Some New Non-Vinyl Pull Shades



Front Living Room



I have *finally* almost completed the process of making pull shades for the 2nd floor.  This task took so much longer than I anticipated and was frustrating beyond words.  After having made about 15 of them I now know a few things I could have done to make this so much easier.

1.  I replaced the vinyl on the pull shades with a thin poly blend material that does not hold it's shape when ironed.  Next time use cotton.  The thickness will be a little more bunched up on the roller, but it won't effect the look that much.

2.  Use a fabric that I like rather than buying a ton in bulk that is affordable.  We needed 75 yards of fabric.  It was going to be a huge expense so I bought something that was fine but not great.  Next time - smaller quantities.

3.  Measure better.  This fabric didn't rip well when I was cutting it off the rolls so even just a small variance made my seams way off.  Next time I will measure twice!

4.  More patience.  It looks fine.  It doesn't have to be perfect.



Library



Art Room

Sophia's Room has yet to be done

...and now for some real action

The last few months have breezed buy, we've been busy with a new school year, a few other houses that needed attention and that monstrosity of a tree that has finally left our yard as of this weekend.  Thanks Matt Gramling!  We now have generous amounts of firewood, for when the fireplace is running.

Trent has begun the most serious project to date- removal of the walls that separate the two back bedrooms of the 1st floor with the old kitchen.  The project has to be completely sealed off due to hazardous dust, so it's hard to get good photos, but you get the picture.  Plaster & lathe ripped down, clean up, repeat.

I spent a few hours in there this weekend, taking down the hallway with Trent.  I feel that we are in the home stretch of this remodel, yet this last leg is going to take awhile.  We are in the planning stages of how this will lay out.  With the help of Jack Golatke of Story Hill Renovation, we hope to have a floor plan soon.

She's been asking what all the noise is about



Wall between old kitchen and hallway

same wall, view into old kitchen

huge amounts of lathe, back closet

view to back porch through back bedroom