Character and Corbels

We fell in love with this property, but at the time did not realize the challenges that lay ahead!  There was a lot of property with a lot of maintenance, both inside and outside. Since the house was short on storage, we had to become quite creative at finding a place for our "stuff".  Over time we have become resourceful in finding storage in the any available space.  With a large lawn to mow, a long driveway to shovel and a lot of maintenance, it has required a lot of care, but in the end, it has become our "forever home".  It holds our family history and has been a real life character in our lives.

I found it and wasn't even looking!

The Story of LILYBROOK


This next month will mark our 21st year of moving to this abode.  Throughout the years we have made many changes to the structure, both inside and outside. To say we love our home would be an understatement. So much has happened here and it has provided the backdrop for our life as a family. The Mister and I have two AMAZING offspring in addition to THE most cherished addition to the clan, Sam. Although he is four-legged, he plays a prominent role in our four-member household.  In the coming years we are going to be make more significant changes.  I want to share our journey with you and welcome your comments!  Join the conversation....
It was actually serendipitous as to how we found this place. The Mister happened upon this house listed in a magazine.  From an aerial picture, he tore out the page and handed it to me and said, "why don't we take a look?"  Hmmm.... It was not in an area that we had been looking, and it didn't fit the important parameters that we had set as priorities.  Even though it wasn't at all what we were looking for, I thought, why not humor him and go see this out of the way place, that looked more like a farm than like a house...
So one Saturday evening, with the kids in the back seat of the car, we drove up the long driveway only to be greeted by a friendly guy with a bottle of wine under each arm, who said, "I'm just the groundskeeper, lock up when you're finished!"  He jumped into his Range Rover and off he went. I thought, "Wow, what a trusting guy, to leave the home unlocked with strangers... Not convinced that I really wanted to go to the trouble of getting the kids out of car, I let the Mister go check out the grounds. He came back to the car with a suspicious grin on his face and said, "I found something just for you, you've got to get out and take a look for yourself." He was right, it was love at first sight....A clothesline... but not just any clothesline, a clothesline with a brick walkway!  I know what you're thinking, are you crazy?  In this day and age of clothes dryers and you're freaking out over a clothesline??  YES, and YES! For me, air-dried sheets and towels are simply perfection!!!!  So that's it in a nutshell,what started our adventure at Lilybrook.  A clothesline.  As I walked through the house, it was an experience to say the least. A huge hearth in the kitchen with exposed beams, a first floor master with fireplace, custom moldings, wood floors and wood ceilings. Even a courtyard with a gazebo (with a well).  It was quirky but  it was perfect. I knew at this point I'd name it Lilybrook (derivative of the kids' names).
I've never been one to like cookie-cutter homes, and I crave privacy when I'm not working.  Surrounded by huge trees this two acre property would serve as an oasis that I was looking for and didn't even realize it. 


In the coming posts, I will post pics of the property and what we have done over the years, as well as pics of my adventures at barn sales that are the sources of my "one of a kind" pieces that have found a home at Lilybrook. I love to "change it up" and keep it fresh.
Until next time.....