to think of all the possibilities! I have no doubt you'll make it into a gorgeous, loving home for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your journey with us--it's exciting to read about!!!

    Gail

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  38. I love it and can't wait to see what you guys will do to it!
    marsha@tubbslanefarm.com

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  39. This is very exciting. I can hardly wait. As the mom of a girl and a boy...if they each get their own bedroom, give the girl the larger room. In the future you will be so glad you did. xo

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  40. I. can't. wait. So excited for you!!

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  41. Such amazing bones. I, for one, am particularly excited to ready along here to see how this lovely home evolves to meet your family's needs (and your impeccable style)! Congratulations!

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  42. I found your blog after you'd done many of the renovations to your first farmhouse, but of course I had to read about it all from the beginning. This time I'm here at the beginning. I can see that it will be a wonderful home for you. I love the little bedroom with the stencils, all the fireplaces and wainscoting, the light-filled front hall and the Art Deco bathtub. Very exciting!

    Jane

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  43. Congratulations! I love all the fireplaces and some of the builtins. One thing for sure...that old federal is in for the makeover of a lifetime! Have fun and I'll be tuning in to see the beautiful transformations!

    Rita

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  44. Oh, how I love old houses. So much character there.
    We live in an old house also, although being built in 1920, our house is new compared to yours. We have so much fun fixing up our old house, and can't wait to be inspired by you as you work on your new old place.

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  45. It is a beautiful home already - I can only imagine what it will look like when you all are finished with it. Looks like there is lots of room for the kiddos to roam. Can't wait to see your vision come to life. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your new/old home!

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  46. ...Congratulations! So exciting and so wonderful! Thank you for the tour, I as well as so many others I'm sure, are looking forward to seeing this journey unfold with you and your family. :o)

    ...Peace & blessings to you.

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  47. Oh-my-goodness ,the charm is this home is exploding!! Just viewing these pictures ,I see so much charm & potential! Can't wait to see the after! :))) I love it!!

    Paige.Rose
    www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com

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  48. Wow, what an amazing old house. I've been following your blog about your former house and the beautiful renovations you made there so will be interested to see the updates in this gem. I can't believe all the big windows too! It's going to be so beautiful. Pam

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  49. Congratulations on your new home! Looking forward to following along on your renovation journey. I can only imagine how beautiful it is going to be. So excited for you and your family!

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  50. I am so excited for us, lol. I say "us" (meaning your family an d all of us readers) since it's just so much fun watching you guys renovate the place. You have exquisite taste and styling and I really enjoy the journey. Congratulations. Love the bones of the old house. I am sure you will make it even more beautiful.

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  51. This looks like such a fun and lovely new home for your family. One of my favorite parts are all of the beautiful historic windows. Please, please, please keep them and restore them. There are a lot of resources on the east coast to help you get that job done, and the best part is that it is a much more "green" way to go. Saving old growth wood, resources and money. You can check out Allback Linseed oil paint and if you contact them they are super helpful and they may be able to point you in a direction of someone to contact for the windows. I am not affiliated with Allback in any way except choosing their products to restore my historic home in Spokane. I chose them for their historic accuracy but also they are 100 percent non toxic and I have contacted them and have experience with them. I hope you have a ton of fun fixing up our new house!

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  52. Wow it's amazing and beautiful. I'm excited for you all and can't wait to see the transformation. Enjoy the journey. I love this blog it brings a smile to my face when I see it pop up in my emails x

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  53. Wow it's amazing and beautiful. I'm excited for you all and can't wait to see the transformation. Enjoy the journey. I love this blog it brings a smile to my face when I see it pop up in my emails x

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  54. What a beautiful, character filled home. I look forward to watching it's evolution. Best of luck!

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  55. Such a lovely old house, rooms of great proportions, lovely space to grow into. Cannot wait to see your special touch added to make it yours. I think I am more excited about the changes you will make, than on my own reno's. Probably because I don't have to live through yours : ) Patty/NS

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  56. How happy! You have found a wonderful place to call home. I have followed your blog for a few years now, admiring your style and grace from afar, but have never left a comment. I was so excited to see this post that I couldn't help but send my congratulations.

    Raquel

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  57. Dear Andrea, All of the historic windows will most definitely be restored.
    Best, Catherine

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  58. Fabulous! Love the fireplaces, woodwork, and classic lines! As a friend of ours once said to us regarding our former fixer upper, "It has good bones!" That's all you need!

