Our first real storm (which is hard to believe!) in February. It was fun to see how the house and barn look with loads of snow-and it stayed very warm.
I have now been asked several times how old the house is-that is what we wanted!
Category Archives: architecture
Parquet Floor from Monticello
A few people have asked about the parquet floor that we did in our front hallway-what was the inspiration for it?
The truth is, that was in the works from the very beginning. At our very first meeting with the architect, my husband mentioned the parquet floor. Right away Jen Hart, the architect, lit up-“I have always wanted to do that!” she said. The reason? They both went to the University of Virginia and love Monticello in Charlottesville. This floor is in the parlor (pictured below) and is made of cherry and beech. It is said that Thomas Jefferson designed it himself, although the thought is that he may have seen something similar during his years in France as the Ambassador in 1784-89.
Each unit is constructed of a center square of cherry and a border of beech. When first installed, the contrast between the woods would have been even more striking than it is today, with the cherry coming across as a rich red and the beech a golden blonde. Beeswax was the only substance used to bring out the color of the woods. Additionally, the squares were installed with their grains going in alternating directions, which would have added further nuance to the regular geometric pattern of the floor, depending on the angle of light and where one was standing.
J J Hardwood Floors from Acton,MA certainly did a very good job of replicating the floor for us. We were all very true to the design as well as the woods used for the project and the installation.
Settling into Woodstone
We got moved in for Christmas and had such a great time with everyone home. It was incredible to me that we even got the Santa and Snowmen collections out and the little dog tree. Our new kitchen table worked great-wonderful for our large family.
It was great to get the art work unpacked-especially the 5 black and white photos of our kids that were taken 20 years ago. I also always feel like it is home after I get the needlepoints with our kids names up too-my sister did those as each child was born. We also hung the paintings that our daughters each did as gifts to us over the years.
And it was great to see the ping pong table again-it had been in storage for 9 years as it never worked in our old house on Main Street.
While we used all of of our existing furniture there were some “news” which was a lot of fun too!
The Final Inspection!
Yesterday happened to be Dave Jenkinson’s birthday (he is the main contractor on the house) so I ordered a cake from Concord Teacakes to celebrate. Right as we were cutting into the cake and all of the workmen were gathered in the kitchen, the inspector drove up the driveway to perform the final inspection and give us the occupancy permit so that we could actually stay in the house. It all passed, so last night was our first official night in the house!
We were able to get our Christmas tree up which seemed appropriate for our first night there.I feel like this house is a combination of all of our years as a family-we took a piece of each of the 12 houses we have lived in and enjoyed, and created this house. Christmas trees are the same-each ornament brings a memory-something one of the 5 kids was interested in,or a place that we visited,or a location where we have lived over the last 34 years. A true piece of your history as a family.
Happy Holidays to all!
Moving Into Woodstone
We aren’t living in the house you-we still need the occupancy permit -but we are having a lot of fun getting all set up. So far all went smoothly due to the incredibly warm weather(in Massachusetts??!) and it is so nice to see our stuff again. Trying to get ready for Christmas all at the same time is proving interesting!
Home Stretch at Woodstone
Wallpapers and grasscloth are installed on the first floor.Trim almost all painted and Family Room my favorite green- Saguaro by C2 Paints. Parquet floor in front hallway is finished but needs a couple more coats which happened this weekend. The screen porch is begun-they can finish that after we move in. The mudroom tile is in. Brass locks have been installed as well as most knobs and pulls. The kitchen island is in and the granite comes Friday for that and all counters. The columns outside were all painted on Saturday,after these photos were taken. Move in this week!
Final Touches at Woodstone
We are moving in next week!! This is the fun time-seeing all of the lights we have picked out over the last year ,the fixtures,the wallpapers and paint colors,the knobs,the mantle details,the column(exterior) details,cabinetry and so on.The floors are all done now-first floor just needs two more coats next weekend and then good to go!
Giving Thanks at Woodstone
Without all of these wonderful people we would never be where we are-about to move in the beginning of December…
Lots of new things last week-knobs starting going on doors
The mantles arrived-this is the Family Room
wallpaper was finished on the second floor
The parquet floor for the front hallway went in
Mudroom tile went in back hallway and Powder Room
Bathrooms had shower doors installed,and fixtures are done
Kitchen is getting there- the island just arrived
Very thankful!!
Third Week in November
Living Room getting painted and getting floors-
Living Room and Dining Room mantles going in
Wallpapers in-this is the Master Bath,hallway and powder room on first floor.
Granites,soapstones for counters arrived-and toilets!
Front staircase is finished.Handrail is cherry and will be linseed oiled.
Outside also really coming together-we are even starting to get grass from hydroseeding.
Mudroom tile will be placed this week-
Second Week in November
Things are really ramping up now!
The shutters went on the outside which made a huge difference.We still have railings that will go on the side porches.
The front staircase also went in-very exciting!
AND the wallpaper guy, Russ Leonelli came!! The back staircase was tough…
They are also making huge headway on the kitchen-the island comes tomorrow. Lots going on!
Lauren Huyett Interiors 