What was old can be new again!

Before I purchased my house I looked at several other places. I had a short list of requirements while I was in search of the perfect place. As soon as I walked into the front door I knew this house was waiting for me.

One of my requirements was being able to create spots for all my much loved belongings. My life up to this point has been a collection of items that make me who I am. Not so easy to get rid of them.

My house is 100 years old. It does not have any ghosts but it does have great character. Mixing the old with the new has been part of the fun. I am determined to use what I have rather than purchase new items where ever possible.

This mission to blend the old with the new has been easier than you might have expected. Take my fireplace for example. The original wall above the mantel had a 3 dimensional wallpaper in a fern pattern. I'm sure it was all the rage at one point but it was not talking to me. I never lack for ideas but there are times when I need some help to implement them. Thanks to Robert Wallace a dear family friend who has all the right equipment or should I say tools :) and the skill set my fireplace wall is new again. Rob was able to replicate the crown moulding at the top to match the other mouldings in the house. It looks like it was always there. I added a simple white wash to the wood for some character. There was a plan to hang a mirror or piece of artwork but once the wood was up I loved it too much to cover it.

The mantel has a display of some of my collections. Crystal candle sticks and apothecary jars. The ginger jar is 100's of years old. If that jar could talk! One of my drapery clients years ago gifted it to me. It fits right in with my addiction to navy and white. Again keeping the old with the new.

When it came time to add drapery to this room I was certain of one thing. I did not want to close the room in with too much fabric. I wanted to add a punch of modern and keep it simple with side panels that remain stationary. Running the striped fabric on the horizontal was all I needed. It may be hard to see but I did use a traditional pleat at the top of the drapery. All in keeping the old with the new. We can all live quite comfortably together!