Welcome to the 862nd Metamorphosis Monday! This house keeps blowing my mind! I’ve owned this cute cottage home for just over a year now. I thought I had uncovered all its secrets, all its hidden history over its 87-year existence. NOPE! Before I share this recent discovery, I promised you a view of how the front of the house looks with all the new plantation shutters installed. This also ties in with my recent discovery and how it came about.
So here’s how the front of the house looked when I purchased it a little over a year ago. Note the staining on the roof, the hidden window boxes on the right, and how dark the windows look.
One of my favorite things about plantation shutters is how they look from the road. In this photo, the shutters in the dining room on the right were slightly tilted. The roof is now shiny clean, and we can now see the adorable window boxes that were hidden before.
I love the way shutters brighten up a window, although with the larger 3.5 louvers, they may not look quite as bright as with the smaller 2.5 louvers (like I have in Georgia) since the gap between the louvers is a bit larger.
So about that shocking discovery—I want to take you through it the exact way it happened, so you can experience it just as I did. The day of the shutter installation, I walked outside to see how the house looked with shutters in all the windows on the front of the house. I also took a moment to see how they looked from the backyard. Several days later, I was talking with a landscaper, and as we walked along the right side of the house, I noticed that I couldn’t really see the newly installed upstairs shutters on that side since I couldn’t step far enough away from the house to view them. That thought fleetingly passed through my head, but a few days later, I wondered how the shutters looked on the driveway side of the house.
I decided to go look. The sunroom doesn’t have plantation shutters yet, so the only windows that have visible shutters on that end of the house are these two windows in the living room on either side of the fireplace.
As I stood outside in the driveway looking up at that end of the house, I once again thought about how one of my favorite things about old homes is how so often they have windows on two sides of a room, not just on one side as my master bedroom does in Georgia. I love, love, love windows—the more, the merrier! As I stared up at the side of the house, I wondered why the room above the living room never had a window on this end. Sometimes I still get a little turned around in this house, but as I stood there, I realized the master bedroom is the room that’s above the living room. Then I saw it! Do you see it, too?
What is that???!!!
I think that’s a window!!! What???!!! I immediately texted Katie, the lovely person who lived in this home for over 20 years and did so many of the beautiful, thoughtful updates that I’ve shared. I asked her if she knew if the home once had a window on this end of the house. Her reply was, Yes, but that someone (before her time) had bricked it in, probably since that wall is the only place the bed can go.
I was stunned! As a crazy, window-loving woman, I felt both happy and sad. I was sad that the window was gone, but kinda glad since it appeared to have been the same size as the windows in the other bedrooms, which means it would have gone down low behind the bed. That would have looked really odd.
I thought back to how I had mentioned in my previous shutter post that this room was the least sunny room in the home. When I wrote those words, I didn’t realize this room was actually missing a window!
I have always thought it odd that the room only had three smallish windows: two on one side—the front of the house…
…and a small window over the window seat that overlooks the garden in back.
Now, I get it! The missing window was most likely the shape and size of the windows in this bedroom, located at the other end of the house.
So it would have come down quite low behind any bed that was placed in this spot, and this is the ONLY place where a bed will fit in this room. So I guess a previous owner, well over 25 years ago, (who knows how long ago!) had it bricked up.
Since losing that window makes me sad, I have an idea. If/When I move here full-time, I would like to have the two closets on the right side of the bed moved to the other side/corner of the room so I could have bedside tables on both sides of the bed. Even with the small tables that I currently have on either side of the bed, I can just barely open the closet door at that end of the room. Once I move my tall, 4-poster bed here, along with my larger bedside tables, it would completely crowd that area out. I would only be able to have a small table on one side, which is what the previous two homeowners of this home had in this space.
This is where I’d like to move the two closets—to this corner of the room where currently there’s a small elf-size closet. It may not look like it in this photo, but that wall is as long, if not longer, than the wall that the closets are currently on.
With the closets moved, I’d like to have a window similar to this one installed on the wall above the bed. (Photo is from Kolbe Windows & Doors.) It would be installed in the same place the previous window used to be, but of course, much higher up so it would not end up behind the headboard. The view from that window would be similar to the one seen in the photo since there are some tall trees/shrubs on that side of the driveway.
