If you had walked along with me to witness it all in the very beginning, after the waterfall, and seen the terrible condition it was in, then you'd find the end result impressive. That's how I feel about the entire project. To call this a project is an understatement. It was a microcosm of a family in action. A family dedicated to the service of the Blessed Mother and Divine Father. Each in their own way called to serve. This house located, ironically, on Chapel Road, will be rededicated and become the headquarters for a new generation. It will call them like a beacon of light. "Come home. Come visit us. Come visit." it will say. And they will. As Dorothy said, "There is no place like Home." But it is to grandmother and grandfather's house we go.
I learned a lot about what's involved in construction and design of a home. First of all, its an intense business and is not meant for the faint of heart. Let's start with the guts and belly and the non-sexy elements. The electrical, the plumbing, and the heating system were all upgraded. The water issue was resolved after a lot of conflict about how to do it. We'll just blame the neighbors for creating the problem in the first place. The entire basement was power-washed-white, and now has an unfinished wine cellar instead of a 1940's bomb-shelter. The foundation, once-upon a time was overflowing with junk and water, is now empty, dry, clean and awaiting a new purpose. Take this as a sign of a clean slate from the foundation up.
Going up the basement stairs leads to the rear exit that has a new set of steps leading to the backyard. The yard, minus the dead and dying apple trees, is large enough now for a football game or a festive, large event. From the street, the house has been wrapped in aluminum siding with new windows to view the world going by. There is early evidence of landscaping and a garden taking shape. With time and nurturing this could become worthy of a garden club membership. It will take vision and no small amount of work. From shabby to chic with the right choice of plants and flowers.
Pick a door, either door, leads inside. The over-sized mudroom, once known as the breezeway, has actually become, a breezeway. In Florida, they'd call it a lanai. Its light, knotty pine finish and homey simplicity is a reminder that the old hideous knotty-pine inside is now covered over in painted sheet rock. Here's the official smoking room during inclement weather.We would be well advised to adopt the Asian custom of taking our shoes off before entering the house, for there is new hardwood flooring throughout uniting the downstairs space. The sisters have out-done themselves with the furniture and decorative items mixing the old with the new, things that are borrowed and the things that are blue. I snuck a peak last evening like a child up before dawn on Christmas. The ambiance is warm and welcoming and celebrates family. It's obvious the first time one crosses the threshold into the 2010 kitchen.
I am reminded of a little ditty my grandmother had on her wall. It was a plaque with a woman serving tea, I believe, and the verse was very simple. "No matter where I serve my guests, it seems they like my kitchen best." Mother will agree. We can all agree there is enough room to accommodate a large number of conversations and debates here. The only missing element is the music and dancing going on in the kitchen complimenting the occasion. Here the iPod generation is more knowledgeable than I. Docking stations anyone?
Check out the new full downstairs bath, the red living room and the front bedroom that's designed in blue and white. The "man cave" room, an adopted phrase, has a pocket door leading into the kitchen. From a chair perfectly located, one can see who is at the breezeway door or close it off for privacy. It was a compromise decision that worked out well. A win. Win.
Most impressive is coming through the front door. It's more common in New England to come informally through the kitchen door or back door. Some customs just are part of the culture. However, newcomers and guests usually approach the front door. Entering up the front walk way, the living room is to the right, the open stair leads quietly up the carpeted stairs. The front hall links to the kitchen while providing additional space for just about any kind of reading and/or listening to music.
And, ah, the man cave that every American male seeks for himself. It's not that he is unwilling to share it but it's 'his space'. This room is smaller than originally thought but looks great. There will be many, many sports games to be seen on the new flat screen TV. Father, should appreciate his end of the house with a new bedroom, an incredible bathroom with the sweet touch of hand towels, label "Nana" and "PA". This sister has the gift of executing class, sparing no detail. I knew she could do it and would do it with organization, teamwork, creativity, and panache. She thought of everything including food in the refrigerator.
I had forewarned everyone of the enormous amount of stuff returning to the house, that overwhelmed the sisters and all. It must have felt unending and a clobbering and an impossibility to behold. Stuff that did not make it into the new decor is stuffed into the attic and garage. I haven't checked the numerous closets.
Now upstairs where the bedrooms are located. The Master suite has opened a bit and looks like a comfortable place to relax as well as to sleep. The guest rooms and full bath upstairs did not really get damaged but they have new walls and a mostly new bathroom. The small guest room now is painted a spectacular color green that makes it feel like one's up in a tree house. It would make a lovely office, study or nursery. It's small and bright. There is room for guests, temporary stays and visitors. Life will be good here. There is even a sign to remind everyone. "Life is good."
I have more snooping to do, but it will take a couple of days to take note of all the interior details.
In less than 30 hours, mother and father will return to their extreme makeover, 48 years in the making, at least from my point of view.The outcome is grand and has exceeded my expectations on a number of fronts and levels. Some photo additions will be added to the collections as I take note of who and what is incongruously missing. There are many newly discovered images to choose from. This is just tweaking her-story and his-story but there is no real urgency to get them done.
We have time. Today is a day of rest. But not for me. I had mine earlier in the week. I'll attend the lawn and garden and do so with great joy!
However, this house becomes a home when two special ingredients arrive to take possession. Mother and Father. Husband, wife, son, daughter, parent, grandparent, family, friend and neighbor. It is love that bound them in the beginning, sustained them through laughter and sorrow, that they bring to transform this beautiful new dwelling into a home where love, forgiveness and faith triumph.
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