Hi everyone!
I hope you’re still here with me, I know it has been awhile since my last post. Graham and I had close friends, from the UK, staying with us throughout most of April. So we’ve been playing catch up over these past few weeks.
One of the things that we’ve been busy doing is getting back to the very dusty and hot work at “Wildflower Manor”.
Our future home is becoming more and more of the beauty that we’ve always seen in our hearts. With every drop of sweat another spark of hope is kindled that this dream could really come true! With every bruise and splinter another beautiful surprise of original craftsmanship is revealed. It’s our delight to uncover the hidden beauty in this old gem of a house!
Hopefully, you, my readers, are equally as thrilled to see this over 100 year old house being transformed into a home that tells a story of its past glory and the lives that it has held and sheltered, along with a story of the lives it is now welcoming to enjoy it for many more generations to come.
If you need a refresher of the “before” pictures (how it looked when we bought it). You can find part 1 (same title) of this article, by clicking on the highlighted words Renovate and Restore above, directly underneath the title.
The entry room had multiple layers covering over and blessedly preserving the original wood flooring beneath it. There was a layer of stained brown carpet, with a pink carpet padding under that and then on the very bottom was a layer of an old patterned linoleum.
The walls also had layers. The room was shrouded with a dark covering of 1970’s wood paneling and under that was an especially drab, antique wallpaper.
But excitingly, we discovered a treasure hidden behind all of those layers! An enclosed door that would have most likely been the original back door leading onto a small porch (now a utility room). We decided we wanted to reopen that doorway to make a more convenient access to the current back door and to make the entry room feel brighter and airier!
What a difference!!! Such a beautiful room underneath all of those old layers!
Now, just visualize me sitting there in that comfy rocking chair. I’m having a gander out of the large screen door and listening to the neighborhood rooster crow? Cock-a-doodle-doo! Ah, country girl bliss! 😁
C’mon! Let’s take a peek inside the kitchen!
Graham definitely deserves a very nice home cooked dinner (not in this kitchen though, not just yet 😬) after spending days on his hands and knees peeling back those stubborn layers of decades old flooring!
The floor and walls were painstakingly uncovered and only the ceiling was left to finish at this point. Graham had removed all of the old ceiling tile and only had the nailed on wallpaper to tear down in order for us to finally see the room fully unveiled!
Drumroll please! Can you imagine our anticipation?!
By the way, don’t you just love those unique corner cabinets (to the right of the open doorway)?!
“Sigh.” Such satisfaction and appreciation in seeing all of that natural beauty uncovered!
It’s starting to look like, “Home, sweet home!”
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So lovely Kimberley! All the hard work that you are both putting in to restoring this beauty, is paying off. The house and the flower meadows are wonderful and a joy to behold. Good job!
Thank you, my dear Sally! I'm so glad that you were able to see "Wildflower Manor" in person and pick a beautiful bouquet of Texas wildflowers from the meadows with me! One of my favorite moments from your visit here! So much love, Kimberley
So beautiful!
Thank you so much Jeanette! I hope to give you the tour someday as I know that we share a mutual love for homes filled with history! Lots of love, Kimberley
Phew what a lot of work, but it’s looking good
Hi Heather! Thank you so much for continuing to read and comment on my blog!❤️
You're so right, "Wildflower Manor," has been a whole lot of work and there's still so much more left to do but it will definitely be worth it all in the end! Much love, Kimberley
Simply beautiful Kimberly! You both have done so much to bring to life this beautiful home. Ever since I saw it on Zillow, I though of you. It will be glorious.
Hi Paula! Thank you so much for your support! You two have been more of a help to us in this project then you know! Invaluable advice from experienced friends means a lot! Not to mention my faux mantle piece probably wouldn't have even made it inside the house without your votes! 😉 We love y'all and I'm sure we'll be asking you for more advice on down the line! Kimberley
Love it Kimberly! Can’t wait to see what else you uncover. BTW, where’s our bedroom! 😁
Hey Kim!!! How great to hear from you! We sure do miss y'all and I'm so honored to see that you're reading my blog! Thank you!
Yes! We're excited too and enjoying the adventure of this beautiful old house!
You know y'all are always welcome and there's plenty of rooms to choose from! 😃 Lots of love, Kimberley
Wow!!! So much has been done since I was there! Looks amazing! You two definitely know what you’re doing! Can’t wait to join in the fun! 🖌️🛠️🧹❤️‼️
Hi Jeannie, thank you for reading my post and sending a comment. ❤️ We look forward to taking you up on the offer to come join in on the dusty fun! 😉 Lots of love, Kimberley
WoW! How beautiful it is! I can only imagine how tired you must get when you think of how much more there is to do. Yet, pats on each other's backs, hugs on how much you've done, since I saw it in June, I can't wait to be living closer to see the progress up close and personal, I know MawMaw is smiling as big as I am. I'm so proud of you both, hard working young couple, living the dream, for Jesus and each other. I absolutely love the kitchen cabinets and all the natural wood. It's hard to believe that anyone ever wanted to cover that up, but as you said, preserved it! Wildflower Manor is perfect, and will be filled with love and treasure from the past. I love you my sweet daughter, you both deserve the best, this life offers. Looks like this is it. When done, I hope the rooms are filled with your children and grandchildren visits! See you, when I see you. My favorite sayin' lately...
"If we never meet again this side of heaven, we will meet on that beautiful shore." Give me much peace. Truth.
Always, thoughts and prayers for your well being. Momma ❤️
Thank you so much momma for your lovely comments! It was great to be able to tour you through "Wildflower Manor," in person! The work is progressing slowly since we're determined to do as much as we can on our own but the satisfaction that comes when you stand back and know that what has been done was by your own hands, is incomparable, not to mention it saves lots of dollars! Hopefully we will be living in our beautiful home next time you are here to see us! I love you, Kimberley
Dear Kimberley, I’m loving seeing the transformation at Wildflower Manor!! And how you’re so lovingly restoring the original features to their former glory! It looks amazing! 😍👏👏👏
Hi my lovely friend, thank you! ❤️ Your future room at Wildflower Manor awaits! So much love, Kimberley
Dearest Kimberley,
I'm staggered to see the transformation and beauty of the natural wood shine through! What a lot of work, and the pictures absolutely do credit to your great efforts, giving your readers a virtual tour of the Grand and soon-to-be-enjoyed Wildflower Manor!
I can just imagine a wonderful wooden table decked with cutlery and crockery gleaned from your bargain thrifty finds, children and grandchildren old and young toasting a Christmas meal lovingly made..🎄a fire somewhere nearby warming the hearts of your nearest and dearest🥰 Above all, the sound of laughter 😊 ...
Love your blog posts! Keep up your amazing efforts! It will pay off and you'll reap the fruits of it, looking back on that hard work being worth it ✨️🎖👌
Much love, Sue
Awww 🥰 Sue! What a beautiful picture and hope of the future that you paint for us in Wildflower Manor! Thank you so much for appreciating the article, pictures and all of our hard work! But especially thank you for catching the dream and vision with us! Our hearts are absolutely as you describe, longing to see and hear the house full with family, friends, love and laughter! Much love, Kimberley