In May we started a project on our third floor that was a long time in coming. You know that parable in the Bible about the man who builds a tower without really thinking through what it will cost? Yeah, well, that might be us and this house.
In our defense, we sort of needed a big house (although I think I am more of a cottage person), what with having my mother here, homeschooling, Phil working at home, and being sort of crazy. But also, it was the only house available at the time that we could afford and that wasn't either the size of a double-wide or a young hotel. I mean, we saw houses that you could rollerskate in, and by the way, didn't have a kitchen. And weren't cheap!
We just aren't the building type. In real life. We needed something with actual walls.
So here we are.
For a few years, you can show people around, saying, “We just moved in and are slowly fixing things up.” After a while, that excuse gets a little lame and people are just left wondering why you live this way. You stop seeing the bare bulbs and peeling wallpaper. They see it. You don't.
And another very discouraging thing, when you're as slow (and not rich) as we are, is how the room you “just” painted is now in need of redecorating. It's been that long.
Before: The stairs up to the third floor, before. I am responsible for painting the stairs swimming-pool blue. |
Before: At least someone else had refinished the floors at some point. |
Before: Bad hollow-core door. Bad outlets, if any. |
So before we started re-doing things we've already done, we figured we better get some spaces up and running. Specifically, the 3rd floor, which is way, way up there. And it's under the roof (obviously), which, while not a glamorous object, did need to be replaced a few years ago. Since then, walls were crumbling from old leaks. There was dust. There were bugs.
And yes, there was a bare bulb up there.
Before: sad and sorry. But I do love the floors and the beautiful railing. |
These befores are embarrassing.
I hate to even show you these before pictures. I hated taking them, which is why they are not in focus — that, and the fact that it was dark and raining, as was the norm here in the spring and summer. All my energy was going into the decisions and the preparation, and I almost forgot to take any photos at all!
A huge decision was not to go with drywall up there.
If I can take an Auntie Leila moment here to share my thought process, in the hopes of helping those of you who are just as much babies about construction as we are, I would like to say that since the temperatures and moisture levels do fluctuate a lot on the third floor, and indeed it isn't in use for a good part of the year, now that the kids are mostly out, I think it's a good idea from a housekeeping point of view to have a ceiling and wall material that will resist cracking and creating dust. I think that plaster is a good material, but expensive to recreate.
We went with a thin paneling board and, in the rooms, a batten effect that I really love — I'll show you tomorrow. (You can see my inspiration photo here on my Pinterest board.)
After: This is what the stairs really look like, only in a photo, it doesn't work. Lights on, weird effect. Lights off, dark. You pick 🙂 |
AFTER! Here you go, up the stairs! They actually aren't this super green. It's hard to take a photo that gives the right idea of them. The green is strong but not overwhelming. (Do you love the laundry basket over there? Can't concentrate on more than one thing at a time, I guess.) Additionally, note the red carpeting on both levels. That carpet goes everywhere in my house and it's a good thing I don't absolutely hate it. I realize that a more fearless person than I would have ripped it out long ago. But I can't commit to that. So things have to sort of go with it. |
You can go here on my Pinterest board for the thought process that went into this staircase color!
But I can hardly express to you the excitement we all feel at there being actual light fixtures — two of them — that turn on and off — with switches! Before, the bare bulb stayed on all the time, because the cord that you pulled broke off.Â
It was a little third world on the third floor.
After: A schoolhouse style light fixture. One of two. |
After: I left the bathroom door open so that some natural light would help me out here. It's one of the few south-facing windows I have! |
After: the hall and a peek into Sukie's room, which is also a guest room with a double bed. |
On the stairs and in the hall, we kept the walls plain, without the battens (we were running out of money and they look fine).
For all the ceilings and all the dormer slope-y places, we put in tongue-and-groove wood. Seal those ceilings! That's my thinking. Anyway, I really hope that the materials we used will be clean.
We need to put in a railing, and I am, with my branch/log/rustic mode fully engaged, on the lookout for a sturdy sapling to employ for this task. Wouldn't that be fabulous?Â
I've learned over the years that sometimes, the cleaning issue isn't really my fault! Here's a revelation: Some materials are easier to clean than others! Even paint quality makes a huge difference.
