I’m so tired right now I can barely type. I went to sleep around 1:30 (pretty typical for me) and woke up at 6:30. That’s also typical but I usually go back to sleep for a bit, but today all I could think about was the huge amount of work we need to do outside, so the only logical thing to do was get up and get started.
The first order of the day was to dig a small ditch about 30′ long, 6″ wide and about 10″ deep. We need to extend the existing foundation drain pipe that is buried so that more of the yard will be usable. The dirt was completely water logged, as this isn’t water from rain, but from our very high water table, so it’s a constant flow.
After I showered and washed off all the mud, I took a much needed break and picked up some flowers and arranged them in hanging baskets and containers. While I was doing that FedEx came with the delivery of the dining area rug (I’ll show that to you next time) and a sweet and savory surprise for Mother’s Day from my daughter (see below).
On Wednesday I went on a fun house tour with some friends and I thought I’d share a few pictures with you. When we got to the house I realized I packed the wrong lens, so I wasn’t able to get good shots of an entire room, but I got some close up shots and I also took some pics with my phone so all was not lost.
The house is a traditional Tudor style built in 1930 and is approximately 7,000 square feet and sits on 5.3 park-like acres in a lovely area of Connecticut. The house was in disrepair, but was beautifully restored in preparation for this event and is now on the market.
When you enter, the room to your right is the living room. I love the ceilings and the huge fireplace, and although I do think the furnishings are perhaps a bit too modern for everyday living, I like the stylish and elegant feel of the space.
A close up of the living room floor lamps. Gold ‘twigs’…the perfect blend of elegant and rustic.
The green sofa in the background is what you see when you first enter the home. I love the beautiful color, which is even prettier in person. Oh, and you see those lamps flanking it? They were $18,000 each. Hand carved and covered in 14k gold plate.
Each room in the home was decorated by a different designer, and they all did a fabulous job. I’ve been on many home tours, and invariably there’s at least one room where you wonder, ‘what were they thinking?!’ But not in this home. I enjoyed every room, but my favorite was the master bedroom, where the designer combined classic, glamorous and trendy elements and the result was spectacular.
It was furnished like a movie set, just waiting for Lombard and Gable. (Strangely, this next picture sometimes looks wonky and other times it’s fine. If it looks weird on your computer, I’d love to know.)
The space consisted of a mix of antique and modern pieces, creating a visually appealing and calming retreat.
Another drop dead gorgeous room was the dining room, which was embellished in Robert Allen fabrics, china from Richard Ginori and a porcelain mirror from Lladro. That’s the designer in the picture. What do you think of the ceiling? I love it! All the furnishings in this home were for sale, and we did a quick calculation so if you’re interested in the table settings it will only cost you about $13,000.
The kitchen, while not large by today’s standards, had a very interesting stove which was installed in the 80’s. Although I didn’t take photos, just on the other side of the kitchen wall was a butler’s pantry that was nearly as large as the kitchen itself, with lovely glass-fronted cabinets and a huge double sink.
Moving on, there was a lovely little dressing room with so many pretty touches tucked away in the corner on the third floor.
One thing we noticed was a generous use of metallics in many of the rooms. It was highlighted in interesting ways, such as ceilings covered in unique, textured metallic cork wallpaper, aluminum foil cut into squares and given an interesting patina, or simply using Rustoleum metallic products to achieve a bit of glam.
We ended our tour outside in the charming garden.
Are these not the most gorgeous flowers you’ve ever seen??! We couldn’t remember their name. Anyone know?
In other news…
Remember my bear incident in my last post? Well, the next day we heard on the news that a bear in the same town was chasing two women. They were not harmed, but when they found the bear they euthanized it. That made me sad because I can’t help but wonder if the women were exaggerating and if they were, well, there should have been a better way. (I don’t think it was the same bear that I saw though.)
Now about that Mother’s Day gift…
It arrived in a cute little wooden box covered in corrugated cardboard…
and inside were six of the most delectable gourmet jams I’ve ever seen.
Flavors like Raspberry Chambord, Orange and Cardamon and Tipsy Peach (which has a touch of irish whiskey!). AND…they come in reusable Wick jars. π
I had a hard time deciding which jam to have but I ended up with the meyer lemon and lavender which went really well with some apricot goat cheese I had on hand.
