Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Presto Chango


Kevin and I moved into this house on October 31, 2007. And like a lot of folks, we do things as we can afford to and as time allows. A family member once asked me if I wished that I had a magic wand so that I could just have it all done in one swift swoosh.

Sort of like this...

(Move your cursor back and forth over the photos to see the photos change from "before" to "after")



(A couple years after we moved in, we decided to change up the kitchen again, so now it looks like this...)







Sure, "presto chango" is fun here on the blog, but the truth is- I live for the thrill of the hunt.



Collecting and creating unique bits and pieces for this old place has forged a happy and sentimental bond between us. It's a connection that grows stronger every day.



And just when I think I know all the houses secrets, my electrician nonchalantly informs me that there are original, tongue-and-groove, planked wood ceilings above the sheetrock in most of the house.

WHAT? Is he SERIOUS?

I don't know if it was the fact that what he said actually had the power to pull my gaze away from my computer monitor in hyperspeed, or if it was the sound of my jaw hitting the top of my desk, but I guess he could tell I was having a hard time believing what he had just said because he quickly invited me to crawl up his ladder and have a looksie for myself.

By golly, he was right!
There it was!
Perfectly protected by a layer of textured drywall.
An original, planked wood ceiling!
I almost fell off the ladder I was so excited to get down and go tell Kevin!

Oh crap.
Kevin went to the store.
Hmmm......Ooh! I got it! I'll call his cell phone!

(555-4994........ring.......ring)
Wait a minute...why is the ringing coming from the living room?
Double crap! He left his phone here!

(excitedly pacing, trying to figure out if there's any possible way I can reach him telepathically)
Maybe it'll help if I go stand in the driveway.
I can practically see the grocery store from there and, at the very least, I'll be able to mouth the words, "PLANKED WOOD CEILINGS" at him through the windshield when I see him driving up the street.

Needless to say, Kevin did not get my mental messages and had no idea what I was mouthing to him when he finally came motoring up the hill.
However, he was extremely happy to learn that I wasn't calling him a "PLAIN WU-SSY" in front of the whole neighborhood. Oh, and he was ecstatic about the PLANKED WOOD CEILINGS too. :-)

83 comments:

Steph said...

I am dying laughing! This is by far your funniest post.

Mary said...

Hysterical! Love it! Love the presto chango pictures...awesome!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Now.. aren't you GLAD your eletricity died on you? A reason for everything I say. :)

Happy undrywalling (Kevin). LOL

Donna

Alison Gibbs said...

Love what you did with the photos. Don't know how you did it but it was fun. How fabulous to find a planked wood ceiling.
Alison

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I could easily picture you doing this! Very funny!

Gina said...

What an incredible transformation! Also, I'm sure by now you and your hubby have ripped out all the ceilings! How exciting!

Lynn Kellan said...

I wonder what other design secrets The Lettered Cottage will eventually reveal! Can't wait to see the planked ceiling!

Teresa said...

Love it, love it. Sounds like me trying to call Darrell on his phone just for a tid bit of info.

Cheryl said...

How exciting! So, when does the removal of the sheetrock begin? :) Can't wait to see your "new" ceiling!

duchess said...

Oooo, can't wait to see how they turn out. You didn't have all of that construction dust up yet anyway, did you?

Cheryl said...

Layla, you are too funny. They post started out innocently enough and then you had me laughing hard. I love what you have done in that reading room. Looks so comfy.
Have a great day!

Heather said...

How exciting! I'll try to not be a wee bit jealous of you ;)

Katie Lewis said...

We recently bought a 1940's house with the original hardwoods, plaster walls with moldings and tongue and groove ceilings. They are my absolutely favorite part of the house - I love seeing them in them morning when I wake up! Congratulations on your great find! :)

The Blushing Hostess said...

Oh, how I have been to that place in the driveway too. But not with the planked wood ceilings, mine was more like, "Universe! tell him we are out of diapers and I could use some champagne!"

southerninspiration said...

Funny post, and it is amazing what you all have done!!! it's gorgeous!

suzanne

TanyaLea said...

