I’ve had questions about the giveaway contest – some of you don’t have Instagram or can’t figure out how to do a picture/college.
If you want to enter the Aidan Gray With An Edge contest – but can’t figure out the rules, just email me a photo of a room or vignette in your house where you think an Aidan Gray light fixture would improve it. Then, let me know which AG fixture you choose.
Email me at cotedetexas@aol.com
The insanely talented mastermind behind Aidan Gray is Randal Weeks. The company’s aesthetic is completely his vision. While Randal does all the designing, his wife and partner, Sally, is in charge of the finances and the business matters of Aidan Gray. It’s amazing to think that their business was just started in 2003! It’s impact on the world of design has been significant.
I know that I always use an item from Aidan Gray when I design, and looking around - my own house is filled with their products. And, we want to spread the look. With this fabulous new contest, we are giving away FIFTEEN Aidan Gray fixtures in order to help beautify your own house!!
FIFTEEN!!!!!
The giveaway is due to the generosity of the Weeks, Randal and Sally, shown here with their three handsome sons: Chandler, Ethan, and Aidan Gray! Did you ever wonder where the name came from?!
The new giveaway is called “AidanGray With An Edge” and the idea for it started with the Tudor house that the Weeks bought and completely restored in High Point, North Carolina. After the professional photographs were taken of all the changes made, Randal reached out to us, wanting to show the beautiful results of all their hard work. And today, I’m thrilled to share these photographs with you!
Ready?
First, grab that proverbial cup of coffee and have a seat. I know I’m having a cup myself as I write this, so please join me!!
BEFORE: It all started with this Tudor house, built in 1929. When Randal Weeks first saw it, it was a bit run down and in need of some TLC. But, its classic lines and beautiful staircase were what captivated Randal the most. I mean, look at this house!! Who could resist the challenge?
This is the view of the back, right side. There are two open archways on each side of the house. On this, the right side, the arch is a porte cochere. On the left side, it is an open-air porch. Notice the back door with the oval window! These are details that lured Randal to the house.
And, hidden by overgrown landscaping, on the left side of the front façade is the second open-air archway, here – a porch.
Past the porte cochere on the right side is the garage.
Amazingly, the original BLUEPRINTS exist and were given to Randal when he bought the house. These will give you an idea of the layout. At the right is the porte cochere and on the left is the open porch with a terrace behind it. There is the center Hall and the Staircase and past double doors, is the Rear Hall with another staircase. The house had been added on to at some point and the sitting room and lavatory are somewhat different than these plans show.
The second floor plan shows all the Chambers, or bedrooms. I love the Sewing Room! Devotees of floor plans will be so excited with these blueprints.
And here is the garage, with the servant’s bedroom above.
Before & After: The Exterior
Before: The brown-brick, 1929 Tudor revealed after the overgrown shrubs were removed.
And here, another view of the exposed Tudor. At the left is the open air covered porch and at the right is the porte cochere that leads to the garage. Above the front door with the leaded glass windows is the Sewing Room. The bay window at the bottom left is in the large Living Room. On the right of the front door is the Library with its corner fireplace.
During: The house is now painted in light gray and white.
And after! In the winter, the house looks so beautiful in the white snow against the new gray and white paint. Can we leave the snow down 24/7????? Final landscaping plans are set to be installed this spring.
Before: The right side with the porte cochere.
During: All the overgrown plants are removed and look! An entrance to the basement is now exposed! I love the back porch with the two oval windows. The door inside the porch opens to the breakfast room and kitchen. At the porte cochere, the door there leads to the Side Hall and the Dining Room.
The back of the garage – here you can see the size of the lot and how large it is.
Before: The garage.
During: And here, the garage, with the old doors removed. The garage was turned into a carriage house/guest house with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen area.
BEFORE: At the back, left side of the house – showing the back of the open air porch.
During: This room is the sitting room/kitchen. At the left is the garage/carriage house.
DURING: The house is now painted and a stacked stone wall has been erected around the porch.
AFTER: The covered, open-air porch, decorated with a table and benches and an urn. Ivy was planted to grow up around the brick columns. Flanking the living room fireplace are two French doors which open onto this porch.
THE INTERIORS:
Built in 1929, the house today is 5500 sq. ft. with 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The house was taken down to the studs and over 100,000 POUNDS of plaster was removed! All the trim was also removed, stored, and then reinstalled. The plumbing was replaced and new electrical was installed, along with central A/C and heat - after the original radiators were removed. There was no insulation in the walls, so that needed to be added. The original hardwood floors were used, patched and stained a very, very dark brown. The tile roof and iron windows are original to the Tudor house. These windows are a bit drafty – but their timeless, classic beauty makes up for that!
And here, Randal Weeks welcomes us through the dark gray front door with its beautiful original braces. The door is also original – and is over 2 inches thick!
The front hall is 10’ wide and this room along with the staircase and its wide railings is what sold Randal on the house – the minute he entered. You might say it was Love At First Sight!
Looking the other direction toward the front door.
And upstairs to the landing – you can see the original railings with its distinctive carvings. Through the arched, middle door is the Sewing Room.
The view of the staircase looking towards the landing that faces the backyard. The series of three leaded windows were salvaged.
With the plaster removed, the entry hall is taken down to its studs. The staircase is preserved. To the right is the library. At the end of the center hall is the sitting room/kitchen – which takes up the entire width of the house, along its back side.
The landing. You can see down to the front door and up to the second floor – through to the front Sewing Room. I love this stage where the house is emptied and clean and ready to be created! The small sewing room, with its beautiful leaded glass windows overlooking the front yard – is now a charming bedroom. You’ll see! And notice the second staircase leading up to the attic. On the plans, this is shown as a “Bessler” disappearing staircase. In order to have the attic become a functional third floor, Randal built this full sized staircase.
