Upstate Vintage Living

10 Years in Our Home: A Decade of Love, Memories, and Renovation

It’s hard to believe that ten years have passed since we embarked on the journey of transforming our 1839 farmhouse along the Hudson River into the cozy, memory-filled home it is today. This milestone gives us a chance to reflect on the countless hours, challenges, and joys that come with breathing life back into a fixer-upper—and what a journey it has been!

Our Humble Beginnings

In October 2014, after months of searching, we stumbled upon a diamond in the rough—an 1839 farmhouse that had been converted into a three-family apartment. With a price tag of $28,000, it was clear this house needed a lot of love, but we were ready for the challenge. By January 2015, the keys were in our hands, and the renovation adventure began.

Working on a tight six-month timeline, we tackled structural repairs, restored its historic charm, and reimagined the spaces to suit our family’s needs. By mid-2015, we had completed the major renovations and started filling the home with color, antiques, and love.

Our mission was clear: honor the home’s history while making it our own. Each room was designed to complement the breathtaking Hudson River views, and every piece of furniture and décor was chosen with intention. From vintage collectibles to heirloom treasures, our design philosophy has always been, “If it brings you joy, display it.”

Minimalism has never been our style, and that’s part of what makes our home uniquely ours. Every knickknack and antique tells a story—some are sentimental, others are simply pieces that caught our eye during countless treasure hunts.

A Tight-Knit Community

While the walls of our house have been the backdrop for countless memories, it’s the people of our hamlet who have truly given this house meaning. Not many can say they live in a place where their neighbors aren’t just people they wave at—where they’re true friends, ready to support you through life’s ups and downs.

From the moment we first arrived in 2015, it was clear that this community was something special. Our hamlet isn’t just where we live—it’s where we’ve truly belonged. This is a place where friendships aren’t just formed over time—they are forged in the shared experiences of living life together. Whether it was celebrating the holidays with a warm meal at a neighbor’s table or joining in on a community party that stretched well into the night, we have been embraced by a community that celebrates the joys of life and supports you through the struggles.

We’ve spent late nights walking the quiet streets, reflecting on our day under the stars, knowing that our community is just a few steps away—always there to offer a hand, a word of comfort, or an invitation to join in on whatever fun might be happening. We’ve been there for each other, through personal triumphs and challenges, knowing that no matter what, we are never truly alone in this place.

Late-night wine nights, where laughter filled the air and conversations flowed freely, or the fabulous feasts where food and love were shared, these moments of connection became the heart of our home. They reminded us that life is richer when shared with those who make you feel seen and heard.

Through every season, every high and low, our hamlet has been there to remind us that home is made not just by walls and windows, but by the hearts of those you share it with.

A Decade of Memories, and Many More to Come

Our house has been the backdrop for countless milestones: family dinners overlooking the Hudson River, late-night laughs on our patio, and quiet moments of reflection watching the seasons change. Each memory adds another layer to the story of our home. The journey hasn’t just been about restoring a house—it’s been about building a life we love in Upstate New York.

Over the years, we’ve continued to add finishing touches, update rooms, and evolve our decorating style. What started as a fixer-upper has truly become our sanctuary—a testament to the hard work and heart we’ve poured into it.

As we celebrate 10 years in our home, we’re excited to share more about our experiences, from the highs and lows of renovations to the beauty of life in the Hudson Valley.

To our community, our family, and our home: thank you. We are beyond grateful for the deep friendships we’ve made, the celebrations we’ve shared, and the strength we’ve found in each other over the past 10 years. The love and support we’ve received in this place have made this more than just a house—it’s a home filled with warmth, connection, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Warmly,
The Dubois/ Wheeler Family

Instant Garden Take Two

It is that time of year again… The annual perennial sale at Blackhorse Farms in Coxsackie, NY is here! After a near complete overhaul of our yard last year during the annual sale, we decided to tackle our last remaining “empty” space. To tie the front yard together and improve the curb appeal, we decided to add a European-inspired country garden down the front bank.

Check out another successful Instant Garden creation, plus check out our instant garden renovations from last summer. Below are the before and after pictures of the new garden!

Before

After completing a country garden along the retaining wall of the front yard last year, we were excited to tackle the other side (which was a much more difficult feat). We decided to create a 17-ft country garden down the slopping hill where the old foundation used to be. After digging up the grass and tilling the soil, we removed over 100 rocks of all sizes that must have been once part of the old foundation. In reviewing the purchased plants we laid them out by size, so the tallest perennials were in the back and shorter ones in the front. We decided on black mulch to tie in the new shutters and opposite garden and mulched everything once the perennials were planted. Upon completion, some of the rocks were recycled as focal points in the new garden (the rest were saved for a later project). The new garden contains perennials like baby’s breath, soapwart, primrose, yarrow, German satice, sea thrift, and much more. And there we have it – a completed and country-inspired front yard to emphasize our home, add curb appeal, and serve as a cutting garden perfect for flower arrangements and attracting pollinators.

