A Trip to the Day Spa

I am thrilled to be included in the September issue of Cottages and Bungalows!  Rebecca Razo wrote a flattering article highlighting the master bedroom and a bathroom from our previous home.  Thank you!!

I have to tell you that seeing photos of our old finished spaces gives me a twinge of buyer’s remorse.  But what’s done is done.  Move on.  I had a good long chuckle from this paragraph at the beginning of the article:

“Between its subtle shades of white and cream, clean silhouettes and Rie’s clutter-free approach to interior decorating, it’s no surprise that her home has the calm and soothing atmosphere of a relaxing day spa.  It may come as a surprise, however, to discover that daily life in the Sterling home is about as far away from a trip to the day spa as one can get.”

So funny!  And it couldn’t be more true.  If only they could see us now.  Want a peek at our current little nightmare?  Hold on to your hard hats…

My husband, with the help of our angelic neighbors, took out the old set of stairs (which started at the back of the house) and created a whole new set which now leads up at the front. 

Before the stair work, there was a rotten floor to replace:

The old floor came up only to expose floor joists calling out to be replaced as well:

It’s ironic that my son is blurry in this picture.  Wobbly is probably exactly how he felt after this particular day of hard, manual work.

Here is the shot of the living room.  Want to sit a spell and visit?  I can make tea!  Do you take cream?  Sugar? Sawdust?  

We could sip together huddled in this corner.  There is a little spot of beauty to gaze upon across the room.  Antique doors just installed!  They provide a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. 

Through them, you’ll enter what will be the new music room.  Right now it’s an extension of my husband’s tool shed (i.e. the house).  There is no shed.  Or garage. 

As you leave, watch your step!  Dump runs happen daily.  And all of this just from the front two rooms.  Needless to say, in our downtime, we live upstairs and at the back of the house.  You know… at the day spa.

:)