I found this original advertisement for the Bressler Disappearing Staircase Model #60.
And, here, the new dry wall is installed, upstairs and down.
Here is the taken-down-to-the-studs view of the rear landing that overlooks the backyard. This beautiful trio of leaded windows were salvaged. To the very right of the photo are the newly built stairs that lead up to the attic floor.
TODAY: The front hall, with its dark wood floors and white walls – that provide a back drop for the Aidan Gray pieces, along with the distressed antiques and colorful art work. The design plan calls for a combination of the new and old, a mix of antiques and the latest “Aidan Gray With An Edge” pieces. Randal concentrated on a mix of metals for the house, as you will see in all the finishes of the furnishings and lighting fixtures he used. Notice this light used here – a flush mount.
I absolutely love the light wood of the console used here – against the dark wood floors.
Past the library door, Randal set up this vignette in the entry hall, using a painted chest, an antique gold frame, an antique urn, and a classic A/G lamp (which I have in my own house!) The chest is an antique Randal found in a Paris flea market – he says this is one of his favorite pieces! Wish we could see more of it!
Underneath the stairs, Randal created an ingenious wine cellar! He used a chrome wall-mounted wine rack with a mirrored inset. Aluminum shop window frames were used for the door and window – which allows one to see inside the cellar.
The stairs, now painted white with the very, very dark floors, have been decorated with a collection of antique mirrors. Notice the iron railing on the attic stairs – it was kept simple and modern, so as not to compete with the more ornate railings on the main staircase. And notice the lighting- which is NOT Aidan Gray, but is Arteriors – Windsor Smith’s Mercury Wall Light. These lights pivot to shine either way and they come in either brass or silver. And yes, Randal is such a nice person, that he is happy to use his competitors’ merchandise.
Here is the link to the Arterior Lights – click on the photo of the light below:
Here is the After view of the rear landing, overlooking the back yard.
The Front Door. At the entry, Randal salvaged this 18th century antique gate that once led to “The Dog House.” Pieces like this create a bit a humor and folly and keep it all from being too serious.
Before: To the right of the front door is the paneled library, reached through double French doors. This is really a beautiful room, with a corner fireplace.
The library – the paneling was removed but the two charming bookcases in the corners remain. I wondered why the paneling was removed and Randal told me it wasn’t. What LOOKS like paneling is really wallpaper put up to hide cracks in the plaster walls!!
Today: The library is now painted in dark, dark gray and it is just beautiful! The chandelier is A/G - Glendive Mirror, which comes in large and small. The glossy black walls are juxtaposed against the gray flannel curtains and white chairs. The desk is A/G Sigrid Console – LOVE IT!!! The lamps are A/G Nicole, nickel. Again, I love the rustic, light wood shown against the dark gray floors and walls.
While driving, Randal saw this art work in a gallery window. The colors inspired him so much that he stopped, jumped out and bought it!
The view from the side hall into the library. From this window, you can see the large tree in the front yard.
BEFORE: Off the entry hall and next to the library is the dining room. When the Weeks bought the house, the elderly owner was using this room as her bedroom. Now it’s been renovated and is used as the dining room again. Separating it from the library is the side hall.
Today: Randal wanted a huge round table, which he created out of 3 European white oak farm tables, bleached and scalloped at the edges. The chairs are from Kravet. The chandelier was created by Randal using architectural altar remnants. More about the altar later. In the corner, the columns were mounted on concrete bases to mix old and new.
The door on the left leads to the kitchen/family room.
And the door at the right leads to the side hall which is between the dining room and the library. Again, the design scheme is light wood against the dark wood floors, mixed with colorful art work.
The side hall between the dining room and the library opens to the porte cochere – with a trio of lights from AG Home – the Geo Hammered Oval lights. The mirror is an AG antique reproduction.
The powder room was decorated with gray marble tiles and a mirrored console. Love!!
To the left of the front door is the large, long living room. The bay window overlooks the front yard. The two doors lead to the open-air covered porch.
And the view towards the back of the living room. To the right of the window – an opening now leads to the kitchen/family room.
During: Taken down to the studs – you can see that the opening to the kitchen is now there. Randal said there was a connection there before that had been covered up earlier. The door is actually seen on the original blueprints.
The view into the living room.
After: Two large white sofas are paired with white curtains and dark velvet pillows. Love the full silk curtains! They are gorgeous!! I love the black and white decorative scheme used in this room.
Against the wall is a set of prints. Through the new door is the kitchen/family room. The coffee table was created by Randal out of the roof of an antique holy water chapel. In the great cathedrals in Europe, the holy water is usually in a large marble urn or vase that was placed under an elaborate architectural roof. The finial of the roof was used to create the dining room chandelier, and the gold columns in the dining room actually held it all up. It’s amazing that from just one relic, Randal created three major pieces.
The vignette in the front bay window. Throughout the room is a collection of lighting fixtures from Aidan Gray.
The vignette at the back window of the living room. I love these tufted AG chairs.
Before: On the blueprints – the sitting room and butlers pantry seen above, don’t match the house as Randal bought it. At some point, the house was added onto along the back. Here, the sitting room with the butler’s pantry next to it were taken down to the studs and made into one large room. These corner cabinets remained in the new sitting room.
The butler’s pantry became part of the kitchen. The wall on the left was removed to create one large room.
And the old kitchen became part kitchen and part breakfast area and part laundry room when the wall between the old kitchen and the butler’s pantry was removed. The back stairs lead up to the second floor.
During: You can see the corner cabinets are still there in what was once the sitting room. And the butler pantry is now open to the sitting room.
After: And here is the sitting room with the long, galley kitchen where the butler’s pantry once was. A series of beaded chandeliers act as an art installation over the bar.
Through the door on the left is the living room. Randal placed an urn outside this window to create a focal point for the inside view. I love that he kept the original corner cabinets.
