Welcome to the 869th Metamorphosis Monday! First off, thanks so much for all your great input on Friday’s post, where I asked if you thought it would be a good idea for me to sell my home in Georgia and replace it with a home in the north Georgia mountains. (If you missed that post, you’ll find it here: Should I Sell My Home in Georgia & Buy A Home In This Mountain Community?)
It has always been a dream of mine to live in the mountains, surrounded by nature. In the comments on that post, you made a lot of great points, and I truly appreciate your perspective. For now, I’m going to stick with just renting a home there when the craving hits to spend some time hiking and enjoying the beautiful mountains. Currently, the homes in that community, in my opinon, are overpriced—another reason not to buy there right now. Renting there from time to time is probably the more sensible way to go. Thank you again for all your great advice and tips, and especially thank you to those who, having lived there, recognized the community and emailed to share their real-life experience. That was super helpful!
So, let’s talk about an update that was just made here in the Dollhouse. Since buying the Dollhouse a little over a year ago, I’ve been gradually adding plantation shutters to all the windows. The first order took care of my office and the kitchen, the second order finished out the main level, and the third/last order took care of all the remaining windows upstairs. The master bedroom has three windows, including this one over the window seat/cedar chest.
The other two windows are located here on the other side of the room. When I placed my order for shutters for this room, I requested that they be designed to open in a “bifold” way, as opposed to opening from the center. Unfortunately, that request was overlooked, and they were accidentally built to open from the center of each window.
Just by looking at the location of the hinges, it’s easy to see that they open from the center in each window.
I was disappointed when I walked into the room after they were installed and saw that they weren’t built the way I had requested. I told the installation crew I would live with them for a few days to see if I missed having them open in a bifold configuration. I didn’t want to trouble them with rebuilding them if I wasn’t going to be opening as much as I thought I would. Here’s how they looked and worked in the “open-center” configuration. When you have a double window, meaning two windows side-by-side, that’s the perfect opportunity to go with a bifold design. When designed to bifold back, the shutters look the same; they just function a lot better.
After a couple of weeks, I requested that they be rebuilt in the configuration I had originally ordered. The correct shutters were installed last week, and here’s how they look when closed. Notice that the only visible hinges are on the outside edges of the window. The other hinges are morticed in between the panels. If you didn’t know better, you might think they open from the center as single windows do.
Here’s how they look when opened. The two panels in each window nicely fold back against the wall.
Here’s a photo showing the right panel as I’m in the process of opening it back.
I’m really glad I had the company rebuild them as I had originally requested. I love being able to throw them back on sunny days and let the sun pour in!
Hope you found this helpful in case you decide to add shutters to a room in your home where you have two windows side-by-side, aka a double window.
Here’s what I’m working on today. 🙂 I’ve been doing a lot of challenging puzzles lately; it was time for a fun, easy one. This is a great one to do while listening to a book, TV, or radio. You’ll find it available here: 500-pc Colorful Donut Puzzle.
Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your email will never be shared. Subscribe for free email post updates here: Subscribe.
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects, like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects, and even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings; save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address (that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog) into the “URL” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Much better, Susan! I love that wide open look. I don’t understand why they would ever be made the original way. That odd section in the middle when opened doesn’t make any sense and is so unnecessary. Anyway, I’m glad you were able to have them the way you actually ordered. Have a great week!
Thanks, Pam! Yes, so much better this way!
Glad you had them redone the way you wanted because they look great! We have all remote operated blinds in every window, and I love them in our living area because I love the big windows and view, but if I need to every redo any, I will go with plantation for the bedrooms. Interesting – the shade in our master bedroom died. The motor just conked out after 8 years. They were expensive and Hunter Douglas and I thought the shade could be repaired. NO, they changed the motors…would have to order a new shade to the tune of almost a thousand for ONE SHADE! Luckily the wonderful shop we dealt with suggested refitting it to a pull cord and I was ok with that. Then he called and said he had saved a motor from another shade someone returned and he was able to fix ours! Thrilled….but that’s what made me think I would prefer plantation shutters for the bedrooms. It’s on “the list”. Enjoy your shutters and by the way, think your decision to rent a mountain home is a great idea!