The paint for the stairs is Valspar French Olive in Latex floor paint. The walls and trim are all Benjamin Moore Calming Cream in pearl finish. That was my decision — to put something durable up there (since pearl is more durable than flat or even eggshell) and not worry about having a separate trim paint style.
I wanted something light and airy and bright, but not starkly bright like a very white white. Calming Cream looks yellow on the paint chip but is a lovely true cream. I think it fits the style of our house and goes with the trim in the other rooms.
Here's another before-and-after:
Before. Pretty, but musty. |
A couple of years ago I found this Crate&Barrel hamper that someone had set out on the side of the road. It came with the cotton liner and was fairly brand-new. But, as I discovered, it smelled very musty and nothing I did — hosing it down, cleaning it with a stiff brush and hot water with bleach and detergent, leaving it in the sun — made it smell better. (I did wash the liner in hot water and bleach, and that came out fine.)
I almost threw it on the burn pile.
Then I thought — what if I spray painted it? Maybe the paint would seal up the smell.
So after many more passes with the black spray paint than it would have gotten if it had smelled just fine, inside and out, here it is! It sits at the top of my new stairs, in my new hall, holding extra blankets!
There is the story of the stairs and hall. Tomorrow I will try to post about the bedrooms! I think you will really love them. I know I love them, because they are fresh and bright and easy to clean! And ball fringe! I will post about ball fringe!
carrien says
It's really pretty. I love spaces like that with corners and angles but bright and airy.
dweej {House Unseen} says
Oh, the hollow doors. The missing plug covers. The bare light bulbs! Your house is so much like ours…except yours is secretly beautiful underneath it all, and ours is not so secretly poorly built. But we're enjoying it all the same 🙂 I'm going to poke around for more pics…..
Lisa G. says
Yes yes yes, ball fringe! I think i want to put some on the kitchen curtains I'm going to make. Red bobbles on white curtains.
Everything looks very nice and new and clean. Great idea to paint the hamper/basket. As for the sapling, I'll bet you could take your pick of saplings in front of every home in Connecticut – but come quick! before the town trucks come along and pick it up for the dump. A sapling rail would really be great. Nice doors, too. We have the hollow ones – I don't like them but they're not the worst thing about the place.
Good job, and good for you!
womanofthehouse says
I love it! It's a lot like the house we moved from this summer, third floor that needed a lot of work and all. Our decorating tastes are very similar. I really like wood floors with cream walls. That's what we had in our old house, and I liked having the neutral backdrop for all my colorful furniture and accessories. The color of the stairs is great too. Well done, Leila!
Lori says
Oh, this is just lovely. I so understand about slow working on an old home and needing to re-do some things before others have gotten initial attention. Ahem. It's why we take close-up photos, yes?
Donna L. says
I love everything about your home….wish I could find a home with 3 stories! Wow!
My husband and I *are* builders, well, sort of…we have a company build the frame, and put on the roof and windows and doors in, then we do some more of the work–like the plumbing, electric and so forth. Funny thing is, the house has been built for 10 years already and we still have not finished putting in all of the trimwork! Gah!
We just put in an offer on an old farmhouse, which I loved, but the bank took someone who could pay cash. Can't really blame them, I suppose, but I'm still dreaming about the huge old trees laden with apples, a great old oak tree that could have held a tire swing, and a beautiful greenhouse…Sigh,,,
I know I should be happy where I am, especially with my crew of 5 littles, but there is something amazing about an old home, made *new* again….
Thanks for sharing
Mary says
This looks wonderful!! You inspire me to get going on our little cottage. So much to do, so little time and even less money. Creativity shall prevail!! Can't wait to see the bedrooms!
Alanna says
Fresh and bright! Ball fringe! Easy to clean! Be still my heart 🙂
Super job! I'm excited to see the bedrooms.
Colleen says
Love the stairs! In my humble opinion, green is always a good choice. Oh, and the basket looks great. I have a set of 3 (they came from Sam's Club YEARS ago) that could use some freshening. There are definite reasons to keep black spray paint on hand at all times.