The view from the sitting room into the kitchen. The back stairs were exposed to create an architectural element. The kitchen is fabulous – it runs along the entire width of the house! Love it!!!
Randal used this collection of beaded lights as an art installation. The entire back wall of the long kitchen is white subway tile mixed with light wood shelves. LOVE! The island has the waterfall edge.
A view towards the back porch and the carriage house. You can see the original oval window on the porch. I love this light fixture from AG Home - Organic Globe.
The galley kitchen that runs the width of the house. The stove hood is clad in mirrors to create the energy between the shine and the wood shelves and white tiles.
A heated tile floor was used in the kitchen area – and the breakfast room that is off to the far end of the long galley kitchen. The cabinet pulls are rose gold.
The laundry room is off the breakfast area.
The statue seen from the kitchen window. So pretty! An arched row of evergreens was planted behind the statute to create a screen when fully grown. Aren’t these original windows incredible? Almost 100 years later – this same kind of window is trending today!
The winter view.
Ready to go upstairs?
Before: The Sewing Room was turned into a small bedroom. This would be my room – I love the windows!
After: The walls were painted a light pink.
The master bedroom is dark gray with a contemporary light fixture from AG.
The second master bedroom with dark blue curtains and a pendant light from AG Home, Geo Collection.
And across from the bed is the blend of antique and modern looks from Aidan Gray.
This twin bedroom has white tufted beds and a mix of old and new looks.
On the third floor, a closet and bathroom were built into one end of the room.
Later: And in the attic space, two bunkrooms for the younger ones. You can see the bathroom on the left and the closet on the right that were added.
And another bedroom – so cute.
Before the High Point house was even finished and had barely been photographed, it was sold. The family decided that a vacation home would be more fun for the three boys if it wasn’t associated with work. Since this house was in High Point, they started looking for a more vacation spot. All I can think about is how lucky the new homeowner is with that fabulous kitchen and huge living room, dining room and all those bedrooms! AND I would love to see how they furnished it. I wonder if Randal helped with the lighting fixtures? Or was it sold furnished?
Which brings me back to the giveaway!!!
Aidan Gray With An Edge
Hashtag #AGwithanedge
Hopefully, you have been inspired by one or two or three lighting fixtures from Aidan Gray.
For the giveaway, AG is donating 15 lighting fixtures, including some pairs of lamps!!!
The contest is this – take a photo of a room, vignette or area in your own house that you think will look better with an Aidan Gray light fixture.
All you need to do is take the photo and then pair it with an Aidan Gray fixture. Next, put the photo on your instagram. Hashtag it with:
#AGwithanedge
Here are some ideas from Aidan Gray that show how to create your entry photo:
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO PERFECT!!!
HAVE FUN!!!
BE CREATIVE!!!
Here are some examples:
Use a “Pic Stick” app and make a collage like this one.
Or just tape and paste.
Here is my entry that I created using the PicStitch app.
If all else fails and you can’t figure out how to combine the two elements into one photo – then just submit two photos, one of your room and one of the fixture you think would look good there. Use the hashtag on both photos.
Go to the Aidan Gray web site to look at all the available products HERE.
Remember, have FUN!!!
Be CREATIVE!!!
If you need help with your photo -
email or call me OR ask your teenager!
Randal and Sally Weeks will judge all the entries and fifteen winners will be chosen!!!
You have a week to submit your photos.
REMEMBER TO HASHTAG
#AGwithanedge
please also tag your instagram with #aidangrayhome #jonibwebb #cotedetexas
ONE WEEK
FIFTEEN WINNERS
FIFTEEN PLUS AIDAN GRAY LIGHTING FIXTURES
HASHTAG #AGwithanedge
GOOD LUCK AND A HUGE HUGE HUGE THANK YOU TO AIDAN GRAY!!!!!!!!
Joni, you've outdone yourself! Great post and a fabulous renovation. I just love seeing a talented designer breathe new life into an old house. More, more, more!
ReplyDeleteTerrific post! Love the mix of old and new, what a talent! I am loving the entry flush mount lighting, but it isn't listed on AG website…
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me the source?
Its' AG but it must not be on their sell list now. Hopefully we'll find out more info asap.
DeleteThe flush mount was a custom design for the home and it going to be part of our upcoming summer line. It is brass plated with frosted glass beads. Its not out yet, but part of a larger introduction of flush mount fixtures we are working on.
DeleteLOVE this house! The gray is beautiful especially the library, master bedroom and dining room. Any way to find out the colors they are painted?
ReplyDeletemy favorite are the colors. I LOVE the gray and white. love the black floors. makes me want to do mine.
DeleteNot my cup of tea, I appreciate the hard work and expense put in but the house has lost its Tudor soul. Looks like a restoration hardware photo shoot.
ReplyDeleteI realize AG has a modern design aesthetic just wished he'd have bought a mid century house instead and left the old Tudor alone
We owned a classic Tudor built in 1927 did a historically respectful remodel, applied new plaster, repaired leaded glass windows, tuckpointed the whole house, new copper gutters, everything, left the floor plan alone.
We didn't paint the brick just softened the trim color to harmonize with the brick
To each his own
Kris in Seattle
Well, I really it. The kitchen just makes the whole house for me and I love the living room - the size is fabulous. I love a house with a center hall. The plaster was all cracked and damaged. And I don't think they had the time or inclination to do a long timed restoration. They wanted it for market.
DeleteLet's be nice though everyone. I'm so thrilled they have offered so many fixtures to us. Over 15. Probably more like 20, counting the pairs. Be sure to enter the contest!!!
I agree wholeheartedly. It's a "millenial" restoration. We should respect history. They might as well have just torn it down and built a new one.....it's kind of heartbreaking, actually.