After

All in all, this was a fun, relaxing way to spend our Friday. Despite the sweat and hard soil conditions, we found another great way to spruce up the yard in under 7 hours. This garden did take longer than past instant garden endeavors because of the hot temps, resulting in more breaks, worse soil conditions, and being on a hill. Yet, the heat and current drought conditions are causing us to be cautiously optimistic that our new plants and other gardens will make it through.

Here is a breakdown of the materials:

3.5 Bags of Mulch (two were leftover from last year)

Perennials from Black Horse Farm 12 for $36 – $141

Bricks and Rocks – Free (Unearthed from our digging and recycled to highlight the history and character of the house)

Total Cost: ~ $150

Total Time Spent: 7 Hours

Tips for Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s

Watching a loved one suffer is never easy. Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases are debilitating for everyone involved. The mental and physical strain that such a diagnosis carries to the patient, their family, their friends, and their caretakers are insurmountable. To those family and friends that have been or are currently in my shoes you know. Loving and caring for someone with the disease is exhausting, with some days being better than others. And trying to express the pain or struggles to someone who has not gone through this is even tougher. But know you are not alone.

Growing up, we rely on our parents and grandparents to support and take care of us, and when the time comes the unwritten word is we will do the same for them. This journey is much easier for some than others. This unwritten word has been my own personal struggle as I navigate my life as a young adult and my role as a caretaker to a grandfather that suffers from Alzheimer’s. I know many friends that may have loved ones in similar situations but do not help in caring for them – and in no way do I fault them for that. I know that is just not how I am built. Family is and will always be the most important thing to me.

I have personally struggled with my father’s parent’s long battle with the disease, yet given I was young at the time there was not much I could do. And now our lives have been turned upside down trying to care for my grandfather amid COVID-19. Here are a few lessons I have learned (often the hard way):

1

It is okay to feel defeated and on the verge of losing it. That is a weekly occurrence in this household. Just because you feel this way does not take away from the effort and love you have towards the individual suffering from the disease. We are human after all.

2

You do not have to be perfect. For many of us, we are not healthcare professionals. We are taught not to get frustrated, yell, or get upset with the person suffering but sometimes it is all too much. Often the emotional strain on the caretakers and loved ones can be much worse than on the patient themselves. Understand these feelings are okay and you are part of a large network of people that are dealing with a similar situation.

3

You have to be an advocate for your loved one. Otherwise, the system (which is broken) will take advantage of and let the elderly fall through the cracks. Advocacy (or in my case my mother), is the only reason my grandfather has the care and services he does. The mountains of paperwork, visits, and phone calls to get Medicaid, the miscommunication between programs and agencies, and the misconstrued needs of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s can only be sought via a strong-willed advocate. Although this should not be the way things are, this is how the system is built – unless you have power or money (or a never-quit attitude like my mother) people will walk all over you and your loved one.

4

This is not an easy road. In many ways, regardless of where you live this transition will be a struggle. Watching a loved one deteriorate puts me to the point of tears most days. But throughout all of the struggles, remember no matter how tough things get that each and every day spent with your loved one is a gift. Through the anger, sadness, and wide mix of emotions, ultimately every day spent with your loved one regardless of if they remember you or are having a good day is a blessing.

As I have said, Alzheimer’s is not just a disease that affects the patient but the mentality and lives of countless family, friends, and caretakers. I remember watching my grandmother Memere’s 10+ year battle with the disease when I was only 8. I would not wish those struggles upon anyone. Since this summer, I have taken a front seat to my grandfather’s battle with the disease, but I am lucky I am in a position I can do something about it. We are working tirelessly to keep him in a nursing home diversion program so that he can remain at his home for as long as possible. So yes, I stay home, limit my social interactions, and spend much of my free time with my grandfather because as I have said before family is and always will be the most important thing to me!

If you ever need to talk or just need to vent know there are people here for you.

Quick Bathtub Revival

When we purchased this house 7 years ago, I wanted a claw foot tub. I found one in our old home town in Derby, Vermont. We then had to transport it to our new home. My husband had a few choice words for me moving it 2 times and up a few flights of stairs

Finally this spring, I decided to paint the outside of it and add some color to the bathroom. The color ties in the beach theme of the bathroom.

The work in a 1839 home is never complete!

