Holly House at One Hundred

Holly House became ours ten years ago last May, when she was ninety. She had been a rental for college students for a few decades when we found her, and it showed. In the summer of 2015, we spent a manic few months restoring virtually every surface in the house, including rebuilding both bathrooms. In the intervening years, we have taken on even more projects. Some are mundane, like replacing the furnace and the porch floor. Others have been more exciting, like landscaping the entire property. This year we finally got around to tackling all of the back yard, and I'm absolutely delighted with the results.

The biggest change this summer, our birthday gift to Holly House, is a new terra cotta red roof. It really sets of the Arts and Crafts paint palate and suits the roofline beautifully. 

We're only the second owners of the house in its hundred-year history, and I feel honored to restore and preserve it for future generations. 

Easter Party Photos

Family Room Spruce

With all the changes in the rest of the house, it seemed like the family room needed a bit of a facelift.

Es is exhausted by all the renovations.

Post-Fire Pics

January Photos

Esme has recently learned the sheer splendor of extreme heat. He's sticking his face directly into the electric logs in the bedroom.

Amaryllis

Thanks to my new label-maker (a Christmas gift from Mom) my crafting area is now incredibly organized.

This chest belonged to my great-grandmother. In its original incarnation, it was a hideous tiger oak veneer. I painted it black. I painted it ochre. I painted it blue. I smothered it in mineral spirits. I sanded it into submission. I stained over all that. Then I added a bit more ochre. Then I took a wire brush to it. It was a long, dirty, laborious process, but I really love it now. Chalk paint is amazing.

"The room service here sucks! Maid! Maid!"

My new, very old, Paul et Virginie girandoles. They're circa 1840 and I got them for a song.

My opaline collection expanded this holiday season.

A new assemblage.

My exterior decorations

The little tree that I thought I could cover with 300 lights. It took 2,000.

The fawn is compliments of my parents.

Frasier Fir imported from IL. Kentucky, however, is a terrific place for holly--it's grows in profusion.

The house decorated for the holidays

A wreath of fresh rosemary, lavender, and thyme that I made this morning.

My new kitchen island, thanks to mom!

My new chandelier--a find from Thanksgiving weekend--only $25! Sadly, the shades cost more than the fixture.

My great aunt DeDe's wall clock. A fabulous new addition to my living room.

Some wreaths I made for the living room windows.