Welcome to My Soulful Home ~ Historic House Tour !
I am excited that you stopped by...want to look around & get to know each other a bit?
For the last 14 months I have been putting a whole lotta 'soul' into our new to us old house.
I thought I would share a bit of the transformation with you and some decorating tips for now.
The tour isn't complete as I still have rooms to finish decorating. I will keep updating the house tour here as I do.
Click the images to visit the room.
Our house was built in 1886 as part of the original Indiana Colony here in Pasadena California.
It is on the National Register of Historic Homes.
It is a tall wood clad Victorian Farmhouse that I loved the moment I laid eyes on her, although she was not exactly looking her best.
I joked in a post that this old lady needed a lot more than a good spa day..." we started with a deep cleanse" ( all new plumbing ) and "straightened out her crossed wires" ( all new electric ) and so on.
She needed pretty much everything, but wow are her bones good!
I was in great anticipation of the day I would be adding her "lipstick & earrings" ( finishing touches ).
That day - or better put, those days are here!!
We incorporated much of the original details and treasures found in the house. Treasures purposely left behind by the charming, cantankerous, elderly hoarder of epic proportions who had lived here for 50 years.
There was A LOT of stuff to get through before we could even start the restoration. But we hit the ground running...so here we are 14 months later down to the details. Phew!
Do you want to see a bit of the before? Really? Well, don't say I didn't warn you!
Click the link in this post to see the video of the BEFORE kitchen.
I get lots of questions about the stove. It is a 1924 Reliable. After a complete overhaul it works better than any high end stove I have ever had. When we moved in there was a fire extinguisher right next to it ~ swear!
One of the treasures left behind was the original paperwork & exchange of letters between the stove's first owner & the CEO of the Reliable Co. The letters are dated 1924. You can see them here.
Below is the dining room. The chandelier is not original to the house. I spotted it at a yard sale as I wizzed by as a passenger in an acquaintance's car headed to a meeting. I almost screamed STOP, but I hardly knew the driver.
I sweated it out all day until I could get back to the sale. To my utter delight it was still hanging there! No way, right?
Now the re-wired 19 light Maria Theresa hangs here & makes me very happy. And what a deal it was!
Decorating is my passion. Not so much for the things, but for the peace and joy a well decorated home brings its owners.
I love to help my readers and my clients create sanctuaries from the outside world.
Quality of life improves exponentially in a well decorated home. If there hasn't been a scientific study on that there should be. But I could tell you the results - a resounding yup!
My daughters share this hang out room/tv room now that it has been fully renovated. Oh my you should have seen it before. Well, you still can if you click on thru.
Here are three decorating posts you might find while I finish up the rest of the rooms!
Two True Gray Paints that Stay Gray on the Wall
Waaay Inexpensive Appliance Handle Alternative
Oh, I also venture into the "outside world". Gardening is my other great passion.
Are you a gardener too? I have a gardening club you might like to join. All levels are welcome ~ we can all learn from each other.
Details about the club are here.
Here is my lovely lady just after her new coat of white paint.
Thanks so much for coming by today! If you'd like to subscribe I will enter you to win a free hour design consult.
One winner per month chosen on the last day of the month.
If you do sign up ~ Welcome and Good Luck!
** Kelly **