Updates . . .

 An "artist style" kitchen is colorful

with all the modern conveniences.

We love the oak floors which are original

to the house but have been 

completely refinished.

 The large master suite completes a simplistic

look and style with form and function.

This includes built in drawers utilizing space

under the stairway, custom book shelves and

a fully functional window seat complete

with 3 large pull out drawers with hand

crafted seat cushions.      

  

The living room provide winter warmth with a fully functional fireplace, with insert, for maximum comfort. Through the living area, leads way to the entry door  and front porch,

along with the newly renovated first floor,  

3 piece bathroom. Granite

counter tops and a custom

cherry  vanity with 

high end sink and boutique hardware create an intimate 

space.  Glass shower doors and a full shower work well for everyone including your most discerning guests. Each detail of this renovation was intricately

thought out to provide complete  privacy and comfort. 

All mechanics are completely and thoroughly upgraded to the high standards. New furnace, roof, 200 amp electrical and update plumbing provide safe and secure, year round living.    

Dreaming of living in the mountains?

Your dreams could become a reality........ and we have the perfect dream house for you. Did I mention in earlier posts that we have a master suite complete with custom made window seat and bookcases? Did I mention a Porcher whirlpool tub, skylights, speakers in the ceiling of the master bathroom, custom closets, french doors, built in custom made drawers in bedroom, heated ceramic tile floors, custom vanity, separate shower, Marvin windows? Yes, it's all true. But there is more - original red oak floors throughout the entire house. Five panel original doors throughout, original door hardware, french doors separating dining room and living room, and a fireplace with an insert and a custom built mantel and fireplace surround. Our fireplace has kept us warm many a night when we wanted a little extra warmth and the glow of the burning embers and the scent of the logs. hmmmm... I am yearning for winter to see that fire again. Well maybe not today on this cool summer evening but eventually when summer turns to crisp fall days, it "may" enter my mind, but until then we will continue to enjoy our little piece of paradise right here in the mountains of north carolina.

Winter Beauty in Saluda

If you are looking for a "change of seasons" here in North Carolina,
Saluda is the place to be. Just a little of this and a little of that creates
a pleasant mix that seems to be the perfect climate for a happy
existence.
Spring comes early to the mountains...

Followed by a sunny days and cool mountain evenings...
















Just when you thought summer was here to stay the
leaves start to change into bright vivid colors of rusts, crimson & ochres...
















Poooooof! A dusting of snow and winter appears.

Beautiful fall days in Saluda

Need I say more?

A bed full of Basil

So, what do I do with all this Basil in my garden?
There are several options for perserving basil; drying, freezing,and making a paste.
I do the freezing and the pesto. I make garlic butter and freeze it in ice cube trays and then transfer it to freezer bags. I use it throughout the year in pasta, soups, stews, rices, etc.
Same thing with the pesto. . . ice cube trays then into plastic bags for use throughout the year.
Freezing basil right out of the garden and into freezer bags works great because after it freezes it breaks off into little pieces that are just right for cooking.

You too can have a garden full of basil right here in Saluda. Our property has plenty of sunshine and plenty of trees.

Yes, my house is for sale...

My house looks so great this time of year... I just love being outside here, looking at all the colors of the azaleas along my driveway and up into the yard. There is color everywhere and everyday it is different. This year I have already created a sun garden near my back door so I can easily get to my sunny veggies and herbs this winter.

Even though I am still here in this house it doesn't stop me from creating new spaces outdoors whether it be a new shade area for my ferns or a sunny spot for a new plant that Jen gave to me; a guara. I have never had this plant before and I am closely watching it's development into a full grown perennial.

In the meantime, we are completing the guest bathroom with new tile, new fixtures and literally a new space... although this bathroom had been here (created when the outhouse was "out") and indoor plumbing became a must!

I just felt that this upgrade would appeal to a wider choice of buyers and it would show how much we really love this place here in the mountains of north carolina.

I am selling the house by owner but if any realtors have a buyer I am willing consider offers
and a realtor commission.

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.

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.

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.

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