Dawn says
Who wouldn't get excited about coming back to see ball fringe! Looks great!
Joanie says
Love!
Amanda says
Haha, your house 'before' looks like the home we just signed a lease on! Luckily my DH and I are sort of freaks and we adore fixing up stuff. Apparently when you mix two perfectionist-idealist-firstborns you get a couple with a compulsive need to fix things up. Perhaps a waste of time but we like our pretty rental homes even if they're only ours for a few years. So this 'pearl' finish paint is truly easier to clean? We have normally done eggshell (flat is just hideous unless it's s ceiling….and only marginally acceptable then imo) but I would be willing to give this pearl thing a try, is it a Valspar thing or could we get it done in another *less expensive* brand of paint?
Btw, it all looks beautiful, homey and inviting and just cute, down to the awesome painted basket.
_Leila says
The paint for the walls/trim is Benjamin Moore, and that is the pearl finish. I think they have more finish options than most other companies, but I am not sure. It's one step down from semi-gloss. And yes, the glossier the paint, the more scrubbable and durable it is! And the less mold can get a hold on it, by the way — a consideration here where we've had such dampness…
Lisa says
I love ball fringe! Can't wait!
Joy says
I love the ceilings and the wood floors. I will store your advice about paint in my brain for when I own a house. Rentals don't allow for change so I live vicariously through people who can change things. It is lovely! I'm looking forward to seeing the rooms.
BethanneB says
I am in total agreement about materials helping or sabotaging cleaning efforts. Plaster is lovely, but it is not happy about water which could always be an issue on ceilings under roofs. I think the paneling was a great choice and does look “sealed” and secure. We have also had good luck with Benjamin Moore paints. We have found out the hard way that not all paints are created equal. Congratulations! What a great feeling to have things clean and neat–I always feel a little like I've got a new house after renovating, whether it's just a small change or a whole floor!
Mamabear, JD says
It looks deliciously clean and bright! I miss our old house, but not the breath holding that came with every repair to the plumbing, the electrical, etc. and then the discontent seeing all the magazines with old houses restored to perfection. I love the Benjamin Moore low VOC paint – it covers great and there are no fumes at all. Lovely.
justamouse says
Absolutely gorgeous, and such an inspiration! A question, I also have three floors and have 6 children in the house who love to run (kittens and dogs running, too). I need to rip up some carpets, and I see you have all wood on the upstairs, what do you use to absorb sound? They do tend to sound like a herd of elephants up there.
Margo says
it's beautiful! and I love what you say about fixing up an old house. My husband feels particularly overwhelmed by our old house sometimes and we bought it 9 years ago, so we need to finish the trim already.
Revely says
You must just want to go upstairs all the time and breathe in that gorgeous new paint smell, and stare at those gleaming floors! I love everything you've done, and most of all I love that you've done what a normal person with no trust fund could do. I am off to follow you on Pinterest, Auntie Leila. 🙂
myenchantedgarden says
Please tell me where you purchased the old school house style light fixture. I just did a board and batten treatment in our dining area and I have not found a ;amp yet to replace the ugly glass and brass hexagon that we have. You fixture may8 just be the one.
_Leila says
myenchantedgarden, I got the fixtures at Lowes. Note the one in Sukie's room is schoolhouse light + fan!
KCJ says
Love your blog – and writing style – right down my alley. Your house is just the kind of house I would love to own but doesn't… yet… Congratulations on getting the third floor done – it take ages to go through a house your size so I wouldn't fret if I were you. One thing I have learned when buying a “new” house is to go through every room and take note about everything because you see the “faults” when you just move in but after a while you kind of don't . From paint to panels to window treatments to missing outlets etc. Keep the list and when you years down the line finally get to a room you bring out the list because quiet frankly you (read I) will have begun to “live” with it and no longer registrer any faults. One thought, hope I don't step any toes here – it's not my intension – how about hanging your bookshelves in the hallway get it off the floor?
_Leila says
KCJ, no bruised toes! Thanks for your ideas!