DeleteAGREE!!! I cringe at the thought of painting all of the that wood work and brick!!! Looks like the Kardashians! I love Aidan Gray light fixtures; however, I would have hoped they would have a little more respect for the traditional Tudor elements being they are "in the business".
DeleteI think we're being nice
DeleteWe had cracked plaster it's not difficult you just get a plaster man there's a huge difference between plaster walls and drywall, we've done 4 major remodels
I agree this remodel was done to merchandise their products like RH does
IMO the kitchen was my least favorite part would have brought in cabinetry that copied the original built ins
I wish them well
It's just not my aesthetic
I appreciate seeing this post and your blog is so well done Joni!
Kris in Seattle
This is like old home week. I lived in this neighborhood most of my life, and my husband grew up down the street from this house. I walked by this house all the time. Our house, though not nearly so grand, was also built in 1929. We moved away two and a half years ago to retire to our vacation home. I wanted to cry when I saw the exterior remodeling just now. I have nothing against painted brick, which our house was, but not on a historic Tudor! I also miss the real plaster walls (though I can understand wanting to insulate the exterior walls) and the stained woodwork which our house also had and we kept. Mr. Weeks is a talented designer, and I understand if someone wants to make a house their own, even if this is not my aesthetic. But I was abashed when you wrote that they'd sold it immediately. The 1920's houses have such wonderful character and I feel that much of it was lost in this renovation. This just upsets me.
DeleteI agree
DeleteI read this blog article again and was stunned they flipped it. Wish Mr Weeks would stick to mid century modern homes they're more in line with his design style
Who cares how many light fixtures these philistines offered? That should not be used to censor a discussion about aesthetics or make your readers feel uncomfortable about weighing in negatively on the gross disregard for traditional craftsmanship and historic preservation on display here.
DeleteRegarding the historic plaster, the National Trust's book on the subject defines an old house as "a building with cracked plaster in it". It is part of the charm. To justify its wholesale removal and insensitive replacement with an inferior product in the name of a quick, greedy flip is to encourage poor stewardship of our architectural heritage. As William Morris said on the topic of irreversible damage done to old houses: "They are not in any sense our property to do as we like with. We are only trustees for those that come after us.”
Amen! If you want a generic McMansion, buy a generic McMansion.
DeleteI agree with Kris from Seattle. Ruined the Tudor soul.
DeleteWow...You are all so critical. I happen to love this remodel. Not everyone wants to live in the stone age.
DeleteA couple of notes to the above. I sincerely appreciate the commentary. I think it is important to understand a couple of things as where I am in my life. I am trying to show consumers how to live with the antiques they love but in updated interiors with a blend of modern and traditional lighting and furnishings and overall less clutter! As our kids approach college, we want less stuff and cleaner lines. I am a French Traditionalist at heart, but I no longer desire to live in a world of overdone European décor. I want a mix of who I am to show through. I design both a traditional line and modern line and I want to inspire people to blend them all together.
DeleteI had always wanted to own a Tudor home and feel in love with the house from the moment I walked into it. But I also saw the vision of a modern, updated, sleek kitchen. It is by far next to the master bath, my favorite room of the home. And to understand my roots, after graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in Design, I landed in Houston. Anyone who knows Houston knows there is a lot of painted brick. Every home I have ever had always has painted brick. It is one of my signature looks. Love it, will always love it, and will stand by it until I die!
Just know it had to be totally updated. All the heating had been removed, it had no insulation and I had no desire to live in a house with cracks in the walls. I did my research and decided all new electrical, plumbing and insulation was needed. It simply was not cost efficient to leave it as it was.
It was not our intention to flip it, but I found a home in Maine, that I feel in love with and decided I wanted a house on the water. I work 6 days a week at Aidan Gray, doing what I love, but I barely get to enjoy the house in Texas, so it was not practical to keep the Tudor, regardless of how much I loved it. I am excited about the total gut and remodel in Maine, the difference here is, it is a non-descript 1981, never been updated home. It will look nothing like this one and will be the heart and soul of our future family vacations.
So, we have many more surprises coming for our readers.
Your redo is the furthest from "less clutter...less stuff, cleaner lines". This is an excess of "stuff"- meaningless junk that can be found in similar form at any Home Goods, Target, etc. Old house charm is sleek, maybe not in the modern sense but in the rich, continual flow or sense of belonging, and strict balance and proportion that is ignored by many professionals these days.
DeleteOne more comment take a look at the March AD, has Tommy Hilfiger's Tudor on the cover. This is what I consider a great remodel respecting the old house and it's architecture. Also it's full of color and warmth IMO.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me post this
Kris in Seattle
Yes! Exactly.
DeleteI completely agree. This whole thing made me so sad. Drywall is not plaster, and plaster is easy to repair. A Tudor is no longer a Tudor if everything is painted over. It looks very big box now. All the character was ripped out and painted over.
DeleteBE SURE TO ENTER!!!!!!!!! If you can't figure out how to do just one photo - do TWO. and hashtag them!!! HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so much more livable now, but without sacrificing the charming old details. No wonder Aidan Gray is successful.
ReplyDeleteI have to study the distressed pieces. I have seen so many that look like bad DIYs. Some good DIYs, but lots of awful ones!
Great post! I love the improvements to the exterior but am I the only one who thinks it is a bit of a shame that all the dark wood was painted over only to basically flip the house? Surely there are some homebuyers out there who might be looking for a more authentic-looking Tudor home? I did like to see how/where they put the permanent stairs to the third floor, as we also have Bessler-type stairs to the attic, and would consider finishing that space in our 1920 home down the road.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Joni! Loving how this wonderful house was so carefully restored. I feel like such an oddball though as I just can't get into all of today's grey decorating.... it's just a cold, sterile, sad looking feeling to me. Floors are just too dark for me also. Would have loved to see a bit of wood grain in the floor especially in that beautiful white living room. This is still an incredible update!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to enter! put up your photo on #AGwithanedge and I happen to love the gray exterior. I don't care for old dark brick. I find it very depressing. But that's me. Whenever I drive in an old neighborhood and see a house updated with new paint, I stop and look and admire. The ones not updated...I pass by and don't even see them.