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  59. Oh, I am so jealous! It has so much potential. Just beautiful. Please give us a sneakity look at the garden and outside too.

    Lisa, London

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  60. Absolutely beautiful house, and I know you will make it into an even better home. Agree with everyone...we'll all be waiting to see what you do. I admire your taste and envy your husband's skills. Blessings to you and your family in your new home.

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  61. Just found your blog via the gardeners cottage. Looking forward to seeing what you do with your new house. I love your style.

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  62. Talk about a house with "great bones." I have dreamed of moving from CA to New England forever. I am half way there since we moved to Austin last year. I'm curious as to what state you landed in and how you are adjusting from the West. I haven't given up on the dream yet. Until then I am excited to see what amazing things you do with this lovely home!

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  63. This house is in the perfect condition for your magic -- no horrible misguided "updates", no "beyond hope" dilapidated originals. I can't wait to see the transformation. And so spacious!
    I'm curious what you will do with the painted floors after your experience with the guesthouse floors.

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  64. what a perfect house for you guys. it's really going to be fun getting to watch you guys wave your magic over this gorgeous place. congratulations!

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  65. I'm giddy with excitement to watch as your new home transforms. Thank you, in advance, for sharing the experience! Looking through the collection of photos of your Oregon home always gave me such inspiration and tranquility. As I said then, like a cup of coffee or morsel of chocolate, your blog is one of my favorite indulgences. So looking forward to this new adventure!
    An update on my cousin, who had struggled for years to get pregnant -- she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world this past February! Such a blessing!!

    Best regards,
    Tiffany Smith
    Lamoni, Iowa

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  66. So excited to get to see how to make it your home!

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  67. Dear Catherine,
    We are removing ALL of the paint from the floors. A huge task but needed as it is lead based and it is not in good shape. So lead paint will be abated, and I will do a post on that.
    Best,
    Catherine

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  68. I got more and more excited for you as I scrolled to each picture! What amazing potential!! I remember looking at the first pictures of your old house and then the amazing transformations you made. Thank you so much for sharing your house renovation journeys with us! I can't wait to see what you do with this place! It is my dream to one day find a house like this one and make it my own. For now, I'll patiently await your next blog post!

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  69. Oh...my...goodness. I can't wait to see what you do with this beautiful diamond in the rough.

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  70. Catherine,
    This house has such lovely bones. I will look forward to seeing your stamp on it. Where have you moved? I can't seem to find it anywhere. I know New England but can you give me an idea of where? I just moved from the Lexington-Concord area after living there for 30 years. There are many houses like yours that I will miss. Good luck!

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  71. So excited for you and your family.....such an amazing new home for you all.....I can't wait to read and see the updates as you add your magic to it.

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  72. It looks like you have found another one good one! I am excited to see you and your husband transform this old house into your family home. I love your simplicity, thoughtful nature and careful selection in your home design. I hope this is an enjoyable renovation journey for your family. Thank you for bringing us along.

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  73. Your blog is my absolute favorite! I am so excited to see this home shine up with your wonderful style and soothing color palette. I feel blessed to be able to see the transformation :)

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  74. The house is amazing. Great photos. Your mind must be spinning with decorating ideas!! Mine is; I'm jealous;):)
    xxoj.

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  75. Hi Catherine, for that period, those rooms look huge! My (main) farmhouse is circa 1860's and the rooms are small and ceilings are very low. I see some wide-plank floors in your photos - do you have gaps between the planks by chance? If so, I will be curious how you refinish those to fill in the gaps. It has me puzzled as the planks in my floors have shrunk quite a bit; in some cases they are open straight through to the crawl space (yes, imagine away).

    It is interesting to consider how a century ago regular folks were living in our homes in much different conditions than we have now. The HGTV show Rehab Addict is enjoyable where the host rehabs old properties and restores them (as much as possible) to their original condition.

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    1. Dear Michele, The gaps are not as wide as the ones in our house rental. In other old houses I've been in, I've seen stained ropes between the cracks. I think that's a pretty old school remedy. The cracks in our rental feel as if they go down into the deep dark earth, so I know what you mean! Best, Catherine

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  76. I am in love! What a beautiful home, even before you start your changes. They don't build homes with that kind of character anymore. You are going to have a blast making this home yours.

