Dear readers….I want to introduce you to my beautiful new children….as we say good-bye to my red headed step children!
Sound cruel? Please read on before you judge me.
I have never had plantation shutters and after-all…I am now living in the South where plantation shutters are second nature, right along with fried chicken, grits and red eye gravy!
When we moved into our home with it’s Spanish/Mediterranean architecture….the windows on the back side of the house leading out to the Secret Garden had metal mini-blinds on the windows and vertical cloth blinds on the patio door.
Yikes!!!!!! Seriously, folks.
So one of the first things on the agenda was to replace these metal mini-blinds with plantation shutters, get rid of the verticals on the patio door, and use more plantation shutters on that opening.
Since the walls of the combined kitchen/living room/dining room area was already a Venetian plaster in beige-ish/gold tones, and the woodwork and crown molding were mahogany…it seemed logical to make the plantation shutters mahogany too.
Logical! But you know me….have I ever been known to think logically?
Still, I debated and thought and discussed and debated some more.
I really wanted white plantation shutters. (You know what a romantic I am)!
Think “Gone With The Wind” windows, before Scarlett tore down the green velvet drapes to make a dress!
The Captain, who sorta keeps me grounded, was leaning towards keeping everything cohesive and he kept reminding me that the shutters should match the existing mahogany woodwork and wasn’t that what drew us to this house? The Spanish/Mediterranean style? Did we want a house like every other house in SW Florida? Light, Airy and tropical or did we dare to be different. Unique! Bold! Dauntless! Marching to our own drummer!
I protested meekly that I knew the mahogany shutters would make the rooms dark….but the Captain countered:
“Isn’t that what most of the Spanish type of architecture is all about”?
Still,….. I coveted white plantation shutters, knowing that if I went with the white….all the woodwork and crown molding would have to be re-painted….and as the Captain triumphantly stated:
“Who in their right mind paints beautifully stained mahogany woodwork”?
Sooooooo, mahogany plantation shutters came into my life as you can see from this pic below. They were installed right before Christmas about 5 years ago.
Dark or not, there were many compliments on the mahogany plantation shutters, the most common being the fact that they were dark and not the “usual” run of the mill white!
However…..yes, there is a however….when I re-decorated the two guest bedrooms….I threw abandon aside and went with white plantation shutters and white woodwork and I instantaneously loved them.
They were my special, favorite children…they were the ones that as I would walk by the bedroom doors, I would stop, smile and admire them.
I would coo to them and tell them how beautiful they were….I especially loved Christmas time as I tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
Oh, wait….I don’t have a sash, excuse me I was getting a bit carried away. But you get the picture.
Oh yes, I did/do favor them…..unlike their (literally) red-haired step-children in the living area….the mahogany plantations.
And I have to confess, I was merciless on the mahoganies as I dusted each and every slat…which was a weekly requirement as they drew dust like evening moths to a yellow light bulb!…..and I would mutter under my breath as I dusted….
“My beautiful babies in the guest rooms pop and shine without all this extra work, while all you do is beg for WD-40 to bring out your sparkle”.
I know, I should be ashamed of myself….but….
Fast forward five years and I finally convince the Captain it is time to re-fresh our home! Re-paint! Lighten it up! Give it new life!
I think he just got tired of hearing me say…
“I wish I would have went with white plantations”
So now, I reveal to you…my beautiful new white, light and airy, sparkly new children!
TA-Dum!!!! !!!!!!!
The mahogany patio door shutters were the last to come down as you can see in these two pics.
No more dark and dreary!
Neutral palate, I love it.
I especially like leaving the top blinds open…light in but no one can see in.
And what happened to the red headed step children?
They have taken up residence in the garage until I can find a home for them.
Another confession?
Each time I go to the garage to get in my car, I look over at the red headed step children and I smirk!
I smile a wicked smile and nod my head in triumph!
Is there a red headed step children anonymous program?
I may need an intervention because I feel no remorse!
Have a blessed day!
Love it, Love it, Love it!
Amazing what a beautiful difference the lighter shutters make. Kari, we all knew you were a wiz with the home decor but this is the best yet.
Again so fortunate (deservedly so) with your amazingly versatile Captain.
After my visits with you I was filled with dream wishes for a home like yours… squeezing in on my small plot.. hehehe.
Hence my joining the spa so I could swim in luxury at 6:30 in the morning before work… as our weather wouldn’t suit a pool in the garden (although if I get a lottery win who knows eh!)
I also decided to do something about my kitchen/lounge layout… I’m waiting for planning permission to put a tiny (by your standards) extension infill on the rear of my property (6′ x 13′) and open up the inside. However, I found out today that my “adjoined” neighbour has put in an objection for “the fear of loss of light”. The extension is only single story and not more than 9′ high, so only a couple of feet above our current 6’6″ boundary fence. Plus we are south facing, which means we get the sun all day! She is 80+ and the daughter submitted the objection!
Patience is not a virtue I have in excess though… tolerance yes… patience nooo…
It does seem, from a conversation with Mike S (in the office) that the UK has more constraints as to what we can do on our own land!
Anyway, mega hugs to you and the Captain from across this pond xxx
Thank you so much my dear friend….I really like the lighter tones as it makes for easier decorating at Holidays. etc. and now I coo at my white plantations in the living area. 😉
I don’t know why your neighbor should object to your extension….it is just a couple of feet, my goodness. Is there still a possibility the planning commission will approve?
Good for you joining the spa…it is so relaxing to swim isn’t it? We have been having rain from the outer bands of hurricane (Tropical Storm now)….so glad it fizzled out and missed us completely.
I hope all is well with you and your little ones. We just found out that Mel is going to have another baby in February. So excited. It is hard to believe Mitchell Everett is going to be two in Sept.
Hugs right back at ya….and thanks for stopping by. 🙂
XXXXOOO
It did come out to be very beautiful. The DIY paining was the time consuming part, but the tools and toys I have made it a lot easier than it could have been.
Her design style is impeccable.
I’m blushing!