Magnolia Avenue

Our time is coming to a close here in southern California! We've actually stayed a week longer than we planned, but tomorrow we'll be hitting the road for that nearly 1000 mile drive back to Colorado, and maybe some hint of Fall? With temps hovering around 100 for many days here, and some nights only dropping to around 70, it's a far cry from our cool Colorado evenings that bring on the gorgeous fall colors. 

This past weekend we had a visit out to my brother's home in Riverside, and I'll just say right off the bat that it was an epic failure on my part not to plan for photos and a blog post! Why didn't I think of it?? I had a borrowed camera that I wasn't familiar with, so these photos are very grainy, but I hope you'll enjoy this mini tour of their lovely vintage home. She's a real charmer! 

 I first saw this home with my brother and sister-in-law three years ago when we were last home here in California. It was a short-sale, and the process of finding out if it would be theirs was long and agonizing! Although a little rough from vacancy and neglect, we could all see the potential this old girl had to become a well-loved home once again. 

The wide front porch is a welcoming entrance and a lovely place to sit and enjoy the sights, including the giant old Sycamore trees around the front of the home. 

 Step inside the front door, and you are greeted by a beautiful and cozy original fireplace with a built in niche.

 The original mouldings and wood details in this home are amazing. In this photo you can catch a little glimpse of the coffered ceiling in the dining room beyond.

Look at the gorgeous detail in these wood floors!

 

 This vintage quarter sawn oak music cabinet is one small example of the antiques they have collected for their home. 

The large dining room has it's original built-in china cabinet with the original leaded glass doors-gorgeous! The perfect spot to display lots of pretty glassware. 

In the mirror you can see a bit of the beautiful glass doors in the dining room that lead out to a lovely covered patio area. 

Wouldn't you like to step out here to enjoy your coffee on a cool Autumn morning? 

Detail on the french doors.

It's incredible how many of the original leaded glass windows are still in this home!

My brother has saved some of our childhood toys, and has them displayed in their library room : )

This chandelier isn't original to the home, but can you believe my brother picked this up for free? I want one!



Even the main bathroom has a collection of antique pieces, including this marble topped cabinet. Great for storage and counter space in a bath with a pedestal sink!

I wish I could have fully photographed the bath! It is so charming with it's wood shuttered windows, clawfoot tub and vintage style tile.  I just could not get the photos I wanted with the camera I had with me (grrr). 

More of their antique pieces- this, a vintage "chamber pot" on a marble topped stand. You can get a hint of the tub in the background.

I couldn't photograph the kitchen (which is totally charming, of course)-boo! There was lots of baking and food prep going on out here, not to mention 4 large dogs in the mix! I did catch a little shot of the cute kitchen floor, though. And my niece's feet-ha!

Out in the back there is a darling guest cottage the previous owners converted from a garage. My sister-in-law has created lots of character, charm and beauty in a yard that was basically a dirt lot when I saw it three years ago.

How about a DIY garden toadstool from a log and a red bowl? Cute!

  Through the arbor in the picket fence is their vegetable garden.

This home is 101 years old! I'm really proud of my brother and sister-in-law for loving it back to life.
I hope you'll forgive my lack of foresight in not specifically planning this post and getting the photos (and quality of photos) I could have.
Most importantly, we had a really wonderful afternoon of food and conversation with my brother, his wife, my three grown nieces and their friend. Family time was the real focus, and it was a blessing, indeed!

See you soon from Colorado!

Jeanette 

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