Between snowfalls and bouts of chilly rain, there comes an inevitable sun break. I love how much you appreciate the simplicity of light scattered among the days of dappled grey.
Updates on the house...
It will take a series of posts to fully explain our journey in refinishing the floors. They represent such a key element in our renovation - and selecting the ideal finish for them has not been simple. But we are very close to finalizing them (waiting for one new product to arrive).
Until then, we will turn our focus to paint. I have begun a search for the best no-VOC interior paints. My key criteria are that the paint doesn't compromise indoor air quality, that the paint is durable and that the paint looks beautiful. Most companies have their own color palette, but can also match the color of the other paint companies.
Other upcoming decisions include choosing a bathtub and sink for our downstairs bathroom. We spent a few hours last night searching together online (which can be a dizzying endeavor). In the end, we decided that we would instead visit various showrooms so that experts could help guide us to the right products. Also, we want to be certain that the products we select 'match.' In our first house (our farmhouse), we learned that white porcelain comes in several shades. Our bathtub was a brilliant white, but the first sink we purchased looked amazingly grey - especially since it was close to the bathtub.
We were able to exchange it for something else but we learned our lesson about the complexities of
WHITE.
Huh, I didn't think that bathroom porcelain comes in different shades of white, thanks for warning! I have a reclaimed sink already in store, so I must compare that to other furniture then.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the setailed information you give here.
Have a look at farrow and Ball paint. They are no VOC and have incredible pigments. You have to see it on the wall to understand fully as there is a depth that cannot be described or see on a paint chip. Plus, the color pallet would be ideal in an old house like yours.
ReplyDeleteYup, my husband came home with a new toilet for our basement bathroom and it was a grayish white. Now I'll have to make sure the sink that we put in is the same.
ReplyDeletedanke für die tollen bilder!!! liebe grüße von angie
ReplyDeleteHow much do I love this chair! Omgosh! You are the greatest deal finder on the EARTH!
ReplyDeleteLove ya
Lisa
I have been looking at various colors of Toile and I cannot decide between the black/white and the blue/white. This chair might have made up my mind :)
ReplyDeleteIn Argentina I avoided the porcelain white clash by putting in a new stainless steel sink :)
What a peaceful corner,,,simple and wonderful! That window is perfect!! I can''t wait to see the rest of your wonderful home! Christmas decorating has arrived at the country in our home! wishing you a wonderful week end
ReplyDeleteTake a look at this :
ReplyDeletehttp://www.quiethomepaints.com/pages/organic
Love this picture. Your style never ceases to inspire me - of all the bloggers I keep coming back to your homes as the ones I love most.
ReplyDeleteYour new chair looks beautiful there!!! linda r (phila burbs)
ReplyDeleteSuch an endeavor you are undertaking! My hat is off to you and Mike. One really must love the process of restoring an old house because it takes so much time and effort. Are you decorating your rental place for Christmas and, if so, will you be sharing photos of your tree and other decorations?
ReplyDeleteClaudia
Hi Trina,
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of "white" how has the beautiful Duncan Phyfe held up with two little ones? Contemplating covering a sofa in white...........but hmmmm it cannot be slip covered given the style, has to be fitted so hence the concern.
Love the new chair in this photo, look forward to seeing many more.
Lisa, London
The Duncan Phyfe is holding up well, although it helps that we only eat when sitting at the table. Also, we're a shoeless household. It is nice to know that we have a spare cover for cushion. But I think in the future, I would do something darker. If it were a slipcover, I would have no issue with the white as I wash our dining room chair covers all the time.
DeleteBest, Catherine
I forgot to mention that as I type, the littles are camped out on the Duncan Phyfe watching a movie. Both have had the flu this week and that has been the favorite recovery sofa. I do have a sheet down just to give it a little flu protection.
DeleteThanks so much for the response. Hope they feel better soon and you had a fun day Sunday decorating the tree. I have always loved your Christmas tree's.
DeleteLisa
We plan to get our tree Sunday - so we're very excited to decorate the rental house this year!
ReplyDeleteBest, Catherine
Take a look at Sunrise Specialty for bathtubs. We have two of their antique style footed tubs that were poured from original molds. They are low key, very white, and, to my eye, just right.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so beautiful and love your chair - a perfect cozy corner. Can't wait to see the floors!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Catherine ... I would love to know the paint color on the wall behind the toile chair. And, welcome to New England. We've lived in the Boston area for many generations! Babette
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you do with those lovely floors. I'm pulling for lye and soap treatment. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are leaning towards a more raw/unfinished look. I've heard about lye and it's historic use for cleaning floors. How do the lye and soap seal it? Best, Catherine
DeleteI love the table. Do you mind sharing where you purchased it?
ReplyDeleteAmazon! This was originally purchased for our guest house and we needed it to be a particular size. It was very affordable, I think under $200. Best, Catherine
Delete