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Posts Tagged ‘decorating’

Though I enjoy viewing beautiful homes from the exterior – I mean who doesn’t love a stroll through New Orleans’ French Quarter, or a drive through Kenwood during dogwood season?  But to get a look  inside – that’s pure joy.

So here’s a peek at some of the detailing inside the circa 1800 home of the founder of New Windsor (Take a look at the exceptional architecture in this little town here).  Click on any image to enlarge it.

Hope you enjoyed this mini tour of New Windsor and the Atlee House.  For details about houses for sale in New Windsor, check out our Vintage Homes for Sale page.

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

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The Farmhouse is getting a facelift!

Yes, that adorable little (heated) house has new residents:   Barefoot Dwelling.   These girls had a vision immediately.  And what has inspired me so about this is that their vision was totally different from what mine had been.

I don’t know about you, but someone with a fabulous vision, totally outside my usual style, inspires me like little else can.  It’s what invigorates me every time I travel, and to have such a vision unfold right here in front of me is exciting!

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So here’s a little BEFORE & AFTER fun for you:

BEFORE, Room 1:  Let’s start in the first room, which was the kitchen.  You may recall how it looked when we first took possession of it in July 2012:

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After removing the contact paper ‘wallpaper’ and vinyl ‘parquet’ floors:

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Two and a half years ago, after applying Farrow & Ball’s Pavilion Grey :

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Now, with a fresh vision comes fresh color!  Using Farrow & Ball’s fabulous paint, Lisa and Mary, owners of Barefoot Dwelling, chose pure white, with contrast, feature walls.

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AFTER, Room 1:  In this first room, the color grabs you right away, it’s Farrow & Ball’s Charlotte’s Locks.  Such a great punch with the fabulous mid-century pallet they’ve collected.

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BEFORE, Room 2:  Then on to the second room, as we found it 2 1/2 years ago:

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After removing the rest of the contact paper covering the wanescoating, and  more of the vinyl ‘parquet’ floor:

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Then, after a fresh paint job (Farrow & Ball Pavilion Grey)  in 2012:

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AFTER, Room 2:  Now with a a fresh white facelift, complemented by a contrast wall of Farrow & Ball’s Churlish Green (yes, that’s a paint name, don’t you just love it??!!)

And check out the sleek mid-century aesthetic.

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This room has NEVER been so cool!

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More great stuff is being added through the week, and you’re all invited to come take a look this weekend, February 20-22, Fri/Sat 9am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm.  I hope you’ll find it as fresh, original, and inspiring as I do!

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

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I have long loved New Windsor, Maryland for its exceptional collection of early 19th century homes.  I first discovered it during my college years – my then-boyfriend (now husband), Chip, attended college in Westminster, Maryland, and the best route there from Frederick was Rt. 26 to Liberytown, and then a left onto Rt 31 (which has some beautiful homes.  Have someone else drive so you don’t miss any of them!).  Rt 31 takes you right into the small, but charming town of New Windsor.  Take a look:

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And all these houses are just along the first couple of blocks as you come into town.

On this particular occasion, a friend of mine, Mary Ford-Naill, had told me about an extraordinary house she was listing on the market and thought I may enjoy seeing.   When she told me it was in New Windsor, I was immediately interested.  And when she showed me the pictures of it, I couldn’t resist.

Because I know so many of you are as keen on architecture as I am, I asked Mary and the home-owners, if I could share it with you on my blog.  So here’s the Atlee House, New Windsor, Maryland, as I saw it just last week:

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The Atlees were the founders of New Windsor.  They first New Windsor Atlee was the second son of a prosperous Lancaster, Pennsylvania family.  And being a second son, he had to go make his own way.  He traveled into Maryland, found the rolling, Carroll County plat listed on the maps as New Windsor, bought it and settled in.  The house is dated to 1800.  The current owners, who run it as a B&B,  have some pictures of it from history:

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This one is my favorite!  The girl’s name is Bessie Roop, and her dog is Shep.  I just love that the dog made the picture, and his name was noted for posterity.

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This was from the mid 20th century, when it was painted white.

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This view from above, shows the old barn (which burned), and the town of New Windsor rising on the hillside beyond.

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At some point during the latter half of the 20th century, it was used as a boarding house, with the boarders fed from the produce of the once-extensive gardens.

I’ll take you inside the house in my next post, where you’ll see the deep windows, the old built-ins, the brick walls, and spectacular attic and basement. (Not to mention the full commercial kitchen  – yes, I’m lusting after their stove and huge fridge!).  The Atlee House and several others in New Windsor are available for sale.  Click here for more information.

Thanks for reading!

Virginia

 

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I’ve been a bit paint crazy lately. The barn, the girls’ apartment, my bedroom, my laundry room. Chip, my husband, just doesn’t get why I’m so into it (or see the value of $85/gallon paint vs. $30/gallon paint).  But, frankly, I’ve become obsessed.

It should also be noted that we live in a 1898 farmhouse with some pretty spectacular wood trim that I’ve been itching to paint for 10 years. Chip is completely opposed. So I offer the following evidence of the positive power of paint. (from CuriousDetails.com blog)

BEFORE: an efficient, if uninteresting office.

AFTER: Add a little paint, and you've got WOW! I particularly love the contrast of the deep, rich blue doors against the clean white office space beyond. An inspired choice.

BEFORE: the broader view of the office space

AFTER: The amazing power of simple white paint. Wouldn't you love entering this office space each day?
Also note that by using the built-ins within arms' reach of the desk, a smaller desk became practical - allowing for the comfort of the pair of chairs in the room.

I hope this gives you some inspiration (it gave me loads!), and perhaps some ammunition as you carry on the to-paint-or-not-to-paint debate with your other half.

Thanks for reading!

Virginia

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Katie R., a long-time customer,  sent these photos of her Chartreuse & co treasures in her home.

Click on image to enlarge:

Picture 1: The pop of blue from the candles and the pitcher draw your eye to the buffet-top vignette.

Picture 2:  I love using pretty little chairs like this in halls and on landings.  They are so welcoming and so pretty.  And, to me, a lovely chair is a piece of useful sculpture.

Picture 3:  Just love the playful placement of these frames and mirrors.  Design tip:  Always have fun with your decorating!

Thanks for reading,

Virginia

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