tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46132461971472084992024-02-18T23:26:36.695-08:00The Restoration of Walnut ManorWalnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-65007280096669023692010-06-25T17:36:00.001-07:002010-06-25T18:00:10.210-07:00Kevin's Birthday PresentNow I know that most people don't like receiving letters from the State, I know under most circumstances that I certainly don't (I don't know how many times they can mess up and fumble a tax return, but it seems to happen to me with regularity). However, this post is about a time when, finally, I don't mind seeing that state seal and official envelope. <div><br /></div><div>First a bit of back story. If you are reading this then you know that we are restoring Walnut Manor and you know that it needs a lot of restoration. In an effort to aid in this endeavor we spent an exorbitant amount of time this winter working on a preservation grant proposal. Essentially any time that wasn't spent digging out of or shoring up damage from Snowmageddon parts I and II was spent writing, re-writing and re-re-writing this grant application. The grant that we applied for is for a matching grant meaning that we need to come up with at least 50% of the cash/work to be done on as part of the project. So quite a bit of time was spent figuring out how much we could spend what exactly our labor was worth to the state. Of course we couldn't have done it without the help from <a href="http://www.monumentalconstruction.com/" target="_blank">Stephen</a> the genius restoration carpenter that we've come to know. </div><div>Anyway, I'm sure you get the gist. . .lots of work, lots of snow and then lots and lots of waiting.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were hoping that we'd hear something back about the grant before the actual start of the grant period (all the work being done has to be done in a year starting July 1 ending June 30) so we'd have time to put the work out to bid and actually start on Day 1. But things being what they are with large organizations, we're ecstatic to have heard anything before July.</div><div><br /></div><div>So long story short, we finally got word from the state (dated on Kevin's birthday) that they found our grant application compelling enough to issue us a grant. Not for all we asked for, not that we expected to get everything we asked for since we proposed a grant worth more than they could give to any single project, but they did find our project to be worth about 1/2 of what we proposed. All in all, better than we had anticipated and a great birthday present. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now let the work begin.</div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-33051949101490223712010-05-24T19:49:00.000-07:002010-05-24T20:10:22.872-07:00Random People Rock!Sorry that its been so long since I've blogged. Our grant application has been turned in and we are in a holding pattern until July when the results are announced. We haven't done any work lately on the house as we have been busy volunteering for the city. Kevin and I are helping to plan the Charles Town Heritage Festival so house stuff has taken a back seat. Now that the festival plans are off to a good start we are going to get back to the restoration project at hand...<div><br /></div><div>Today we got a surprise in the mail. An anonymous package arrived addressed to "Restoration of Walnut Manor" Inside was a card that read,</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"In memory of those who have blessed the Brown-Shugart home with their presence. May <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>these memories bless your family. Thank you for restoring such a magical place as it has <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>touched he hearts and lives of many."</div><div><br /></div><div>Inside the card was a large donation of cash with a note that read "Weathervane? for restoration" </div><div><br /></div><div>We don't know who sent this generous gift but we are so thankful for the donation to the cause of restoring this beautiful Victorian treasure! I do not have the words to express my gratitude for this wonderful gift...</div><div><br /></div><div>The weathervane is truly our crowning jewel and now we might actually be able to have it remade!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, thank you, thank you whoever you are!</div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-60066317949119220012010-03-18T18:47:00.000-07:002010-03-18T19:17:24.394-07:00Broken Weathervane<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto2i8VaZiP5fqSBStDbW1vFkBmpUkzS7tPFmtXtegfhmbIYF1zmBmVnwjChE1MiBWwiNcKHgH14tCCgWxMkot1eKVTlwohSdosrMSo6WtqwRa-OSj5GZN7nDajvuLOyqd0YgabzcnWUU/s1600-h/DSC_2731.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450156467920484994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto2i8VaZiP5fqSBStDbW1vFkBmpUkzS7tPFmtXtegfhmbIYF1zmBmVnwjChE1MiBWwiNcKHgH14tCCgWxMkot1eKVTlwohSdosrMSo6WtqwRa-OSj5GZN7nDajvuLOyqd0YgabzcnWUU/s400/DSC_2731.JPG" /></a> I went outside today and noticed that the weathervane broke in half. It has been very nice out with no wind so, I cannot blame this damage on the elements. I am afraid that it won't be possible to restore the weathervane as it is most certainly rusted through. The most we can hope for would be to save the pieces and have it remade. