While the world moved into a new year and thoughts turned to Valentine’s Day romance, the crews at 30 Maeve’s Way kept things moving. Since my last update, things have moved considerably closer to completion – and things are coming together really well. While I could unleash a torrent of words here to describe everything that’s going on, I’ve been encouraged to be selective. So, with that, I’ve narrowed down my ambitions for today’s post to cover a few of the areas that best demonstrate details that have lived up to my highest hopes. And thanks to the incredible work of my exceptional crew, they’ve often exceeded my best expectations.
We’ll start with the dining room. In a lot of homes, the dining room is sort of a special occasion space – an area that’s only used when company’s in town, and there’s something to celebrate. To my way of thinking, that’s kind of a shame. So when I designed this space, I wanted to make sure it could be used for those occasions – but that it would still feel comfortable and accessible enough to use on a regular basis. So, to keep things grounded, we opted for paper-backed burlap wallpaper. The texture is simple and functional, but its rich earth tone is a natural complement to the cast iron and glass chandelier. The ceiling paper picks up on the chandelier’s metallic finish, with hand block printed gold details situated against a soft, sage-green background. The paper’s four-color process feels rich without overwhelming – giving the room a welcoming feel that dresses up easily for formal occasions – and dresses down just as easily for a family meal.
Following on the dining theme, our next stop is the kitchen (pictured at the top of this post). Given the fact that this is likely to be the highest-traffic room in the house, it’s designed to work well – and to feel instantly familiar. We made choices that were intentionally rustic – from the recycled bucket island lights to the reclaimed timbers – that contrast beautifully with the modern appliances that make cooking a pleasure. We also found the perfect use for a pair of reclaimed semicircle windows, which we combined above the sink to form a perfect circle of light. I’ve had the windows for years, and like so many of the pieces I love, it was just a matter of time before they found the perfect home.
Finally, we’ll turn to the entry areas. Like most homes, this one has a main entrance – which is unlikely to see much traffic – and a rear entry that will see the majority of everyday comings and goings.
In the grand foyer, we opted to use three-quarter light doors. Typically, main entry doors are solid. But because of the beauty of natural light, the three-quarter light doors add a whole new dimension to the room. Once inside the door, visitors will notice the distressed oiled oak floors, with a traditional herringbone pattern that adds a touch of sophistication. The entry light is a converted candle lantern that provides warm, usable light after dark. And the salvaged brackets framing the doorways – covered in more detail in my previous post – add another touch of tradition.
The rear entrance is every bit as grand as the front. A second round window is situated to provide a clear view of the outside fireplace – making it a perfect vantage point to see what’s going on outdoors. The back stairs are outfitted with reproduction fence balustrades, to provide a welcome variation to traditional square round balustrades that are more commonly used.
So things are moving along well. And while it’s required a flurry of activity, the results of the hard work are coming together really well. Check back in a couple of weeks. With a little luck – and a lot more hard work – we should be able to show you the finished project.
