Hello again,
After doing some puttering in the house this morning I am looking forward to getting out to the garden on this lovely sunny day here on the Island(of course ,that is Prince Edward Island for those of you who may think there is any other Island). Before I go out to the garden I thought I would share a few photos of the continuing saga of our livingroom makeover.
I wanted to make our open living room into a more cozy spot for reading and dining etc. so it is more of a library now. We had a carpenter come(Peter MacDonald-Thank you!) and he put the wall in between the hallway and livingroom turned library. The wall has sliding french pocket doors so we can easily keep the room opened up without taking up space.. The wall was originally there but someone had removed it before we bought the house thirty four years ago.The openness of the house worked well when there were seven children running around but now with just my husband and I living here I could picture a warm cozy place to read by the fireside on those long winter evenings. My husband joked that he can't wait for a snowstorm so he can actually sit for a spell and read in here!
This wall was put back in about ten years ago but the carpenter also built the bookcases for us and we love them!
I am planning on rolling up the carpet for the summer and giving the floors a coat of varnish. I am also on the lookout for a round table that will seat 4-6 people .When all our family come for dinner we have a long table that folds down that we can still use in here.
I am still playing with the shelve organization.
This is a woodburning fireplace that we only use on special occassions-but you are special so I lit it for you! We painted the fireplace and had Peter(our carpenter) build the mantel above to tie it all in and then we painted it to match the bookcases etc.
This is the new wall from the hallway. The clock in the corner was my parents and I plan to paint it ivory some time soon.
This is a new chair that our children gave me for Mother's Day- I was so happy !
This is the view from the other side. The old armoire is also on my list for a makeover.
Looking into the hallway and up the stairway.
Well ,that is our livingroom turned library makeover for now. When I finish the whole project I will have you back to see it!
Today, I am joining in with Cindy at her beautiful blog My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. There will be lots to see there again today.
Thank you for visiting me ,
&
I hope you have a wonderful weekend,
Carolyn
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47 comments:
Carolyn..
it's been a bit since I've been online, with company, mother's day and travel.. but now see what I came back too?
I just fell in love with you home all over again!!
I love it!
with love,
Olivia
OOhs and AAAghs coming from here to the Island. May you enjoy your new space for many years to come. My grandmother had a little blessing she used to say to someone who had something new, and I wish I could remember how it went, so I could pass it on to you.
Carolyn your home is just beautiful. I spied a square pink vista dish on the table? I have the same one! That's my china pattern.
Love libraries! Great idea to paint the clock it will look stunning!
Have a great weekend in beautiful P.E.I.
P.S. I watch Chef at home and just drool over the views!
Hi sweet Carolyn,
Your home is gorgeous! I love all you have done in your beautiful living room! It looks so romantic, warm and inviting! Thank you for lighting the fireplace! The chair your children gave you is very beautiful! I love the bookcases! Your carpenter did a wonderful job! Enjoy working in your garden! Love, Paula
Oh so pretty and cozy. I had read your post when you were on vacation and having the work done. It's great to see it finished. Now I'm curious to go back and see some of your old posts with the way it used to look.
You might be asked a question I'm frequently asked, "Where do you keep it all?". A closet, a storage place, in plain sight? So in honor of my first blogiversary, I'm holding my first meme on June 2, 2010, aptly named "Where do you keep it all?". I hope you'll come and grab my button and join in the fun.
- The Tablescaper
OK,now I'm confused. Which room have you featured that has windows on either side of the fireplace? If that wasn't your living room, which room is that? And are there any before photos of the living room?
Love your blog and your home so I try to get a mental picture. The picture is not coming out right. LOL!
- The Tablescaper
A dream room, very cosy and so in the New England style, isn't it ?
Dear Carolyn,
Your living rooms looks so sunny and cheerful! It has a very good 'feeling' to it. So sweet of your children to give you such a beautiful chair for mothers day. Lucky you! Hope your mother is still well? Please let me know if she would like to read another Dutch magazine.
Hope the weather will stay beautiful on P.E.I. We had a lot of rain. Today was the first 'dry' day in a long time. Temperatures are around 10 degrees celcius. Very cold for spring!!
Happy weekend!
lieve groet, madelief
I love your beautiful home...the library shelves are so wonderful!!!
Looks so nice Carolyn, and definitely cozy.
Judith
Just lovely, Carolyn! I love your fireplace and the mirror above it! Love your china too in its new cabinet, and the chair your family gifted you with is very nice! You have a gorgeous home! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Sandi
Sigh.... what a lovely cozy area to relax after a tough day. You have a knack for decorating. I do so love the fireplace, send your carpenter over here. I have a big job for him. I have a brick fireplace that needs painting and a new mantle. Yours is perfect!
Bookcases bring such coziness and good reading too. I always love having books around, even if I don't read them all, they are there in case! The sliding pocket doors are beautiful. Have a good weekend.
What a beautiful room !!! i really like it !!
Happy sunny weekend i hope for you !! enjoy..........hugs from Ria
Your living room looks lovely. What color paint is your trim? I am going to paint mine soon and it is so pretty.
Willow
I've caught a glimpse of those bookcases before and I am soooooo glad to see them better. We're in constant project mode around here, too! I read a quote on someone's blog (a Pottery Barn guru, actually). He said, "Perfect is boring." My husband replied, "is that why I never have a moment's peace around here?" I think our husband's should meet.
In regards to my sister, yes, you may borrow her, but, I am her dishwasher and must come in her suitcase!!! (oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, oy!)