What a great post to start off my day! You are such a HOOT!! ...great decor and a good laugh all in one sight!! :)

Have a nice week!
~Tanya

Wendy said...

I laughed out loud at the "plain wu-ssy" Too funny!!

Anonymous said...

Not quite sure why the telepathy didn't work this time. Keep practicing.

Now let's see. Planked wood ceilings. I'll have to go look that one up.

jenni said...

I am having a hard time even believing those are the same rooms!! You are a wonder, you are! Wow. Just wow.

First time commenter. You made me smile. Thank you.

Decor To Adore said...

Thank you for the plain wussy laugh of the day!

You have indeed come a long way baby!

Victorian Cottage North said...

That's incredible to find the original ceiling. I can feel your excitement. One of the reasons I bought my house is because I could see a bit of an old copperplated tin ceiling peeking out under a dropped ceiling. It is so nice when all the original features of an old house haven't been ripped out. Good luck with your next project. Dianne

diana said...

the best post by far... I am laughing out loud.
I see a lot of dust... I mean wood planks in your future!

Shannon said...

Hi Layla! My post today is about the herb crates I ordered from your site. :) I put them in my kitchen and posted pics. Just wanted to let you know!

Shannan Martin said...

Your house must really love what you've done with her to surprise you with plank wood ceilings!

Beach House 27 said...

Hi -
Congratulations on the ceiling!!!

I got some time this past weekend to go into your blog past and read a little here and there.

So nice to get to know you & I wish you still lived out here in So Cal. Although our city looks like a war zone right now when you look to the east - it's on fire and tragic.

I will follow you (sing) -

Marsha

designer radiators said...

Very funny post - love the work you have done to your home too!

Laura Lynn said...

Plain wussy - crackin' me up this morn!

Melissa Miller said...

Very cool! I can't wait until you show us. ~Awesome~ :)

Prairie Girl Studio said...

c'mon now ... could you bottle some of that incredible energy and enthusiasm you have? that is too funny ... and i can just see you jumping up and down in the driveway ... and kevin kinda rubbing his eyes and grinning wryly as to your antics ... it is so much fun being so involved in your lives ~ thanks for sharing as you always bring smiles ...
and of course ~ great ideas and postings ... that goes without saying! (love the hover idea ...)
happy drywall ripping ...
prairiegirl

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a thrill to find the ceilings. Now I can't wait to see them uncovered. Hugs, Marty

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Hello! Heard you helped Jennifer at The Old Painted Cottage and love your advice. I visited Jennifer before her big reveal and she mentioned your handiwork, so here I am to check out your blog. I think I visited each post, even watched your videos of Fleamarket and the Endless Yard Sale. Anyway, hope you stop by my blog and say, "Hey!"

Lorri said...

LOL I have tears in my eyes because I'm laughing so hard! Congratulations on the ceiling find.

Julianna Farmer said...

I laughed out loud! Thanks!

Love the Decor! said...

What a day brightener and what a treasure you have in those ceilings cant wait to see pics.

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Such a change over the past 2 years!! You've done an amazing job making your house a home :)! And you're such a lucky duck girl to get such cool features in your cottage like those ceilings -- what a find! Almost makes the electrical mess worth it, huh?!
Blessings,
Stacey

Becky said...

SOOOOOO Excited to see!!!!!!

Michelle Hughes said...

too funny! See it really pays off to buy older homes, you get unpleasant AND pleasant surprises!

Smiles!

Michelle

Kiki said...

What a fantastic find but now more work for the hubby! :)

Ashley Schott said...

I found your blog via The Old Painted Cottage and I just wanted to tell you I think it's so wonderful to see such a young, beautiful couple with such accomplishments and beautiful taste:) Your blog is just fantastic and I will be checking in often!

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness! how lucky are you!!! i cant wait to see those babies! hurry!

Simply Arizona said...

OMG, Layla - that post was too funny! :) Can't wait to see what you're going to do about those ceilings!

Brenda Pruitt said...

You hit the mother lode girl with those ceilings! You know that though.
Brenda

Jackie said...

