This Old/New House

Well, it's been over a week since I got here and we've worked almost around the clock! We've accomplished so much, but haven't had time to take pictures or to sit down and write about it. We've got one bathroom completely done, one that just needs touch up paint and caulk and the living room within an hour of completion! We've added on a utility room and in the next 24 hours it will be complete and stocked. (and it was just started 3 days ago!)

The original house was  built in 1889 and it has been remodeled several times. I remember the year I graduated from high school, our entire family worked weekend after weekend getting it "updated" for my grandparents! It has had a few things changed here and there since then, but this remodel is the biggest one yet!

The house in 1984 after the remodel for my grandparents!

One of the best things about this transformation is that the majority of the materials used are reclaimed. My parents tore down an old building for the materials which needed some work to be usable, and they have  worked for months pulling out nails and sanding, etc. I know it was a lot more work, but the savings to them financially were tremendous, and the savings to the environment were even more! And it has been so much fun to look at some of the old pieces and find ways to use them in the house.

I ache in places that I didn't know I had, and I wonder how Momma and Daddy have been able to keep this up for so long. Even though we are exhausted beyond belief, it is so exciting to get up every day just to see what we can accomplish that day before we go to bed! If you have ever taken on a do-it-yourself job you know the frustrations as well as the joys of the undertaking and accomplishments! The absolute best part of this particular time is that we are making memories and with my mom suffering a stroke just over a week ago, we are just too aware of how important those memories are.

As I think about home and my entire philosophy of home and design, I've been thinking about how this home will fulfill every aspect. Not only will it be a place where they can live and will satisfy their needs daily, it will definitely be a place where the love and care and memories abide that will nurture and renew them every single day!