async='async' data-ad-client='ca-pub-1704385665578974' src='https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js'/> July 2020 - Welch House 1900

Marble Patio Restoration

Our home hasn't seen a lot of exterior updates since we purchased it, but I'm happy to say that we finally were able to get one accomplished earlier this spring!






Welch House has an unique back patio and what makes it unique, is that it is tiled with marble tiles.







Through research I have learned that the marble patio was added on to the home by the Welch Family in the 1930's. 






The patio was in sad shape when we bought the home, some areas were caving in, causing the beautiful marble to crack and break.






Our contractor got in touch with the previous owners to inquire about the marble tiles, so he could replace the broken ones. 

Apparently the tiles are original from the 1930's, and were imported from Italy!






I was over the moon excited when I found that out! The story and history of the marble makes my home even more special to me.







Earlier this year I was able to purchase two lady statues made of marble for our patio. I actually found them on Craigslist and they had been laying in a field!! I brought them home, cleaned them up and they seem to love their new surroundings.

 





I have been collecting antique Peacock outdoor furniture for awhile now too. I have two regular chairs, and this spring I found two rocking chairs on Facebook marketplace. I love how unique and intricate they are. They are the perfect fit for this space.








I am still on the search for a matching table, but my husband surprised me with a metal table earlier this year. It works perfectly for now. He even bought me the black and white striped umbrella. I love it all so much!






Since our house is white, I painted two of the peacock chairs black, so they don't blend in with the house.







I might try painting them pink next year and see if I like that look. I also really want to get a black and white striped rug for under the table.








The back patio is my favorite place to sit, I love it more than our front porch! I have the perfect view of the moon sitting here at night. It is very peaceful and I enjoy watching the fireflies in my gardens.









Below is a photo of what the patio looked like before we had it restored. Ad you can see, it was in need of a makeover!







The next photo is an "in progress" photo. I wanted the patio to have brick pillars, (five in total) so I could have urns sitting up top of them.







This next photo is right after the patio was completed, but before I decorated and gave the house a good power wash. Next year I will need to landscape the flower beds in front of the patio. I did plant some lavender on one side a few weeks ago, and over the winter I will brainstorm about which plants I want to add to that.







In a few years I may lime wash all of the brick on Welch House.  I love that look and I think it will dress up the house so beautifully and will look lovely with the marble tiles.







My contractor tried to discourage me from using the marble again for the floor of the patio. He said that marble wasn't practical for Iowa winters, lol, well I am not practical either! I love the history of the marble and its truly special to me. He was able to salvage a lot extra marble from this project and I am saving it to use on another back patio here at Welch house. We have another patio area on the other side of our house. It was torn up when we replaced the foundation a few years ago, it looks terrible now and I am eager to get it looking beautiful. Hopefully next summer we can start on that project!










I hope you enjoyed seeing our patio restoration/makeover. Having this done was a huge unexpected blessing for me! I literally feel like I won the lottery having our patio completed and I am so very thankful.







Thank you so very much for visiting!

-Larissa


Changes in the Foyer



Seven years ago when I first saw the foyer at Welch House, it had painted blue walls. Immediately I knew that I wanted a gorgeous wallpaper for this space and I papered it with a beautiful green damask, which I loved. Over the years the seams began to appear on the walls, it had gotten torn here and there, and I knew I was ready for an update!





Christmas 2019




I love a wallpapered foyer in a historical home, and someday I plan on having the foyer wallpapered again, but for now, I decided to update it with white paint. The paint color that I chose is called "Simply White" by Benjamin Moore. Most of the house is already painted this color, and I love the way the rooms seem to flow nicer now.







When we moved here, I completely changed my decor from farmhouse/primitive style, to Old World Style. One of the very first items that I brought home was this statue of two ladies. I saw them at an antique store and they haven been with me ever since.








I have had them displayed in almost every room in our home, and now they are back in the foyer on the french dresser.









I moved my new leopard print rugs into the foyer from the library, and I am loving the look! I actually have two of the antique French leopard print chairs. I found the chairs on Craigslist, and learned that they were reupholstered by the seller's Grandmother many years ago. They are very special to me.










Okay, I have a confession to make. I love painted white woodwork, and I realize that is an unpopular opinion with old house lovers. Our home's woodwork was painted white in the 1930's remodel, but the previous owners brought the wood back to its original state. I can appreciate their hard work and love that they put into that task, so I will not be painting any woodwork. I did want to tone the wood down a bit though, so I decided to move the drapes that were in my dining room into the foyer.









Oh my goodness these drapes are honestly the nicest, most luxurious curtains that I have ever owned! They are perfect for the foyer. I actually have them in a different color in my living room as well. I'm serious when I tell you that they are wonderful! You can find them on my Amazon link here


I have had a large mirror covering the foyer window over the dresser for several years, and I loved the look so much, but I decided to remove it and enjoy the gorgeous original leaded glass windows. My little boy said that he liked the window uncovered much better:)




Christmas 2018




 


I did splurge and ordered two antique sconces to flank each side of my window. They are amazing. Each features a golden woman with long flowing hair. My husband said that he would wire the sconces so I could actually plug them. That makes me happy.







I removed the wallpaper on the lower part of the stairwell too. I plan to add similar wall moulding here that I created on the dining room walls last year.







My little french nesting tables have taken up residence here on the staircase landing.







I am actually very happy with the outcome! Change is hard for me at first, but I am pleased with this look.








I think the white walls are going to show off my Halloween and Christmas decor very nicely. I'm so excited to decorate for the holidays!









I hope you enjoyed the foyer tour and seeing the updates! You all are always so sweet to me and you truly bless me with your kindness! I appreciate you so much!





 


 
Thank you for visiting! 

-Larissa  


 


 


 


 


 

Pink Doors

 Hello! Its been such a long time since I've posted! Today I wanted to share a quick post about painting my exterior doors pink.







I have been wanting to paint my doors pink for years, and after searching Pinterest for the perfect pink, I decided on Benjamin Moore's "salmon berry".









I had previously painted my front door gray, but it was too sad and unwelcoming in my opinion.



Before



A good power wash to the siding and a pretty pink door makes a world of difference!







I also purchased these crazy pink over the top floral wreaths from JoAnn Fabrics this spring. I usually go for a more simple look, but pink has been calling my name this year.






To add more pizazz to the front door I decided to add an architectural ornament. I purchased this one from Wayfair and I really love the elegance it adds to the door.





I also love love love my door mat. I didn't notice while taking my photos, but the mat is actually upside down. lol the 'Bonjour" should be at the top. If you love this mat you can find it here on my amazon link! I have linked up all of my favorite decor items that I actually buy and use from Amazon! Now you can shop my house and see how the products look in my home, as well as how I use them. This particular mat is awesome, I use them under my covered porches. I don't recommend them for a porch that isn't covered, as the mat won't  hold up well in weather elements.







My favorite exterior door on our house is this gorgeous hand carved antique door.  This door is located under our portico. 







Before




It was previously black and very dirty. We get a lot of dust and dirt blowing around in this area. The door always gets dirty and the black color just enhances it.  P.S. yes I actually do clean this door!










The pink is so pretty! I love the old doorknob and carved details.







If you love the sweet little black and white rug, I do have it linked in my Amazon store here. I think it is very "Paris chic!"







So thats all I wanted to share with you today. I hope you also love the new pink color! I sure do!






I also snapped a quick picture of the curtains blowing in the wind on my front porch. You can see the new paint color on the porch ceiling. I need to do an  updated porch tour for you soon!






Also, a sneak peek (below) at a finished project that I can't wait to share with you!





Thank you for stopping by!


-Larissa