Wednesday, March 5, 2014

CHERYL BUTTS IN: WHAT WE COLLECT - pt. 2

Since I am still elbow deep in painting at my new house, I'm happy to turn my blog over to my friend Cheryl for another round of "Cheryl Butts In".


It is me, Cheryl in Wisconsin again.  If you’re reading this, Danni has not changed her identity and e-mail address to avoid me yet.

In my first post, I discussed the stuff we connect with, stuff that defines our style and makes us feel as one with our homes.  For me, primarily, it is heavy metal.  Secondly, it is architectural salvage, or as I affectionately refer to it:  Old House Parts.

My house is just one big Old House Part.  Built in 1901 as a Victorian bungalow, it was more of a worker bee house among some multi-story beauties in my neighborhood.  Some of the homes here have been beautifully preserved in their original state.  Some of them have been updated with uncharacteristic materials, now simplistic shells of their former glory.

Luckily for me, my home has most of its original character.  When I got it, it had a new veneer of vinyl siding (great for insulation and low maintenance), and new aluminum storm windows (don’t have to change out the storms/screens each season change), but the interior windows remain, the beautiful wraparound front porch is still intact, I have all the original oak bullseye woodwork (painted white), and save for a back porch addition that allows me to access my basement without going outside, and the addition of a bathroom, it has the original floorplan.

This wall is in my dining room.  The shelf brackets are from the exterior of the house across the alley, they swapped them out for ones made out of composite materials.  I took the old ones off their hands and went to town with a heat gun removing years of leaded paint.  Fun times.  The bottom piece is from a ????, I bought it at a barn sale.  It matches the newel post sitting next to it, I got that at a garage sale.  If I was ambitious I would work these into some actual structure.  My routine is to bring it in and display it like art.  It is art.


This pediment could have once topped a stately mansion’s front door.  Now it hangs above my china cabinet, highlighting my crooked lampshade. 
 

This is a wall in my bedroom.  The piece up top is actually from a NEW piece of furniture that fell apart before it was purchased by anyone.  I painted it and beat the crap out of it so that it would look old, and hung it on the wall.  The joke-of-a-closet (tiny!) had no door so I cannibalized a storm door and used the center section to hang there.  (Yes, people of 1901 didn’t have a lot of clothes but didn’t women wear those huge hoop skirt ensembles?  Where did they hang them up?  Did they just wear the same one every day?  I digress…) That is my baptismal gown on the wall.  My friend Karen is freaked out by it every time she sees it, so I leave it there.  For fun.  I don’t know what else to do with it.  My cats won’t wear it.


I used old gingerbread pieces instead of a curtain in the window above my kitchen sink.  Yes, that is the neighbor’s house.  We’re all just one big happy squashed together family here.


I stuck a piece of old tin on the wall I like to splatter grease on.  The lamp is an old industrial type.  It was made by Pitner Arc, a company that was instrumental in the oil to electrical conversion for lighting.  I had it rewired.


A door handle, beautiful enough in its workmanship to hang on a small wall, no door opening required.


Old house parts used to create a focal point at the end of my fenced in backyard.  I WISH MY BACKYARD LOOKED LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW.  If we looked at this view today, it is white.  Just white.  Looking forward to spring!!!!


Old door, old window boxes, old spindles.  New herb garden.  This is right outside my back door, very handy for when you need a handful of basil, etc.   Just not in the winter. 

Thanks again for letting me share.  Thanks again to Danni!
 
 
 
 

42 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks, Carlene! There is definitely lots. A couple of years ago I tried to go more 'minimal'... it lasted about 2 weeks. The world just has too many things to offer for me!

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  2. Oh Cheryl what amazing salvaged pieces you have - LOVE that tin metal plate beside the stove - well love everything really - you have an eye, Girl !!!
    And I even love that your baptism dress is on the wall ( my girlfriend used to have a wedding dress hanging in her room - that was a little spooky - I used to tell her it reminded me of Miss Havisham lmho )
    Beautiful things - beautiful post - closer every day to your very own blog I'm hoping !
    XOX

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    1. Thanks, Suzan! You already know that my bedroom is all white because of your inspiration.

      (Maybe I have the 'Baby Miss Havisham' version.)

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  3. LOVE your old house part collection. They add so much charm and personality to a home. I have been known to crawl under barns and old houses to see what was discarded years previous. Please come back in the summer to show off your backyard.

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    1. I would crawl under the barn or house with you if I were there. I'm going to move a couple of things around outside once the weather allows, I will definitely share updates.

