With the Barretts – Adventure Near & Far

Hildring House – the Tiniest Bath – Fini – Guest Post by Debra

Guest post by Debra showing off the changes to the tiniest bath at Hildring House – with lovely photos by the lovely Amber Shumake.

As promised, Debra is here with one of a couple of posts that she’ll do about the conclusion of the Hildring House Adventure – the re-do of the little bitty bath in Debra’s Domain. I’ll be throwing in some before shots for context – they’re easy to distinguish from Amber’s lovely after shots. As usual, when I just can’t resist chiming in, I’ll do so in italics.

We may have a new contender for the title of the tiniest bath at an upcoming project, but now, let’s just enjoy the lovely photographs from my wildly talented friend Amber Shumake.

The light fixture (@hudson valley) looks so great in here! I’m happy with the all-brass decision, but it’s always sad to leave the “finds” behind- gotta keep that warehouse full of things for future projects so I can move on peacefully 😊.

Hildring House Transformation – Before & After – Part 2

Part 2 of the amazing Hildring House transformation in before and after pictures.

Sorry that it has taken me so long to get around to continuing the before & after shots of the Hildring House transformation. Things have been pretty busy, what with Valentine’s Day and getting ready to move.

That’s right. Hildring House soon will have new owners and Debra and I will be off to a new remodeling adventure. For now, though, let’s keep looking at the changes that took place at Hildring House. Once again, unless otherwise noted, all of the “after” pictures are by the wonderful Trey Freeze.

Let’s start back in the dining/living/kitchen area.

Living, dining, kitchen before — Before.

See how isolated the kitchen was? And not just because of the wall. The dramatic change in flooring material segregated the spaces. The pass-through, while a pretty convenient idea, did nothing to help the flow.

Removing the wall, installing the bar/island, getting rid of the fluorescent light box, recessing the kitchen lighting and carrying the same, wonderful oil-rubbed wood flooring throughout all of the area – and painting everything white – made it miles more open, welcoming, and accommodating.

The Best Advice for Seniors Wanting a Successful Downsize for Their Golden Years

A guest post from Michael Longsdon at elderfreedom.net about downsizing for seniors.

Dan here. We’re going to take a brief break from the transformation at Hildring House to explore downsizing.

Michael Longsdon of elderfreedom.net reached out wanting to share some information on downsizing for seniors on With the Barretts. I thought this was a timely subject (and not just because I’m knocking on the door of Social Security and Medicare, myself). This month’s issue of Debra’s real estate newsletter – Harmonious Home Adventures – is devoted to downsizing.

Folks downsize for all sorts of reasons and aging is a major one, for sure. So, our thanks to Michael and elderfreedom.net for taking the time and recognizing that adventures take many forms. Here is Michael’s article:

The Best Advice for Seniors Wanting a Successful Downsize for Their Golden Years

Are you considering transitioning into a smaller home for your golden years? Moving into a house which will be less costly and easier to maintain can be tempting, but sometimes, the process of downsizing is daunting. Here is some important advice for finding the right home and making a successful transition.

Hildring House Adventure – Before & After – Part 1

Part 1 of the Before & After photos of the Hildring House Adventure – With the Barretts

Before & After at Hildring House – Part 1

You never reach a point in home remodel and redesign where everything is “done.” There is always more that could be changed. Another tweak of paint or fabric or flooring, a different window treatment, an alternative furniture placement.

At Hildring House, almost everything has changed. Even if a room hasn’t completely changed, it hasn’t gone untouched.

But we’re at the stage where we have to say, “enough.”

I believe the transformation Debra brought about here at Hildring House is astonishing. So, let’s take a look at some before and after shots, shall we?

The first change you notice about the facade is the color, since it’s the most dramatic. As important, however, is the fact that you can see more of it. Removing the huge bushes standing guard at the front door and the scraggly hedges blocking the windows made a huge difference – inside and out.

But, wait! There is so much more. Let’s go take a look.

2019 & the Power of Intention

2019 & the power of intention. Let’s make it a great new year.

For a ‘50s kid, it’s a bit surreal to think that it’s 2019.
When the millennium changed, everyone made such a big deal out of it (let’s not forget Y2K hysteria) that it turned out not to be such a big deal, after all.

But, 2019. Holy smokes.

During my childhood, 2019 was an impossibly futuristic date, a fantasy of flying cars and anti-gravity rays and buildings that literally scrape the sky. (Why has mastering gravity always been a touchstone of futuristic fantasy? Note for discussion in a later post.)

I’ve seen some things on the Internet and in newspaper deriding New Year’s celebrations as “just an arbitrary date on the calendar.” As far as that goes, any calendar date is arbitrary, isn’t it? If we were still reckoning the passage of time under the Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian one, today would be December 19, 2018, rather than January 1, 2019.

I prefer the latter, thank you very much. I want it to be a new year. And, so it is.

Intention is perhaps the most powerful force in the universe. I say “perhaps” only because the things that we know represents such a minuscule part of the vast ocean of things to know.

Direct Your Attention for a Happy Holiday Adventure!

Holiday Adventures With the Barretts

Season’s Greetings! It Really is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Sure, things get kind of crazy this time of year.

But the power of a thing is determined by the attention you give it. By directing your attention, you can make your Holiday Adventure a happy one.

You can choose to focus on the rampant commercialism, the hordes of people pushing and clawing, the insane drivers, and the general chaos.

Child wide-eyed and open mouth with wonder — Awe and Joy

Or you can give your attention to the peace, joy, and wonder of the season.

As the old year fades and the new one brightens on the horizon, beauty is a bit closer to the surface.

At no other time of year do so many people make an effort to share loveliness – with lights and greenery and decorations that sparkle and music and smiles and good wishes. And cookies.