Love it!! Your house is so beautiful and I love that you found beautiful ceilings under that dry wall! We found 2 rooms of hardwood when we had lived in our house a while - so nice! Love the cell phone thing - that happens to us ALL the time...hmmm...where's that ringing coming from?? Very funny!

The Flying Bee said...

LOL! That was so funny! Loved this post!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

I am laughing out loud!!! Wow, what a GREAT surprise!!!!

mah said...

OK, on your mark, set, go!!!! How long did it take to get it taken down???? LOVE IT.

Tricia said...

Too cute Layla yet what a mess you'll have on your hands. Loved hovering over those photos, very cool. Your reading nook is my favorite room in your house!!

Amber said...

What a find! I would be just as thrilled as you to discover those original treasures hiding above the drywall ceilings!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Okay - that was hilarious! Seriously! I've tried to do the telepathic thing before too...I sooo wish it worked :).

Ms. Witi said...

Seriously one of the most fun posts to read! I felt like I was in your head waiting for Mr. LC too. LOL!!

Anonymous said...

Layla,
Can't wait to see the big reveal. My husband would have said, "Wonderful", and not in a good way. LOL
Good luck!
Wendy

Pam said...

Yay for you! Now I'm wondering what is underneath my old ceilings! I wonder if my husband would be angry if he came home to find I had ripped a peek hole in the ceiling?

naomi lynn said...

Layla,
I'm not much of a blog commenter, however, I just needed to tell you I love how you did your before/after pictures on this post. What a treat to see your rooms turn from ho-hum to simply beautiful in just a second.

Also, congrats on your planked wood ceilings. I can't wait to see it once it's all revealed. (I'm guessing right, aren't I? There's no way you can leave those covered up for long!)

Love your blog!
Naomi

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

I am so excited about your plank ceilings - just PERFECT for a cottage home! What a find!

Unknown said...

Too funny! I gotta tell ya, Layla, sometimes I feel sorry for that poor Kevin. :)
Congrats on the ceilings!

Miss Obara said...

Totally love this site! I have been lurking in Blog land for far too long. I moved out of state last year and am thinking what a great way to show my family 'what projects i'm working on'. Thanks for inspiring me to 'decorate' the new place!!!

Aprons Gone Wild said...

Cool move with the pictures. How's you do that??

GoodPlans said...

I agree. This was your funniest post ever. I can totally see you in the driveway, motioning like Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30, when she was trying to get Manny to come out on the dance floor for Thriller. Too funny. Glad Kevin was excited. My husband would have left me. LOL

Unknown said...

i am also from the bamboo home decor , pretty good feeling after seeing those photos above!

Kim said...

Can't wait to see the before and after pictures of the ceiling because I know there will be some. The question is...how long will you keep us in suspense.

Pat said...

Wait...you didn't take a camera up the ladder?

Kristi said...

I LOVE it!! This was me when I ripped up a corner of the UGLY 70s brown vinyl flooring and found the rest of our original hardwood floors in the kitchen!! I was LITERALLY jumping in the driveway!!! I even made my husband do the happy dance with me. He doesn't get excited by that stuff- lol he sees it as more on the hunny-help-me-do list ;)
So happy for your ceilings!! YAY!!

Mise said...

That's pretty nifty.

geri said...

Layla.
Absolutely looks like the "house that hugs". You have done so many beautiful things in only 2 years.
You and Mr. TLC are the best team ever.
I did laugh as I pictured you so excited about your news. Waiting patiently as possible for your partner and best friend to come home. The laughter came from seeing me do the same thing. I amy have put an APB out on my Glenn just cause I am not that patient and would be wayyyyyyyyyyy to excited to have better judgement. hehe
Almost Happy 2 yrs. Geri.

paperjunk-lc said...

I'm sure you've mentioned it in one post or another but are your hardwoods real or laminate. They are just beautiful. I was so surprised when The old painted cottage revealed theirs were laminate.
I'm totally in love with The Lettered Cottage.

Katherine said...

Don't you just love hidden treasures?!

Love, love, love your magic wand--WOW!

janet said...

oh my gosh this is too FUNNY!!!! thanks for the laugh. Your home is abosolutely beautiful, the makeovers are soooooooo amazing.
hugs
janet

Angie@Echoes of Laughter said...