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Does anyone out there know of a place that has antique weathervanes or makes reproductions?</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">I am so sad. This weathervane was the crowning jewel of the house. literally. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The grant application is going pretty well. The contractor estimates are coming in, we've taken lots of pictures and started writing. We have also received a bunch of letters of support. We can always use more though, so please send your letters ASAP!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Please enjoy another picture courtesy of Bob Graham. Its Leland, Barbara and Millie Shugart in front of the house. Take note of the crazy gutters!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTCARzyPcujb1c7526fMYEq1AkyRY8nV3s6BzhoAFkwDfx83nt9IqdGn-wSd7BqoxByFJq3N-z7QRkmIDav1MEfQbTBnnJCQhHtM1iVHinop3yH5zDXVFEvgIFMyBkBjB3xr93Vnpe3w/s1600-h/Shugarts1940s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450162566705212146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTCARzyPcujb1c7526fMYEq1AkyRY8nV3s6BzhoAFkwDfx83nt9IqdGn-wSd7BqoxByFJq3N-z7QRkmIDav1MEfQbTBnnJCQhHtM1iVHinop3yH5zDXVFEvgIFMyBkBjB3xr93Vnpe3w/s400/Shugarts1940s.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-63045377309175532972010-03-04T10:12:00.000-08:002010-03-04T10:30:38.271-08:00Letters of Support Please!!!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamzNWzeNA8cBZz1_jZo-VErQMYMPMCmtzypLCoaJLnIeVT1CfdyNBsR9qYehtu5JDs0qHgbPRqF6_U1icEa18pjMKgXJvVjaz2fHCn6GO1TYZZ9AjLdCZ73wk_kXU_PISLRmt9b-wzlo/s1600-h/Brown,+FW+house+in+CT+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamzNWzeNA8cBZz1_jZo-VErQMYMPMCmtzypLCoaJLnIeVT1CfdyNBsR9qYehtu5JDs0qHgbPRqF6_U1icEa18pjMKgXJvVjaz2fHCn6GO1TYZZ9AjLdCZ73wk_kXU_PISLRmt9b-wzlo/s400/Brown,+FW+house+in+CT+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444846523418097650" /></a><br />I am not known for my patience...so I am very sorry to those of you that I am annoying with my persistance! <br /><br />We still need as many letters of support as we can get! Anyone can write a letter, so if you would like to see the Brown-Shugart House (Walnut Manor) Restored, please send your letter ASAP. I have a handy dandy trusty guide that will make writing the letter quite painless! Please see it below...<br /><br />We are also wanting to boost our friends and followers so we can show the state that people are watching this restoration. Friend us on Facebook, email address walnutmanor@gmail.com and Subscribe AND Follow our blog here! Following is different than subscribing, but why I don't know.<br /><br />Many thanks in advance!<br /><br />Charity Beth Long<br /><br /><strong>Guide for Letters of Support</strong><br /><br />Thank you in advance for writing a letter of support! We appreciate you championing our restoration project. We could not do it without the cheerleading of our friends, family, neighbors and fellow preservationists! Below is information to assist you in writing your letter. Once your letter is complete, please email it (preferred) or send it to 633 S. Samuel St., Charles Town, WV 25414, so it may be included with the grant application packet.<br /><br /><strong>The Grant Process</strong><br />We are applying for a development grant for historic preservation from the state of West Virginia. These grants are 50/50 matching grants and are used to repair, replace and restore building elements that have deteriorated. Unless your building is open to the public, the work is limited to exterior features and indoor systems like electricity and plumbing can threaten the safety of the house. Priority is given to items like roofs and gutters.<br /><br /><strong>Our Project</strong><br />We have several projects for which we are applying for grant assistance. They include replacement, repair and painting of the roofs and the replacement of the gutters. The back porch floor needs to be replaced or repaired and we need many repairs to be made to the existing wood features of the house. We hope to finish the stripping of exterior paint and paint the whole house. We will also finish the restoration of the windows and have the dangerous exterior wiring changed and/or removed. We are going to include the rebuilding of the front brick wall and Victorian fence as well as the restoration of the weather vane that tops the tower roof.<br /><br /><strong>Things to include in your letter</strong><br />Your name and address<br /><br />Address the letter to the Members of the Archives and History Commission, West Virginia Division Of Culture And History, State Historic Preservation Office, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., East, Charleston, WV 25305<br /><br />State how you are related to the project<br />o Neighbor<br />o Descendant/ family of the Brown or Shugart families<br />o Community Organization<br />o Community leader<br />o Fellow preservationist<br />o Friend/ Family<br /><br />Why you feel the restoration of the Brown-Shugart House is important<br /><br />Why you feel that a grant should be awarded to this project<br /><br />Make your letter personal!<br /><br />Send the letter by March 27th (The application must be postmarked by March 31st)Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-79955442839766968392010-02-26T07:58:00.000-08:002010-02-26T18:17:04.159-08:00This post brought to you by the letter W<div><br />
