Monday, January 10, 2011

on the ledge

I thought I'd share a few new spots at my mother's barn this week. You're always so appreciative, which adds to the fun! Every time she visits there's a little tweak or twist. As handy as my mother is with tools, she's been intimidated about striking a nail into the pristine walls of the only home she's ever owned. Her solution-  the ever popular ledge. With a narrow little shelf she can rotate her collection of art and highlight little curiosities at the same time. A blank wall in the bathroom was the perfect width for very special ledge-a prized artifact from the original barn. Charles Clapp, the gentleman who built the barn in 1880's, had his workshop in the upstairs right where my mother's bedroom is today. The picture below was taken when my then 7 year old son and I first laid  eyes upon the original structure. The barn was newly on the market and still stood perched on cement blocks.
running to the original barn
I'll never forget climbing  the narrow winding staircase that used to be the only way up to the second floor. Swallows swooped in and out of the next room- the hay loft. The March sun was streaming in on a workbench and there were assorted shelves and ledges everywhere underneath the cherry paneled pitched ceiling. One narrow shelf was curiously riddled with holes. This enchanted little workshop, built over a hundred years before and then surely forgotten for many decades, was the space that captivated me most about the barn.  I knew my mother would feel the same way. Once the two of them met: the barn and my mother... magic truly happened. (If you're a new friend, you may want to visit the barn flickr set, here.) As you know, she transformed it entirely, but never once stopped respecting and honoring the original building. Charles' workbench was saved and now resides in the shed.
barn ledge
Here is the ledge dotted with holes that held his tools well over a century ago. An artifact, indeed. Here it is today!
zdec ledge 2
zledge 3
z ledge
Now, I'm wanting a little ledge of my own... a historic tale to go with it isn't necessary, but wouldn't that be nice. Pin It

20 comments:

  1. Love the ledge. Makes me want one as well. Great idea for a child's room with the ever changing treasures.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is the most amazing barn! I will have to pop over to your flickr set to have a proper look.
    Thanks for sharing :-)
    xxxCate

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a new reader, I have been intrigued by your mom's barn. I just looked at some of the flickr photos. I love the barn! Your mom did an amazing job and I can't wait to look through the rest of the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's fantastic! I love the rustic look of the ledge against that white wall.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You might be interested in some of the plans posted by Ana White. She has simple plans posted for a couple of different styles of ledge type shelves. I like them both for different purposes, but haven't settled on a good place to put them in my house yet.

    http://ana-white.com/2010/09/barn-beam-ledges.html

    and

    http://ana-white.com/2010/10/ten-dollar-ledges.html/comment-page-1

    ReplyDelete
  6. It looks like a dream that barn of your mother! Love her idea of the ledge and love the old wood. And I also love, love her solution for hanging the toilet paper! I am going to remember that one for when we will own our own house.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fabulous re-use of that respected material and with the natural bits on display, it just reinforces how nature infuses her world. Thanks for sharing. xox Corrine

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's so much fun sharing with you!

    -Mary Beth, thanks for the great links!

    -Heleen here are the instructions for the tp holder: http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2009/03/barn-bathroom-diy.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, I hope you find a great one or make a special one of your own soon ~ you're just the person to do it. What a wonderful post today. Cheers~

    ReplyDelete
  10. The barn is such a magical looking place.

    ReplyDelete
  11. We have little ledges and shelves in our barn and shop where screw drivers, knives and assorted tools go. I won't be bringing them into the house because they are necessities right where they are. Your mom's ledge looks neat there!

    Jody

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gorgeous, as always. I love how it has become an art object. It has such beautiful patina. It looks just like the ledge in my great-grandfather's tiny workshop where his screwdrivers would sit just above the greasy bench with all the oddly shaped wrenches and next to the huge stone wheel for sharpening tools.

    I do wonder what stories are hidden in your mom's ledge.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the barn! I love the rustic look of the ledge against that white wall.Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love seeing anything about the barn. It's so beautiful and makes me wish we had such a magical barn near us with my wonderful mom (my son's Nama) inside.

    ReplyDelete
  15. i could use some ledges too :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for the link Maya! I see I really have to read back your former posts.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, Maya, every post of the barn just makes me giddy! (Although, I have to say, your awesome kitchen had the same effect!)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous! I do like that little ledge - a better alternative to a picture rail if you don't have the high ceilings.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I see these great looking seed pods when I walk to my daughter's school. Like giant, brown peas in a pod. I just need to figure out what to do with them while they're still on the ground.

    ReplyDelete