Emerging from winter here in Northern NJ and thought I'd share and update with some photos. We got nearly 4' of snow this winter, including a two-foot storm in February.
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Needless to say, I'm thrilled to be moving toward warmer weather. My goal this year will be to address lots of the landscaping.
Im planning to add Boston Ivy up the right side of the driveway, intending for it to grow up the fence for more of a grown-in look and feel. Also thinking of adding perennial ferns near the house on the left side of the driveway. Sprinklers went in last December and we just fired them up last weekend. What a glorious sight! It's been hard to keep everything lush and growing without consistent water.
I also just finished adding eight yards of top soil into the 40' x 3' raised garden bed. I'm really looking forward to getting the vegetable garden going within the next 30 days or so, once the last threat of frost disappears. I've never been much of a landscaper or horticulturist, but have always enjoyed vegetables. Hoping the exposure turns out to be good for the plants. I get full sun from about 10am to 4pm.
I also got the portiere up between the dining room!
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It's original from the period and I think it really looks great in the space. It's a bit delicate, but it's only me so I don't think I'll have to worry. There was evidence on either side of the opening, so I know there was once one there. It thrills me to add a bit of antique flavor back into the house.
I also had an unfortunate leak from the radiator valve in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
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Water slowly infiltrated the ceiling and I didn't get to it soon enough. I opened things up and let them air out. Now, I've got to address the valve and patch the ceiling. Thankfully, it's only one small setback--it looks worse than it is.
And finally, I got the shower curtain up!
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It's a melding of old barkcloth and a new snap off-liner curtain. The color scheme was actually the impetus for designing the bathroom. The curtain pulls together the green and black from the floor with the warm yellow and brown tones from the walls and trim. Again, I'm really pleased with the outcome!
I hope everyone else has met with similar results
It's always nice when all your hard work pays off!