Rachel's Condo Update | March 2022
A whole lot has happened since we last left our hero at the 1979 condo, yet still so much to be done. I’m having a blast decorating this place and feeling very much at home. I know you are all wanting to see some progress photos, so here goes! I promise there will be “real” photos when things are further along, properly stages, etc.
Overall, I’ll say what I say to customers everyday – if you want change in your home, dress your windows! It makes such a giant difference, both functionally and aesthetically and even sonically. Yes, It’s an investment. Yes, it’s worth it.
Eat-In Kitchen Area
The drapes. OMG. I couldn’t be happier. At night, I draw the drapes over the slider and push them back in the morning to reveal a wall of light. Sunday mornings with the newspaper and a late breakfast are so great. I found a vintage table and four chairs at [undisclosed location]. The size and vibe are perfect, and the swivel chairs are super comfortable. I’m probably going to re-cover the seat cushions, but am waiting for the perfect fabric to present itself.
Lighting in the room is still a work in progress.
Living Room
I brought the Porter sofa from HR to add to my living room and it’s fantastic. Fab pillows from my old condo have set the palette for this room. I bought the 1970’s lamp with original shade at Pillars years ago.
I have another set of drapes here, one way draw (the opposite way from the dining area). They so beautifully frame the window. Light control, privacy, and texture are provided through the Top Down/Bottom up woven wood shades. The open top of the windows lets in all the wonderful light, plus views of falling leaves and snow, ahem, the dreaded “wintry mix”, while the bottom half defuses the light and makes me confident that I’m not on display to the neighbors.
The brass etageres are from Bonny Read in SoPo. They’re sculptural and useful and I just love ‘em. I’ve tried them in several places and think the final spot in shown here, in front of the two windows. I don’t have the properly staged yet because of other dusty work going on. Stay tuned!
Upstairs Landing
I’m thrilled with the barnacle-lick chandy. It’s on a fancy dimmer switch that is so fun to use. Big thanks to my awesome electrician who shall remain nameless until he’s done with my work! Sorry.
Kelsey Healey’s textile art and Sam Cady’s print have never looked better.
The stairs are still a work in progress. The least expensive thing to do would be to basically upholster the whole stairs, so it ends up looking like a giant cat scratching tower. Although it’s for sure 1979-appropriate, I just don’t like the look. I’ll probably bite the bullet and put in new wood stairs and risers and install a stair runner down the middle. The banisters are another big decision and expense. I’d like to change these out, but how exactly? I think it’s the overall Neo-Colonial feel to this place that I dislike the most, so maybe I should beat the Colonial out of the place, room by room. Again, stay tuned!
Main Bedroom
I love my room. The shag is luxurious and silly. The fabric on the drapes is dreamy, and I’ll get a better photo when they are finished with cornices I have coming…The chair and ottoman were purchased from our wonderful customer/friend who recently moved out of town. The dress is from Bonny Reid. Privacy when I want light coming in is provided again through translucent Top Down/Bottom Up function. It’s this layering that I think truly transforms a room. One day, I’d like to have super cool vintage doors to cover the closets, but for now I just changed out the hardware with simple brass discs from Rejuvenation.
My bed is fabulous, but I’m not yet thrilled with the side tables so will save that photo for a future email.
Main Bathroom
I installed a Toto toilet with posh seat that has bidet functions. I love it. My electrician, who shall still remain nameless, put in an outlet next to the toilet to power the seat. Who knew? The seat is heated, the water is heated, various sprays fully adjustable, I recommend it fully. It’s kind of a good to have such a state of the art toilet in my 1979 bathroom!
Stay tuned for much much more…
Resources
Home Remedies (of course!): homeremediesmaine.com
Bonny Read: www.instagram.com/bonnyreadvintage/?hl=en
Rejuvenation: https://www.rejuvenation.com/
Pillars: https://www.pillarsantiques.us/
Floor coverings: Becky at Port City Flooring https://www.portcityflooring.com/
Fergusons (Bath appliances:) https://www.fergusonsshowrooms.com