Our warm and cozy family room is just that, warm and cozy, plus it is looking good! The decision to add a set of French doors came about from the whole notion that a warm wife, might just possibly be a saner wife. My Loving Spouse is a big fan of my staying sane and a few weeks ago when the weather outside was at 19 degrees and inside about 20 degrees (Fahrenheit, for my British friends), he knew he had a problem. The heat from the wood stove was going everywhere in this wonderful, big old house, except where I was, which was our cozy, cold family room. His first idea was to hang an old quilt in the double doorway. I’m sorry to say, that he got ‘the look’ from me and quickly came up with a classier solution.
The doors have not only made it warmer, but have enabled us to use our home differently. The big winners are our dogs. Previously, they were banned from the house as they’d run all over, find the cat liter and eat it. (I know it is gross, but this is our reality!) With doors now to close, the dogs evenings are spent curled up by the stove. Happy hounds!
We bought new French doors, and hard as it may be to believe, we even bought a tool My Loving Spouse did not already own. The tool cost less than $5 and made chiseling out the wood for the hinges much easier. I knew we needed the tool as soon as I learned it was called a ‘Butt Marker’ and yes, I burst out laughing at Lowes’s!!! A ‘Butt Marker’…. all I could think of was how I’ve spent most of my life trying to make sure my butt didn’t mark anything!
The ‘Butt Marker’ in action.
Our ‘Grand-puppy’ Starbuck gives My Loving Spouse some help with the installation.
In…
Staining the doors to make them match the trim.
A trip to the workshop to dig around all our old bits and the new doors are adorned with wonderful old door knobs and plates.
Stunning doors that look as if they have been here for a very long time!
Now, I just need to paint the room, find a rug, fix the windows….
Wow, those doors are beautiful AND practical!
Hello, Ellen!
You don’t know me, but I’m a born-and-raised Pennsylvania girl on the cusp of moving to Ellensburg. I’ll be joining my boyfriend, who’s already had a chance to adjust to such a different life, and I’m both nervous and excited about the transition. I’ve been scouring the Internet in search of blogs about life in E-burg, and I love yours! Your optimism and ability to laugh in the face of chaos is infectious; stories of your new life there make me eager to start my own. That is, if I can survive the drive across this outrageously massive country first!
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s truly inspiring, and such a fantastic adventure. You go, girl! 😉
Heather
Heather,
Thank you for the kind words! Travel safely, you will LOVE Ellensburg. Come by Glory Farm when you get to town. You can meet My Loving Spouse, The Teen and the three legged cow!
Ellen
Wow! I thought those were old doors, they look like they’ve always been there, beautiful! I love the butt marker tool, my favorite tool is the “stud finder” – yes please! Anyway, another great addition to your beautiful house! Congrats!
LOve the new doors! and especially the “found” knobs and plates. Glad you are now cozier in your new home!
Oh, boy, a great excuse to talk for hours! I will pack my painting clothes!!
Wow! Don’t they look good!
I sent another email asking for the instructions on how to make your great Christmas tree ornaments, but never heard from you. Did you ever receive it?
I just cannot believe how much you 2 get done and it’s not your easy everyday project…I’m still waiting to get my garage cleaned out!!!