“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God”
Colossians 3:16
Have you ever walked by someone on the sidewalk and wondered where they have been? What about when someone passes you on the interstate and they have a license plate from the other side of the country? Does it make you wonder what brought them to your neck of the woods? What about places? Do you ever stop and wonder how long certain buildings have been around, what life was like inside those walls, or whose feet have paced those floors?
We all have a story, and every place we pass in our everyday living has a story too! But how often do we take the time to ask questions and find out about those stories? They are all written by God, and they all have a purpose…a greater purpose than what we may ever know. Two weeks ago, a place I pass often came to life as I made a phone call to simply find out that particular shade of blue on the exterior…
A couple of weeks ago, on a rainy Thursday, I was sitting in my hair salon waiting for my color to process (yes, I color my hair and don’t tell anyone)! I was in my own little world with foil all over my head, and across the street sits this building that I have always admired. With the thoughts of needing to re-paint the exterior of our home on my mind and in my decorating mode of thinking, the color of the door and shutters grabbed my attention…and I knew that’s what I wanted! So I did the unimaginable…I grabbed my iPhone and umbrella to run outside and snap a picture! Now visualize this: I am wearing a cape on a busy street…in the rain! Oh yeah, don’t forget the foil in my hair! I can’t imagine what people thought if they saw me! But I had to snap a photo…a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!
So, I decided to call to find out about that color of blue. And long story short, I ended up making an appointment to photograph the interior and exterior of the building and to learn a little history!
The beautiful English-style landscaping was done by the owner and financial advisor, Mr. Mike Jones! The siding was a 1964 addition by a previous owner, Dr. Orville Morgan. Isn’t it beautiful? Just wait until we walk inside!
Here we are looking out the reception room window, and across the street is the hair salon where it all started! That building was built around the same time, circa 1920!
The beautiful bay window was made in the 1890’s and Dr. Morgan had it shipped from England and installed. The floors are the original heart pine and the wainscoting is also original! There is so much history packed in this one place!
I believe that our work environment has much to do with our performance…and how wonderful to have an office with a fireplace! Look at that beautiful antique mirror!
The interiors were decorated by Mike’s wife, Shannon, who incorporated antique furniture and rugs. And get this…the business is child and pet friendly! I was most impressed! I even met a cute Shih Tzu while I was there!
The small replica of an Archimedes’ screw sits on the conference room table and was made by a local artist. What is an Archimedes’ screw? Glad you asked. You can read more about it here. When Mike was needing to relocate his business and considering this building, his “MeMaw” suggested that he go to the building to pray and seek God’s plans and purposes. So he took her advice…
…after prayer, Mike moved forward in the purchase of the building. His “MeMaw”, Carolyn Alabama Jones, better known as “Blossom”, is the youngest of 19 children and is a lady dedicated to prayer and the purposes of God. She gave Mike such wisdom in relocating his business based on a firm foundation, covered in prayer.
The pen and ink drawing of the building was done by the late Michael Probyn, a successful advertising agent and artist, who was a native of Newbury Berkshire, England and resided in Gadsden! The building holds a couple of memories for me…I remember shopping in the early 80’s when it housed a fine clothing store and also when it was Duncan House Antiques, named for the original owner. It was certainly nostalgic walking through!
Mike had this beautiful kitchen installed. His sweet resident sales assistant, Mystie, offered to make me a cappuccino…I doubt many businesses offer that to their visitors and customers! Southern hospitality, indeed!
Certain codes had to be met in the restoration of the building, including the wooden stair rail, to the iron work you see now. I just love the detail! All the downstairs ceilings are 11 1/2 feet in height.
This is Mike’s office…he was so welcoming as he took me on the grand tour and I felt like I had known him forever!
Is this small detached building not perfect…it adds so much to the curb appeal! And you’ll again notice that particular shade of blue that initially caught my eye!
I can imagine having lunch in this lovely courtyard on a sunny spring day! The old brick here and lining a driveway to the right of the building was from the McCuen’s Barbecue building that was torn down! This was especially interesting to me because my Mother was a waitress there in the early 1950’s!
More of Mike’s beautiful landscape work…and of course the lovely azaleas in bloom!
In February of 2013, Mike opened his business here and our city has recognized his hard work by awarding him with the Gadsden Beautification Award for the last two years!
So, two weeks ago I made a phone call and started asking questions as I do so well (Butch says I am the queen of question-asking). And I am so glad I did! What about you? Have you taken time to find out the stories of people and places all around you? Oh yeah, one more thing: you will be seeing that particular shade of blue again…here at my house!
