New England Country ~ Spring Open House

Just wanted to take a minute to let you know about New England Country's big event next month. We hope to see you there!

SPRING OPEN HOUSE & RIBBON CUTTING

Saturday, May 17, 10a.m.-4p.m.
(Ribbon Cutting Ceremony @ 10a.m.)

218 High Street, Clinton, MA
(beneath the Spillway Bar)

Please join us as the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce officially cuts the ribbon on the New England Country Furniture Showroom & Design Center.

Come check out our new Spring items and automatically be entered to win a New England Country hanging cabinet (see left). No purchase necessary.

The Welcome Wagon

On any given Sunday … or Saturday or weeknight, you can find us hard at work at 100 South Meadow. And that’s exactly what our neighbors have done … found us. By car, by bike and on foot – we get several visitors each day. Most folks are just curious about the fate of the little farmhouse that has stood vacant for so many years. And most are very pleased to hear not only that we’ve bought the property, but that we are not tearing it down.

The first thing 85 percent of them say is that we have our work cut out for us. This, we know. But we also know the potential of this home and our lives in it. That thought leaves us less troubled by the hard work and potential setbacks ahead.

These passerby-ers are always interested to learn about whatever tidbits of information we have on the house … for instance, that the main structure was built in 1775 by Joseph Maynard who we believe was a sea captain, that the additions were made sometime in the mid-1800s.

But what’s of particular interest to us is the bits of information they can offer about the properties more recent owners, whom we know little about. From what we’ve been told, our house used to full of children, it used to boast a kaki-green hue and it’s previous occupants were collectors of antiques. It makes us wonder why then has it been left in such disrepair for so many years.

All of this newfound information only works to make us even more excited and anxious to restore the home and its (what was once) beautiful landscape.

Later this week: New England Country rebuilds the sills. Here’s a look at the “before” …

A Long Weekend

It's been a long last few days working on the house. Luckily we had some great helpers: Nathan Blew and Sam Licata.

Here are some visuals. (And no, you're not imagining it ... it is getting worse in there ... but it must, before it gets better.)

What’s Black and White and Aquamarine All Over?

The Joseph Maynard House has been unoccupied for several years. But we’re told that about four years ago, the property was purchased by a gentleman (unknown to us) who attempted to renovate the antique home. He didn’t accomplish much before walking away, but did manage to make some small updates. From what we can tell, these updates include a few newer windows and some fresh paint. The “fresh” paint is perhaps this man’s most interesting contribution to the Joseph Maynard property. He painted the exterior an aquamarine-ish hue of blue and the bathroom was donned a two-tone pink – the darker shade can be likened to Pepto-Bismol and the lighter is reminiscent of bubblegum.

These paint choices are unique. Especially when you consider that this was among the only work done by this person and that the home is an 18th century property – not a good style fit for these glaring pastel colors … at least not from an historical perspective.

What could have led to this interesting color palette? Was Easter his favorite holiday? Was this some sort of homage to the 80’s? Was the local paint store having a clearance sale?

We’ll never know. But in the meantime, please take a moment to view the interesting range of colors … because they will soon be gone, forever.

More photos

As promised ... more photos ...

Inside of barn:

New kitchen area:

Master bedroom:

Walk-in closet coming soon:

Old kitchen:

Rose bush/trellis :)

The best-laid plans ...

We finally have the deed-in-hand ... and now, the real work begins. Months of paperwork and waiting are done and we can “break ground” at last. Nearly the entire structure needs to be readied for new plumbing and electrical work. We will do this while paying careful attention to the homes original and unique features (many of which have been covered/discarded by previous owners and we will later restore).

When all is said and done, the existing cape-style dwelling will house three bedrooms, two baths, an office and laundry room while the section connecting the house with the barn will be renovated to hold a new kitchen-area. The barn will be rebuilt and redesigned to become a living/family room. New England Country will take on these portions of the project – helping to marry the old world with the new and rejuvenating this abandoned farmhouse into a modern, country home.

Stay-tuned for some more interior and exterior photos ...