So, dream with me! Imagine the closets are no longer there and the wall has been taken back to around the edge of the window seat, as it is on the other side of the window seat. That area would look much larger and much more symmetrical. Then envision a pretty Palladian window above the headboard of my 4-poster bed. The window would be high enough up that privacy would not be an issue, so it could remain open just as it looks in the previous photo. I think it would be such a beautiful focal point upon entering the room. Also, it wouldn’t be outside what one would find in a home in this neighborhood. I’ve seen smaller Palladian windows in other homes in this area. Just imagine all the light that would pour in through that window! No sleeping in late! lol
What do you think about all of this—the long-ago bricked-up window, how I discovered it, and my ideas for adding a window back that wouldn’t end up awkwardly behind the headboard as it was in the past? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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You are working on a wonderful solution! I hope that structurally it works because the space, light and symmetry work make the room so beautiful. I look forward to seeing that someday in the future. Your post are always full of inspiration.
I absolutely agree with your dream plan. I’m excited to actually see it implemented!!! You told the story very well with pictures!
Thanks, Elaine! I’m amazed it took me this long to realize a window had been there in the past.
Thanks so much, Sherry! Me, too! I need to have a contractor or someone take a look to see if it’s feasible.
Interesting!!! Love the replacement idea. We just got back from a Scotland / UK vacation and we learned that hundreds of years ago, the government decided to tax people on their windows! Some people bricked up some of their windows because they couldn’t afford the tax. Now, the people who own these homes are not allowed to open up those windows because of historical significance! :/
I had heard about that with doors…that’s why so many southern homes had windows that came all the way down to porch level, so you could step right out. That would make me so sad, to brick up windows due to the tax issue and then to not be allowed to reopen them. Argh! I would have to fight that! Seems like the fact that the homes were originally built with the windows would have more historical significance than having to brick them up later on.
What does the elf door lead to. Your plans for the window sound incredible. And yes, finding a blocked up window would have really excited me. I love vintage and history.
Wendy
It’s a storage area up under the eaves. It’s empty right now.
Older homes hold all kinds of secrets! I love the arch window detail you are thinking of for above the bed. Only be aware that unless you put a shutter closer over it (which would cover up any pretty window details)….you would not be able to darken the room for sleeping. I have one over our bed and I had to put a fan type thing over the window as the room was just too bright for sleeping in the morning. I don’t like it covered permanently, but I value being able to sleep more! Just something to think about.
So true! After I saw that change in the brick on the outside, I kept thinking about that show, If Walls Could Talk. I know, that’s definitely something to consider. I think it would be okay since my face would not be facing the window when sleeping.
And you could sleep with a sleep mask. That would help greatly. I love the idea of the Palladian window above the bed. Shutters look good on the rest of the windows.
Hi Susan, I have palladium window. In a bedroom on front of our house. It was on the house plans when we built our house 29 years ago. Our son chose that room when we first moved in. He loved looking out the window at night. His bed was on the opposite side facing the window. That was the only place to put a bed. After a few years with the front of the house getting full morning son until around noon, that room would get heated up really hot even in the winter months. Then I found a company that made a functioning blind for that window. Palladium windows are pretty. I love walking into that room with the window.
It would be amazing if someone made a blind or shade that was remote controlled and rose up from below the window, so it wasn’t really visible when down. I’ve seen shutters over Palladium windows, but those are fixed in place, so I wouldn’t want that. I think that wall faces west, so maybe that was another reason the window was closed off. That room tends to be colder in the winter, so maybe the sun would warm it up more. Ummm, lots of things to think about.
Susan, would there be a beautiful view through the palladium window?
It’s so much fun to be on the journey with you!
Right now, it would be a view out onto the trees on that side of the driveway. I will have to pay special attention this winter to see how the view changes.
Thanks so much, Liz! The longer I live in this house, the more I love it. ♥
I absolutely love your idea! Why wait? Do it now! A symmetrical alcove featuring a Palladium window would transform the area from wonky to fabulous. It’s not that costly to install a window into a new brick opening and the closets can easily be relocated.
You can pick up a four-poster bed from Craigslist for a song. Then, if/when you decide to move from Atlanta, you can replace it with your original bed.
Yes! I was thinking that this would be a great opportunity to make that area symmetrical—because right now, it’s an awkward shape. Excellent points, Maggie! Thanks for that encouragement!
Just a thought, if you remove the two closets wouldn’t the “ark” over your bed look unfinished? The two closet doors sorta of finish the ark down to the floor? Does anyone understand my vision?
