We take a landscaping approach to #daffodils - instead of dedicating bed space to them we plant big drifts in otherwise hard to utilize parts of the property. That way we get to enjoy them, cut them and let them increase in numbers over time. Think we will coin the phrase #financiallandscaping #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #farmerflorist #allnatural
What have we been up to you ask? Finishing up the back attic. We discovered this attic only after we demolished the kitchenette that was blocking the access to the fold out attic stairs. When we stepped in this space it was filled with random things from old beds to WWII memorabilia. It seems that the poor planning didn’t allow for this place to be accessed for many many years. Thank you to @orensky @asafbaruch for helping us out emptying this space (still looking for old photos from 2014.) since then we have added additional support to the end wall, insulation eeeevrywhereee, redid the windows, put in 10 foot Sheetrock thanks to @semikaferi @cayjoam @donald_nyc @orensky for helping us lift these huge pieces. Here we are now with a loft that will seat on top of a solarium with a bird eye view from that floor edge. Don’t worry, there will be a railing there. We put in a salvaged rug from the house and some furniture from our Manhattan apartment. The scale of furniture makes it feel like a playroom but we’ll get some adult size pieces soon. Rafe has luckily decided to study in the NE and he has been coming over and helping us a ton with everything we have needed. All the carpentry skill is from @carolasager. Starting from windows to stairs to trim to everything making this space feel finished and usable. @grspearman @ermelak #brokenchimneyfarm #thisoldhouse #diy #oldhomes #amenia #carpentry #family #ittakesavillage #mycountryhome #oldhouserenovation #oldhouse
Just another #cattleya bloom brightening the greenhouse. Everything is waking up, the figs are breaking Bud, the orchids are peeking up and the fall planted bulbs are peeking through the soil. All good things. #americanorchidsociety #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #americanorchidsociety #svo5845
Won our first orchid award one year ago - made it into the #americanorchidsociety magazine this month! Not gonna lie, pretty excited by this. #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #orchidaddict #sunsetvalleyorchids
Who doesn’t love a black orchid??? Getting more common these days thanks to some amazing breeders out there but still a treat. #brokenchimneyfarm #sunsetvalleyorchids #grownnotflown #blackorchid #catasetum #svo6477 #fdkkellylongley
Another first bloom #catasetum hybrid from #sunsetvalleyorchids - similar to its sibling that bloomed a few months back but in Orange/yellow vs sunset shades. #svo6878 is really a great cross and well worth adding to the collection. Who doesn’t need a little extra brightness this time of year?!? #brokenchimneyfarm #americanorchidsociety #orchidaceae #grownnotflown
Sometimes the hens conspire to make the perfect chromatic composition. #brokenchimneyfarm #fresheggs #allnatural #goodstuff #huevos #fancyeggs
An excellent first bloom from this reliable cross - #Brassavola Jimminy Cricket - likes full sun and good drainage - we have it growing on a gnarled old chunk of grape vine and it has really taken off. Has a wonderful nighttime scent (like many white/light green orchids) but we don’t spend much time in the greenhouse between midnight and 4AM so can’t attest to it personally. #americanorchidsociety #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #cattleya #epiphyte
Some things are just evident at a wicked young age. Thanks @toniprofera @ronin_amg for finding this gem.