Love, katy
Hi Carolyn...Oh, love the living room makeover. The wall makes a big difference. By the way, that's a good idea to roll up the rug for the summer. I'm thinking maybe I'll do that, too. Hmmmmm. Thanks for that idea. Take care. Sincerely, Susan
You certainly have a Midas touch, Carolyn! Your home, gardens and little guest house are absolutely breath taking! I always enjoy my visits with you on PEI!
Be Blessed!
Carolyn it is so delightful but how come no dust! How do you find the time to keep everything so pristine with the garden and all the blogging.
Talking of garden i haven't seen yours yet this year but then perhaps I missed some posts as I am struggling to keep up with fellow bloggers.
Hi Tablescaper,
Sorry,I didn't post the before on this post but if you go to the slideshow on my sidebar you will see a Christmas before shot and also the family room fireplace which has a window on either side which is off the hallway at the bottom of the stairs. I hope this helps you visualize it better.
Willow- the trim color is Ralph Lauren Victoriana which is a creamy color.
Katy Noelle- this is great, a chef and a dishwasher.Life doesn't get any better then that!
Thank you everyone for all your kind words.
Carolyn
Carolyn,
Your new library is so beautiful! I love the feel of a library and yours have all of the old fashioned comforts that one should have. I adore your cream and brown together. The room looks so peaceful and relaxing, you've done such a great job of decorating it. I love it!!!
Hugs, Cindy S
You have an incredibly gorgeous house!
What a beautiful room! I think I would sit and read more with a room like that! I love the chair that your children gave you!!
YOur room is so beautiful. I love everything about it. Who wouldn't love spending time in there.
Debby
Oh my,
What a gorgeous home!! It looks so warm and cozy. Your blog is so lovely, I am so glad I found you through My Romantic Home.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda
Close the french doors, light the fireplace, a cup of tea and a good book. So inviting on a chilly spring night. Lovely! Have a wonderful weekend.
Oh yes--I could really coze down in here. I think painting your clock is going to make it gorgeous!
Jacqueline
The new chair is beautiful! I can just imagine reading by the fire with a cup of tea!
Hi Carolyn,
I love this room! It is so pretty and yet cozy! I love what you have done with the fireplace with it being painted and also the new mantel! Makes me want to curl up with a book! :)
Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine
Carolyn, your home just beautiful, comfy and serene... and the mother's day is just perfect gift for you..
This is such a great makeover!! I love the new shelves, and how they continue right across the doorway. And the crackling fire totally ups the cozy factor :-)
I'm sure you and your hubby will enjoy many toasty winter evenings in your new library -- but there's still a whole summer to enjoy first!! :-)
Kelly
Simply gorgeous Carolyn!
I ADORE those french doors and the fireplace is so beautiful.
Love the neutrals you used and hte chair look so comfy.
You have such a great "ey" for everything.
Cori
Starview Sonnet
Hello Carolyn... Your room make over looks so lovely... but truly you had me swooning at pocket french doors :-)
Bella
Hi Carolyn, what a beautiful library, I would love to sit in front of the fire with an exciting book.
Nice toile background too!
Have a nice weekend, love Jannet
You have a lovely home! French glass doors and built in book shelves...beautiful.
Hi Carolyn! Oh, I love it! I love the library look and all the space for your books and I can see some dishes too!
Love your pretty new chair you received for Mother's Day!
Oh, you can snap for me anytime you'd like but I have a feeling you'd be one of those sneaky ones and not show your pretty face! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I tried building a corner library once. That was in the day when my DH was into the Ikea modern look. Now it looks really out of place in my cottage. I am still working on 'convincing' him to change to my way of thinking. Your home looks so wonderful.
Carolyn your home is just gorgeous! I just sent you an email, but I think I may have made an error...so I wanted to tell you that you've won my glassware giveaway! Please let me know if you haven't received my email. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
Stacey
It's lovely, Carolyn! I smiled when I read your husband's comment about looking forward to a snowstorm so he can sit and enjoy the room! :)
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Zuzu
Your house is fantastic ... it has nothing to envy to the homes you see in magazines of furniture! Congratulations on your excellent taste! ;)
Sarah
What a beasutiful livingroon you have, I love everything in it, especcialy the chairs. Oh and the fireplace and..
Have a good weekend.
Hi Stacey,
Wow! I won??? I am so excited -my first win ever and I love those beautiful glasses.
Thank you so much,
Carolyn
Carolyn, I always enjoy seeing what you are doing in your home. I like your idea of an intimate space for reading, especially in the winter with a cozy fire burning nearby. Each time I look at Aiken House & Gardens I want to return to Prince Edward Island. Wish I had been blogging the summer we were there. :-)
That is my dream room! We have the same bergere chairs too!
I just LOVE this room so much!!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
It really does look SO cosy. xx
What an enchanting room! Yes, indeed, reading in winter, snuggled up with wonderful books to hand – what could make a room more inviting? Once again you've given us a marvelous treat! Thank you, Carolyn.
Dearest Carolyn,
Indeed kindred spirits are not that scarce...
Two things that stood out of this blog were the seven children you mentioned. I am the eldest of seven.
The sliding French doors you have are genius! Wish we had them in our home. We have French doors in all rooms, except bedrooms of course and bathrooms. Also our master bedroom has sliding French doors to the balcony. We love them.
You DID a marvelous job; looks very lovely!
Greetings from Georgia/USA
MariettesBacktoBasics
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