Tuesday, October 14, 2014

THE CHALLENGE


I have searched and searched to find if the 
One Room Challenge
is sanctioned, juried or a professional organization
 to make sure I'm not infringing on 
what I'm about to do over the next few months.  
Please let me know if you know this challenge is meant for anything other than 
!!fun!!

This is the first week in many many many
that I find I'm kind of out of stuff to do
(W.H.A.T.?)

and it just so happens that we are about to celebrate 
October 19, 2014
the day we purchased 822 in 2010
which is also Mr. P.V.'s birthday...
I always tease him by telling him I bought him this house for his birthday that year!

Here's the challenge (to myself)

  • Post one room at a time, including outside rooms
  • Before photo
  • After photo of as nearly the same view as possible
  • A list of supplies/colors/ideas/inspiration
  • Naming my favorite thing or worst struggle about it and trying to keep that simple
Let's begin shall we?

This is what 822 looked like
October 19, 2010 the day we purchased it

Here it is today

The biggest challenge was to be able to see the house and keep as many trees as possible while  maintaining the integrity and charm of this 1921 Luder stone home.

It has been such a labor of love and the hardest thing I have ever done
but I would not trade one single splinter
~~we~~
  • Cut back trees
  • Relocated front door and sidewalk to center the house
  • Connected the old garage apartment to the house
  • Planted trees to replace the dead ones (we lost several due to drought)
  • Put in sod, roses, marigolds and spring bulbs
~~inspiration~~

the house itself
I used to ride by this old house on my bicycle when I was 8 and wish I could live here
proof that because your dream doesn't come true right when you wish it
 doesn't mean it won't!







16 comments:

Karena said...

Gina I absolutely love your home and your words of wisdom!! S true, we must believe that our dreams will come true!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

NanaDiana said...

I love it, Gina. You have done a terrific job and I can tell it has been a lot of work. I love it when dreams come true. xo Diana

ps.love the family picture!

Unknown said...

You definitely had vision to see the beauty that was behind all those trees! I've enjoyed watching you transform this gorgeous house since 2011.

Anonymous said...

you know how much I love your home, lol, I have told you enough times, but the best part is as a little girl yu knew this would be yours, now thats good karma, for sure, its a great idea for a blog subject, I'm in a little nest and its just an apartment so I won't take part, but I will enjoying reading everyone elses adventures very much,

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Gina,
Your house is gorgeous and the after photo amazing! Hey if we didn't have our dreams what would be aspire to? You go girl you're wise.
xo,
Vera

podso said...

Wow! I love your house and what a difference. It looks like you have had a wonderful, challenging labor of love the past four years. How fun that you dreamed of living in this house.

White Lace and Promises said...

I absolutely love your home. I love the stone. There's one around the corner from where I live. We would trick or treat there when I was growing up. I wanted that home. Love it!

designchic said...

Wow, Gina, what a difference and I love your house…can't wait to follow on the challenge!

The Charm of Home said...

Such a pretty house with lots of curb appeal!

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

I love this idea, Gina! Where is baby doll Betty??? Looking forward to these posts...I have loved following along in the process.

Algodão Tão Doce said...

O sol é para as flores o que os sorrisos são para a humanidade.(Joseph Addison)
Amo passear por aqui!!!!
Um doce abraço, Marie.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning dear Gina!!!!

OK, I'm ready to sit back and watch your challenge. As I see your before and after photo, I am reminded of what we did to our house as well. What a huge difference it made to just cut back the shrubery on your property! Your house is super special and from what I can see of it and have viewed so far over the last year, your home has secret nooks and crannies that make it almost a never-ending storybook home.

Let the show begin! And thank you dear heart for coming to visit! Anita

Laura said...

You go girl!
I love reading about your home.
And the fact that you dreamed of living there makes it extra special.

Let us know what you find out about the ORC.

Laura

Ann said...

Dreams do come true
and you worked real hard to make it better than it was before.
Oh I'd love to see the many transformations you did over the years.

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

that is a wonderful story and a beautiful house. Funny, but my husband's birthday is Oct 19th too, and he was born on his father's 24th birthday, so that day is special in our family too.

Unknown said...

Great idea Gina, and love seeing it altogether in weekly posts. I have loved seeing your progress over the years and am always amazed that you keep cranking out major projects! Happy Birthday Mr. PV and your fairy tale house! xo Nancy