ReplyDeleteBut that's me. I want to paint my own house with its pink bricks. I would love to paint it white if it was worth the effort. But my facade is so ugly. ugh.
ok ENTRY EVERYONE!!! pLEASE!!!! wE HAVE ALL THESE FIXTURES JUST WAITING FOR A NEW OWNER!
Joni,
DeleteYou find "old dark brick" "very depressing" and don't care for it...that made me almost laugh but then shake my head at the same time.
You really wouldn't like my home town of St Louis then, which has literally thousands of some of the most wonderful old homes in the country, from gorgeous mansions to townhouses to styles unique to St Louis. You would also dislike huge neighborhoods in Chicago, Iowa, and tons of other towns, large and small, in the Midwest. You'd also dislike so many neighborhoods in New York including Brooklyn and the Lower East Side just to name two.
I would also suggest you avoid London and other parts of the U.K. It would really depress you. Bummer.
I can see where you would want to paint those "ranchburgers" you often refer to and other newer houses with no particular significance; there would be nothing lost there, but to state that "old dark brick" depresses you, well, to each his own as they say.
I just adore, love, and respect beautiful, well-built old homes to depths I probably can't even explain. It sounds like there are some other people that feel the same way.
There's a decorator out there for everyone, I guess.
Sheila
Joni .. it's a tudor! They traditionally have brick! Don't buy (and destroy) a tudor if you don't like brick! Duh!
DeleteIt's just personal guys!!! Calm down! haha. I just love painted brick. I always have. I love a white house. I don't love red brick. Maybe that's I prefer a stucco house to a brick one? It's just personal. If I owned this house I would have painted it too. I would have done the exact same thing. Dark floors and white walls. But that's just me.
DeleteThank you Joni but unfortunately this is not one of my favourite posts - it is in fact an example of what can go wrong when you choose certain designers/decorators.
DeleteI totally agree with those who believe this is a travesty. As I scrolled through I was appalled by what they've done to a lovely old house. It's completely lost its personality and the sense of history. Why didn't they just build a new house and leave this for someone to restore who had some respect? Have no problem with modern houses and furnishings or updating bathrooms and kitchens in old ones - but why destroy character, personality, authenticity and charm to create a pseudo modern neutral. Just build a new house people! Or restore a characterless house and give it pizzazz. This example is what many English people would feel is the epitome of bad American renovation and decoration. Best wishes, Pamela
I don't want to be mean, I think he is a great guy, but destroying this glorious gem of a home made me want to cry....the before pics are what had me swooning.
ReplyDeleteThank you for another wonderful private tour of a gorgeous renovation! I have no fault with anything, but if I were doing this massive renovation for myself, I would have carved out space for an upstairs laundry and made the downstairs laundry room a pantry. As amazing as the kitchen is, I don't see any place for food storage. I guess for the use they had in mind, not much laundry or cooking would be done, so kudos for making it beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThere is a pantry, its just not shown. it is around the corner from the fridge and other things you don't see.
Deleteactually, Randal told me there is tons of storage space in the island, etc. There is also a storage space right across from the laundry. I do think space upstairs was tight. If you look at the plans, you can see the second story doesnt cover the first floor footprints. I think they took one bedroom and made it a bathroom too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good morning when I see Cote De Texas in my email. I stop, get a cup of Tea, sit down and take a few minutes to enjoy the beautiful pictures and posting. Thank you so much!! Laura
ReplyDeleteAlways love reading your blog but this one lost me. The first shock was seeing that beautiful staircase painted. I really didn't like all the mirrors on the wall going up the stairs. The house ended up looking like any old designer showcase. I think someone else mentioned a Restoration Hardware catalogue, agree.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your observation.
DeleteJoni I think this post hit a generational nerve, us old traditionalists vs the RH Chip and Joanna Gaines look.
I think the RH look will pass as people tire of this look
It's not warm
Also I believe people should buy homes architecturally that fit their aesthetic
You mentioned how you prefer painted brick
The Tudor in 1920s have a beautiful patina of age that's not available in modern made bricks
When we renovated our Tudor
We built a garden wall in old bricks that were architectural salvage to blend with the old house
Also radiators provide much better heat
We had a water boiler heater radiator system I worked for over 80 years no glitch
So am not surprised at the divided sentiments
Lots of newer generation readers will get a nice light fixture from AG
I'll stick with my antiques
I am in my early 30s and I did not like this renovation. It seems to me that the striking colors and sterilized nature of the color palette does not work with the collected/curiosities/"more is more" look of the mirrors, fixtures, and even the architectural salvage pieces. It's not that the elements themselves are unattractive separately, it's that this particular mash up does not work. I think it cheapens both the luxury of the older Tudor house, and also the excitement and freshness of the modern aspects of the design.This makes me appreciate how difficult it must be to combine new and traditional elements while preserving the warmth and dignity of the house.
DeleteMy kids all grew up in an old house lovingly restored by their father and me. They are now young adults and are horrified by the kind of makeover perpetrated by Weeks & co on this old Tudor. I don't think it's generational. And for what it's worth, I see the exact kind of thing being done on quick flips in the $200K range in Baltimore all the time---gut, update the essentials, paint everything pale gray and white and slap it back on the market. To me it looks like Weeks wanted the blandest interior possible to showcase his own products---and he sure created it.
DeleteThank you for this post! We just bought a very similar looking house in disrepair and this post gave me some ideas.
