Teaching Old Houses New Tricks

Renovations & Real Estate

I can’t believe our guest room doesn’t have a permanent place here on the blog yet! It’s time to change that, and what better time to share pictures of a moody green bedroom than on St Patrick’s Day?

Our House, Renovations

March 17, 2021

Moody Green Bedroom Makeover

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I LOVE getting a head start on Christmas shopping. But I also love buying gifts for my family, so now that I’m done with my shopping, I’m going to keep shopping… but for you! Here are my his and hers gift guides for this Christmas.

Friday Favorites, Holidays

December 7, 2020

His and Hers Gift Guides

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This spring we took on our front porch and front yard as a One Room Challenge, and we LOVE the results. On the last few cool mornings (because it’s still the dead of summer in Nashville right now) I’ve sat on the front porch with Hank, coffee, and emails to start my day. I’m pretty […]

Our House

August 28, 2020

Stock Tank Pool and Backyard Plans

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It’s done! Our Spring One Room Challenge is complete, and I can’t wat to share our big southern front porch with you.

Front Porch Makeover Spring 2020, One Room Challenge, Our House, Renovations

June 24, 2020

Reveal Day! – Southern Front Porch Makeover – Spring 2020 One Room Challenge – Week 8

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When we started this whole ORC project, the thing that made us most excited was building a daybed swing. They always look so inviting, and like you could take a nap and listen to the breeze on an early summer afternoon. Not late summer though… at least not in Tennessee. That’s AC on full blast, how-little-clothing-can-I-wear-and-still-look-professional kind of weather.

Front Porch Makeover Spring 2020, One Room Challenge, Our House, Renovations

June 17, 2020

How to Build a Daybed Swing – Southern Front Porch Makeover – Spring 2020 One Room Challenge – Week 7

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I decided that I wanted a Haint blue porch ceiling. For those of y’all who aren’t from the south, you might not know what Haint blue means. Just like the houses I love so much, blue porch ceilings tell a story. Their history in the south goes back hundreds of years, and is filled with superstition, ghosts, and old wives’ tales, just as any good story should be. There are many guesses as to the why behind painting a porch ceiling blue, and I’m sure that the reasons are as regional as the hues.

Front Porch Makeover Spring 2020, One Room Challenge, Our House

May 28, 2020

Haint Blue Porch Ceiling – Southern Front Porch Makeover – Spring 2020 One Room Challenge – Week 4

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This week’s project was removing all the layers of paint from our porch floor and front walkway. “Sounds simple enough,” you might say. But you would be sorely mistaken. As it turns out, removing 5-6 layers of paint from a hundred year old concrete slab is not easy.

Front Porch Makeover Spring 2020, One Room Challenge, Our House, Renovations

May 21, 2020

Southern Front Porch Makeover – Spring 2020 One Room Challenge – Week 3 – Demo Day

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It’s time for the Spring One Room Challenge! We’re making over our big southern front porch–come along for the ride every Thursday for the next 8 weeks as we give this front porch a facelift.

Front Porch Makeover Spring 2020, One Room Challenge, Our House, Renovations

May 7, 2020

Southern Front Porch Makeover – Spring 2020 One Room Challenge – Week 1

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7 Plants to brighten up your home for spring and summer, from Air plants to Zzs.

Our House

May 5, 2020

7 Plants to Brighten Up Your House for Spring

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