Thursday, August 2, 2007

Beauty in the mountains...


The vanity in our master bath was custom made by our cabinet guy, Ken Wheeler and we tiled that and the tub area with a beautiful aspen green 2 x 2 matte tile. We especially love the heated tiles in the floor. It really doesnt get better than this. I dreamed about this bathroom and taking long soaks in the tub for years until it became a reality. We did most of the work ourselves but had some help with the floor tile and the drywall. Obviously we couldn't hang the drywall on the 16 foot high ceilings.
Make this your dream home, in the mountains of North Carolina.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Looking inside. . .

Taking a look inside means something different to everyone but as we look to sell our house inside definitely means.... inside... our house. This room is completion of a visualization that I had for years both in my mind and on paper. The window seats that line the window wall was something that both of us decided would be the perfect setting with the wall of nature on the "outside". The window seat wall and book shelves were custom made by a local cabinet maker, Ken Wheeler. Ken actually did almost all the work on our cabinetry including the built in drawers in the bedroom and the vanity in the master bath and all
of custom cabinets in the kitchen and utility room. We designed
the fireplace surround and
Ken built that for us as well. Now that I think of it we have a huge amount of custom cabinetry in this house. He also built custom
closet doors in the master to match the style of the window seats.
I love those drawers in that room. They are so big that you don't
need a dresser or a linen closet. It holds everything including
some of "extra" fabrics.The French doors lead from the bedroom
into the master bath and another wall of windows to the
outdoors adjacent to the Porcher Whirlpool tub. Skylights
light the room during the day and the ceiling fan brings in
cool breezes at night. Isn't it wonderful? That heated tile
floor is awesome in the winter. With all that said, why am I moving?
Yes, everything in the house is done really really well with the best
craftsmanship. That goes for the outside as well, but sometimes one
just needs a change. Not sure what that means but for me it means
a change of place, a change of scenes and possibly a studio. Although our
upstairs is huge with 3 bedrooms, I can't quite bring myself to make that
area "my space". Paul has done a good job of claiming most of it
and that's just fine for me. His space is filled with what he loves to do,
it works well for him.
For now I am here, but looking to make some changes although it does not mean leaving or abandoning Random Arts. A little insurance for all you might help alleviate that concern, and that is the inside information that we are creating & designing our new T-Shirts and aprons. It looks like the mid August should be the release. Check back with us for a little look at what we have done.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007




Each day I become more and more in love with the place that I live. Do I really want to move? Not sure, not sure, not sure but inside I know it is the right thing. We have spent so much time and energy turning this frog of a place into a prince. I can tell you each board, each nail, each screw, each tenth of inch that each piece of siding was placed and each piece of oak flooring and how it was positioned and how we agonized over each wall, and each window. should I go on?

Sunday, July 15, 2007

A place to reflect




We are quite fortunate to have 2 wide open porch spaces for relaxing, entertaining or dining attached to our house here in Saluda. The weather in western north carolina is pleasant enough almost all year to enjoy either the bright afternoon sun to warm us in December on the front porch or early mornings with coffee right outside the kitchen on the back porch. The cool mountain breezes provide just the right amount of comfort to diffuse the afternoon sun in the summer. Over the years we replicated the original railing piece by piece by planing, sanding, priming and painting each individual stile on both porches. We wanted to stay in keeping with the craftsman style the way it was built in the 20's. For some time, we had this expansive 30 foot front porch without a rail which was quite intimidating for our guests. Even though it was only 10 feet or so down to the ground it was sort of scary not having a railing there, but we were not going to compromise the integrity of the house and buy some "random" pre-built railing system that "just didn't go with the house". So piece by piece it became reality and the final results are amazing. The pine floor on the front porch is original to the house although it took some "beefing" up of the floor joices underneath to create additional stability, and some blood, sweat and tears to sand, prime and paint to seal it against the elements. Looks great now and some of that original character comes through loud and clear adding the vintage look that we love.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

sweet sweet summer

Soon the crepe myrtle along the front porch railing will burst open with beautiful magenta flowers casting a muted hue onto the porch floor. The porch swing allows us to gently rock away the stress of the day. I made several colorful throw pillows of greens and pinks for added comfort and Paul's wind chimes from around the world catch the gently breeze. The best thing about the porch is that it's as long as the house and seats a large group for a gathering of local artists. The ceiling fan provides extra breezes on the warmest of days in mid summer while the cool evenings and setting sun lure us onto the porch at twilight. Even when the temps creep up into the high 80's occasionally here in the mountains, we can always be sure to enjoy cool and comfortable sleepytime dreams.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Beauty in every step. . .