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_VxH_JjmIFombnk4pgk3BLIJt53fSCNvFMrZE_A7i17R_LizCkhxatKFRtZgeqFzJEB7G5bSYwcRIsL6fIfTwa_c1489aU8LjSaD-jl9MZwyXVrXyDRivSUIZrbuIw-UvGN_g7CWmJc/s1600-h/DSC_2393.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_VxH_JjmIFombnk4pgk3BLIJt53fSCNvFMrZE_A7i17R_LizCkhxatKFRtZgeqFzJEB7G5bSYwcRIsL6fIfTwa_c1489aU8LjSaD-jl9MZwyXVrXyDRivSUIZrbuIw-UvGN_g7CWmJc/s400/DSC_2393.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><br />This weathervane is one of my favorite features of the house. Until recently I have not been able to get a good picture of it. I borrowed my father-in-law's telephoto lense and was able to get some good pictures even though it was a very overcast day. I have known for a while that it needed to be restored since it actually is part of the roof top. I knew for sure that is was in rough shape when one day during a wind storm the letter W fell from the sky. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442673456227073170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFzYGfZIqlgScoZwdY8J7rmzBtyYD-TqIyZTjsZtxTB2foReXhW0Wf04xhXSNBXud__yD1JFP4oosDgmgUJEw__MgA05XrWk21vM_2wWpC1Y43E2VhsL7p-pnBFxLPkGu6kqBHiAprI8/s400/DSC_2516.JPG" /><br />
<br /><p></p></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-14867447481230142102010-02-22T19:24:00.000-08:002010-02-22T20:02:35.586-08:00Millie in Blizzard of 1983<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUexWepqkKNukl1sh7GASO_xHpuAug3kadmdhq7EyFZ8YD6bxD-MMynpagH67yWxxT_06h5J9OInOEUFpRDKvquovqQNtdJWsHZymyBuqSenr5TbajCJCFAEOLXUXYUoYcov60K47gPo/s1600-h/MillieBlizzard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUexWepqkKNukl1sh7GASO_xHpuAug3kadmdhq7EyFZ8YD6bxD-MMynpagH67yWxxT_06h5J9OInOEUFpRDKvquovqQNtdJWsHZymyBuqSenr5TbajCJCFAEOLXUXYUoYcov60K47gPo/s400/MillieBlizzard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441283399222466690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This photo is courtesy of Bob Graham who is Millie Shugart's great nephew. Millie is standing on the front walkway with Jeff and Trudy's house in the distance. The picture was taken after the blizzard of 1983 which totaled at 36 inches. Bob was kind enough to send this snapshot during our last snow storm. Its amazing how something as simple as weather can unite us...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-78070908392892684312010-02-21T19:40:00.000-08:002010-02-21T20:20:46.985-08:00Snowpocalypse Damage<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnlYOvmChuwp62RMtQ0U4Z5bzJBvMblgWORDksvK6OmaOuFuw3MeNrKusCUAZtgivyGN_2uFaJHyZ8i0TwCrOUa_e2upIXtnU53hznS6e7Wx37fV0jvTDzKbC272r_hPHGofLzskb-J8/s1600-h/DSC_2386.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnlYOvmChuwp62RMtQ0U4Z5bzJBvMblgWORDksvK6OmaOuFuw3MeNrKusCUAZtgivyGN_2uFaJHyZ8i0TwCrOUa_e2upIXtnU53hznS6e7Wx37fV0jvTDzKbC272r_hPHGofLzskb-J8/s400/DSC_2386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440909745146681218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The massive amounts of snow have not been kind to our house! The other day I was working on the computer and heard (and felt) this soul rattling crash. It was our gutter being pulled off by big chunks of ice. As you can see the gutter was not in good shape so it was no surprise. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2xcAG2mD8xJmVYxcbzEqr5DbgrcZdZhlsljIXbiltA2wFmeCeignvv8-itSaaBaDLTBftdTXsyG8NKtWl_5T1Je4KU35-ZJlHPpXXTafAdjQhvFaQTed7rBjT0qfyQptSy5CvabvqQc/s400/DSC_2490.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The weight of the snow has also proved to be too much for the front fence. The wall was unstable to start with but now its actually crumbling. We need to have the walls rebuilt, which will be expensive and complicated since they are retaining walls. We are going to include this project in the grant application, but there is little hope for getting funds for it since its not attached to the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmGnZpX-QOcx2ceC-1tGMQDvBa_JmuvHrzXHjoYV8oZhJjdszUr1Qi1YH5pqsVLWnPPtlO-etoI3zU1gh6y48I_MJfT3_w6CMqs1CrQA5rkzbBzoHBxmZvy7zCjjpQgljVWcYGBrzz08/s400/DSC_2385.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On to some good news. Roxane Shugart's daughter Sue dropped by last week. Millie was Sue's grandmother. I gave her a brief tour through the chaos. She had only a few minutes to reminisce since she was driving back to New Jersey but it was great to meet her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are working on the grant application, so now is the time for you to make a difference! Please send us a letter of support to include with the application. The more community support we get, the more likely we'll be granted matching funds to complete the exterior restoration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charity</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-41266427451969432252010-02-20T20:47:00.001-08:002010-02-20T22:30:38.417-08:00Scout<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3xtaIj27Yy-YR_ZhncBi4BUQwqzapzNk-GCgh3V82RT25k-PGS-DvYH2b8svou6fxnQaL02pf6hyphenhyphen85BYGUo_c7KihZvdTtaEu10cGZYAa_ATS7oTVW7aY-9NkoF14c9KenlhJU2WGV4/s1600-h/DSC_2180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3xtaIj27Yy-YR_ZhncBi4BUQwqzapzNk-GCgh3V82RT25k-PGS-DvYH2b8svou6fxnQaL02pf6hyphenhyphen85BYGUo_c7KihZvdTtaEu10cGZYAa_ATS7oTVW7aY-9NkoF14c9KenlhJU2WGV4/s400/DSC_2180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440555362463772274" /></a>I