Hearth and Home

The Nest was built in 1915, over one hundred years ago. I like to think of everything this house has seen: women's suffrage, the end of prohibition, The Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, Rock and Roll, the invention of radios, then computers, then the Internet, 9/11, Marriage Equality, and so so much more. The people who have lived inside these walls over the years surely had a variety of worries, challenges, loves, and accomplishments. But there was at least one constant. Year after year, evening after evening, someone bustled about in the kitchen to prepare home cooked meals, infused with love and care, and placed platters of food on the table under this chandelier. There is comfort to be had there, despite the turmoil we are experiencing these days. Throughout history there has been political and social discord, and there have been people who stood on the side of love, and there have been home cooked meals for us to gather around to find strength and support. 

I was thrilled to have the dining room renovation completed just in time to host Thanksgiving here for the first time! It was a bit of a close finish, with the finishing touches going up just a few days before game time. It was a huuuge undertaking and took over 60 hours spread over many weekends. 

The before picture below doesn't truly capture the state of things pre-renovation. In fact, it actually looks quite fresh and lovely here! This photo was taken immediately after we ran the chandelier crystals through the dishwasher to clear away the dusty yellow residue. Look closely and you can see the oddly matched neutral wallpaper which was peeling away from the wall in many places. The trim was yellowed with nicotine and every nook and cranny was dusty and in need of love. 

Before!

First things first, the wallpaper needed to be removed. I used a steam cleaner to remove the paper in sheets. Very satisfying! And then I used a sponge and a big bucket of hot water to clear away all the remaining glue and paper residue. 

There were still a few lingering holes from the electricians work last year, so I used joint compound to patch them up. Once the walls were bare plaster, they needed to be sanded and then primed. The ceiling got three coats of flat white paint and I discovered about a dozen muscles in my arms and shoulders that I didn't know existed before. Good times!

Primed and ready for action

Then the trim got three coats of white semigloss paint. Special shout out to Sophie, Xander, and Michaela who all pitched in and got down and dirty for some solid painting parties. (so bummed I don't have photos!) Michaela texted me three days later to tell me she was still finding paint in her hair. That's a true friend!

Notice the contrast of the newly painted mantle with the unfinished china cabinet!

Sweat Equity Sunday

The tools of the trade

Finally the "prep" phase was complete and it was time to make the color selection. I chose three green options and two different whites from the huge Benjamin Moore color book, sure that one of them would be perfect. I picked up samples of each at the local Ace (my home away from home), got them home and slapped em up on the wall. I hated all three greens once I saw them in true daylight! Colors often look different in natural versus artificial light, and apparently green hues appear more variable than other colors like blue and gray. I went back to the store for more samples, not cheap, but way better than ending up with a color that stinks.

I ended up using Linen White above the picture rail and Liberty Green below. There was one final day of work to complete the three coats of wall paint and do a full clean up and the job was done! Except for the finishing touch: the birch mural for Simon. 

Panorama View

Jute Rug, inspired by Sophie

Josephine the Fiddle Leaf Fig, still hanging on

Spot the critters (hint, there are 5)

Simon LOVES his new digs

What better way to celebrate the completion of the dining room than with a lovely Thanksgiving meal with friends and family. Cheers to many more cozy meals with loved ones in this room!

Eva, Emmanuel, Dad, and Mom. Ready for a feast!