Another 5 months between posts... Shameful, I know. A lot has been going on within the Greensfelder's little world and more will come about in due time... Like this week.

The front porch is being restored. After a lot of back and forth and irritation galore, we have decided to do the porch on our own. It doesn't take a rocket scientist and Eric IS an Engineer (so what if his degree is in electronics engineering!) and knows his way around wood work and construction. We'll be renting several support jacks to hold the roof up as we pull the pillars down, replace a couple plinths that are damaged beyond repair, and reconstruct the bases.

The bases will no longer be wood. 

That's right. No more wood bases. They will be stone bases and the stone is from a local quarry outside of Kokomo, Indiana. The original Tuscan style columns will remain and will be sanded and re-painted to match what will soon be the new exterior paint scheme. The wood planks on the porch will be replaced in favor of wide plank. The decision as to whether or not to paint them with water resistant maritime grade paint or stain and seal them is currently still in debate. Of course the balustrades will match the paint scheme. All in all? Gorgeousness.

The steps, a huge part of contention, will be removed and replaced likely with flagstone steps and the secondary staircase will most likely disappear in favor of a full landscape renewal unless we decide to do a smaller garden path to those stairs (though I see little merit in doing so). The concrete pathway will be gone as well in favor of stone and eventually the entire front yard will be leveled out, surrounded by a stone retaining wall topped with a wrought iron fence complete with garden gate a top the steps leading into the yard from the sidewalk. There will be period correct lighting and the current porch lights will be taken down and fully restored to their former glory. Expect hanging baskets full of flowers and bunting to suit as well.

Many of you may have seen the front garden. Though sparse, the bright display of color this year was a sign of things to come and we are patiently awaiting the bloom of 70 gladiolas as well. After they fade, the front walk will be attended to as those bulbs have to be removed for winter anyway and we figure we'll let them shine for the summer before changing anything.

One of the first bearded iris blooms of 2018

Next year you can expect so much more... Close to 100 additional gladiolas, the iris beds in back will be moved to the front, more tulips, more alium, more hyacinth, additional displays of daffodils, crocus, dahlias, hostas, peonies... Yes. Just yes.

Inside... Well now. We are VERY excited and pleased to announce that we are working with historic restoration design firms out out of Chicago, IL and Glendale, CA on getting the Greensfelder's mouldings, ceiling designs, and frieze work back to what it should be and once was. Everyone agrees that with ceiling heights like these, there was more than just the work in the parlor and the couple plaster ceiling medallions that remain. The consensus is that there was likely mural work as well, which there IS evidence of.

We have four samples coming within the next week from Chicago and Glendale is studying room layouts and ceilings before making any additional suggestions - however - the one suggestion they have made for the dining room is INCREDIBLE, ornate, and will be the talk of the town. Absolutely magnificent!

Other goals this year? Fireside parlor readings of Christmas stories this coming holiday season!