am sorry that it has been so long since my last post. Right after Thanksgiving we learned that our beautiful husky Scout had terminal cancer. The cancer showed up as very aggressive mast cell tumors. She declined quite rapidly and passed away a couple of weeks later. <div><br /></div><div>Scout was 11+ and saw us through college, many moves, dating, engagement and finally marriage. She loved everyone she ever met and brought to our lives a spirit of playfulness, enthusiasm and love. When we moved to Charles Town, obviously our pets had to make the sacrifice with us and no one handled it better than our Mama dog, who greeted the challenge with excitement. She even welcomed a new family member into the pack, when Millie, the world's most cuddly cat found us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scout quickly made friends with all of our neighbors and being the escape artist she was, made many surprise visits to folks that lived blocks away from us! Who knew that an old dog could squeeze herself through a cat door? It took a while for us to realize how she escaping. She always amazed us with her intelligence and determination.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since Scout passed, we have felt out of sorts and the energy in the house has been somber. Kahlua, our black lab mix, has been having the hardest time, so even though we don't feel quite ready, we have begun looking for a new friend. We are trying to find a rescue dog, and have applied for a couple and are waiting to hear some news. In the meantime, we are still meeting more tail waggers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Winter is a slow season for the restoration, but we are working on our grant application which is due March 31st. We have gotten a very late start on the application, so we hope we will be successful in getting it completed in time. More on this to come shortly!</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMhvgm_XcF4TKl2E5AyLKlQz0eU7EHuje9g_mPgpDVa6jzJuBoQXFJa2u94gUbAy6UubHhvlu3edLhNCqchw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-78283992514311295292009-11-24T11:35:00.001-08:002009-11-24T17:17:51.627-08:00Craigslist Addict<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65sBJSaLnNhB7dWQEV_gRy_8Ld4rQgymyWVuNblr2DptqGoGjeog-IZofQ5BRgYa9JodBxMN4WC-D0P2dJrVRU7n9P10WNazHuYb3p1tz90QuJ-tzeK2GKV5X5oGcHwyiEyV3ZJY-fT8/s1600/DSC_2120.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407843858070033138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65sBJSaLnNhB7dWQEV_gRy_8Ld4rQgymyWVuNblr2DptqGoGjeog-IZofQ5BRgYa9JodBxMN4WC-D0P2dJrVRU7n9P10WNazHuYb3p1tz90QuJ-tzeK2GKV5X5oGcHwyiEyV3ZJY-fT8/s400/DSC_2120.JPG" /></a> Some of you may know that I am not just into antique houses but antique everything. I am always looking for antiques, and right now I am especially looking for furniture for the family room. I have come up with a floor plan and I browse Craigslist on a regular basis looking for great pieces at great prices. I was really successful last Friday, finding a pair of chairs from the early 1900s. I got them from a lady in Baltimore who worked in a lawyers office. She said they were custom made and were a family heirloom. They are simply gorgeous and in great condition. The fabric doesn't match our color scheme which in unfortunate because the upholstery is in excellent shape. Eventually we will have them reupholstered, once the family room is done. Now I just need to find a cool antique game table to put between them!</div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-83942236750541046432009-11-23T09:05:00.001-08:002009-11-23T09:43:07.349-08:00Fall cleanup<div>Hi folks! <div><br /><div>Sorry its been so long since I last blogged, but we've been busy with fall activities. We had an amazing turnout for Halloween. The weather wasn't great, but we still managed to scare a lot of kids! We had out the tombstones and fog machines as usual but this year we added a wizard's table. On the table was a trick crystal ball with my head in it! I don't know if anyone got a picture of me in the crystal ball because my breath kept fogging it up. If someone sends me a picture, I will post it later.</div><div></div><br /><div>We haven't gotten much restoration work done lately. We have been focused on cleanup. We cleaned off the back porch of all the construction debris we had been unintentionally collecting and called Herbie, the trash guy. I didn't take any pictures out of sheer embarrassment! I hadn't realized how bad it was getting until I saw the pile in the driveway. It was huge.</div><br /><div>We also cleaned out the ballroom so we could store more lumber there. Its much more organized, but still filled with construction stuff. We bought a toilet, sinks and all for the half bath years ago, and they are still in boxes waiting for the floors to be redone. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407352123189431954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurWKtQG4V-vF6LxIAXELD0oincFoskM_yeNnZM_Y6W0rCiYr81YJG15rFtH-iXZUeGIkUrozj_RnQlv1Og3wPCmVeSYOuGdJRWQfWgAk3AwxOX6yprXliW8GCKsNQ0dia94msqg_QFBM/s320/DSC_2122.JPG" /> We spent this weekend doing lawn cleanup. We have a multitude of trees, mostly deciduous, that make raking a month long job. Luckily, the city takes the leaves, but we have to get them to the curb. In order to do this we rake the leaves on to tarps and drag them to the street. The pile in the picture is about half of the front yard. Looks like we will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday raking!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407354412376320722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8h-guDQTb-af_TeaSvmy28Pk9i07E6xHyJ_n3Gc0gBTpiJZMJlxBZnxonpr6ZXNrLSahqbVYxR9j9LN2wKjgRlJMUED2ehDEOy7lgOtsgi00cALHHnIoX8MgBmJBXGz-0fgFbUorCKE/s320/DSC_2126.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407354419638623346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-J8IvjFNUfWP2I1Bx0GZ_apSIBzOjeKAQIwjCkhqM_-ecUMVKHKBaVJaaRgmafuUmq8sK8Zjp4LMhVTRia6v5uWhXMsDUlp7SWRcMsRP2yAdPeWCtlEhfjVyORqISRXWrOXsplMZ6nA/s320/DSC_2132.JPG" /><br /><div></div></div></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-42203938861048490612009-09-29T22:00:00.000-07:002009-11-24T17:18:54.190-08:00Great Awesome Stupendous Wonderful News!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg5VYYGu_Dtb4WsiWu_ahJc0B06BhbLRC4JU5IVSf9-2ObNHI8HHzQOPaaifZQLu2Ie-qlMB6E1Gv4P3huQJvVXTpowC-Qw4Eo0nZnAOorU2NS_Bg9PGoxOxO5Ol7DhbbBKvUN8Tqmo8/s1600-h/00303_s_9acpk6vnw0751-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387132127498859330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg5VYYGu_Dtb4WsiWu_ahJc0B06BhbLRC4JU5IVSf9-2ObNHI8HHzQOPaaifZQLu2Ie-qlMB6E1Gv4P3huQJvVXTpowC-Qw4Eo0nZnAOorU2NS_Bg9PGoxOxO5Ol7DhbbBKvUN8Tqmo8/s400/00303_s_9acpk6vnw0751-1.jpg" /></a> <em>Brown-Shugart House (Walnut Manor) circa 1960</em><br /><br />After almost 4 years of owning the house, we are finally in a National Historic District! The South Charles Town Historic District has been in the making for 10+ years, and being a governmental process, it has been slow. The district was surveyed by a historian many years ago and the nomination was never completed, so recently it was re-surveyed and the appropriate forms filled out and presented. We just got word yesterday that the district was approved.<br /><br />So what does this mean? Mostly, it means that our neighborhood is being nationally recognized for its history and architecture. To us, the most exciting part is that we are eligible for state preservation grants and tax credits.<br /><br />We are all a twitter here. We have read all the information about filling out the grant application, but now we need to actually do it. Its a very technical process with estimates, plans and documentation but we are excited to begin. So starts the search for contractors, the taking of pictures of the condition of the house (anyone want to crawl up to take pictures of the roof?) and then finding matching funds because they are 50/50 grants and our restoration funds are depleted.<br /><br />Funding can be difficult to find. I personally think that everyone named Charity should automatically get 501 (c) (3) status!!! There are very few grant programs out there for individuals, so luckily the federal government funds state preservation grants for homeowners. The grants are competitive and need-based (how in danger is the property due to the needed repairs) and they usually only cover the exterior features. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> have things on our to do list that qualify like roofs, gutters, painting and window restoration, so we have a decent shot, but times are tough and there are so many historic properties worth saving.<br /><br />If the grant doesn't come through, we will then apply for state tax credits. They are easier to get and cover more repairs but still involve a somewhat lengthy application process. If you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">receive</span> either a grant or tax credits you are required to follow the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation and the State puts an easement on the property, protecting the structure from having any work done that might hurt its historic integrity.<br /><br />I would personally jump through any hoops that West Virginia demands to get some state assistance. I think that I would even jump through those hoops naked wearing a tutu and balancing a ball on my nose! I already feel like a circus clown after years of juggling this restoration, so a little more freak show won't scare me.<br /><br />Anyone out there applied for grants before? Advice or comments?<br /><br />If you like my blog, please become a friend of Walnut Manor on Facebook and Subscribe to this blog!<br /></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-55830223220152028572009-09-14T21:46:00.000-07:002009-11-24T17:20:40.618-08:00My Lighting Dilemma<p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38vmgc1psh1YM8JyhuG3HmLMnQ47UpbYv9yvzq37CmdKeNkRMaM6hScfFuqmDqCGYuzIR9FVqpOkdvEl5DV-4qIJPjReyYatqHaVxnxMgwV4KUqyOMzQIyBv6S8RF1B-pGDh-WhpdN4s/s1600-h/Yellow+Shade.