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, 21 Rosemary Lane, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, Poofing The Pillows, What Meegan Makes
Gah! You never said what shade of blue it is! Shame on you, Pam, for teasing us like that! 😉 Great house, love all the detail. I could live in a little house like that. I love little houses. And that tiny little house would be a perfect garden shed. Love the history too.
Thanks so much, Rita! The color is custom mixed locally! I love the little house, also! Such a fun post for me to do!
I love that you took the time to go over and take a look. I also love that the businesses in your town are in old homes. That has so much more character than a new brick building. I can picture you out there with your foiled head. A girl does what she has to do!!
#TOHOT 🙂
Thanks, Stacey! It was so much fun learning about the old house! Love the party! #TOHOT
That is such a gorgeous shade of blue! If you hadn’t of gone over there you’d be kicking yourself! That house is just adorable! Can’t wait to see where you use that certain shade of blue.;-)
Lisa, I am anxious to use that blue…thanks so much! Happy Sunday!
Pam, Love this post!!!! I, too, love the little bits of history about my childhood home area. Thanks so much to you and Butch as you Bless each of us that look forward to each new blog post! Blessings back to you my friend!
Brenda, thanks so much! It was fun finding out more about the house that I have always admired! Wishing you a wonderful worship-filled Sunday!
What a wonderful story, Pam! I’m like you – I love to hear the history of buildings and people. And that’s what’s so wonderful about the South~ the friendliness and the history. And I agree with everyone else – what color is the blue and where are you going to use it?!
love and blessings~
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Lynda, thanks so much! It was a lot of fun for me to investigate and learn so much about the house that I have always loved! The color is custom, but it’s base is Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue HC 149. The paint store kept lightening it until they got the perfect shade! Wishing you a joy-filled Sunday!
Pam, I have always loved this building! I go by there many times a day sometimes, but I always glanced that way. We do have some beautiful buildings in our city! Thanks for sharing!
Jenny, thanks so much for reading and commenting! It has now been preserved for many to enjoy!
What is the shade of blue???? Is it a mystery??? Hurry.. tell us!! lol …My neice is looking for JUST THAT SHADE … to go with her “vintage” white furniture she just bought for her bedroom!!! This is such a beautiful post… I adore old buildings and little cottage like structures!!! The history behind them always gets me…… thank you so much for sharing !! Just beautiful!!!!!! Love how you “Seized the Moment” !! Foil and all!!!!!
Terri, thanks for your fun comments! The shade of blue is not easily defined! The jump-off color is Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue with a custom mix of lighter shades! Wishing you a joy- filled week!
Love this post! I have a question. What is the tiny house used for? I want to move into it!
Alice, I love the tiny house, also. A former owner’s son lived in it, I am told! Now, it serves as storage! Have a wonderful week!
Thanks for sharing this with us! So fun to see the interior of beautiful homes and this has the unique vibe of being an office. I really enjoyed seeing all the details.
Lori, thanks for joining me in the tour of this old home now business! Have a beautiful week!
I am brand new to your blog and was delighted to read your post. Thanks so much for sharing! Now to share the color of that beautiful blue!
Kathryn, welcome to our “everyday living”! Thanks so much for visiting and comment! The shade of blue is a custom mixed color, but the base is Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue! Wishing you a lovely week!
I am a great question asker too. We are kindred spirits!
You captured the beauty of that wonderfully restored building.
Ok.
Inquiring minds want to know ! What is the color?
Thank you for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We are so glad you are here!
Laura
White Spray Paint
Laura, thanks so much and for hosting TOHOT, which is a lovely party! The shade of blue is a custom color, but the base is Buxton Blue by Benjamin Moore! Have a wonderful week!
Pam, what a wonderful post! I love that shade of blue and look forward to seeing how and where you use it. I was think all through your post about how very hospitable we Southerners are. Then, when you said Mike’s grandmother was called “Blossom”, that nailed it! Yes, you have the perfect building/home/family/heritage for a terrific Southern fiction story. I’m ready to visit, take it all in, and then write a book! What about you? Haha! Seriously, I love everything about this story. Often real is better than fiction! 🙂
Kim, you may be on to something! Let’s get this book started! Seriously, I love the name “Blossom”‘. Have a lovely week!
Love this inside and out! So quaint and I love the history. Thanks for sharing. Hugs,
Noreen
Thanks so much, Noreen! Wishing you a joy-filled week’
I love posts like this. Interesting, Inspiring, and Informative. I love all shades of blue so I look forward to your using this blue at your house. Have a great weekend.