Great question, Barbara! I think a builder/contractor should be able to make that area of the room look more balanced and symmetrical. Right now, it’s pretty awkwardly shaped with the closets there. That is for sure one of the questions I would have for a contractor before moving forward.
I simply LOVE your idea!!!! It will be stunning!
Thanks so much, Barbara!
We have a palladium window above our four poster bed and plantation shutters on the other windows. I was warned when I installed the shutters that they would not make the room dark but I love how they look and went ahead. The result is that we get the morning sun through the windows beginning at sunrise, and the room is never dark for sleeping which is so important to me. I have to wear an eye mask if I don’t want to be awakened at dawn. And even then, light creeps into the edges of the eye mask and I don’t really like something strapped to my head. If sleeping is a priority, I would not do the palladium window nor plantation shutters in bedrooms. I would like to know what company installs a blind for it and if it really works. I have never commented before, but this struck a chord.
That’s definitely something to consider, especially since I would like for it to uncovered full-time. Not sure if this would be helpful for you, but I found an eye mask a few years back that is my favorite of all that I’ve tried, and I’ve tried quite a few. The nose piece can be bent inward, so it blocks the light more efficiently than others that I’ve used. Also, the inside of the mask is super soft and comfortable. This is the one I like and use: https://amzn.to/3HixgBe .
I love the idea of the Palladium window over your bed. It would look lovely!
Thanks, Connie!
XXX
I”m curious if the chimney on that wall would determine where the window could be located. The window may possibly be too wide to fit and be centered. The present location of the closets is where the roof slopes down so while you can move your closets, there will still be limited space in that area.
Collen, you’re so right to think of that! This evening, that same thought hit me about whether the palladium window could be centered properly. Not sure why, but I can kinda see an outline in the paint in that room on the wall behind the bed where the window used to be.
So, I measured and from the left wall to the edge of where I think the window started, is around 61-62 inches. On the other side of the window, there’s around 31 inches of wall space from the window to where the closets doors start. So, as long as the palladium window is centered where the old window was I think once the closets are moved, it will be centered correctly on the wall, which is good news. I’m sure that will dictate the side of the palladium window, too.
This afternoon, the previous owner who lived here for 20+ years, brought by the original plans for the house. I could see that window in the plans, and if I’m interpreting the plans correctly, the closets appear to have originally been on the other side of the bed, directly across from where they are now.
Since my main goal is to create additional space to allow for two decent-sized bedside tables on either side of my 4-poster bed, if it works out, I would like to add built-in bookshelves or built in drawers in part of the wall where the closets are now—especially where the second closet is since that wouldn’t interfere with a side table going on that side of the bed. Not sure there would be enough depth/room left though once that wall is taken back to be even with the wall on the other side of the window seat. I need to have a contractor look at the plans and the space to see what we can do.
Oh, and the other thing I noticed in the plans is the window over the window seat used to be two windows, not one as it is now.
That Kolbe window you posted is beautiful, Susan. It would look lovely above your bed. Very dreamy and romantic.
The layout of the room does make me wonder what the original architect and builder were thinking. Life was just so different then, I guess. However, having your headboard against a window is not ideal, and there truly doesn’t appear to be any other options for a bed, since the wall on the right, next to the window seat is probably not long enough to accommodate one, being near the bathroom and all.
You idea about moving the closets is a good one, I think, if it would work. I just don’t know how the slant of the ceiling would play into that (if it’s actually roofline.) But that would certainly open up that space for your bed and tables.
Finding that bricked up window was fun. I do wonder if you’ll continue to find other historical details of interest like that. I think you said there is no attic in the house, which seems so surprising to me in a house of that age. Can you imagine the hidden treasures you might find there, if there were one? A lot of people would just move and leave stuff behind in the attic, so a house could have the belongings of numerous people / homeowners through the years!
I never realized this, but apparently Cape Cod homes don’t normally have attics, or at least they didn’t back in the day. The upstairs WAS the attic, which is why you get all these interesting ceiling shapes and dormers. lol
The only attic that existed was the area over the garage that was converted 13 years after the home was built (built in 1938, room added in 1951) into what is now my office. I’ve been told by a neighbor that it was the sewing room (I think) for the second homeowner who lived here. My son’s home is the same way. It’s a Cape Cod and the only attic is above the garage. I wonder if that’s how new Cape Cod homes are being built today.