ReplyDeleteI have considered painting my paneled library black, but I'm worried it's just a fad, and I'll never get the wood back. I would never get rid of the plaster walls-drywall is paperthin in comparison. Plus, dumping 100k of plaster into a landfill makes me feel ill. I also love my radiators-they provide a lovely heat.
The living room is gorgeous. But, it's clear there were no plans to actually live in the house.
I always look forward to your posts and this one did not disappoint. Thanks for your blog and thanks to Aidan Gray Home, also, for this gracious contest! Best, Karen
ReplyDeleteI thought it was absolutely gorgeous. When the landscape is added this spring, well...OH. My. I can't even imagine how beautiful it will be. I spent almost an hour this morning, and 2 cups of coffee going back and forth over all the pictures. I don't know if I love the outside or the inside more. That round dining table was amazing. You can be sure I will be entering! I still have the Hollywood Strip lights in my master bathroom. My money the last few years has been spent sending my kids to college and law school, so my house is rather dated. I'm keeping my fingers crossed to win something. I would love to own something from Aidan Gray. Thank you once again for such a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteIt takes someone with great vision and refined taste to take something from where this started to where it is now, and I think that's exactly what Randal has: outstanding vision, and brilliant, refined taste. When the door to the house was opened after the renovation revealing the new foyer, I gasped, literally. I've read the comments, and I don't want to be contentious, but I think that he did exactly what he intended with the house, and that was to revitalize, renew, and freshen with a light and youthful levity to the old manor. It was clearly a lovely home before it had fallen into disrepair, but this new fresh take on the classic is inspiring, and very beautiful. Congratulations to Randal and Sally for building such a wonderful and successful brand! I only wish that there had been pictures of the garage turned guest house for us to see! Being that I live in a small apartment, I would have loved to see how Randal took this small space and made it work. I'm sure it was/is as beautiful as the main house! Thanks for sharing their renovation Joni, and wow, what a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteIs there any way for those of us who are not on Instagram to enter this giveaway? There's probably lots of us.
ReplyDeleteSheila
Hi Joni, so thankful to you and Aidan Gray for such an amazing giveaway! I was wondering if we were allowed to post two pictures of two different spaces/lights if we can't decide? Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteA great blog.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with this blog.
Awesome information.
kitchen remodeling companies omaha ne
I absolutely enjoyed seeing this renovation. I love so many of the changes. I love the kitchen and the dining room. The entry is so inviting. The Decor is so fresh. Thank you so much for sharing this one with us. Lots of ideas to be gleaned from this post!
ReplyDeleteYou always do such a fabulous jobs on your posts! Always so thorough and detailed. I enjoy reading/viewing/learning. Keep up the wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteI think the contest is quite generous... I do think that it may be too complex for the average person... Thinking you'd get a better response if it was easier to maneuver... just a thought, as it is such a shame to miss out on the generous contest due to tech type issue. My 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous 10:36. Why not just have people send you a picture of the room in which they would install the fixture and the name of the fixture they'd like to win?
ReplyDeletesorry but really disliked what he did to that beautiful home.
ReplyDeleteOuch,ouch.... Joni I always enjoy your posts but I was shocked as I scrolled down the pictures. Not sure why the exterior was painted, railing was painted, that huge round table with chairs, mirrors on the walls, galore of chandeliers...painful to see the changes.
ReplyDeleteYou've gotta love the double single bed bedroom!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I respect so many of your posts but this is a travesty. I can not describe the sheer audacity of this "designer". It is a shame and not worthy of your attention. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI really love seeing old homes reborn with fresh, modern makeovers, but I felt my heart slowly sinking as I scrolled through this post. I actually felt sad by the time I reached the end of the post. *Sigh* This house definitely needed updating, however it also ended up losing more than a little of its soul for which the beautiful new decor cannot compensate.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new owners restore some of what was lost and arrive at a better balance between old and new.
Well. it would be very difficult, nigh-on impossible, to put it back.
DeleteSheila
The new owners will never be able to put it back. I know. I've lived next door to a similar home for 38 years. And in one year this same type of transformation happened. Even if the new owners try to right some wrongs too much has already been lost. Painting the natural wood instead of restoring it is a crime. It makes you wonder why people even purchase a home that they want to completely transform when it has such a definite style.
DeleteOK. If you don't do Instagram - or can't figure it out - send me a photo of your room. And the fixture and I'll upload it for you. ok????
ReplyDeleteemail me cotedetexas@aol.com
One other comment, - the owner of the house is the person who is giving away 15 light fixtures. Please try not to be rude! Everyone has different ideas of remodeling. But please, let's not be rude ok? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJoni - appreciating different ideas on remodeling is one thing but basically destroying a historical property that had so many original details is hard to digest. I'm not a purest when it comes to design and renovation however you have to respect the integrity of the original house. Who removes all the original plaster from a house? Was it really necessary to paint the brick - it's a tudor! Why remove all the established greenery? And the new floors and tile work don't suit the house! And I'm sorry but the lighting fixtures are hideous .. although they can be removed. I'm not a big fan of newer reproduction furniture so Aidan Gray isn't my thing but that aside, it saddens me that older homes end up renovated in this manner. Listen - if you want bling and new, go and build a silly 6000 sq ft monstrosity in the middle of nowhere so we don't have to look it. Ugh! I'm sorry Joni but this post was very hard to get through ..
DeleteThe house transformation is gorgeous. I don't understand why people have to be so rude in their judgement even if it isn't their ascetic. This was a house that had seen better days and to even have the vision of giving it any attention deserves applause not condemnation. I say bravo!
ReplyDeleteNaz
DeleteI think you've mixed aesthetic and ascetic - two different words with completely different meanings. Or maybe spellcheck did it to you!