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381554026805036146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38vmgc1psh1YM8JyhuG3HmLMnQ47UpbYv9yvzq37CmdKeNkRMaM6hScfFuqmDqCGYuzIR9FVqpOkdvEl5DV-4qIJPjReyYatqHaVxnxMgwV4KUqyOMzQIyBv6S8RF1B-pGDh-WhpdN4s/s320/Yellow+Shade.jpg" /></a></p><div>Okay, I love the green revolution that we are having. I have the reusable bags. I recycle diligently. I save and reuse the plastic forks I get at fast food joints. I even have a granny grocery getter tricycle. I love the earth and believe in sustainability, but from a lighting perspective I hate being green. Don't get me wrong, I use the compact florescents, but I hate them. They look awful in my antique and reproduction Victorian chandeliers. </div><div><br />There will soon be a time when I will no longer be able to buy the lovely clear glass incandescent light bulbs. It makes me crazy because I am all about aesthetics. I have threatened many a time, that I am going to stock pile my attic full of these pretty bulbs so that I don't have to diminish the loveliness of my fixtures.</div><div><br />So now I am looking for antique and reproduction lighting for the family room project. I have been agonizing over what to buy. Between the family room and the adjacent hallways, I need at least 2 chandeliers, 2 sconces and a pendant. I think that I am going to purchase reproduction fixtures in nickel (a girl has gotta have some bling). I would like to find antique shades, but so many of the ones I like would look awful with spirally florescent bulbs. </div><div></div><br /><div>So I keep trolling eBay for elegant shades and fixtures. Mostly window shopping but not buying. I guess you could say I have cold feet. These pics show some of the things I've liked. I love love the beautiful etched clear to yellow shade. I sold for like $400 which I couldn't afford anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter how it would look with a modern bulb.</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-jJjoY9VscribgxzPSGcs5CYklObeUA0Ebk8PsBVLPrSWaAleQ_ZBhpTC4FmGb7bVurIUwxU7qatBDyVSP3t0HP7ZejMr3X2RE-HUZzM3UhmlXyif42KFr3y7wp2V_csLrIIWVu0Mys/s1600-h/yellowhobnailshade.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381556131877481266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-jJjoY9VscribgxzPSGcs5CYklObeUA0Ebk8PsBVLPrSWaAleQ_ZBhpTC4FmGb7bVurIUwxU7qatBDyVSP3t0HP7ZejMr3X2RE-HUZzM3UhmlXyif42KFr3y7wp2V_csLrIIWVu0Mys/s320/yellowhobnailshade.jpg" /></a><br />There are antique shades that would work with these new fangled bulbs, I just don't like them as much. They are less transparent, so they provide a little less twinkle. I pondered on this cutie, but decided it was slightly too green a yellow.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>I like this fixture a whole lot, but I would have to have it nickel plated to keep it in my color scheme. I like the egg and dart theme. There is a little of that in the house, mainly on the front door, and I have repeated the theme in the new mantel. This would look great in the hallway.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381561896407035106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOwBLyf8Q-FuesilEx1ixUUBxqjD_ZV5zbLfeqnX9VTLBScDwoIrGM2OpfbyTgBi_jXt3MIXehgx_81qC6zQ7Y3717vJis0V1xOQa2iq_tMp5WeQj3UsaWiTbl9Ty0EzAQotkKPXYcQI/s320/egg+and+dart+chandelier.jpg" /> Any thoughts on fixtures, shades and bulbs? Anyone else out there crazy like me?Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-38503197069631292662009-09-07T16:57:00.000-07:002009-09-07T16:58:44.155-07:00Coming Out of the Closet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQXHUcdk31A3sDCVrQkLYDzZO9vMfLSxCWj28e1VYSF32Db0ppl4s49lmrbr8Tec8QRW9QxFdJbSAT-uEx2JON7UDEyB5vbiVfouWAY3FqWqy8MNKb9GMeP2LrUf7EAH-esF-IHqnxvQ/s1600-h/DSC_2024.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQXHUcdk31A3sDCVrQkLYDzZO9vMfLSxCWj28e1VYSF32Db0ppl4s49lmrbr8Tec8QRW9QxFdJbSAT-uEx2JON7UDEyB5vbiVfouWAY3FqWqy8MNKb9GMeP2LrUf7EAH-esF-IHqnxvQ/s160/DSC_2024.JPG" border="0" /></a>We finished the carpentry for the coat closet today. Not much R and R here for Labor Day. It was a long day, but Annie and Jake had done good work yesterday, setting us up for success. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48dV1hwmKF-oQYFgE64tHABE3dZ91XkOsGpMadRvf9zKSbIVmyfTCoQTcS41nkoX24vYh7fbGToqpspqYnH5iKBbQ7Y-243wozSBbZEy-7aSHtDkB9aWmLSQEVu56ZFOtRHIbw1Ic7Po/s1600-h/DSC_2026.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48dV1hwmKF-oQYFgE64tHABE3dZ91XkOsGpMadRvf9zKSbIVmyfTCoQTcS41nkoX24vYh7fbGToqpspqYnH5iKBbQ7Y-243wozSBbZEy-7aSHtDkB9aWmLSQEVu56ZFOtRHIbw1Ic7Po/s160/DSC_2026.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The closet walls are beadboard plywood, the drop ceiling (Jake's idea) is made of leftover door/window trim (reduce, reuse, recycle). The shelf is made from a stair runner and the corners are quarter round.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwQU0DH8mB4BvzTf-uH8OaFu2ThBKGBbdZc6TFiQ_zo3QyV8KYofNizHe28ghpiKo4BIc5x3jA7gh_G3_AyhAMYDiPnh046w-6cy7oBibwoNUaWWocFb15IjtxfcXKTgKFtMYBQPTsdU/s1600-h/DSC_2027.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwQU0DH8mB4BvzTf-uH8OaFu2ThBKGBbdZc6TFiQ_zo3QyV8KYofNizHe28ghpiKo4BIc5x3jA7gh_G3_AyhAMYDiPnh046w-6cy7oBibwoNUaWWocFb15IjtxfcXKTgKFtMYBQPTsdU/s160/DSC_2027.JPG" border="0" /></a>Also, per Jake's suggestion, we replaced the old light fixture (a real old bakelight cutie, but not as functional and safe as a modern fixture) with a florescent. Once painted, the closet will be very clean and functional.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyd1hQQcyXUd2MaIKGJ-vO0D6CM5CPQwCW0Oyp7Pv4hJdNKoJ1Rl6yuQBzokDzgRYVTX6l-hwqoR3Y531He6luRGBd8mN4F50BxrozVyIJd7TJ0LYUEdKQJt6iFrKjvHk_ViVfLPR-wo/s1600-h/DSC_2025.