Mudroom Reimagined

“Well, what I did was I saw 4 pieces of flagstone left over from the porch,  

that were just going to be thrown away, because nobody wanted them, 

and I asked Mr. Retch if he would just put them down on the floor of the flower room  

and poke a little cement between the cracks and give me a nice stone floor  

where it might be wet with flowers and things.  

That’s absolutely all I did… All I asked for was a nice dry stone floor…” 

~Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House 

Separated by a couple of generations, I still have much in common with Muriel Blandings’ vision of her Flower  Room. A large flower sink, organization for cleaning supplies, access to the gardens and restroom—and a “dry stone  floor." Most say the kitchen is the heart of the home—I believe the mudroom is a close second.  

Our kids were young, friends in tow—in and out like a revolving door—in the garage door and out the back through  the utility porch door. Whether covered in soccer mud or berry juice from rousing berry fights, aging dogs & new  pups. Our mudroom holds the stories of our family growing. 

Our previous home had the typical laundry room off the garage—always an untidy welcome to friends & family who  graced the casual entry to our home. Sensing the indoor/outdoor living we were creating with our new farmhouse  and gardens, our forever home, I knew the mudroom would play an important role in how we lived as a family. The  room on the blueprints was just that—a room, four walls and 2 doors—in from the garage and into the house. The  concept of storage, a water closet, utility sink and hooks for backpacks and winter coats were important additions. It  also became the pup room. It was a place that housed the kennels, food and water bowls and everything dog. 

As functional as our mudroom was for the past 22 years, the needs for my husband and myself had changed. As a  home we hope to be equally functional for our current age as it will it will be in 20 years and beyond. That meant we  needed a shower on the main and a more functional restroom for guests of my Belle Flower Farm business. More  than a refresh was needed, an addition was called for. 

I had worked with a designer a few years prior on another project. I knew he would do a wonderful job detailing my  concept and drafting up an engineered plan. We spent several months emailing each other with updates and  revisions—less room for the sink—more for the shower—skylight here and storage there. Finally, we were ready for  our Mudroom 2.0. I began ordering plumbing fixtures, searching for vintage lighting, hardware & decor.  

Then COVID. Our Project was on hold—it seemed like the right thing to do—an insignificant inconvenience. We  stumbled over our collection of boxes that adorned our unused dinning room. With the lack of entertaining needs, it  wasn’t missed. 

We saw the opportunity early last fall to proceed. Our plans were submitted, construction schedule created and we  were ready for our addition. Visions of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House were ever present when recalling the scenes from this favorite Cary Grant and Myrna Loy movie.  

“Yes, Sims, if we were going to build a house we want it—well, you know—just a little bit different.” 

As I stood in a downpour, trying to staple a tarp to our open walls in hopes to keep standing water from  accumulating, I thought of homeownership skills and education we have nailed together. 

“On those second floor lintels between the lally columns…rabbet them or not?” 

“No, I guess not.” 

“It sounded cheeper to say no.”

As our project neared it completion, many hours were spent calking, painting and more painting—the end was in  sight. Repurposing doors, art, my favorite flower vases and discovering the perfect “Bellflower” wallpaper— everything was coming together.  

Our new farmhouse mudroom and bathroom looks like it always belonged. As the sun streams through the  repurposed utility porch door—the one that our sons, their friends and Mark and I have used for 22 years— continues to tell the story of our family. Caring for future pups, hanging a crisp linen apron on a vintage hook,  organizing housekeeping supplies and trimming flowers at the farmhouse sink, standing on “a dry stone floor.”

A Few Of My Favorite Things

“Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snow flakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into spring
These are a few of my favorite things.”

~Rodgers & Hammerstein

Our “silver white winter” has finally melted into spring. The scent of lilacs and Lily of the Valley fill the air. As the cool spring breezes carry the scent, their sweet fragrance welcome the new season. Birds are busy constructing their nests, laying eggs and raising young. The lawns fill-in and turn a vibrant shade of green. The sound of my husband mowing in the late afternoon is added to my soundtrack of life. Tasks include cleaning off the front and back porches and washing windows to allow the sun to shine through. Planning the vegetable garden, preparing the orchard trees for this years fruits, cleaning out garden beds. Busy as a bee setting about shaking off the cold months. The perfect time to “spring” into my first Blog Post.

The sum of our experiences, the people we meet for a short encounter and those who are family and life long friends—that is who we are to the core. Our farmhouse and gardens are casual, comfortable, and I hope, welcoming. Stories at every turn—each plant, each vase, each book. I surround myself with these objects because they are favorite stories in my life.

With the sun shinning and the lilacs in full bloom, I decided to celebrate “A Few of my Favorite Things”.

While the Peony is known as the queen of the garden, I consider the lilac her kind sister, the princess. When we moved from our last home to Belle Flower Farm I took cuttings from my first Mother’s Day gift—a lilac. Like many people—lilacs don’t like to move, their roots firm in their soil. I took a chance with several cuttings which now grace our gardens and remind me of motherhood as we plant a sweet addition each year since.

The antique cut crystal ice bucket, a wedding gift from a family friend, Dottie. Rattan wrapped bottles from my step father with their porcelain cap are a perfect remembrance of my relationship with this kind man, who enjoyed antiquing. From my mother—a cut and embroidered cotton table cloth and the sweetest vintage vase that belonged to her godmother, Esther. A favorite rose, aubergine colored tulip and fragrant stock are delightful garden additions.

One day I was at an Estate Sale when I came across an extremely large collection of cobalt blue eye wash wells. My thought many times since was what was the attraction—was her husband an Optometrist or did she just love the color blue. As my collection of vintage dogs, particularly terrier, continues to grow I may surprise myself with the my own number. Not only does it reflect my love of dogs but reminds me of the cute one my son bought for me with his own money as a little boy.

A collection of shells, rocks, twigs, sand are freely collected on our travels. Taking my mind to destinations near and far and are some of my most cherished memories with my husband and sons. A sunset photo—hand-in-hand with my sons many years ago included. Always preferring to stroll on the beach, my suitcase includes ziplock bags for collecting, sketchbook, pens and watercolors. The addition of a good book and I am all prepared to make new memories.

Vintage books continue to be a favorite hunt while at Estate Sales and shops. Always looking for favorite publishing houses and illustrations, it is always such a joy to find a date and name written on the cover page. Whether a Christmas or birthday gift, the soft thoughtful handwriting makes it an even lovelier discovery.

As styles come and go “Favorite Things” remain objects of the heart. They are the things that create the melody of our own story and how the lyrics weave with others in our lives. These are a Few of My Favorite Things.