Notice that cute little vintage cup on the right? We took a quick trip to Vermont on Monday and came upon a building that houses tons of antique vendors and picked up six of these Stengl ‘Autumn Harvest’ cup and saucers. The colors are so pretty, I wish we could have gotten the entire set of dishes and serving pieces.
I’ve never heard of ‘Eat This’, but I think they’re certainly going to be hearing from me again!
If you’re a mom or have a mom, are you doing anything special for Mother’s Day? It will just be the two of us, so even though Fisherman made dinner reservations at one of our favorite places, I decided I’d rather spend the day at Elephant’s Trunk in Connecticut. Have you heard of it? It’s featured on Flea Market Flip a lot and I’ve always wanted to go. Maybe I’ll have some pics to share soon.
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Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
My goodness digging a 30′ drench must of been hard work, but if it gives you more garden space it’s worth it. Can’t wait to see the new rug! Thanks for the house tour. Have a very Happy Mother’s day!
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
That sounds like a invigorating way to start your day!
Those are some interesting floor lamps in that house. Loved the kitchen garden cart idea! Makes me wish I had one of those carts cause that would be perfect for this yard (lots of trees and bushes in this rental).
My husband booked me massage for tomorrow so I’ll be doing that and then he and my daughter are cooking dinner and we’ll watch a movie. Today we’re going to look at houses since we’re looking to buy again (that’s always fun – I love looking at houses)!
Hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day!
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Wow you have a been a busy girl Doreen!
I love the photos from the house! Such beautiful bones to it – although I’m with you that several things were too modern for my taste. And I think I wouldn’t be comfortable around such “fancy” furnishings. Give me cozy any day. π
That is so sad about the bear. Boo!
Those jams look AAHHH – mazing!!! Holy yum on the flavors!! May have to check those out in the future. Going to take my Mom and my in-laws out for late lunch at a fancy buffet tomorrow. My Crew has hockey (it never ends around here – goes year round) in the AM so couldn’t do brunch.
Happy Mother’s Day to you dear Friend! xoxo PS: Can’t wait to see dining room rug!
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says
I love show house tours. They give me so many ideas. There was a lot to like in this house, but the gardens were what really spoke to me. Those jams look yummy, and give me ideas for flavors when I make my own. I’m experimenting with marmalade at the moment.
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
What a delicious gift ! π
Poor bear…I hope it wasn’t a mama protecting a cub!!!
Always interesting to see a home…glad that you got some nice photos for us π
Dewena says
Small ditch? Sounds more than small to me! I’ve always loved a Tudor house, it was my dream house when I was young, but never so grand a one as this, just a small one.
I covet those lamps! Gorgeous! And perfect with the room. I do love the dining room table setting and of course the ceiling is beautiful but all I could think about was how to keep it dusted.
I had that exact stove in the late 70s! Except it was not a double oven. Sold it along with the house when we moved to FL for 3 years but I do wish we’d kept it. It was so sleek when closed, like a piece of modern furniture.
Doreen, the wonky picture you mentioned is sideways on my screen. But great pictures you got of this beautiful house! And I love the Stengl teacups and you arranged an appetizing treat with your daughter’s delicious gift. I’ve heard of Eat Me but never tried them–shades of Alice in Wonderland!
Have a fun Sunday at the flea market and take lots of pics!
Dewena
Doreen says
I nearly spit out my lemonade when I read this Dewena! It’s not ‘eat me’, it’s ‘eat this’! LOL What’s even funnier is Tammy said the same thing! You two are a hoot!
xxx
tammy j says
i too thought of carole lombard throughout the tour! it literally smacks of all those 1930’s movies…
not sure how comfortable mister gable would be there though. LOLOL.
the ‘eat me’ pictures and descriptions fair had my mouth watering!
do you have the little ‘ditch witch’ up there? you can rent them. unless you just enjoy digging a long 30 foot ditch with a shovel!!!! you’re amazing.
have a wonderful mother’s day with fisherman. can’t wait for pictures of elephant’s trunk… or the dining room rug… or ANYTHING you eat or do! you’re so much fun! xo
Doreen says
Lol Tammy! It’s ‘eat this’! Freudian slip?? (Dewena said the same thing lol)
(I’ve heard of ditch witch, but I’m the original Pioneer Woman. Now if only someone would tell Ree).
tammy j says
LOLOLOL!!!! just now came back here and realized what you were talking about! oh tammy. LOLOLOL.
yes. probably a freudian slip for sure! LOLOL. can’t speak for my beloved sister dewena of course. π
Julie says
What a wonderful house tour Doreen. You can get so many great ideas from them too! I feel bad for the bear too! What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift from your daughter. I hope you had a nice day. Enjoy this week.