There in the background you can see the working barn built in the 1920's when the house was built. Inside are 4 stalls that were used by the goats and sheep who roamed the property. We had a field day with that old manure when we cleaned "that" out. Still today, our gardens flourish because of it! Old wooden steps inside the barn lead to the upper level which is a wide open space surrounded by only the trees and sounds of nature. We had hoped to transform the barn to a working studio/living area however the years passed and although our idea is still a good one, time is not something we have a lot of these days. I could always imagine taking our teachers into the barn to retreat for the evening during their weekend teaching events at the shop. A glass of wine on little porch, looking out over the trees, only to be secluded, rested, refreshed and re-energized for another day of teaching... ahhhhh.
Notice the stone path in the foreground as it meanders around a large maple tree. Along the path are plantings of hydrangea, hostas, ivy, astilbe,l enten rose, azalea, laurels and dogwoods.
A small shady spot with 2 brightly painted adirondak chairs welcome an afternoon rest. Just another "outdoor" room to enjoy the many beautiful seasons here in the mountains on Western North Carolina.
So, now you have another little peek of the beauty in n my little mountain retreat in Saluda. Maybe after all this thoughtful contemplation about this sweet little space of mine, I might change my mind and decide to stay. Hmmmmmmm......Until then we are progressing with the sale.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

From the beginning




The time has come for us to sell our house in Saluda. After 13 years and the trials and tribulations of a complete renovation we have decided to move onto something smaller. It's odd how after pouring our heart and soul into this project we can let go emotionally to all that is here. When we moved here in 1994 our visions were much different than they are now and not to mention that we were 13 yrs younger and full of energy and enthusiasm.
In 1924 someone took the time to situate and plan this craftsman style home in the perfect location in relationship to the sunrise and sunset. We noticed this early on when we first moved here and began "doing our thing" with the gardens. Actually there were no gardens here, just overgrown trees, underbrush and lots of poison ivy. We took down huge pine trees that were planted on the corners of the house, by tying ropes to the trees and pulling hard. Yes, the two of us did that and more including pouring a new foundation on the back of the house and constructing a french drain system. That was the beginning for us and now that we have a complete master suite with built in window seats and storage, skylights a soaking tub and a separate shower and heated tile floor. All of the oak floors have been stripped and finished and all the original windows with leaded glass have been restored to perfect working order. Some windows were replaced with custom Marvin windows in keeping with the craftsman style of the home.
The main level also has a living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room and a full bath. A full length country porch invites afternoon tea with a wicker swing and white pickets rails.
Upstairs are 3 full bedrooms and a bathroom with pine floors and storage closet in the attic area.
Outdoors there are 3 wooded acres completely untouched except for the woodland paths complete with wildflowers such as lady slippers, trillium and jack in the pulpit.
A paved driveway leads the way to our house through rhodedendrons, azaleas, english ivy and mountain laurels. The original barn still stands along with a drying shed, workshop and garage, on this once working farm.
A covered back porch was completed to provide outdoor dining and an enclosed hot tub area and several feet away is an unattached pergola perfect for additional entertaining. Near our back door is the pump house that houses the water supply equipment and a garden shed for easy access to all our gardening supplies.
Beautiful plantings are everywhere including iris, wisteria, hostas and guided stone paths and a small pond which now has 2 really cute frogs.
So, all in all that's our house in a 500 words or less located in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains in western north carolina in Historic Saluda.
Thanks for looking at my blog about our house here in Saluda and if you are interested please email me for more information.

Only serious inquiries please