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyd1hQQcyXUd2MaIKGJ-vO0D6CM5CPQwCW0Oyp7Pv4hJdNKoJ1Rl6yuQBzokDzgRYVTX6l-hwqoR3Y531He6luRGBd8mN4F50BxrozVyIJd7TJ0LYUEdKQJt6iFrKjvHk_ViVfLPR-wo/s160/DSC_2025.JPG" border="0" /></a>Anyone out there good at organizing and cleanup? We seem to have troubles in this department! We had to do some organization of one of our workrooms today. We couldn't find the materials we needed so in a huff, we organized and regrouped, eventually finding enough like materials to do the drop ceiling. Still a lot more to clean up in this room is needed, but its a start. Now its time to call Herby, the trash guy, to pick up the pile I made in the driveway.<div style='clear:both; text-align:RIGHT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-36861226499355465962009-09-06T21:07:00.000-07:002009-09-06T21:21:48.818-07:00This and That<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4hdofEf7Ou1K8jBZ-z5-teFSl8JjRrP7-Z4ORmhMlVPx45j_-lTk_r8fb1WlNPNNJIg7yUM5smBO4CFrQw86KAHZXli_Sya0iKeEwrJ8a2AmI8aR6UP-bgLjWzljz3kvbF29UQRpVY/s1600-h/DSC_2018.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" height="198" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4hdofEf7Ou1K8jBZ-z5-teFSl8JjRrP7-Z4ORmhMlVPx45j_-lTk_r8fb1WlNPNNJIg7yUM5smBO4CFrQw86KAHZXli_Sya0iKeEwrJ8a2AmI8aR6UP-bgLjWzljz3kvbF29UQRpVY/s320/DSC_2018.JPG" width="268" border="0" /></a> Restoring an old house is in the details. When you start a construction project from scratch, you start new, with large piles of lumber, drywall and other supplies. It seems to move quickly. When you restore, you have to undo to redo. In the case of a true restoration, you try your best to preserve as much of the old as possible, so you must rewire, strip, sand, glue, and fix before you can build, spackle, paint, wallpaper etc.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoflNViN2YAoIY1N_dpZCIgO7aPpl9Osq5T19z5T2YedX8bUNUcOW2hpAS9AF_t6ovzHQVguAxLRKcv0A1zbqYg8Mq4APSqV89hFwssUHzh69iLWdJJDCs9YLE5oSVdarXT7NrUcpCGvg/s1600-h/DSC_2019.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" height="201" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoflNViN2YAoIY1N_dpZCIgO7aPpl9Osq5T19z5T2YedX8bUNUcOW2hpAS9AF_t6ovzHQVguAxLRKcv0A1zbqYg8Mq4APSqV89hFwssUHzh69iLWdJJDCs9YLE5oSVdarXT7NrUcpCGvg/s320/DSC_2019.JPG" width="267" border="0" /></a> This weekend has been all about making progress on many projects at once. We are not very organized, so we are working on the old and the new simultaneously with new old things popping up on the to-do list everyday. Confused? Don’t worry, so are we.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZa6NUf_BstKtshfuNAKs-ofMAkEaA689dnJmUscfBM2HWIlIt8RRyNE44gBO5wQ9-vwVr2csxeschKI1O6sU6f34G0amAo28wxHRW90Na9K9oaabpskSzzBKoBLmfX71GAy-YjX2wBY/s1600-h/DSC_2020.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" height="198" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZa6NUf_BstKtshfuNAKs-ofMAkEaA689dnJmUscfBM2HWIlIt8RRyNE44gBO5wQ9-vwVr2csxeschKI1O6sU6f34G0amAo28wxHRW90Na9K9oaabpskSzzBKoBLmfX71GAy-YjX2wBY/s320/DSC_2020.JPG" width="266" border="0" /></a> This weekend we are painting the speaker covers, restoring a window, striping woodwork, and reworking a closet interior among other small projects and general maintenance. Nothing completed, but a lot in middle of the process and with many hands to help. Our friend Ryan came out on Saturday to help and ended up mowing the lawn leaving us more time to work on restoring. Emily, a neighbor’s painter’s daughter (say that three times fast) came over to help weed and sweep the front brick walkway. Today my dad helped to prep the speaker covers for paint and then helped to strip and sand some woodwork. Later in the day, Jake and Annie joined the party, lining a closet with bead board plywood. I have spent the better part of the weekend restoring one of our windows, which is one of the most time consuming jobs we have here (a subject that deserves a post of its own). Kevin has been to Home Depot repeatedly and has been painting .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxgKwNnkfDu2HlBNqDaxo9T7jEYBU-HzxfyGUJo1GJeE0bepgRETIX-HopfLQJAu7BUXL4ac_PwQfhV_lcCjcPUVCnc595pWBoRo8KVz23d4f20IljoISNgNg0xW6Q03kCH0JllgmMXY/s1600-h/DSC_2023.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 205px" height="212" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxgKwNnkfDu2HlBNqDaxo9T7jEYBU-HzxfyGUJo1GJeE0bepgRETIX-HopfLQJAu7BUXL4ac_PwQfhV_lcCjcPUVCnc595pWBoRo8KVz23d4f20IljoISNgNg0xW6Q03kCH0JllgmMXY/s320/DSC_2023.JPG" width="239" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">So much to do, so little time, but it’s a three day weekend, so hopefully we’ll have another productive day tomorrow. Thanks to all our wonderful helpers!<br /><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-47526660673421762542009-08-31T20:05:00.000-07:002009-08-31T21:52:15.803-07:00The Family Room Project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEbfjRBsQIJuhlmLYl_z_YhOyVXA4mWC_lNSVhminnZinTT8ZmrXvzJYY5RNEnfHu79lsVlpv6Ia4bAAzF5_Buz62WbojtTXtffRqjJ0vCs-1oGuuJ_7DYBdTJqdcNnMS6jpqaWpxGwc/s1600-h/DSC_1600.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEbfjRBsQIJuhlmLYl_z_YhOyVXA4mWC_lNSVhminnZinTT8ZmrXvzJYY5RNEnfHu79lsVlpv6Ia4bAAzF5_Buz62WbojtTXtffRqjJ0vCs-1oGuuJ_7DYBdTJqdcNnMS6jpqaWpxGwc/s320/DSC_1600.