There comes a point in every project when one begins to question not just the wisdom of the particular undertaking but one's sanity in general. Such was the case with the makeover of the little Hoosier.
To refresh your memory, here's how it looked before, with a warped and sagging door, a bowed front, damaged veneer on the sides, icky paint and really ugly hardware.
And here's how it looks now. I could just hug it, it's so cute. And if you bear with me a second, I'll give you a better view of that green paint. First, we need to look out the kitchen window,
and get very excited by the presence of a rare visitor, a pileated woodpecker. They are huge - the size of a crow - with spectacular markings. We've seen them at the edges of the yard, but it's a real treat to see them close to the house.
Here he is peeking around the side of the cedar tree.
Showing off his tree-clinging skills.
And just generally looking good. I had been admiring the fox next door only a little bit before the woodpecker showed up. It's a regular nature preserve here some days.
Back inside, and the dining room is just about done. Done enough to fix up the Hoosier a little bit anyway. But there's not too much fixing up yet, because now it's on to the kitchen!
love how things are going so far!
lucky you with the pileated woody's ~ did they all make their noise when they flew in? we had several come in every afternoon last summer while we were up at Copper Harbor in Michigan and I loved hearing them! great photo's!!
Posted by: judy | February 28, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Great job! I love it - inside and out!
Posted by: Tina | February 28, 2011 at 06:22 PM
oh my gosh, how did you do that? It looks amazing! And the green will look awesome with your jadeite collection. Spectacular!
Posted by: Gina at Vintage Junk in My Trunk | February 28, 2011 at 06:39 PM
Oh please hug the Hoosier for me! It's just too cute! I can't believe you got to get such a good pic of the woodpecker. I'd be in heaven!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | February 28, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Goodness, you really did a fantasic job on the mini-hoo! It looks smashing! Among other things i love about your remodel: your beautiful walls in "perfect green" and the fact that you didn't use the word "pop" to describe anything! thank you!! Hoping that shade of green has a dreamy name.
p.s. Your new neighbour, Woody, is enormous! what do you New Yorkers feed those things??
Posted by: Whit | February 28, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Oh my goodness....love it! The mini hoosier that is. Woody Woodpecker is not bad either. Great job. I would have never seen it in the peeling paint and splintered wood.
Posted by: Renee | February 28, 2011 at 08:32 PM
That mini hoosier is adorable - you really brought it back to life. Digging your vintagy green walls and your woody visitor...wish I could pop over and see it all in person!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | February 28, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Oh, it was SO worth the effort you put in to it! It turned out just beautiful and I love the green in the kitchen matching your jadite dishes - perfection!
Posted by: Kathy | February 28, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Wow! I knew you were good but I am in complete awe of that mini Hoosier, especially considering that in-between shot. Can't wait for the complete reveal. And the kitchen too?
Posted by: Linda | February 28, 2011 at 10:58 PM
You are truly a miracle worker. That little hoosier has been healed!
And I'm loving the mini teapot and coffee pot on the tiny shelf of the little hoosier.
Posted by: Into Vintage | February 28, 2011 at 11:03 PM
I am totally impressed ! You did a brilliant job on the mini hoosier...the green wall color is perfect and you have a pileated woodpecker to go with your fox family in the yard. Wow !
Posted by: Lisa W. | February 28, 2011 at 11:07 PM
that looks fabulous!..nice to see such a rough old piece rescued and made over so nicely!
Posted by: kate | March 01, 2011 at 09:40 AM
That first picture really scared me! That is an amazing re-do of the hoosier...and I love that color green! The woodpecker is impressive, too!
Posted by: freckled hen | March 01, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Yea yea, pretty birds. Get back to work! How can I live vicariously through your vintage decorating and successful thrifting and estate sale outings if you keep getting distracted by Mother Nature? Or are you knowingly taunting me because you suspect my backyard is populated with sparrows and squirrels only?
Posted by: Celeste | March 01, 2011 at 10:14 AM
The color of the walls is just dreamy, the little Hoosier looks fantastic, and for gosh sakes, be careful when you go outside because it looks like that enormous woodpecker could pick you up and carry you away!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | March 01, 2011 at 02:54 PM
That little cabinet is adorable!! The top looks to be in perfect condition. You did a great job!
The color green is nice. My favorite!
Posted by: Mecky | March 01, 2011 at 09:39 PM
Wonderful transformation love the black and white contrast. So lucky for you to have a nice rare visitor like that, i like those photos.
Posted by: shamanaccount | March 02, 2011 at 02:56 AM
What a fantastic job you did...I am impressed! That woodpecker is amazing...really great pics!
Posted by: black eyed susans kitchen | March 03, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Wow, it turned out so nice, Barbara. I didn't expect perfection, but it looks amazing.
My sister has these woodpeckers nesting in her woods, and she also has wetlands, so she is pretty limited to what she can do on her property. These birds are considered endangered here, and we only see them for a very short time each year. She and her husband saw the first one for this season a couple of days ago. We see them usually one time too, at our house in the park across the street. They like to cling to the old elm trees, but I only see them the one day, and then they are gone, for another year or two. We have the big brown woodpeckers all year long though. They have a bright red-orange underwing, that reminds me of the inside of a cape. It's an amazing sight to see those when they spread their wings, especially on a gray day, like today.
Posted by: Lena | March 03, 2011 at 07:32 PM
Wow, first of all I'm impressed with your Hoosier makeover. Great job! But as a longtime bird lover, I'm even more impressed with that pileated woodpecker. They sure are classy birds! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | March 04, 2011 at 07:02 AM