As I sit and write this, my son is in the next room watching his tablet and sleeping while he runs a fever… I needed a distraction this evening, I thought writing this would help. Over a year ago now, I saw a Facebook marketplace posting for a secretary desk, like this one, but it had been “restored.” I hate […]
I have been thinking lately of the lighting projects that I have tackled over the past couple years while the world patiently waits for COVID-19 to go away, and realized that during this time, I have basically installed about 50% of the house lighting.
When the Philadelphia weather turns cold, you stay indoors and work on furniture! I have been learning a new skill (re-upholstery) on YouTube and taking my cheap Facebook Marketplace finds and turning them into something that, in addition to smelling better (why does every old chair smell like old lady powder???), are beautiful and functional. These comfortable but FILTHY chairs […]
Once upon a time, before the Facebook marketplace was a “thing”, there was a super scary website called Craigslist. I am not sure who “Craig” is, or why he has a list, but it WAS the place to find old things for cheap (or be snatched by a crazy person). And this my friends is where our story begins…. I […]
Scrolling through Facebook Marketplace on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee in my hand before the house wakes up is one of my favorite things to do. I can endlessly flip through weird and interesting things my neighbors are selling and think to myself, “lady, it is a velvet painting of a dog, not the Mona Lisa, you […]
In 1890, the Good House was an escape from the city heat of Philadelphia, but in 2021, there is no relief from the heat and humidity except to stay inside the, wonderful modern convenience necessity, air conditioning. So to escape the bugs and sweat of the porch, I moved indoors to buy things on Facebook Marketplace and make them pretty […]
On Thursday, March 12, 2020, I chatted with my boss as I prepared to leave for the day. Nothing too heavy, just the state of the world and the growing global pandemic. I tossed my laptop in my bag, made sure my trash can was empty, and took a glance at my desk before walking for the stairwell – that […]
The week of Thanksgiving, I was pumped to start my Christmas decorating! I felt that it was already December and I was ready! Then I brought the boxes up from the basement and a sense of dread and procrastination washed over me.
As we hunkered down to flatten the curve, wash our hands, and stay safe, I, like many of you started looking around my home and thinking… I could tackle that project! It started small and simple… the front door step. Painted a soothing shade of “jail bird gray”, the step had seen better days. A previous owner had simply painted […]
Welcome to #southllanwellyn1890! My name is Jen and I am a mom, a wife, a patriot, a volunteer, and a historic home enthusiast. Born in California, I transplanted to Pennsylvania for my job, where I met my husband, bought a house and had a baby.
As many people around the world have discovered during the 2020 pandemic, home is where your heart lives, and my heart needed some help. So here I am writing of my experiences and attempting to stay safe, strong, and sane. Enjoy!