Building a Tree House- Phase 2

We're continuing to work on the tree house in our free time.
Here's where we left off... with the floor/platform built.

Next, Mike built the framing for the sides.

Luckily, we had a ton of old wainscoting left in the second floor of the barn by the previous owner.  It's tongue & groove, so we used that for the siding.

Here's the view from the other side:

The frame of the doorway

We tried to be as conservative as possible with the wood- cutting off the bad pieces, and saving the scraps to use on the angled corners.  It was like a puzzle :)

In progress

In just one afternoon, we completed two long sides, and one "corner" side.

We've put the tarp back over the top, to protect it from the summer rain until we get the roof on there... but first we have to finish the siding.

It looks like the prow of a boat from this side!

Here are some of the views from up there...

Related posts:

Phase 1 of building the tree house

Rummage Sale Finds

A church near our old house has an annual Rummage Sale.  Even though we now live kinda far from it, I still try to get there because they have such neat stuff!  (The old trunk that we found at the 2012 sale is still hard at work in my oldest's room!)

Here are my finds...

A Pewter Pitcher
Mike requested that I keep my eye out for some pewter items, since it goes so well with the time period of our house.  (I love having something to legitimately search for!)

 It's about 6 inches high (here it is standing next to a 5x7 frame, for perspective)   --->

Right now it's on my foyer table, I think I'll put some fresh cut flowers in it.




Then there was this pair of pewter candlesticks...














I placed them both in the family room for now- one between the two new chairs, and one on the piano.  They might be moving to the dining room though.

It was the last night of the sale, so they were doing "buy one, get one free" in the dish/serving-ware room.
The candlesticks were marked at $10/pair, the pitcher at $6, so I got all three pieces for $10!

Then we found this little vase:

Look at how well it goes with my Victorian chocolate set!  

I'm trying to remember, but I think I got this set at the rummage sale 5-10 years ago!  My mom recently gave me the mustache cup that's in the center front, along with the milk pitcher on the left.  I think they all look rather nice together in my china cabinet.

That got paired (for BOGO) with this hanging tea light candleholder:

I've hung it from a hook in the kitchen window since the amber/brown color matches in there.  It will likely move outside for entertaining company on summer evenings.

That pairing cost $4.

The last item I found was this wrought iron candle holder- probably will be placed outside on a barn? The candle dish & chain is quite Gothic looking, but the hook could also hold a hanging flower pot.  The set was $8.

So, I spent a total of $22 and had a blast!  I'm already looking forward to next year!

Catching Up- July 2014

After the last two Family Room updates (here & here) , I realized that we've had quite a few decorative additions that have been overlooked.

My parents recently moved to a new place (closer to us- yay!!!)  They've lived in the old house for 40+ years!  To prepare for the move, they sorted their treasures and passed some of them to my brother & I for our homes.

Here are some of the items that have been added to our Family Room...

I already mentioned the pie crust table, which I placed between our two new chairs:

An antique mantle clock:

I was afraid it would be too formal looking in the family room, but I don't think it is... especially now that I have some nicer furniture in there (the new couch, coffee table & chairs)!

An antique brass oil lamp:

A reproduction electric parlor lamp:

I think this lamp IS a bit too fancy for the room... but the color is perfect, and it rally looks pretty when the sun is shining through it in the morning.  I don't know, I may end up moving it into the parlor, once we have the addition built... but for now it'll stay here to keep from getting broken! 

A small round marble top table:

This table is the PERFECT size for next to the chaise lounge!  

I feel like it needs something on top of it... not sure what yet!

I love the eclectic feel that these items have added to the room.  Plus I grew up being surrounded by these things, and it's cool that my boys will grow up with them too!

Family Room Update- New Chairs

I feel like the Family Room has come a long way in the past few months!  

I had considered it pretty much "done", meaning we didn't need to do any more painting, construction, etc.

BUT I've been wanting to replace some of the furniture for a while now.  I was just waiting for the right pieces to come along... first the chaise lounge, then the couch, then the coffee table, and finally matching chairs to replace the love seat!

We found them at a department store over Memorial Day weekend.  

The pattern's a little more bold than I usually go for, but I love them!

The colors in the print match perfectly with the room!

They're really comfy- perfect for snuggling up in to read.  I can't wait until winter when I can turn the chair and read by the fire!

Here's how the room is now looking...

Between the chairs, I put an antique pie crust table that my parents had given me- it's just the right size!

Here's a Before/After shot:

Independence Day

I think Independence Day has become one of my favorite holidays, just since buying this house!  

The house was built in either 1760 or 1790 (we're still researching that).
I love thinking about what it must have been like when both this house & this country were new!  

I love working elements that are reminiscent of that era into our decor... 

The little iron George Washington statue & the framed flag embroidery are now sitting on the radiator cover in the foyer.  I also added a reproduction lantern that my sister-in-law gave us last Christmas.

On the other side of the foyer, I put some flags into a commemorative mason jar, paired with a framed "America" print...

It's hard to see here, but there's the Liberty Bell on the front,
along with the dates 1776 at the top, and 1976 at the bottom.

Outside the front door, we still have our historically correct flag flying on the front porch!

Happy Independence Day!

June Yard Sales

Yard sale season is in full swing and this year is even better because my mom is now living close enough to join us on these jaunts!  Mike jokingly calls her an enabler- ha ha!

Here are some of my recent finds:

Framed advertisement for stockings ($2)

I'm going to put this up in the master bedroom closet.  

I have some sets of unused old fashioned hosiery that I'll hang underneath. 

 

Pale green fruit bowl ($1)

I've already got this loaded with apples!

Brown Jug ($3)

It smells like Maple Syrup.  This is sitting on the bottom shelf of the bakers rack in the kitchen.  I like that it's dog proof decor (he's been doing quite a number chewing on the kitchen furniture! UGH!).

Old vanilla bottle ($2) & Old Phillips Milk of Magnesia bottle ($2)

  

I put these on the shelf in the kitchen.

Mason Jars ($2 each)

My mom had given me one of these, and the next day we found another at a sale! 

I have quite a few with the glass lids, but only these two with the old metal lids.

Travel suitcase ($4)

I'll use it for storage (cosmetics & things) either in a shelf in my closet, or sitting out next to my vanity.

I suppose I could also use it for medicine/band aid storage.  Hmmmm.... 

It has it's original tag & keys too!