Update: We have a winner. Stay tuned for a new contest in February. My monthly contest to win a “Love the House You’re In” custom collage will continue this year, with collage artist extraordinaire Mel Kolstad remaining with scissors and vintage ephemera in-hand. Do you realize that Mel’s collages are just 4 inches square? A bit smaller, even, than what you see on your screen. To get us started for January, I asked Mel to make a collage for Susan, who was the winner of my first annual “The Hard Way” award. I love it! Click on through if you want to enter to win our next collage -> .
Meanwhile, Mel explains her journey in crafting Susan’s collage:Susan’s house is wonderful in that it incorporates so many different textures: wood, brick, stone and glass. It was the first time I’d ever “made stones” and I really loved the process. It was also a hoot to feature many of her kitties on the collage as well!
😀
Mel
Thanks, Mel! Read more about her work on her cool blog, Ephemeraology.
Lauren says
While we have similar house projects as others (kitchen, bath, paint, floors, yawn!) I think the hottest project will be completing the handmade googie-esque house number plaque! Our house is somewhat restrained in style, so this will add that little something!
Sara D says
I need to do my kitchen. If there is one more time that I have to bend under my rangehood fan to check some food (because it is WAY TOO LOW) I think I might scream! I have decided on only 3 different design and colour schemes… so I guess that means I am winding down towards just one very soon! Woo hoo!! I can’t decide between putting in pink counters (thanks to Nora’s kitchen for the inspiration) or to keep it a cooler blue-y green. Or maybe even bright red! See… 3 schemes. Help me.
Puzzy says
Sara D- I’m having the same issue! I have decided on all but the counters. I too am considering red. Do you fear you will get tired of it? Are you planning on adding the metal edging? Wilson Art has a new laminate called Pomegranate which I like. Don’t think the pattern is period authentic. Have you seen it? I think I’m going to order a sample. Whatever I do I need to incorporate my avocado appliances for now. Happy to share ideas!
Patty says
Red counters with avacado might look like Christmas.
Puzzy says
Thnx Patty- Don’t think I haven’t thought of that! I do need a pop of color and yellow isn’t working because I am in the process of stripping the cabinets (which were painted avocado) and they are beautiful birch with what I would guess is the amber shellac. I was thinking maybe an atomic orange..ish. I did see a red floor with an avocado wall in the 1957 accordion kitchen photo. Love that kitchen!!! Have you seen it?
Sara D says
I’m not scared of tiring of it; my house growing up had that really old red formica on it (not cracked ice.. more like redy-blacky marble??) and I miss it. I actually found this engineered stone counter that was a bright deep red and though I know it’s totally not period it was SO HOT. My concern is I’d put alot of money into it then we’d end up having to move due to more babies and then I’d see it at the curb one day. I don’t think I could handle that! ha ha ha I am going to look into more laminates, there’s this really nice apricot pink that just might be the ticket, from Formica. I do have green walls but I already have red accessories, those two colours are complimentary and if you do it right it looks totally great, not Christmasy at all!!
connie says
Hi Pam,
Love love love your site! It keeps me working towards the past with an eye to the future, which is what my hottest project is all about.
I bought a 988sf cottage last year and while it was built in 1955, there had been some remodeling, as a tree fell into the kitchen and fire happened in the front bedroom. The kitchen looks like a big box store kitchen center, but nothing that paint can’t take care of…
My main project this year is adding access from the kitchen to the laundry room, accessible currently from the outside only. While I do not have a laundry addiction, I do like clean clothes and nothing beats tidying up during a lazy rainy and cold day and getting laundry off the list. However, it’s tough to get motivated to run outside in the rain or cold!
Beside the task of busting through an exterior wall, I must raise the floor in the laundry room to meet the house. I will put off insulating and finishing until spring, just having access is my small goal.
I’m learning to love my house that’s been “brought to current” without a watchful eye on the past. I am now that watchful eye.
Connie
eudora says
The kitchen. It’s a gutter. Taking it from Marsha Brady back to Judy Jetson (my house was completed in 1951). Have a pink metal GE kitchen in the garage ready to go. Just bracing for the upset of not having a kitchen for a while. Last time I went through this I dropped a Stouffer’s macaroni and cheese container hot out of the microwave in the living/dining room, splattering it over about a 400 sq. ft area. So, clearly, swearing off the cheesy stuff is the first step. Sigh!
Nancy Stevenson says
Our Hot project to get done is to Paint, paint and more paint! Our house is 10 years old, and we are shopping for a new, OLD house to move into this coming summer. Of course we are looking for a nice 60’s model! I am so excited! Can’t wait for a pink bathroom! See ya on the Blog!
Nell says
How neat! I would LOVE to have a custom collage!
Mel says
How sweet, Nell – thank you! Good luck to you! 😀
Mary says
Our hottest project this year is to finally finish the walls in our living room. We’ve puttered away at other projects, because it’s taken a few years to finally settle on the right colors to get started! When the walls are done, a whole cascade of other living room projects will finally fall into place, as this is what we’ve been waiting for!
Nicole says
My hottest project this year is a bathroom remodel. We’ll redo the floor tiles, vanity sink/countertop, add some wainscoting to the walls, reglaze the existing tub and add subway tile to the tub surround. A big undertaking, but we are excited!
Mary Tatum says
The 2011 project for us is the back deck! Our current deck is basically falling off the back of the house. It’s small, ugly, and isn’t an outdoor living space, which is key in Colorado. The plan is to expand it and use some great turn-of-the-century wrought-iron fencing I scavenged as the spindles. The house was built in 1905, renovated after a fire in the 50’s or 60’s (giving us terrific knotty pine wainscot in the living room), updated again (badly) in the 70’s or 80’s, and is now an interesting, eclectic mix of virtually every decade. But, just like the funky town in which we live, it works.
shawna says
Pick me!
I’m looking forward to: Painting the garage, expanding our garden, and FINALLY landscaping this year!