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After years of restoration and living in our bedroom we are at the breaking point. We need someplace to live like normal people. Sitting on a couch to watch tv and eating at a table have become a foreign luxury.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnTD7YkoNRRZGMbOrxl92xsFZpxI4rt5sw1jouTh8dRKEuSeu4WlDIYTZQ30_HRXrmc8JWGAh0RTtdv2dRuahsc-KwQCX4RtydBvrr2_G83MJPCBs8jdJBxYVrzqJ8KIVspWs0VL5xU0/s1600-h/DSC_2011.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 265px; HEIGHT: 167px" height="206" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnTD7YkoNRRZGMbOrxl92xsFZpxI4rt5sw1jouTh8dRKEuSeu4WlDIYTZQ30_HRXrmc8JWGAh0RTtdv2dRuahsc-KwQCX4RtydBvrr2_G83MJPCBs8jdJBxYVrzqJ8KIVspWs0VL5xU0/s320/DSC_2011.JPG" width="334" border="0" /></a> So, we have put all other projects on hold and are concentrating on finishing our family room. The goal is to have the project completed before Thanksgiving, which is just a little bit after our 4 year house anniversary. Don't know if we'll make it, but once its done I want to have a party to watch "the Money Pit" (which no longer seems like a comedy).<br /><br />A few months ago my student Stephen made and installed a new mantle to house and hide our new tv. We loved the mantle but felt that we needed to bump out the chimney wall above it to balance the overall look. This weekend we built out that wall and added a center speaker. Vents will be placed on the sides of the chimney wall to let the heat from the tv escape.<br /><br />We also built covers to hide the ceiling speakers. We started with reproduction register grates from <a href="http://www.justhomedecor.com/">http://www.justhomedecor.com/</a> and then framed them. I painted the grates white and the ceiling and speakers behind black to further the illusion.<br /><br />In designing the room my goal is to have all the modern conveniences and comforts but keep them aesthetically compatible with Victorian style. I feel I am doing pretty well so far, so I will give myself a much needed pat on the back.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXld-eT2Q_DRDclB5SLznTBiJr_YCoOO38ek_Yt8xxnxrZsX53m6ZXs8kr33ELQ7qrC2s3dcdsPXas1fFxLat_AEd7HrIEMZWi1NU08r9jGuYLQrJm6slHfQqsENvtUhEkxUggIXKSS0/s1600-h/DSC_1528.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376355288768197698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXld-eT2Q_DRDclB5SLznTBiJr_YCoOO38ek_Yt8xxnxrZsX53m6ZXs8kr33ELQ7qrC2s3dcdsPXas1fFxLat_AEd7HrIEMZWi1NU08r9jGuYLQrJm6slHfQqsENvtUhEkxUggIXKSS0/s320/DSC_1528.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_rGEN40MuMovWDlKUFQ-XWQKi3iYVLJId5z0d2durn3HnPRbWQuee2NIh8sMqdoqK6tnOWPCfzJRaRvV2o-UMnjFTeWXS_5bO40xB_0JUxG3QF5yjv-Qfm1rMH0ziRrEeki80Lh31Qg/s1600-h/DSC_2013.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_rGEN40MuMovWDlKUFQ-XWQKi3iYVLJId5z0d2durn3HnPRbWQuee2NIh8sMqdoqK6tnOWPCfzJRaRvV2o-UMnjFTeWXS_5bO40xB_0JUxG3QF5yjv-Qfm1rMH0ziRrEeki80Lh31Qg/s320/DSC_2013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJKe_RWFDQfQvbmAVPOW0ZSNE_eyJDp8nhCg0ZyKLYeGjRAgBAPesxOCGJEoq7rnxOYwvy2ZRzM7dL4BX8SpFBKQcojeq3t0fvTASAJoCGwcUE891cUtI_C1UdQ_BZyD_dh_ujkX0wSk/s1600-h/DSC_2012.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJKe_RWFDQfQvbmAVPOW0ZSNE_eyJDp8nhCg0ZyKLYeGjRAgBAPesxOCGJEoq7rnxOYwvy2ZRzM7dL4BX8SpFBKQcojeq3t0fvTASAJoCGwcUE891cUtI_C1UdQ_BZyD_dh_ujkX0wSk/s320/DSC_2012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4613246197147208499.post-78699082875244071682009-08-31T17:45:00.000-07:002009-08-31T20:45:33.603-07:00Keeping Track<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQ14nMnVTfvVuP4ebom-Fh7yAVdhtVucCoV76nCrpFuYVf6JFmzHv_4tgShiwYjOR0QKBh0HC5YlA8j-igS55NKDStsF3kmus3PKL2wjdPgH0p_kSud_WY2ONtZ7yUHN6TPsZptvNoA0/s1600-h/walnutmanor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376299205653959906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQ14nMnVTfvVuP4ebom-Fh7yAVdhtVucCoV76nCrpFuYVf6JFmzHv_4tgShiwYjOR0QKBh0HC5YlA8j-igS55NKDStsF3kmus3PKL2wjdPgH0p_kSud_WY2ONtZ7yUHN6TPsZptvNoA0/s320/walnutmanor.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>After 3+ years of restoring our house, I have finally gotten around to starting a blog about the restoration process. We have many people "watching" the progress from near and afar and I want to let everyone know more about the joys and mishaps of our restoration. Maybe you long to have an old home of your own or maybe you are one of the crazy people like me who decided to by a fixer-upper. No matter what your reason for being here and reading my rantings of historic preservation and home renovation, welcome to Walnut Manor.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Many people have asked when we plan to have the project completed and I don't have an answer to that. We will get done as time and money allows and since we do a lot of the work ourselves it will depend on how much time (and patience) we have to put towards the restoration. So far we have spent countless hours, days, weeks, months and years trying to bring this old girl back to her former glory and I am sure we will be restoring for many more years to come. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Follow our progress here, on Facebook and our website <a href="http://www.kevinandcharity.com/">http://www.kevinandcharity.com/</a>.</div>Walnut Manorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958177693462999504noreply@blogger.com0