Julie xo
Cecilia says
Ditch digging, house tour with gulp! $18,000 lamps. (Wow, I never!), rug delivery and yummy jams. Sounds like a great week….except for the bear. Sad. Surely there was a better solution?
Hugs,
Cecilia
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
The stone wall in the garden reminds me so much of houses here in Brittany! The house is very elegant, but I don’t think I’d ever feel at home in such a sophisticated decor.
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, wow this house tour sounds fun. I just came across a garden tour this weekend with many houses for show. I love the red kitchen. I’ve always loved red in the kitchen, it’s so charming. Those pink ranunculus are gorgeous. That was the first flower that I planted in my garden this year. I really liked the jewelry tree that is shown here also and the mirrored jewelry box. This is a lovely home, and how special that it was built in 1930. Thanks for the tour, and I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
~Sheri
Kelly says
i enjoyed the house tour! It’s really fancy. that was such a nice gift from your daughter too. It’s always fun to try new foods. Looking forward to seeing your new rug soon.
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
What a sweet gift from your daughter (no pun intended)ββmade my mouth water. My favorite part of the house was the garden. I also liked that weird stove in the kitchen. I’ve never seen anything like it. π
Feral Turtle says
What a place…..gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing your tour. Looking forward to your Mother’s Day outing too. Yummy, those jam combos look so good!
SharonFromMichigan says
First, I was laughing so hard when reading the posts about “Eat This” not “Eat Me”. You girls are naughty! I did love the pics of the house tour. The color of the kitchen cabinets above the stove is very pretty. Funny how they put those chrome and white china handles on the doors since those handles aren’t very expensive. Loved the bedroom, very glamorous!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
I agree some of the fhat furniture is a bit too modern for my comfort, though I tend to lean a bit toward modern with my style. It’s amazing that they were able to salvage that stove. I think it’s awesome that they did. House tours are always so inspiring, thanks for sharing this one with us. And what a sweet gidt from your daughter. My what gourmet blends you have going on there. Any one of those would go good with your apricot goat cheese, what time did you say I should stop by?
Pinky at Designs by Pinky says
Wow, you sure can accomplish alot in a day, girl! I loved the house tour and agree that the living room furnishings seem very modern for the space. But mostly I loved every room. That was a wonderful gift from your daughter too. Glad you had a happy Mother’s day!!!! XO
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
The home is exquisite and that stove is so very interesting…thanks for the tour!….
Sue says
I am so far behind and glad I have finally arrived. Just a spectacular home tour that I adore. $18,000 golden gilded lamps! The photo in question for me is sideways. Loved all the rooms and the kitchen stove was a nice unexpected surprise.
Cindi says
Oh, love your blog!
Adore the Header.
Enjoyed the tour, especially the chairs in the living room and the Lucite chairs just off of it.
I’d like to have that stove and I want those pink flowers.
Your mothers day gift was SO cool! Very nice.
and yes, that photo was wonky. LOL!
I’ll be back!
rue says
The house was a bit over the top for my taste, but it’s pretty. Mostly I love the fireplace. Oh and the stove may have been put in that kitchen in the 80s, but I’m pretty sure it’s from the 50s or 60s. Samantha on Bewitched had the same one π
The flowers are Ranunculus, my mom’s favorite.
That’s sad about the bear. I always hate to hear things like that.
The conversation about “eat me” on here is HILARIOUS.
xo,
rue
Doreen says
I agree. I think the designer said the stove was installed in the 80’s, but it wasn’t new at the time. Definitely looks like one from the 50’s. I think Ranunculus may have won my heart too. Gorgeous!
Always good to hear from you Rue. Enjoy your weekend!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
The Showhome is amazing…I love Showhomes that each room is created by a different designer….and love all of the metals that they have used….I have some wired twig branches that look just like the one on the lamp…hmmm, I could paint them on a vase!