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After living in Philadelphia for one year, a few weeks ago we loaded up the dogs and drove two hours from center city to the Pocono Mountains..."The Poconos" to spend our first night at our new lake side cottage. Just as I finished our complex kitchen and master suite renovations at our historic row house, I find myself invigorated with the idea of simple DIY projects at our 1980s lake house
For now, let me introduce you to our lake house!
It was built in the 80s with a fabulous open floor plan. The first level has a large entryway, half bath, coat and laundry closet, eat-in kitchen, dining room and living room - a great room. The back of the house is all windows with views of the mature birch, cherry and spruce trees, and of course, the lake. The spiral staircase leads to the second floor with two small guest bedrooms, a full guest bath with a vaulted ceiling and skylight, and the master suite. The master bedroom is huge with a vaulted ceiling and the same wall of windows the living space below enjoys. The kitchen and entryway have pegwood floors, bathrooms have white tile, and the rest of the house has Berber carpet. The one downside to this house? It's very 1980s in its style and decor. The house came furnished, so I am living with what we have for the most part. I plan to slowly introduce a more functional 'modern cabin' aesthetic to our home. I've already updated the entryway with cedar trim, paint and lots of hooks {a before and after post coming soon}! I've painted the spiral staircase black from white. Actually, the whole house is light beige with white trim, so there will be many rooms to paint. Here's a photo of the back of the house at dusk.
morning steam rising from the lake
The office has a lovely fireplace {one of seven in the house} with recessed walls on both sides. Whenever I see recessed walls, I think "bookshelves!" There's nothing better in an office or living space than a wall of book, don't you think? And we have a lot of books.
I wasn't a fan of the fireplace mantle - the color of the wood and the style didn't fit the aesthetic I had in mind for the office. We removed the wood mantle and the surround {it's now in our painter's new home}, and painted the room in "Abalone" - Benjamin Moore's Natura color. Then we had eight floating wood shelves built and washed in a light ash stain. I can't wait to add our books to the new shelves!
I'm pulling together an idea board for the office's furnishings and decor - mostly using the pieces we already have. Part of our larger renovation includes refinishing all the heart pine wood floors in a darker color - removing a lot of the orange tone. One odd thing about this office is that there's no overhead light - so we'll definitely have to install new lighting.
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My new worktable top being hoisted up to the studio from the roof deck.
If you recall, my first post about our new home in Philadelphia mentions placing my studio in the basement where there's a separate entrance from the front of the house, a utility sink and lots of built-in storage. Perfect, right? I thought it was perfect until my husband floated the idea of moving my studio to the fourth floor. So after spending a few days in the house, I've changed my mind. I'd love to get your opinion...even though I'm sure you'll agree with me!
Before: Living room with marble fireplace, gilded mirror, heart pine floors & chandelier
Before: View of pocket doors into dining room
Before: View from living into the entry hall and dining room.
Before: Dining room with another marble fireplace and a gorgeous ornate mirror.
Before: Entry way with two chandeliers & picture rail molding.
My Plan. Paint the master bedroom floors white.
Note the transition from wide plank heart pine floors to 2" oak flooring just after the wall.I can't wait to share the 'after' photos with you in a few weeks. Until then, I plan to share more of my renovation ideas with you - there's so much to do! We're starting with the master bathroom, kitchen and a small guest bathroom. Plus, there's all the little details - switch plates, door knobs, light fixtures, my studio...it just goes on and on!
Doha pattern in metallic gold on organic European hemp in earth brown.
When: Saturday, May 12th & Sunday, May 13th, 11-6pm
The entrance to my new studio in downtown Philadelphia.
The entrance to our new home {200 years old}!
The center city is very bike-friendly, and of course, super walkable!Take a look at my newest designs in my Spring 2012 Collection! They'll be available to purchase on Etsy this week, and will ship on March 16.
Hand block printed Aya in brown on hemp
Spring 2012 Collection
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Photo: Ariele Alasko. Table made from salvaged oak flooring from a Brooklyn brownstone
Photo: Ariele Alasko. Table made from salvaged oak flooring from a Brooklyn brownstone
Photo: Ariele Alasko. Table top made from Salvaged oak flooring
Photo: Ariele Alasko. Wall made from eucalyptus leaves. Yes, that's right.
Photo: Ariele Alasko. Even her tools are handsome. Love the handles.
Photo: Ariele Alasko. Floorboard Cheeseboards made from antique pine flooring
Photo: Ariele Alasko. See, I told you she bakes pretty sweets.