Caroline from Paloma's Nest's Profile

The quilt panel in the dining room is a surviving piece of a larger quilt that my mother found in Mystic, Connecticut, where I grew up. It is a classic quilt pattern, and one that was commonly used by quilting circles to create community quilts. This particular panel dates to the mid 1800's, and has a name and date written on each square from the woman who crafted it; one of the names matches that of the family who built my childhood home in 1864, so it was very special for us to find.

There are many wonderful reference books that can help you identify quilt patterns-it's common for these patterns to be repeated through many eras/time periods- the distinguishing feature and best way to date a quilt is by the textiles used to craft it. The history behind them is fascinating. I'm so thankful that I have inherited my mother's love of these incredible art pieces and that we have her as a source of so much knowledge about them.

I hope that helps! Thank you for your comments.

POPCORN! Who knew it was such a hot topic. Yes, we have popcorn ceilings in the dining room, the kitchen, and in one bedroom (about 20% of the main house). All of the other rooms have been updated with other ceiling treatments. As some comments mentioned, removing popcorn is a huge, messy job- and for us, it just hasn't been a priority unless we were doing something else major in the room. Most every house in this part of Austin has it, it is so characteristic of the age and style of architecture here. We choose to focus on other details instead.

Maybe that is what is keeping her up at night!? Just kidding. The painting is a work in progress, and the children have seen me working on it and adding to it over the past weeks (months?); so I think she knows the eyes are coming, and that makes it not-so-scary. Thanks for your comments.