Bonnie, thanks so much for your kind words! It was interesting to me, and was hoping the readers would think so! Blessings!
My mother ( wanda Harrell) worked at McCuens in the 60’s…..I would come in and get some of the best onion rings and Bar-B-Que in the south..
Thanks for sharing about your Mom working at McCuens! They served great food!
What a most beautiful and charming home/business and so wonderfully restored….thanks for the tour and the landscaping is so beautiful too….oh and love that shade of blue! Have a great weekend Pam!
Thanks, Shirley! I am so glad it has been restored for us to enjoy as we drive by! Happy Sunday!
Oh my goodness, how I loved this post! You literally had me sitting on the edge of my seat, reading every detail! I can’t wait to see what you do with that gorgeous shade of blue. 🙂
Thanks so much, Mimi! Blessings on this beautiful Lord’s Day!
Love the blue and what a charming cottage!
Thanks Pamela, it was fun to find out the history!
Enjoyed the post very much. It’s all stuff that’s right up my alley! Old houses, their history, restorations and uses etc., etc. So when I go to get the paint mixed in that certain shade, how will I know when it’s reached that certain shade? I guess I’ll have to have someone with a lap-top go with me and pull up your post! Think that’ll work? Ha, ha!
Naomi, thanks so much! The shade of blue is a custom mixed paint, but the base is Buxton Blue by Benjamin Moore! It was experimented with until the right shade was hit!
Pam,
Thanks for sharing this beautiful historical cottage with its blue doors and accents.
From an Alabama girl,
Judith
Judith, from one Alabamian to another, thanks so much!
We must be cut out of the same cloth. I too have knocked on more than one door to ask what color is on your house? door? trim?….. I mean if you see something you like you have to ask. I have also went to my local ACE Hardware with a picture of what color I want and the amazing paint guy, will look and look and look until he finds exactly the shade of blue, green, yellow I am wanting…. I just stumbled on to your blog, from Savvy Southern Style, love this post and will be putting you in my favorites…. Blessings to you from French Gulch California, Curtis & Sherrie.
Hello Curtis and Sherrie,
It is so nice to welcome you and I am so glad you found us from Savvy Southern Style! I am glad to hear that I am not the only one to ask questions, how else will we know! Your Ace Hardware guy sounds amazing and most helpful! Thanks so much for commenting and wow, French Gulch, CA. I just googled and it appears that it is Northern California. We have visited San Francisco several times and Napa a couple of times! We are planning a trip to Seattle (business) and then take some time to drive down the Oregon coast!
Blessings,
Pam
Pam, me ha gustado mucho la historia de la casa azul. Siempre me ha gustado saber las historias de los edificios y su evolución. Yo vivo en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid a 20 kilómetros de la ciudad de Madrid. Es una localidad adorable que se llama Majadahonda. Todavía hay casitas muy antiguas que datan del siglo XVIII en el mismo centro de la ciudad que compiten con las modernas. Cuando mi marido se jubiló dejamos Madrid y nos vinimos a vivir aquí, y estoy feliz. Me encantan los lugares pequeños y tranquilos donde casi se conoce todo el mundo.
Gracias por mostrar cosas bellas.
Dolores
Pam, I really liked the story of the blue house. He always liked to know the stories of buildings and their evolution. I live in the Autonomous Community of Madrid a 20 kilometers from the city of Madrid. It is a lovely town called Majadahonda. There are still very old houses dating from the eighteenth century in the center of the city competing with the modern. When my husband retired leave Madrid and we came to live here, and I’m happy. I love small and quiet places where almost everyone knows.
Thank you for showing beautiful things.
Dolores
Hola Dolores, gracias a mi querido amigo! Parece que su comunidad es un lugar maravilloso para vivir una vida retirada! Me encanta la historia de los edificios y estoy seguro de que sus edificios son mucho más antigua que la mayoría en América! Te deseo un precioso resto de la semana! Abrazos, Pam
Hello Dolores, thank you my dear friend! It sounds like your community is a wonderful place to live a retired life! I love the history of buildings and I am sure your buildings are much older than most in America! Wishing you a lovely rest of the week! Hugs, Pam
Hi Pam, What a nice story and photos – I enjoyed reading it very much! Blessings, Janet
Thanks so much Janet. Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!
Blessings,
Pam
What a beautiful building – inside and out – and what a great accent color for the door.
Thanks for sharing with SYC.
Love to party with you ladies at SYC!