Appreciating original tiles and wishing these could be in our solarium #ihavethisthingwithtiles #brokenchimneyfarm #tiles #prada #cloudbust
We say this about anything that is in flower but these really are the best! From Santa Barbara Orchids - this was a backbulb from a sale so we really didn’t know how awesome it would be. Just check out that color! We have it growing pretty high so as you walk into the greenhouse there is this cascade of flowers right in front of you - a nice pickmeup when coming in from the artic outdoors. #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #americanorchidsociety #cymbidium #orchidaddict
This walk through bathroom was converted into a hallway and a bathroom with only one door 🚪(much less stressful than locking and unlocking two bathrooms every time 🙈). The closet behind the tub was also removed and now the flow of this space is much improved. Getting that cast iron tub out of the current hallway was probably the most challenging task. Thanks to @orensky @dustinbarzell @grspearman for removing it and making the slow mo video showing that tub not budging after it hit the ground! This feels like the academy awards thanking our awesome friends for helping out @hlearner who looks small but is really just immense concentrated power and @julie_rose524 (sorry couldn’t find the photo) for helping with demo and all the other fun stuff that happens in old homes. Hallway is done @carolasager as usual using her immense skills to guide us and making everything fit in with her final touches. Now, we finally have some art on the wall and the right lighting that @grspearman aced. For those checking time stamps, yes it’s 4AM... I’ll be heading to the airport soon trying to make sure I make my flight to Toronto with the TSA working for no pay because of the gov’t shut down and all. Thanks ya’ll for the sympathy. #brokenchimneyfarm #thisoldhouse #beforeandafter #amenia #renovating #friends #governmentshutdown
Two years ago we were lifting floor boards and building a hallway when we reconfigured this walk through bathroom. Now it is almost done. @carolasager built the vanity and did the beautiful tiling and is now working on the doors for the vanity and the built in cabinetry (not shown). The mirror is original to the house that we refinished to match the other wood work in the bathroom. It weights about 40 lbs 🙈. #progresseveryday #thisoldhouse #upstatenewyork #brokenchimenyfarm
Proooooogresss! @carolasager has been working hard on finishing trim this week and just look at this! Just some decorator white paint and it will be a beautiful little window overlooking a cow pasture. More trim going in for the loft area ... #brokenchimneyfarm #thisoldhouse #oldhouselove #window #loft
We try to wait until spaces are done to show before and after photos but 99 percent of the work takes place beforehand. This back attic was built in early 1700s so getting Sheetrock on the walls and the immense mudding has been a miracle on its own. Not to mention framing, wiring, insulation etc... Now we are patching up the floor and working on trip as we make the space ready for the loft. Half of this floor will come out making the room under it with double height ceilings. More work in progress photos coming up. #brokenchimneyfarm #amenia #beforeandafter #thisoldhouse #homerenovation #attic
The orchids are starting 2019 with a strong and unexpected showing of #alba flowers on this first bloom #mormodes from #sunsetvalleyorchids - was expecting wild colors and pattern from this hybrid but we will happily keep this rarity in the collection. Happy new year to all people/plants/animals out there! #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #americanorchidsociety #albino #orchidaddict #svoBB0034
Last year and the year before we lost a handful of trees to hungry winter critter activity. They love to strip the bark and girdle the young trees. We had avoided painting since it’s not exactly organic. This year we found this and belatedly got a coat on the orchard - it is organic and actually smells pretty awesome. Let’s hope it does the trick - as much as we love adding new trees to the property we really don’t like replacing trees we just planted! #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #ivorganics @iv_organics #allnatural #homeorchard
Got this plant three years ago, it had a spike that didn’t make it through shipping then it took two years to settle in and another year to flower - but what a flower it is! This is a really cool primary cross between two different species in the #Vanda family. Even the back of the flowers are beautiful - second spike in the works too so it looks like we are making up for lost time. Also in orchid news - @letstalkplants was kind enough to send over a very healthy looking #cattleya seedling as part of their holiday season giveaways - great vendor and one to purchase from! #brokenchimneyfarm #grownnotflown #americanorchidsociety #getstemmed #holcoglossum #spotsonspots
This youngin didn’t bloom last year, saved its energy up for three impressive spikes this time around! Big heavy substance flowers on pendulous spikes. Another great #sunsetvalleyorchids hybrid, if you look close there is just a hint of frilly edges on the lip. #brokenchimneyfarm #americanorchidsociety #grownnotflown #getstemmed #catasetum #svo6170
You take your eyes off them for a second and they go right for the #booze