Hmm. Now I’m, confused. This is how I envisioned the house. The main, first level where the living room and kitchen are located. Then the second, sort of middle level, which is where your office is (And I thought this was the only room on that level?) And then the top level, which was originally the second floor but maybe now could be thought of as the third floor, is where all the bedrooms are. Do I have that wrong? I must have that wrong if that floor was the attic at one time and there are bedrooms on a different level. Maybe we need a video tour! Ha!
No, that’s correct, it’s just Cape Cod houses don’t have attics, or at least the old ones didn’t. So, I’m saying the second floor is sorta like someone took an attic and finished it out. It has all those crazy ceilings like you would find inside an attic.
The second floor was never an attic, but it kinda feels like one with all the funny ceiling shapes.
I noticed that bricked up window area months ago when you were first showing pictures of the outside of the house. But you never mentioned it so I thought I was mistaken about what I saw. But I wasn’t! I love that you want to install a Palladium window! I think it will be perfect! Plus moving your closet space is an excellent option! I can’t wait to see the finished product! It’s going to be so stunning! I am very excited!
You weren’t mistaken! Good eye! This evening, I looked back at the photos I took of that side prior to the cleaning of the exterior, and you could barely see it due to the dirt/grime on that side of the house. Now it is much easier to see. It needs the lime wash reapplied to that area.
Be fearless and do it! I think it will look great, and Im a strong proponent of symmetry.
Me, too…love symmetry! Thanks, Rita!
I love the idea of the window. I don’t have blinds on bedroom window (my bedroom is on the back of the house and high up in the trees. Even when we lose the leaves you can’t see inside. Having said that, we get the early morning light (in Georgia). I love it as I am an early riser in general. Over the years, I have gotten used to sleeping with light that I can sleep in if I need to. On the other hand, I also like that it keeps me sleeping on a regular cycle. From a decor standpoint, I think it would add a lot to your room. I like the idea of moving the closets as well. I think both sides of a bed like a bedside table.
I love the way you describe your home and your bedroom being up in the trees. That sounds wonderful! There is definitely something to be said about waking with the natural light. I do think it helps with creating a natural sleep cycle. Yes! I really like having a table on both sides, it just works and looks so much better.
What a discovery! And YES to a palladium window there. One of our 4 bedrooms – one in center in front has a palladium window. We are empty nesters so made that room into a tv den – but the family who built this home (just one previous owner, we are the 2nd owners) had a son’s bedroom in the palladium window room. So it IS done, for sure. GREAT idea, Susan.
I know, I was amazed with saw that window outline and kicking myself for not having noticed it sooner. Thanks, Michele!
XXX
How covered up window!! How unique and exciting! Yes to the palladium window which would look perfect there….
Thanks so much for hosting!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!! I hope you are enjoying your week and you are doing well…
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks, Deb! Such a surprise, seeing that window!
Oh my gosh – how fun!! I love the surprises in an old house! I think your replacement window/closet move idea is brilliant, and it’ill make you so happy every time you see it – if for no other reason than the extra sunshine! Thanks for sharing the surprise, and for hosting the party. Happy Monday!
Thanks so much, Barbara! Yes to more sunshine every day! 🙂
Love, love, love Palladium windows, so I’m “all in” for your new plan. This all reminds me of THE SECRET GARDEN. I say full speed ahead with your idea.
Oh, that is one of my favorite books ever! Love that! Thanks, Shelia!
Hi! In order to control the light, and cold in the winter, perhaps a high placed wood or wood look traverse rod across the width of the bed, and maybe some more to allow for a return that doesn’t encroach on the window. The pinch pleat drapes could easily opened and closed and make a powerful statement behind the bed. Window is lovely.
Thanks for that suggestion, Catherine! That would make a beautiful backdrop behind the bed.
I love this idea. The window would be gorgeous and the added light a true bonus!
Thanks, Susan!
XXX
I love your idea! I played in ChatGPT to see if it could show the room without the closet and added window. It looks so good but I don’t know how to add the picture here!!
Angie, could you email it to me at [email protected]. I would love to see it!
Yes! Emailing now!
feng shui don’t place bed under a window.
It’s been a while since I’ve visited your blog I have to confess. Did you sell your “porch house”?
No, I still have it. I just bought this house so I could see family without always having to stay in their guest room, which has become more of a playroom for the boys. So I just spend time in both places now.