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I wanted to replace the front door with something more appropriate to the architecture of the house, something that would allow more morning light into the living room, something that welcomed guests (and, yes, me) to this place I call home.

And so the door was replaced, but the painted trim seemed…well, off next to the beautiful stain and varnish on the door.  The only solution was to strip the paint from the trim.  And if I stripped the trim, I would need to strip the baseboards.  And what about the dining room?   The hallway?  Despite thinking I could live with the cottage-y look of white trim and windows,  I had not-so-secretly longed for the warmth and authentic bungalow appearance of stained woodwork.  Why settle, right? 

Like a trail of falling dominoes, thus began my five-month-long love/hate relationship with the wood detailing in the living and dining rooms and hall. 

My giddiness ebbed and flowed.  The potential for a period look allowed for an enthusiastic start, but the reality of the task at hand dawned within a week or two.  Frustration, weariness, and worry over the level of lead in my blood gave way to elation as each sub-project was checked off.   Baseboards.  Hall.  Butler’s door.  The mantel–oh, the mantel!  Each was worth it in the end but painstakingly time-consuming along the way.  Finishing each gave me the resurgence in motivation that I needed to move on to the next.

By the time I was tackling the dining room windows, the end of the project seemed to be in sight.  Ah, foolish girl!  Two months after that and a full five months following the onset of this project , I have finally reclaimed the living room.  The project is done, and I’m giving up a life of (paint) stripping for a more respectful existence. 

Proper curtains–a Jacobean pattern in a Craftsman palette of warm golds, greens, and reds –have replaced the makeshift window coverings, and there is no longer a pile of various tools, chemicals, rags, and sandpaper in the corner–and just in time for the arrival of spring.  I could not.  Be.  Happier.

The evolution:

 At inspection (March 2008):

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One week after move-in:

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  Another late night ahead:

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What a mess!  At least the baseboards are done…

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Window treatments are installed, and the furniture is uncovered and back in place!

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 A huge “thank you” to Chad at Irvington Bungalow for talking me down from the ledge when, in a moment of weakness, I briefly considered scrapping my plans and *gasp* replacing the windows.  Now that these beauties have been restored, I can’t imagine having it any other way.  Despite the tedious work and countless hours involved in the proejct, eleven Prairie-style windows and I are so appreciative of your advice. 

Dominoes PhotoCourtesy of Jupiterimages via Current Events Newsblog