I love my old farmhouse. From her moss-covered shingles to her wavy glass windows to her sloping fir floors, I’m smitten and judge not her shortcomings. If there was one wart on her fine countenance, it would be the mud room, an enclosed porch where charm has been buried beneath drywall, clutter and indoor-outdoor carpeting.
For seven years, I’ve attended to other more pressing issues (like heat and hot water). Trouble is my back porch still looks like a scene from the Deliverance set. (I hear the dueling banjos.) Well, the time has come to tackle this room, uncover its history and see where paint and inspiration take me.
It’s always good to get a second opinion before starting a project (left to right).
- Boz becoming one with the squalor.
- Boz assessing the room’s feng shui.
- Boz exiting, but not before pantomiming “What a dump. I’ve seen better kennels.”
Love my crowbar; a little tugging revealed the artful lines of 100-year of shiplap beneath quarter-inch sheet rock.
The ceiling also shared a handsome treatment of original wood in the form of bead-board.
Sheetrock removed, I was liking what I was seeing.
The windows are in good shape, unlike the cocoa-brown carpeting, water-damaged linoleum tiles and underlayment, but I’m up for the challenge. Stay tuned for a little transformation and an outfit better suited to this patient Victorian.
My design assistant is ready for a dump run.
Love!! Isn’t it fun to find treasures under trash?
It looks beautiful…you really have (and are) a gift! xox
I just gave you an award, dear Tom! Come over @ my latest post & check it out! You can read why there too! 🙂 Enjoy!!! I think the dogs would approve this award!!
Hahahahahahahaha,…You did a great job !!
Tom – I love older houses too, and it looks like you have just discovered a true treasure in your mud room!
is there a sink in there?
Great bones, great light and love, love, love the windows. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Brion, Yes, there is a hook-up for a sink, and I have a 150 pound cast iron farm sink awaiting its move from the barn to the back porch. I bought it six years ago and it looks like this: http://blackdogsalvage.blogspot.com/2010/07/antique-vintage-cast-iron-farm-sink-w.html
This is really exciting! All the best homes in BHG have mud rooms, but they tend to go horribly wrong when neglected. It must be all the mud.
I can’t wait to see your beautiful renovation.
Renae, you have a point, perhaps I should rename the space truer to its function and look: the Dog Hair and Muck Boot Alcove.
I can’t wait to see the final product…I’d LOVE to have a mudroom…they almost seem like a necessity here in the PNW!
That room would make a perfect solarium / greenhouse. I’m green with envy…..
Anupa, I was thinking just that, perhaps a winter place for my lemon and lime trees.
When re-doing our 1907 farmhouse on Harstine Island we discovered shiplap under all the fake wood paneling… We white washed it, pained the ceiling white, and used oyster shells as the ceiling trim. Couldn’t look better – just like your new mud room! Congrats!
I miss my old house when I see things like this. It is a work in progress.
I think Boz will be beside himself once the room is finished. I love that you’ve found all that lovely wood buried behind the sheetrock. I’ll be curious to see how you transform the space. I hope it’s water-tight though. I’ve heard that we sent our torrential ghastly weather northward in your direction. Sorry about that…but really, the mudslides around here were getting to be rather alarming. Our next construction project is a 100 ft retaining wall. I promise to send some sunshine up that way soon…but I may keep a little for myself too 😉
I am your new neighbor to the North (I have just moved into the cottage on Dan and Delores’s property!) Love the pictures of your house! I lived on the island for 25 + years, I have been off the island for 11+years and now I am back for good and forever! I am sure we will see one another if it ever stops raining!
I’m hearing and seeing a lot about Boz… Did we lose Gracie?
Kate, welcome to the ‘hood, and back to the island. It’s nice to make your acquaintance and soon in person no doubt as I’m always seeking advice from man-of-all-trades and gifted thinker, Dan.
Karen, how thoughtful of you to ask, and I’m happy to report Gracie is well, though a bit slower. (I can relate.) She has staked her claim to the best seat in the house, and left the action shots to Boz. I’m sure with a little coaxing, warmer weather and a pocket full of treats, I can rouse the old girl out for a couple photo ops. She sends her love between snorts and snores.
I have no idea how I stumbled upon your site, but I’m sure glad I did. Love Boz’z adventures but like the others think he will adore the renovations. looking forward to visiting again Tom & watching the new room come to light 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation of your “mud room”. With those windows and that view, I could see a little table in there for breakfast! Please hurry ;>
(Pipi is no help to me at all when doing a project. You’re so lucky to have Boz).
This room and it’s lighting is inspirational; it could become so many things, a meditation room, a room to paint, a ceramics studio, a tea parlor, on and on. How fun to create new living spaces.