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  4. You have a fabulous sense of design Cheryl. Even though I don't lean toward the shabby chic and rustic look I am in awe of how you've put your home together. So many interesting and wonderful items! Hope to see you with your own blog someday . . . you've done a wonderful job with Danni's!

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    1. You are so very kind, Gail! I'm having fun hanging out here with Danni!

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  5. Brilliant. I love your old house parts. Especially the outside ones. I really am craving spring.

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    1. I'm craving spring also, Olive. My dream last night was of green sprouts popping out of the ground. Odd, but very welcome.

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  6. You just have to start blogging! You do, indeed, have an eye for design. Love the backyard.

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    1. Thank you, saying I have an eye for design means a lot to me. I just love 'playing with my house'.

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  7. Wow, you really do have the eye for great 'old house parts' and a great knack with displaying them.
    I also really love what you've done with the end of your garden, it looks like a secret hideaway down there, I'm taking notes !

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    1. Thanks, Fiona! This summer the secret hideaway is getting a small tree. It had a beautiful birch tree, but that was struck by lightning and died. I'm thinking perhaps something that flowers....

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  8. Cheryl, I love how some of your pieces are old salvage, and some of your pieces have been turned into old looking salvage to make them work with everything else. I'm particularly crazy about the area just over your kitchen sink with the gingerbread piece and the hanging pitchers, but truly, I do love it all. Thank you for sharing, looking forward to more!

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  9. Replies
    1. Yeah, what Tina said. I love he baptismal gown bit. ;)

      -andiu

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    2. The fact that you enjoy my humor warms my heart. Thank you.

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  10. Ok Cheryl, is there something wrong with the baptismal outfit that I need to know about, cuz that is one of my favorite things!

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    1. Karen's exact words: 'freaky little ghosty dress'. It cracks me up! This is made all the more funny because Karen is one of my friends that I have had practically since I wore that thing.

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  11. Love your humor, Cheryl ! And when I looked at your bedroom wall the first two pieces which caught my eye {because it is lovely!} were the top thingy and the baptismal gown - such a special piece, hope you leave it there !

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    1. Thank you, Linda! I will leave it there. It's actually a beautiful little dress, and it reminds me of my pretty special childhood.

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  12. I am now going to dig out my christening dress and I will hang it on the wall. I would do it to see if it freaks out my friends, but my only real-life friend is DL. All my friends live on the internet. Great job, Cheryl in Wisconsin!

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    1. Thanks, Kirby! Set up a time and invite us all to drive down and check it out. How's tomorrow?

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  13. Wow, you've got an amazing home! I love all the decor touches you've put in it, and I love your backyard!! You had me chuckling about your christening dress, why can't you convince your cats to wear it? lol
    Yup, you definitely need a blog...you'll already have a lot of people signing up to follow you!
    Debbie :)

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    1. Debbie: Josie, my 18-pound Maine Coon is the only cat that will wear anything. She is very particular though and only wears a black leather biker jacket.

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  14. Too funny! Love the baptism story! Your home is filled with wonderful "goodies"!~~Angela

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    1. Thank you, Angela! I think of them as goodies, also.

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  15. I love how you've put your displays together. You have a lot of very cool stuff!

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  16. Cheryl has so many wonderful items in her home.

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  17. Are you sure your cats won't wear your gown. I heard that's the hottest cat trend right now! I love love love your moldings. So beautiful!

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  18. I had a hard enough time trying to give one of them a leeetle tiny pill this morning. If anyone has not tried administering a pill to a cat, you should try it! It's a blast!

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  19. Cheryl you need your own blog stat that herb garden is the coolest thing EVER!! Maybe drug your cat to get it on but I think that leaving up to creep out your best mate is hilarious!

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    1. Thanks Mel, I can't wait to plant this year's herbs in there!

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  20. Hello, Cheryl! I so love your home! This week, my favorite photo is the one of your herb container garden! What an amazing idea! Cats can be stubborn, can't they? I'm sure one of them would look darling in your gown! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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    1. I agree, they would look darling... but they're such tomboys!

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  21. Well you must be my sister from another mister! because not only do I love heavy metal, but I grab every piece of architectural salvage I can get my hands on (and afford). My backyard is white too. 4 feet of white. I'm wondering if it will ever melt. Till next time...

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    1. Karen, my sister: it will melt. It has to. I'm about to go out of my gourd. I need some fresh air and sunshine!

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  22. Ah Cheryl, how lovely! My faves are the kitchen window and the backyard fence. Your "old house parts" are truly inspirational!
    I'm with y'all, c'mon Spring!!!! Di

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