Phase III: Foyer.a.

Foyer:
After being contacted by Apartment Therapy, this project popped up on the to-do list for 2014 (now link to project here!). An exiting opportunity for our mess to get published & the main floor closer to being "complete". We're pretty sure we were chosen from the list of applicants because our plans are risky controversial bold awesome (painting out the unsalvageable woodwork, obscuring the small oval window, and modernizing the space in an almost 100 year old home), and are pleased to accept the challenge.

facing W to FRONT PORCH

The Foyer is the (2nd) entrance to our home & creates 1st (2nd) impressions (1st place going to the Exterior & Front Porch, but the Foyer is truly the 1st when inviting you into the soul of our home). It's been an embarrassment to date (ahem cat litter? Yah... great 1st impression of our soul for our guests: the warm waft of cat poopy).

You may follow the Renovation Diary on the Apartment Therapy website. That link will ultimately lead you smarty-pantses back here to our personal blog, where you may experience our embarrassingly filthy language, sloppy editing, and ubiquitous sarcasm which we are to restrain for respect of the article & kind folks at AT.

facing SE to the stairwell

Features & Original material:
Beautiful beautiful wood trims:
In such poor condition it's a total heartbreaker. They were already painted with several layers (forest green, white, and a putrid salmon YUK) and then were stripped and neglected for who knows how long. The wood, unfortunately, is irreparably dry, cracked, splintered and has not been cared for. To be positive about this fact, we're embracing change and painting the wood out for a fresh & bright vibe.

it looks worse in person

To appease any wood-loving hangovers, we will be preserving details of the original elements as much as possible. Still don't believe painting out the damaged woodwork is a brilliant plan to save character (not to mention materials from the landfill? Have you seen what amazeballz happened in our Dining Room when we did? (Oops... haven't posted the final pictures yet! Wait for it... ;)

Built-in bench:
Also, coming out. It's not "original": our house-whispering skills have determined the bench to have been added in the '70's. Furthermore, when it was added the original bottom 2 stairs were hacked up to accommodate it.
We will be taking the panelling that is on it's face and putting it back (to where it was originally) on the staircase... aaaaaand painting it out bwa-ha-ha (now we're just having fun with you wood-purists, brace thy-self for our unbridled sass!).

Front door & window, and Living Room French door:
We will do our best to keep this woodwork intact. Pffft.

Staircase:

One of the things we fell in love with with this house was the staircase configuration: not facing the front door (feng shui), and the zig-zag being fecking adorable. The carpet on it, however, is the bane of our existence with it's mucky-muck-always-dirty feeling if not the wretched colour & texture. Time, care, and delicate attention will be invested in making this feature shine. You're welcome.

Hardwood Flooring:
Again with the poor condition! Our sad house :( That's ok... we have a wicked plan to bring new hotness to this old & busted.

Stay in tune & watch the magic unfold before your very eyes... um slowly...