You have done an amazing job with your home...it's lucious and beautiful!!
Will you ever show us the end result of "Half Note Cottage"? I would love to see how it turned out!

Moore Minutes said...

Wow, what a fun effect to change the photos AND what an incredible difference!!! You sense of style truly is perfect.

Funny story too and CHEERS on your ceiling!!

Aura said...

I have no idea how I missed winning the pedestal!! I hang on every word in your blog. haha I must have just skimmed it over since I never enter anything, because I never win! Thank you SO much Layla, you don't know how excited I am. The pedestal is amazing, and I'm having a white and navy blue baby shower for my sister in a couple months, and it will be so so perfect. I will send you a picture of it with whatever fancy sweet thing I put on top. As always, the pictures are beautiful and so inspiring. Your before kitchen picture looks like my current kitchen picture. I can't wait until my icky oak cabinets with no hardware have some character.

Sharon said...

I absolutely LOVE the transformation of the rooms you posted. Wish you were here to decorate my house, or at least have some vision...

Maybe you can?

Claudia said...

Wow, love your blog! I feel honored you took a peek at mine and I am happy I found yours! I will check back regularly. :)
~Claudia

Alli said...

Wow, this was the funniest post I think I have ever read. I was making such a raucous my husband had to ask me to settle down so he could study. h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s.

I love the remodeling, wow. It's like you crawled into my mind and and knew my exact style. Love the cabinetry.

Anonymous said...

Plain Wussy. HAHAHAHA

lisajayne365 said...

I hear what you are saying by "living for the thrill of the hunt"! This is my favorite part of junking, searching, flea-ing, antiquing, dumpster-diving, whatever you want to call it! It is truly a thrill. I wonder what makes us like that? Whatever it is - I have found my "niche" "my thing" - what truly makes me happy! I love your blog - you are so funny and truly blessed with talent and creativity.

God Bless
xxLisa

CarolAnne - camdesign said...

Love the presto chango pictures...awesome! Oh my that made me laugh out loud...I could see you on the street, your so cute... doing the house as you can is more fun, right? Ok no but whatever...lol

Dreamy Whites said...

Oh Layla,
You are the BEST. I can't get enough of your blog, and It is obvious the rest of the world can't either. When are you going to have a reality t.v. show. I can see it in the future. Okay the way you described how you felt when you discovered the wood planked ceilings cracks me up! That is exactly what I would be doing!
BTW I love your cabinets new colors. I don't think you have anything to be nervous about! We all love your design work. Everyone will love it!
Take Care,
Maria
p.s. I hope you get my email! I can't wait to share this post with my sisters. We LOVE you

Devon Smith-Breidel said...

I can't tell you how many times I scrolled back and forth over the pictures-such a cool feature! Dramatic change to those rooms giving them such a comfy feeling.
Cheers, Devon

Carriage House Antiques said...

Oh my goodness you are hilarious...I was sitting in my shop laughing out loud...I did the almost the exact same thing painted my ugly oak cupboards black when i moved in in 2005 then took all the uppers down installed t&g and didn't put them back up..just used open shelving instead..love love love your style!!!
thanks
Natalie

Sherri said...

Hi
I spent yesterday afternoon with you and your husband....at least that's how it felt!!! I watched all your videos and I was ROTFLMAO!!!! You both are so funny and so talented! Layla, where did you find a guy who would help with all this and not complain!!!!?????!!!!???? You have inspired me to try to get our dismantled house back together....which has been my dream for so long I can't remember!! I see it's going to be an even longer process than I thought even though it's been going on now for almost 10 years (shameful, right?). Thanks for a wonderful afternoon...I feel like your my "neighbor" now!!!

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen looks Lovely! I am SOOOO inspired by it!!! Great Job!

Anonymous said...

You have done a gorgeous job on your lettered cottage! I'd love to feature you on our blog sometime.
Shannon
www.akadesign.ca

Anonymous said...

Love love what you have done to your sweet home!! That little bed nook is just darling!!

Plank ceilings!! Wow sounds like another great project!!
bee blessed
mary