DIY Stone Patio

Earlier this spring, I decided I wanted a small patio area for adirondack chairs and a firepit.

We pulled up the sod, purchased small stone and some edging. The project cost $ 150 plus the cost of the adirondack chairs which I found online on clearance at Home Depot. The project took us about 8 hours. Later this summer we will do some landscaping.

We now have another area to sit and enjoy the views of the Hudson River.

April Gardening

Felt great to finally have some warm weather and get some work done in the garden

This year Elisabeth did alot of research and mapped out where she wants to plant everything.

We bought some organic soil and organic compost including lobster compost. Our soil was not great so we are hoping this helps.

We mulched all around the garden and laid stone in other areas. Hoping for less weeds this year.

We started some planting including lettuce, peas, spinach, onions, beets and carrots. Hopefully, will do some more planting this coming weekend.

Gardening is a wonderful stress reliever!

Spring is in the Air

Springtime is officially here. As the ground thaws and temperatures start to rise, the best parts of spring are within reach – flowers blooming, visits to local nurseries, and planting (although this may still be a month away).

Over the past two weeks, we have enjoyed sporadic afternoons outside – getting the various gardens and the greenhouse ready for the upcoming season and creating a tapered patio for our fire pit and blue hydrangea bushes (so stay tuned for updates). Besides our wonderful views of the Hudson River, my favorite part of our River House is the unique garden spaces including the french country garden, the Asian meditation garden, the whispy beach garden, the ever-growing vegetable and herb garden, and the butterfly garden.

For four years, I have only bought seeds from Hudson Valley Seed Company, which has the best and most diverse seeds that are sure to grow in this region (although some of the success of the garden ultimately lies with you). I usually always buy my greens, root vegetables, and beans/ peas by seed and opt for the rest of my plants from local nurseries including Story’s and Guptill’s.

In preparation for the 2022 season, I just wanted to share our plans that have developed over the long, cold winter and our seed collection (thus far). Me being the extremely organized person I am, have mapped and planned every area of the garden, from the pea trellises to the butterfly garden.

To add some greater functionality to the garden, I have purchased two raised cedar beds, had my father build a beautifully repurposed DIY outdoor planting bench, and got a steal on an antique bistro set at a local estate sale! I also bought a few pieces to add a modern twist to my garden, including a yellow oval-shaped rattan outdoor chair and a tall, sleek white planter. So stay tuned.

Bringing New Life to a Small Bathroom

Updating our kitchens and bathrooms should not break the bank but all too often the grueling task of such updates is too much for our mentality and wallets. Yet, after 6 years of living in our Hudson River home, we thought it was time to give the upstairs guest bathroom (aka. Elisabeth’s bathroom) new life!

As yet another COVID project, we sought to create a more tranquil space all while staying on a budget. This renovation cost under $470 and brought a zen, open feeling to an otherwise small, busy bathroom.

After

This renovation included a new sleek vanity (~$170), grey hardwood flooring (~$250), and two cans of Venetian plaster paint (~$50). Venetian plaster is an amazing, easy-to-use paint that adds texture and depth to any room (we only used one can for this project). We went with real hardwood flooring, which cost a little extra but went well with the age of the house. For furniture, we decided to reuse an old house column (cut in half) as a plant stand. To improve the air quality of the bathroom, a jade plant was added on top of the newly created stand.

In Progress

Before the renovation, the bathroom was a small, busy space. With a large vanity, an oversized dresser, and various knickknacks the bathroom was a far cry from functional.

Before

Beatrix Potter is Making a Comeback

I fell in love with Beatrix Potter when decorating Elisabeth’s nursery almost 25 years ago.

The wallpaper border, crib canopy and all her bedding was Beatrix Potter. I purchased some clothing in Coaticook, Quebec. As I remember it was more popular in Canada then the US. We enjoyed reading her the books as Elisabeth remembers after my 12 plus hour work days.

Almost 25 years later, Beatrix Potter is more popular than ever. I love it and will continue to collect it.

Deep Rooted Family History from Wheeler Brothers Foundry on Display

The crucibles (aka. planters/ pots) came from the Wheeler family foundry which my dad had until the 1990’s.

They were used to melt brass and bronze. Crucibles were poured by hand and weighed hundreds of pounds. They made plaques and many other items. My dad also made bronze horseshoes for President Bush.

Metal was poured inside the crucibles and heated to 2,400 degrees. Furnaces were in the ground. Metal was put in crucible, the put in the furnace. More metal added. A Amul crane was used to pour the metal into molds.

When my mom moved we took as many as we could from the house I grew up in. Thanks to my husband for helping move these to our home as they weigh hundreds of pounds.