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 […]
My good intentions to start sanding and painting the porch railings started here, at this window, it is also the window to Hell. The porch railings have had flaking paint since we purchased the home in 2016, and each year as the rain and snow fall, more and more of the wood beneath is left to the elements. In order […]
Is there anyone else out there who is feeling burned out from life???? Since I was sent home from work in March of 2020, I feel as though I have been working from dawn to (past) dusk. I wake to laundry and dishes, prepare the boy for daycare, work in my space, pick up the boy from daycare, and go […]
This year I am continuing the good fight against flaky paint. This particular paint is on the porch fascia board and skirt. Paint removal isn’t difficult here… just water the plants with a garden hose and the paint flakes right off!
The Glenolden Borough map of 1909, shows “J.H. Clark” as the owner of the Good House. It is hard to know if “J.H” referred to James H. Clark (1856-1909) or his son John H. Clark ( 1892-1951).
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!