I think we're all entitled to our own opinions about style and design and I don't believe many of the comments on this post are actually rude. Just forthright because many feel deeply distressed, as I do, by what has been done to a beautiful old house. Yes, understand it did need work on central heating, insulation, kitchen, bathrooms etc - as do many wonderful old houses in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. But this can be done more in sympathy with the style of the building, respecting its history and heritage. Otherwise, if you want a modern more minimalist style house, why not build one!
An architect/interior designer friend bought an old house and then built a modern extension, opening to a wonderful garden, at the back. In the old house, she's renovated beautifully respecting the age and style, with a clever modern touch here and there - but the extension is completely modern and spectacular. It all works together superbly and is a wonderful family home. Best wishes, Pamela
I think that what he did with that house was absolutely beautiful! He took something that honestly, needed an extreme face lift, and did just that. While I understand that some people do not like the painted brick, or wood, I think that we all need to remember that even when things aren't our aesthetic, our fierce opposition of the look, is a direct disrespect of the designer and the hard work that it took to get the house to fit their vision. Which is what it should be. A house to fit their vision, as it is THEIR HOUSE. I really hope that if Randal reads these comments he reads this one, and lets it digest: Randal, you did an amazing job with that house and property! It looks beautiful, and I for one, can appreciate that hard work that you had to put into the house in order to make it what it is today. THANK YOU for graciously sharing the photos with Joni so that she could post them here, and inspire me and others, and for generously offering up such a wonderful giveaway to us.
ReplyDeleteSome of these comments are truly funny! You either like it or you don't. Pretty simple to me. Not everyone has the same taste in designs, which is why there are so many different variations in products that one can purchase to make their home how they want it. These great variations are what set each designer apart and keep many of us employed! It is easy to say what you would or would not due, but at the end of the day does it really matter? The Weeks loved the remodel and obviously whoever bought it did too! It is great that some of you have older homes, I do as well. My walls are plastered with cove ceilings and original moldings throughout. I saw this transformation and took away some great ideas. Ideas turn into inspirations and from there you have a design plan. Maybe you were inspired to keep original wood and lighter paint tones. Great! Maybe you love the use of the black. There is no right or wrong when it come to creativity, just multiple ways to get to the same outcome... a beautiful setting for someone to make their own. Thank you for sharing this great story!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this house may have been on life support---and by doing this extreme makeover, made it palatable to someone else. I generally this this should only be done to houses that are post World War II...there were some whopping Tudors built even in the 70's. Those are the ones that could use this sort of overhaul.
ReplyDeleteWeeks turned what was a lovely, historic, respectfully built home in need of some updating into a ubiquitous McMansion-esque mess. This is dreadful, through and through. ... and these are my "nice" words.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree with you.... this was simply dreadful through and through.
DeleteThe home was in need of updating. The new version has no soul. Why in heaven's name would you paint a Tudor white? I say however, to each his own, it is still a free country. Just because I hate it does not mean someone else with excellent taste may love it. It may well be a generational divide. I admit to over fifty.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sick post of greed. GREED people. Just like the Christmas posts with people getting not one but 2 or 3 LV bags. It is an ugly and disgusting post.
ReplyDeleteActually, it was an excellent post, well documented and beautifully presented. Not all of us liked what was done to the house, but most of us made intelligent, articulate arguments to support our reasoning. You, on the other hand, were classless and obnoxious. BTW, there was one Christmas post and those who received LV bags, received one.
DeleteMuch better than tearing it down!
ReplyDeleteI am in the sad camp. Buy a new house.. don't destroy heart and character that's stood the test of time and replace it with trendy. Heartbreaking..
ReplyDeleteHoly cat meow, that's awful. Sorry, but that beautiful and good quality example of Tudor was ruined. Geez, it really makes me sad. It's so generic now. Looks like something done on HGTV, which is not good.
ReplyDeleteDisney princess Tudor.
ReplyDeleteSheila
For those interested in seeing more of the original exterior, see online the Traditional Home article (2015) on the Junior League of High Point (NC) Showcase (fundraiser) house. There are 37 pictures, including the "designed" areas, including the two-floor garage apartment & pool area. With the exception of the library and dining room wainscoting, all of the interior wood was painted at that time, that I could tell, and the walls covered in grasscloth, wallpaper, etc., to "hide" the plaster cracks. Designs were quite traditional; a few more transitional. Some of the history may be of interest. At the time of the showhouse, the "owner" of the house (Charitable Foundation) had maintained the home with a caretaker for 10 years to benefit the late owner's beloved 6 golden retrievers, per his will. The bulk of his multi-tens-of-millions estate was divided between the NC Vet. school (which had saved the life of one of his dogs) and his prep school. It is ironic that the family's fortune was made by a co-founder (I think Mr. Terry's father was one of three individuals) of the IHFC in the 1920's (now the 3.2 million square feet of exhibition space for furniture markets, still the largest space in town).
ReplyDeleteI hope the new owners will come to High Point often and use & enjoy the house.
I thank the talented Weeks family for offering beautiful lighting options to us as a gift (and for giving the High Point landmark a chance to have modern publicity, much needed).
from a High Point native, who'd left & returned.
The Terry house was a different house in the same neighborhood. The house featured in Traditional Home magazine is not the same house as this one!
DeleteI thought I already commented on this post but I'm not seeing my comment, so I'll try again ;)
ReplyDeleteI have long admired Aidan Gray...thanks to you! I love what he did to his home here! He took a neglected house and completely made it his own with his own money!! Well done, Randal! I'm so sorry people leave such awful comments. Didn't they learn the same manners I did, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Move along, folks! Have a beautiful weekend and don't let the ugliness of the world affect your spirit one bit! Thank you for hosting a beautiful and generous giveaway!!! Best wishes to all who enter! xox
For me I can understand both sides, being a "curator" of a 120+ year old Gulf Coast Victorian cottage. There are the purest who want to preserve the history, restoring a home to original glory. There are those who purchase an old home, and breath new life into it. I believe the Weeks renovated the Tudor. They took a historic home and updated her. There style isn't for everyone, yet I think you have to admire their vision, and the amazing transformation. They were careful to be respectful of the architecture, of the interior details, and preserving the bones of the house. They brought her into today by painting surfaces, updating the façade creating a more contemporary style. The white to me, accents the lines of the English Tudor. Where the original historical preservation style is dark, and dressed with rich woods, and burnished brass, the new lighter more contemporary version, plays with the lines of the architecture; the windows, the railings, arches and creates a light, bright more contemporary environment.
