Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Scenes of Stone & Stucco


While waiting for the new sofa, which is suddenly out of stock(!), I thought we'd take a sneak peek at my aunt's beautiful stone house, back home, in the village. I was saving these photos for a new fireplace reveal, but things are slow and snowy here in Toronto and the only thing that keeps tweaking is the weather! 


But back on the island, my husband is working on installing my aunt's new fireplace in the living room. It will be finished in stucco and topped with local marble, destined to be the coziest  corner of this already warm and inviting space.


The original house, built around 1920, was uninhabited, with no interior bathroom or staircase, when purchased, around ten years ago.


After extensive renovations, which included stonework, a new kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, new wooden beams and floors, wainscoting, plastering, interior and exterior stairs and balconies, it is now a precious gem, nestled in a valley of vineyards and olive groves.
 

A gorgeous garden in the back provides delicious harvests of winter oranges and clementines, while the neighbour's plump pomegranates droop heavily over the patio, like glittery Christmas ornaments bending tips of fragrant firs.


And sometimes, somewhere between the beige-y tones of creamy stones and stucco, a cat in camouflage mode strikes a portrait pose for this camera crazed blogger!

Thanks for visiting!

Poppy


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33 comments:

  1. As always great places.
      Perfect with earthy materials, wonderful .......
      I admire the place you live ....

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  2. My all time dream home would have be stone with it exposed on the inside walls. After seeing your beautiful home, I think I'll add an orange tree to the dream. Congratulations on doing such a major renovation and still keeping all the character of the house!

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  3. Beautiful! I love seeing homes from other places.

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  4. Love the color of the stone so natural looking! It makes it easier to blend paint colors to walls when you have natural creamy stone color! just so beautiful and the fireplace is coming along so pretty too!! I hope that sofa arrives soon can't wait to see!...

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  5. The stone colour is so beautiful. Here in Brttany they are darker.

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  6. It's just gorgeous. I love stone homes and the color of these stones is lovely!

    xo
    Claudia

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  7. Poppy , your aunt's home is lovely ! The colorour of stones is gorgeous so the arround backyard ! I wait pictures when the fireplace will be finish !
    Have a nice week !
    Olympia

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  8. What a gorgeous house and garden - this reminds me of the story of Frances Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun home experience. Hope you're faring well this winter - it's in the 70's here!~
    I appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

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  9. The fireplace will be so gorgeous when completed! Who doesn't dream of living in a stone house .. with shutters! Such a gorgeous home and labor of love.

    xxL

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  10. Hi Poppy, I love the stone walls...they just exude charm.

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  11. What a charming stone cottage, love it.

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  12. So beautiful! And all that lovely green is just gorgeous. I miss that living in a desert country, plus our weather is very, very blah of late. Cute kitty. Best wishes, Tammy

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  13. Your Aunt's place is heavenly Poppy! Beautiful house and beautiful garden. I look forward to seeing photos of the finished fireplace, too! Bess

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  14. How beautiful!! I love stone homes too! What a wonderful place to live.

    Kathy

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  15. It looks so gorgeous there Poppy - and that fireplace is pretty spectacular!!!
    XOX

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  17. Hands down! The best part is the cat!
    Had I known that stone homes are actually considered "attractive" sights, I'd provide you with numerous photos from my village in rural Corinth. I mean, as far as I am concerned, they're a bunch of rubble, but with your elegant writing, they can become an Internet sensation overnight!

    You know who I am -:)

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  18. Beautiful and I think it warmed me up for a bit there too! :)

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  19. Gorgeous-- and sunny!! How wonderful!

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  20. Gorgeous! Found you on A Favorite Thing! I would love to have you share this tomorrow on The Creative HomeAcre Hop! Kicking it off on Superbowl Sunday...
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-creative-homeacre-hop.html

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  21. Thank you so much for sharing these photos. Today we have had snow, icy winds and now it is 44 here in TN. Love the sunshine, can smell the citus and the cat makes a perfect companion. Regena in TN.

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  22. Hello fellow Canadian! So glad I came across your blog. I'm a new follower ;)

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  23. How very lovely your Aunts home is and it's surroundings!

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  24. My dear Poppy,

    Stone homes are a dream for me, and one day I hope to make my dream come true and have something similar to this, with your expert advice and excellent taste to guide me. The photos are beautiful, and your description captures the beauty and essence of the place. Bravo, yet again.

    Love,
    Maria xoxox

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  25. Dear Poppy -
    Hello! I hope you are well!! Thanks for sharing your aunt's lovely stone house. It is absolutely beautiful and so warm. And to have a garden with citrus trees....divine!! I could live there :)
    Warm greetings,
    Loi

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  26. What a cozy house your aunt has, Poppy! The fireplace is so lovely and all that greenery around the cottage is so pretty. Looking at it makes me long for spring to be here in New England where it's been snowing all morning long.

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  27. Picture perfect! It looks absolutely amazing. Homey and inviting. Great job! After projects are finished I always get such a sense of completion and satisfaction, especially when they turn out fabulous! Krista @ A Handful of Everything

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  28. wow beautiful!
    I'm now Following your Blog :) found you via Natasha In Oz Linky.
    Have a great weekend

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  29. This is a wonderful design work with stone and stucco.This design and painting looks very nice.
    Stucco Contractors Seattle

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  30. Your aunt has a wonderful home and how wonderful that your hubby can do these things for family members. Beautiful fruit trees too. Thanks for sharing at my HOME.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  31. Hi Poppy! Your aunt's home is so lovely. I can't imagine walking outside to olive trees! Hope your Christmas was wonderful and I'm wishing you a happy New Year!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!