Sunday, March 27, 2011

March winding down


"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  
when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."
-  Charles Dickens  

My blog writing seems to have slowed a lot lately. I don't have much to show, unless you want to see the work we are doing at the old house, and really it isn't that interesting. Painted and pulled up carpet yesterday. Two of the upstairs bedrooms had old dusty blue carpeting that has been there for more than 20 years. The realtor said, "pull it up."  "And replace it?" we asked. Nope. She said nobody wants carpet in an old house and if it was there what they really wanted to know was what is under it. Painted fir floor is what. Looks to be in pretty good shape, though the paint is chipped and ugly. But potential buyers will now know that there is a viable wood floor that can be refinished. I bought a period light fixture on eBay this week. It will go in the living room to replace the too-modern fixture that is there now. The one I bought is painted brass and will require some work. I think I will need to strip the paint, which is not in good shape and rewire it. I have never rewired a light fixture. Do you think that's hard? It is a very simple little light fixture with two bulbs. I think I can find some instructions online or in a book. I know this fixture is more authentic than what is now there, but honestly, if it had been in the house when we bought it I probably would have replaced it! And maybe sold it to someone on eBay.

We are heading into the last week of March and, but for the daffodils, it doesn't feel much like spring yet. I bought a pair of sandals this week. Hope springs eternal.

9 comments:

  1. I love the quote. It captures the last couple of days so well. I also like the blog make over. The quilt in the banner is wonderful. Re-wiring a lamp is pretty easy. I have done it. Take it to your local "good" hardware store and they will show you what you need and how to do it.

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  2. Oh, dear - it is hard trying to redo a house so you can sell it - especially when you have to do it not to your taste. Good luck with it. Maybe this time will be your charm.

    We still have snow on the deck, so it is good to see your daffodils. No such thing here.
    As to sandals, I wear mine all year long unless it is below 40 degrees. Barefoot in the house, always. But I must admit I was browsing the Birkenstock sites the other day.
    Not that I actually NEED another pair...

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  3. Love the photo! I have never re-wired a fixture, but I've heard it is easy. Years ago, my brother told me he just figured someone less intelligent than him knew how to to X, so he figured he could do it. I've tried to remember that! (and that was pre-Internet advice, to boot!)
    --Lorraine

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  4. I'm as impressed with your re-wiring as I was with your painting. Somehow, I wasn't born with the genes for house-making and maintaining. Luckily we have a good neighbor and another handyman (the House Doctor) who keeps us from falling into total disarray.

    The flowers are phenomenal around here as is the dark gray. Guess it's the same on the other side of the hill.

    So Mexico..........?

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  5. actually, I've loved hearing about your renovations for the house that you are selling. I'm getting my house ready to put on the market. It was built in 2003 so the changes we are making are really just of the facelift variety.

    But--we are building a house and are committed to using as much reclaimed material as possible. I've been buying lights from all kinds of places, including the Habitat from Humanity stores. They don't match--the lights. Some are of the same "brassy" look as yours. I was thrilled to see how you modified yours with paint.

    Now I plan to update all these mismatched lights I've been buying with spray paint. Anyone walking in my "new" from reclaimed materials house will think everything coordinates.

    You have no idea how helpful and inspiring these posts have been!

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  6. Rewiring a fixture is pretty easy if you follow directions carefully. Not much different than a lamp.

    The quote is perfect for here also.

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  7. I demo-ed rewiring a lamp for my 7th or 8th grade "how to". My dad showed me how and it is very easy. There are easy diagrams to follow.

    G and I "flipped" a house once. We bought a house no one wanted and I simply cleaned up the yard and painted EVERY surface I could reach with antique white paint. I also staged the house making little vignettes. We sold it to the first people who visited and made 19K. People buy with their heart. And later regret not using their brain.

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  8. I enjoy hearing about your remodeling and hope you continue to share....Last year I inherited a house where the inside is stuck in the 70s...we have years of work ahead of us before we will be able to sell. The good thing is that my two adult children agreed to live there while we do the renovations.

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  9. I also enjoy hearing about your renovations on BOTH of your homes. Thanks for sharing :)
    Ruth

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