ReplyDeleteI admire, and appreciate what they've done. I think this is an excellent example of reuse, it is not a restoration, it is a renovation - renovating a historical home to live for today.
I had a really visceral reaction to these photos, and it wasn't good; I hate what they did to this house :( I had to stop looking halfway through the post. Very sad :(
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing the transformation of this home! I bit too contemporary for me, but still really pretty anyway. :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete*A bit
DeleteDarn. I just came back from vacation and missed the contest. I enjoyed reading the post. Now I'm heading over to Instagram to check out the posts. Can't wait to see who wins!
ReplyDeleteDid I miss it? What is the deadline for the AG contest?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the post. I really enjoyed seeing the transformation of this house, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWell I must say, I was sitting in a staff meeting this morning and one of my team members said as we were talking about the promotion, you have not read the blog, have you? I said, NO, why? They said don’t, we know how you take things to heart! I said, this must have been what prompted Joni to send me an email, which made me laugh saying something to the effect of, “I know you are still bent out of shape by the comment one of my readers made about your master bathroom 6 years ago, so you might not want to read the comments on your Tudor”. I was in India at the time and really did not pay attention and just moved on.
ReplyDeleteSo today I sat down and have read every last comment. It fascinating as a designer of products, lighting, and furniture to have your aesthetic drug through the mud by some and revered by others. I am so lucky that I have such a positive perspective now days about human nature. I am also a very lucky man, that I turned my passion of design, into my life’s work. I wake up every day designing products, choosing what will be in people’s homes next year, 15 years from now and even longer. I get to lead homeowners through an evolution in their own taste of which most are completely unaware of and that is where my greatest satisfaction comes from.
As readers, you only get to see snippets of a designer’s life. You don’t see the whole picture. You have no idea that I live in a very grand European style home, full of beautiful antiques and very Aidan Grayesque lighting! I see it, I live it, I design it every day. Though I love it, the Tudor home was something different for us. It is not RHesque, those are actually the funniest comments. Have you seen an RH catalog of late? Joanna Gaines, oh please! This really was an experiment, that clearly many readers felt went wrong, but was taking all your favorite things and putting them together. Each piece of furniture had a story to me personally. I can tell you exactly where I was, what I felt when I bought it and how I knew the minute I walked into the home, where things were going to go.
The blue entry chest, Paris. The drapers table, England. The blue frame, the 4th floor of a villa in the south of France. I can tell you why each light was designed, what I was thinking and what type of customer I was targeting. The kitchen, as sleek as it is, was all about mixed metals. Stainless, Rose, Iron, Mirrored Stainless, I just wanted to show homeowners, do what you love, do not worry about everything matching and it will be just fine. The whole thing was really a vision the moment I walked into the house. I saw it and it was done in my mind within about an hour of placing an offer on the home.
The exact thing happened in Maine! The house was done in my mind within about an hour of walking into it. It is just how my brain works. The Tudor was intended to be a flip, I’ve never done that in my life, flipped a home, but I wanted the house in Maine more! So be it.
I am not offended that people are off put by painted brick or the removing plaster. Does not bother me at all. I respect every one’s thoughts on the matter. It was just not was right for me as I am a perfectionist and I cannot live with cracks in the wall. Just something that would drive me insane! You are talking to a man who won’t leave water spots in his stainless-steel sinks and lines up his barstools every night before bed! Things must be just so.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun reading the comments thus far. We are thrilled to be giving away with Joni, 15 chances to win our products and again, regardless of positive or negative comments, it is very few people in life who get to get up every day and do what they love. I may not always get it right, but I try every day to deliver the best-looking products and designs to our retailers and homeowners. Because in the end, they allow me to do what I love and I am always grateful for the feedback.
And PS: I did gut my master bathroom in Dallas after all those years! And I am so appreciative to that reader who wrote such disparaging words. WHY? Because now I have the most fabulous bathroom and I feel like am in a grand hotel in Europe every morning when I wake up. (coming to Cote De Texas very soon)
Randal,
DeleteAlthough I don't like at all what you did to this house, (Mirrored range hood...seriously?) I am impressed with your gracious comment here in response to what everyone had to say.
After reading your comment though, that you need to line up barstools every night before bed and the rest of it, well, that's for your wife to deal with...ha!
I would love one of your beautiful chandeliers to replace the ugly Early American one that I have, but since I can't upload pics, thanks for your generosity for everyone else.
Best of luck to you.
Sheila
A little bid of OCD is a good thing :-)
DeleteFrom a reformed perfectionist clinician.
I have lived in High Point for 15 years. I am in Washington now. I think that perhaps a 1920 Tudor should have been restored in the Tudor style BUT I would not have bought it :-) because I do not like dark wood everywhere. It can be depressing. I loved your decor. And I can totally see why the house sold right away. It reminded me of another designer's similar style but I could not remember his name. Now I do. It is Vincent Wolf!! Letty
DeleteWow, what an awesome change! I love the old look, but also love the new. It's not my style but absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteI was anticipating they would restore the gorgeous woodwork throughout the home and was almost sick to see they painted it all...what a shame. Someone who thinks a mirrored range hood is a good idea must not cook...
ReplyDeleteLove the transformation and love Aidan Gray...amazing!
ReplyDelete