Thanks, Ann! That’s so awesome that he was able to save the motor from another return. It’s crazy how expensive everything is these days!
Great that you made the switch. You knew what you liked and they definitely look better when open! Enjoy the sunshine!
Thanks, Toni! I knew it was going to always bug me if I didn’t have them remade the way I had ordered them.
That bi-fold style is the way to go whenever possible–so much cleaner and uncluttered look. And any extra sunshine you can grab in the winter is a plus!
EXCELLENT decision on “the shutters!!!” Gosh, they look nice!! franki
Thanks so much, Franki!
I am SO in love with those Plantation Shutters..!! Thanks for sharing.!!
Thanks! They are my fave window treatment.
Hope you’re have a great week!
Yes, MUCH better now! I love that the shutters fold back against the wall and give you all that lovely natural light! Thanks for sharing that update, and for hosting. Hope you have a great week!
Thanks, Barbara! Def an improvement! Happy Fall! I just realized today is the first day of Fall!
Oooh, as soon as I saw the first picture I thought nope, that is a re-do.
We have 5 sets of French doors overlooking our small lake. All of them have rotted on the inside. We had the window company come out…almost $6000/door. Our salesman had a great idea though. We are keeping one set of French doors (the only ones we ever use), and replacing the other 4 with giant picture windows. I am very excited because I love lots of light too. I’m looking for ideas for window coverings and would appreciate ideas from you ladies! We got hot, hot South Carolina afternoon sun so I need to be able to close them. Currently, we have wooden 2” blinds on all the French doors, and I like the options of partially closed, fully opened, etc. Suggestions on budget friendly companies would be much appreciated too!
Those windows are going to be beautiful, and I bet you’ll have a lot more view than you did with the doors. Amazing how expensive everything is these days. Argh!
The difference is astounding. You knew exactly what to order. Such a shame they did it wrong the first time. Good going – they look AMAZING. Really love them, Susan. And your puzzle is so cute and made me want a sweet treat!!
Thanks, Michele! I’m glad I asked them to remake them. It would have bugged me forever if I hadn’t.
Ha! Yeah, that puzzle had the same effect on me! lol
Your replacement shutters are perfect and fold back the right way. I know that you are happy that you had them corrected and replaced. Now, I want a donut after seeing your puzzle!!!
Thanks so much, Linda! Ha! That’s the only downside to that puzzle, it can lead to donut cravings! Hee hee
Love the shutters!!
Thanks so much for hosting this charming party!!! I truly do appreciate it as I do know the time involved with it….I hope you and your family are well and enjoying your week!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks, Deb! Have an awesome week!
I’m glad you had the shutters redone your way. It looked crazy in the middle.
lol It did!
So much better! I’m always surprised when a salesman gets an order wrong, aren’t you? But the company made it right for you, so it’s all good. On another subject, would you mind telling me again about the dresser below those windows and the lamp on the dresser? You’re always so good about sharing information about your purchases, and I know you surely did with those items, but I somehow missed it. I especially like that lamp! Thank you, Susan, you’re a treasure!
Thanks so much, Marie! The brass lamp is one I’ve had for 20-25 years. I think I purchased it from Speer Collectibles during one of their famous warehouse sales in Atlanta. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business. I miss their amazing sales.
The dresser was a recent purchase from here: https://amzn.to/4nM8xoG . I needed something to hold hoodies, pajamas etc… until I make up my mind if I’m going to move to the Dollhouse full-time.
Marie, if you like that lamp, do a search for “brass candlestick lamp.” A few years back, I wanted to buy one for a bathroom for the GA house and I found one on eBay. They are still being made but I love to buy the older ones when I can find them. Just make sure it’s still in good shape and doesn’t have a lot of pitting in the brass. Often, if you find one on eBay, you’ll need to purchase a shade for it. I want to replace the shade on this one, it’s more yellow than I prefer. I need to find out where the local lamp shop is here so I can do that. lol