Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Bungalow, Part II

We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship.  As the harvest season approaches I am mindful that many are not so fortunate.  My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank.  As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project.  Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video.  I've included a link in the side margin of my blog.  I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger. 



Last week, I gave you a peek at the changes that are taking place in my precious daughter, KC's and son-in-love, David's new home...a small bungalow in one of our city's historic preservation neighborhoods.
We started with the dining room which went from...

this...

to this.

This week, I want to give you a peek at the living room.  Although it is still a work in progress, with three chairs to be recovered, there are still some delightful things for you to see.  Come on in and make yourself at home.

Nana's 1920's hand carved couch has to be one of the most comfortable sofa's that I've ever known.  The down filled cushions take a good measure of plumping, but KC never seems to mind.  She has always adored her great-grandmother's couch.  Tip:  We found the Scalamandre cotton velvet on eBay for $10.00 per yard.  I always check out the internet when I'm shopping for fabric.  Fabric houses that would normally be totally out of my budget suddenly become affordable.  The vintage 1920's wedding ring quilt folded on the arm of the sofa and the Persian carpet were also Nana's.  The coffee table is actually an antique "Cook Box."  What is a Cook Box, you ask?  At the turn of the 20th century, household help worked seven days a week.  However, on Sundays, they were able to take an evening for themselves.  The cook box was probably the forerunner of the crock pot.  Once the lid is opened, you will find two round tin built-in containers into which two covered crockery bowls would be placed.  Closed inside the tin configuration is some sort of insulation that would provide heat.  The cook could prepare the family's evening meal earlier in the day and place it in the cook box to keep it warm.  Later in the evening, the family would open the box and serve themselves (heaven forbid) their Sunday dinner.  The cook box was also useful for picnics.  It would be placed in the back of the buckboard wagon and carried to a chosen location...the first tailgate equipment!  Sweet Mr. bought this for a lake house that we had years ago.  I'm thrilled that KC wanted to use it.

David brought the print of Klimt's "The Kiss" to KC as a gift before they were married.  Right now it is camouflaging an ugly old window unit that is scheduled to be removed, now that the house has central heat and air.  The slipper chair was a $35.00 flea market find.  It is awaiting a trip to the upholsterer's along with the two rust colored easy chairs.  The green armoire was a great get...$150.00 on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  I was initially a bit doubtful about its quality, but it has successfully made five moves and is still in great condition.  It's given me a new attitude toward furniture from Hobby Lobby.

The beamed ceiling is one of the most charming features of this little bungalow.  The light fixture is original, and KC chose to keep it.  In the corner you can spy an old barrister's book case that belonged to Nana.  I studied piano on that piano from the time that I was in the second grade until I graduated from the university.  I am thrilled that now KC writes some of  her music while sitting at the keyboard.  Through the doorway, you can catch a glimpse of next week's tour, the kitchen.

That's the tour...take off your shoes and curl up on the sofa; we'll chat for a bit.  Hope to see you next week when we explore the kitchen.  We're looking forward to your visit!


You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly meme, Metamorphosis Monday.  On Sunday evening click the button below to link to all the wonderful bloggers who are participating in Susan's party this week.  Thank you, Susan, for providing this marvelous forum.





        
Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

15 comments:

  1. What a beautiful and touching song and video. We are so blessed to have enough - more than enough - and if we don't share in whichever way we can I think it's a great crime.
    You'll laugh - I know I did. Those two rust easy chairs and their ottomans.....well, in 1980 when The Great Dane and I were posted with NATO in Oklahoma City we bought exactly (exactly!) the same at Dillards. They are now in our son's house in Kingston, Ontario, but have given comfort on two postings in Germany, in Cold Lake (Northern Alberta), at our house in Kingston, in Ottawa, Toronto and here, on the Island before our son claimed them. That's all he wanted of the furniture he could have had! It's such a small world.

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  2. What a charming bungalow . Love all the wood work in it and the painted chairs are charming!! Thanks for your warm compliments. I hope you will stop over often, as I have so much more to come.

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  3. How proud I know you are of your daughter and her God given talents!
    Her home is darling! I love all of the sweet pieces and it looks so cozy. I'm proud for them.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. Cherry Kay,
    First your generous loving heart is so inspirational. We are so blessed to have such nice lives and it is so important to remember those who don't .
    Your home is gorgeous!!! The green velvet sofa is an obsession of mine, I want one so badly. But I don't have a place for it. I keep eyeing one at a local antique shop. Yours is beautiful.
    Looking forward to the kitchen tour.
    xoxo
    Bunny

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  5. The coffered ceiling is fantastic -- that's one of my favourite architectural details. Also really like the chandelier in the dining room.

    The cook box is such an interesting addition to the living room. I love items that have a story and/or history behind them. The barrister's bookcase is really cool too.

    Looks like you're having fun decorating this little bungalow :-)

    Kelly

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  6. What a talented daughter you have! The song is moving and perfect with the video. We are indeed blessed to be sharing tablescapes and recipes when so many have no table and nothing to put on it. I love the charm and history of their bungalow. I don't think newer homes can compare in charm!

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  7. Thanks for the tour, Cherry Kay. I love your daughter's home, very cozy, and how lucky of her to possess some of her great grandma's stuff. I have never heard of a cook box before. Very intresting. Thanks for the eduaction. Your daughter is blessed with a beautiful voice!...Christine

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  8. What an adorable house! It has so much character. The ceilings are beautiful. And she has done a great job decorating it!

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  9. What a wonderfully cozy home !

    thanks for sharing,
    gena
    www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

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  10. I came back to see your daughters sofa again, Iove that she cherishes her family treasures, your daughter sounds like such a lovely young woman I can tell how proud you are. I am looking forward to seeing her kitchen!
    Now I am really obsessing over the green sofa at the antique shop down the road, I just cant fit it anywhere it has a very high back? Oh well....

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  11. What an amazing young woman your daughter is!!! I popped over to her site, and was so impressed, with her beautiful voice and her beautiful spirit, as well as her songwriting. You must be so proud of her!!
    ...And her home is lovely too.

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  12. What a lovely home your daughter is creating. It's so nice to start with good bones and treasured family heirlooms. I anxiously await the kitchen tour next week. Thank her for allowing us a sneak into her life.

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  13. Cherry Kay, Your daughter has a beautiful voice and great writing talent! We are familiar with crop walks. My kids have participated in them through our church and their boarding school. And hunger strikes everywhere. When my son was a Boy Scout they always restocked the food pantry in our town, and he was amazed to see that even in an affluent community there are those in need. Such a good lesson for a kid. You should be very proud of your daughter, as I am sure you are, for her part in making people aware. And, her bungalow is so charming, with the great architecture and all her family treasures. That sofa does look very comfortable. Thanks for the tour and the song! Linda

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  14. So charming and cozy. Love the use of color!
    -Polly
    www.learnandgopollyco.blogspot.com

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  15. Such a charming little bungalow! KC has done such a good job decorating it. I'm enjoying the tour!

    Katherine

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Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

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