An Abundance of Design Details

As promised, I am sharing additional photos of the exterior features of the Murray home. As you can see Linda's attention to details is extraordinary.Nothing is ever overlooked when she is immersed in a project and the love and care she has given to her own home is a true testimony of her timeless style that everyone loves. Every material and design feature is carefully selected therefore giving the home unique character. She is a firm believer that the exterior of the home needs to be an introduction to the interior style. She is masterful at accomplishing that vision in all her projects. Enjoy!
 Photos: Linda Murray Design

Please return later this week as we enter their home and continue the photographic tour!

See you later!
Cathy

Linda Murray Design Home

Linda and Granddaughter Elle

This month I would like to introduce my blogger friends to my neighbor's house. Those of you that have been following my blog for the last few months know that my neighbor is an interior designer and gutted and redesigned our cottage style home that we purchased 17 years ago. Linda and Joe purchased their home 30 years ago and have worked on their redesign project ever since. (Well Linda has, Joe just goes along with whatever she says!) What a good man! We have laughed that one our houses have had some kind of construction project going on for the last 30 years and Joe claims they must have bought their house twice! 
The Murray home was built in 1942 and the design features a mix of old (primitive) and new (modern) design with very clean lines and neutral ( primarily white) color palette. It is a very simple and functional approach with design elements influenced from Nantucket and Scandinavia. As Linda says " No whoop dee doos here. I work in colors and design all day and when I come home at night I just want to relax." Today I would like to start with a view of the outside. It demonstrates her love of white in the landscape and the house is simply charming!

Zoe the Neighborhood Watch Dog

Sweet Autumn Vine Rambling Over Picket Fence

 Siding - 12 Inch Tapered  Hemlock Boards Stained White From Vermont 



The Nantucket Light - Seagull  Lighting Company

 Charming Fence and Gate Made From Western Cedar

 Nantucket Side Light Flanking the Front Door

Benches -Linda Murray Design



Nestled Clay Pots of Ivy and Daisies



Still Watching the Neighborhood! 

Stay tuned as I continue to post additional exterior and interior photos.

I would love to hear  questions or comments from you! Also, invite a friend to become a follower of What Is Old Is New by sharing my blog address http://cathywhatisoldisnew.blogspot.com

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Cathy

Staying On Track

After many delays and changes in closing dates my son and daughter-in-law finally made the big move to their new home this week! It fills my heart to see them so excited (and nervous) as they enter into this new phase of life. They are about 40 minutes away in a small rural community in amish country. Jenna has already told me there is a flea market, great amish bakery, and I know there is a fantastic thrift store as well. Yippeeeee!   

We are all very proud of them as they begin to "ride the rails" of home ownership!! May God continue to bless them!!   

P.S. 
I plan to"get back on track"myself this week with more posts.
Cathy 

How to Create Child Inspired Vintage Vignettes

Did you find this week as crazy busy as I did? This time of year really ramps up at work. I am the director of a preschool that provides services for children with and without disabilities and we begin transitioning activities to prepare children for kindergarten. We will be assessing and meeting with families of 95 children. How exciting to see how the children have developed! (We always have a box of tissue handy to catch our tears of joy during these meetings.)I have worked in the field of special education for 29 years as a speech pathologist, special education consultant, education assessment project coordinator, professional development coordinator and administrator. Every year brings new challenges, commitments, and educational opportunities.The children keep us real and keep us focused on what is really important in life. I have a little sign in my office that says " Count your blessings everyday" and truthfully, I do.
 I have a friend who is an administrator for a school that serves children with developmental disabilities. We are common "junksters" and love the thrill of the hunt at garage sales and thrift stores. We have philosophical discussions about why we love to rescue stuff. Is it because we have spent our careers rehabilitating children that have developmental delays? Is it just a time where we can let our mind relax and wander as we browse aimlessly at meaningless stuff? Sometimes I just love the" humbleness" that the stuff  represents.Regardless, I do focus on the colors and collections that are cheery and several of the vignettes in my house reflect the love of children. Here are a few of my examples using art, photos, vintage games, books ,furniture, toys and clothes or accessories.

 

Recently my brother was babysitting his granddaughter and he said he rolled out playdough for an hour. How awesome is that !!?? Remember the smell of playdough? So please.... take some time to reflect and enjoy child-like ways.
Cathy

What's Movin' and Shakin'

I have been busy the last few days with family events but I wanted to share the latest news. This week Jenna and Steve take possession of their new home!( They lived with us for 15 months while she finished her undergraduate degree at the local university). We are so excited for them. Today when I got home from work Jenna had bought some sweet roses to say "Thank You" for everything.

 Hubby and I will be working like crazy to get our house back in order for a graduation party in the spring. I will post some pictures of our projects as they progress but today I will give you a sneak peek of a shower curtain we will hang in the front bathroom after we paint.(The fabric is a little more aqua than the photo represents).We will also be painting the guest room and furnishing that room with a spare bed.




Shelly Fabric From Maine Cottage




I Love Rick Rack


 What's movin' and shakin' for you this spring?  Cathy   

Quick Tip: Pick Your Plum

Yesterday I spent some time getting caught up with some blog reading and Layla @ The Lettered Cottage http://theletteredcottage/ blog posted about a fun place to get great daily deals. It is called Pick Your Plum. Check out their Facebook Account and website http://pickyourplum.com/. Sign up to receive emails about the daily deal which consists of all kinds of fun stuff. I received my first email today and must say was very tempted on today's deal. Beware however they do sell out of stuff quickly.

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Thanks for stopping by today!
Cathy