As many of you are aware, one of my employers, Mel, bought a house in early 2011. Since then, he has had some reconstruction work done, pulled off loads of icky old wallpaper and old carpet, had floors replaced and some newly carpeted, and re-painted every room in the house, save one bathroom. He has been a very busy man! Considering that he has been running a wedding flower business during its most busy time of the year and doing all the painting, etc. I can't imagine how he has enough energy to be walking around!
I saw the house before any of the reconstruction was done, and today, we got to see the almost finished product. He had a family dinner (and luckily, my family is included in his now) to celebrate his mother's and his sister-in-law's birthday (and mine too.) It was also the introduction of the house to some of them, as well as us (mr. kenju, me and our younger daughter), about 20 in all.
Suffice it to say that if any of you ever need a color consultant (or a painter/decorator), Mel's your man. His home is so warm and welcoming, and beautifully put together with such expertise and love that it is a very pleasant place to spend a few hours (or more) on a beautiful sunny, Sunday afternoon. He is also very good at re-purposing furniture and decor, and adapting it to new surroundings.
A bonus: food was included! He had a wonderful buffet, with London broil, mac and cheese, broccoli casserole, yam/squash casserole, chicken casserole, wonderful potato salad, a side dish with peas, a marinated carrot dish, salad, rolls - I can't remember everything! Desserts were excellent too; chocolate cake, red-velvet cupcakes and a coconut pie made by one sister-in-law that was truly to die for. The sweet tea was great too. We came home with leftovers, plus some stew that his brother had bought at their church. I can't wait to try it!
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| On the way home from Mel's, I drove mr. kenju through downtown Raleigh, and snapped this photo of Sir Walter Raleigh, all dressed up for the Junior League Shopping Spree, held this weekend. Doesn't he look spiffy? |
10 comments:
It would have been great to see "Before" and "After" pictures of the magic the Mel made happen.....It sounds like a lovely home that one would just love to settle into....And the Buffet? YUMMMMM! Isn't it nice when your Birthday just continues to be celebrated? I hope it keeps on going, Judy.
That does sound like a wonderful day. I'm glad you got to be part of Mel's family for this celebration and showing off of his new home.
Love the statue.
Happy belated Birthday Judy, Mel sure sounds like the man.
Love the autumn leaves in the post below.
How great to have such an amicable working relationship.
Some people have more than their share of the "creativity" gene. explains my lack of the same.
I just knew we weren't through celebrating your birthday yet. LOL
It was nice of you to show restraint and not post pictures of Mel's place. I am guessing you did that as a courtesy to him but you did such a good job with the description it sure makes us want to see what all happened from beginning to end.
Aww, I kept waiting for pictures but I can see why he might not want his home on the WWW.
What a great boss you have and way to milk a birthday.
Any way you could wangle me a visit to Mel's house? It sounds wonderful. Glad you enjoyed the day and Walter looks fetching. I wonder if I gave him my list....?
I hope Mel will share before and after photos. I didn't take any; there were too many people around.
I have always wished I could change a house the way Mel did. It takes such artistic vision. I hope Mel does post some photos, or lets you post some. I'd love to see what he did.
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