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  77. many exciting possibilities. so tickled for you! donna

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  78. What a wonderful home, and I can already imagine the wonderful things you will do to it. Are there three bedrooms in the main house? How nice that there is a separate wing for guests. I loved the guest house on your former Oregon property. Will you share photos of the exterior of this beautiful new home?
    Claudia

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  79. I love the new old house. So much charcter which new homes lack. I was enchanted with your other home and all the work you put into it.You are to be admired for all your work to these fine old houses.

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  80. Finally! I have been waiting patiently for your next renovation! I cannot wait to see how you bring life to this beautiful old house.

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  81. Wishing I had the finances to redo an old home. Maybe some day...but for now I'll love the journey through this one. Exciting times ahead!

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  82. Oh my what a great house! Would love to live there. It'll be nice when you are fixing it cause it's gonna be awesome.
    Love Elzie

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  83. Congratulations on your new home! I know it will be just as beautiful as your last house. Could your old house mystery be a laundry chute? We had one in the 1901 home I grew up in.

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    1. No laundry chute so far! But I will keep an eye out for one. I will post on the mystery next! Best, Catherine

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  84. It looks amazing! Can't wait to see how your decorate it!

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  85. This is so exciting! I feel like I've got a new TV series to look forward to. Can't wait for the next episode!

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  86. Oh my gosh I'm so excited to see what you do with this. Please give us lots of step by step updates.

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  87. I love your "new" old house. I wait for reno photos. I have two Old houses and this one just gives me goosebumps.

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  88. WOW! it looks really spacious for little tots to run about in! It has great architectural bones. If I may ask, do you have a timeline for the renovations in mind? Have you considered wallpaper for any of the rooms? Congrats again, looking forward to the renovations! Many happy memories are sure to be made there.

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    1. We are working on the timeline. We will most definitely have to do things in phases. If I could find a green wallpaper (doesn't off gas, etc.) I would consider wallpaper. I may try stencils using no VOC paint. I'll post on what I find out there. Best, Catherine

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  89. Holy fireplaces! It's beautiful Catherine and I can't wait to see how much more beautiful it will become under your care. I love the hand hewn wood beams in the family room. I'm so happy for you guys. Congratulations! -c

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  90. I can't even. So beautiful. Love it. LOVE. IT.

    Take good care, Em

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  91. It's beautiful!!!! Do you have any exterior photos?

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  92. Tania Charlebois tanchar1989@gmail.comAugust 30, 2014 at 10:23 AM

    I came across your blog while I was looking through instagram and saw your comment in princess snow farms and clicked through your pics. Awesome pictures and such a beautiful home you are redoing! Can't wait to see te progress! I think I saw Athens somewhere and I'm hoping that's texas. As I live in Tyler and that is close enough to make us neighbors in this big ole world. I am a homemaker and gardener as well and have been married for 25 years. Happy remodeling!!

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  93. I am looking forward to seeing your renovations. What a lovely home. I wonder if you will enlarge the opening between the kitchen and the den or take down the wall. The den is a wonderful room.

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  94. I am so looking forward to you bringing this home back to beauty with your husband's considerable skills and your exquisite taste. Thank you for sharing this.

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  95. I am so looking forward to following along as you embark on this wonderful new adventure. It's beautiful.

    - Maria

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  96. Really looking forward to seeking the transformation. A couple of questions: how much property is there (compared to you other home), and, now living on the East Coast, how is the cost of living compared to the West Coast - i.e. for home prices, property taxes, etc.

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    1. The cost of living is hard to compare because each coast is so different. Technically, we have less acreage at our new house compared to our old house but the same when you compare yard acres (we had and additional five acres of forest in Oregon).

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  97. Oh I'm so excited to see you transform this home

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  98. Catherine, thank you for taking us along for your new old house renovation. I so enjoyed your blog from your Oregon home, culminating with your wonderful Country Living spread! Best wishes to you and your family for all the new adventures which lay ahead.

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  99. It is such a lovely home! I am intrigued when I see how wide some of those floor boards are! Thanks for taking us along on your next renovation adventure!

    Isabella

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  100. Wow! Absolutely so excited for you and cannot wait to see what restorations you have in store! Laurie

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  101. I am in live with everything about this house. It might be my dream house. Can't wait to see what you so with it.

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  102. What does the outside of the house look like?

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  103. I haven't been keeping up with your posts lately so I didn't know that you've started a whole new home renovation. SO excited to be able to watch you during the process!!!

    : )

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  104. Okay, wow!!!!!! I guess I'm WAY behind the times. I can't wait to get caught up. This is really exciting!

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine