This Old House magazine published a story about our old fireplace recently…
It’s in their January/February 2013 issue, but I found my copy at Books-A-Million about a month ago, so I’m not sure if it’s still on newsstands. (?)
I absolutely love the illustration on page 76…
…and I’m intrigued by the columned-room divider project on page 57:
…but it’s the ad on page 88 that reminds me to ask you:
Should we be watching this show? I don’t know a thing about it except that I’m seeing that (always-hard-for-me-to-pronounce) title everywhere!
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Annon
I’m sure its a good show….one that will trap you in if you start getting into the plot and learning about the characters….as would many shows. However, I’m not sure its a show we should be watching. We watched the first episode and decided it probably wasn’t something we should be filling our minds with. It’s has some ideas and themes that are not very honoring. I’m not trying to be preachy….just a gentle reminder to all of us (including myself) that its probably best to stay clear of the things that are not pleasing to the Lord
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh
I say you stay on the blissfully oblivious train that passes Downton Abbey with us. 😉 But then again, we typically rebel against everything that popular. We refused to watch Lord of the Rings, Twilight, insert any movie/show the general public turns into a craze. 🙂
Cindy Logan
Yes!! You should be watching Downton Abbey. I wanted to watch for a quite a while, but didn’t want to just jump in, wanted to watch it from the beginning. So over my daughter’s Christmas break we watched seasons 1 and 2, then we were ready when season 3 started. The season 3 dvd came yesterday, now I can watch the rest of the seasons without waiting for each Sunday night. It is a great show. Maggie Smith’s one liners are worth watching the show alone. If you follow them on fb just be aware that they are way ahead of us in England so you might get some spoilers. Season 3 ended there a few months ago.
Robbin
Oh YES, please invest time in Downton Abbey! And don’t read any blogs or too much info about it. There are spoilers out there. Kevin will like it too. My husband started watching half way through Season 2 with me and was lost. So we borrowed Season 1 and Season 2 from the library and had marathon/snowed-in days/viewing. Enjoy!
Mary McDaniel
My husband and I recently started watching Downton (I got the flu last week and did a watch-episodes-all-day-couch-sloth). It has impressive character development, and also takes a crack at some interesting themes: women’s rights, post-WWI issues, and the general issues of aristocracy. I didn’t know what I was getting myself in for when we started watching it (that being said, I do like it, I just didn’t know). I really enjoy watching it, though it feels a little heavier than other shows I’ve watched (so, I don’t watch at the end of a long day:).
Hope that helps you make a decision!
Meredith
Yes, yes to Downton! Stop whatever it is your doing right now and start season one!
Kel
Yes — we started before Christmas by renting them from the library. It is really best to start with season 1. (we tried to start in the middle and were very confused)
Hayden Norwood
YES! You should be watching! The show is so good and once you start one episode you can’t stop…you just have to keep watching!!! Favorite show on TV by far! =)
Rebecca
Definitely you should be watching it! It’s worthy of the buzz it’s been getting.
Kathryn
Congrats on being featured in the magazine! Your house looks lovely!
And….YES! You need to watch Downton Abby! It’s fabulous. I watched a bit of the first season and got thrown off by one of the storylines but watched the season 2 recap and got addicted all over again! It will make you laugh and cry and wish you were in England in the 20’s.
Becky
I recently started getting this old house magazine and was happy to see your fireplace makeover in there. It felt like seeing a familiar friend when I saw your name. Congrats!
And yes, a thousand times yes you must become a Downton Abbey addict, If only for the exquisite costumes and decor. But good thing it’s so darn entertaining too!
Fran
I just started watching Monday night and I couldn’t stop. Watched the whole first season and started season 2 last night. It is VERY good! Set aside some time because it’s hard to stop watching once you start! Enjoy.
cindy barganier
OH! Yes, Ma’am. I am clearly falling down on my duties if you are not watching. I can remedy that… have all 3 seasons. A rainy day marathon is a DISTINCT possibility!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
melissa hoffman
ummm about Downton… YES. :0)
julie g.
Hi Layla. I read every single post of yours and could comment on them all. After all, you and Kevin are repsonsible for my 1975 fireplace makeover! Yes, yes, yes you MUST watch Downton Abbey. We only started waching a couple weeks ago and it is one of those shows that keeps you guessing and gasping throughout. My husband likes it even more than I do I think. And you have to watch it together because we are always pausing it and discussing what is going on. If you don’t watch Mad Med, we were late to that party as well but it is a winner too.
Mary Feagley
YES! And if you could license a Household Wants Indicator (Google it) like they have in the kitchen, I would buy it in a HEARTBEAT!
Rachel
You should definitely be watching Downton…especially if you remotely like Jane Austen and things like that. Plus, the decor is awesome! I love the interior or Crawley House where Matthew’s mother lives!
ThriftDee
Layla,
Stop what you are doing right this minute and find the series online! (PBS.org has it) It is soooo good. You will love the home, the food, the clothing, the plot twists and turns, everything!!!
Liz
Watch it woman! Get your hankies ready!
Samantha Angela
Yes. Yes you should be watching Downton.
But only people who love Downton will tell you that. People who don’t watch it or don’t find it interesting probably wouldn’t bother to tell you not to watch it.
Do you like history and drama? If so, it’s a must watch.
Whitney
YES. YES!!!! You won’t regret it. By far one of the best shows ever made.
Brooke
Yes!! Watch watch watch it!!!
Whitney
You all seem to be deep thinkers and you would be intrigued and inspired by the intricate characters and the social issues they face.
April
Yep, you should watch Downton Abbey. It is a lovely show and one that I rarely recommend to others, but it is just that good. 🙂
Kala M.
Downton Abbey is fantastic. I got sucked in sometime last year. I had to go catch up on the first season and part of the second season. My husband came home one day when I was watching an episode. He thought it was boring but then when I had the first and second season on DVD he started watching with me half way through the first season. Now he is just as obsessed with it as I am.
Babs
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Excellent story. Characters you can love and hate and love. GORGEOUS costuming. It has it all.
Oh, and Maggie Smith. ‘Nuff said.
Betsy Derr
When two guys kissed in the first episode of season 1, I thought, “This is not for me.” But EVERYONE who watches it assures me that that was a one time only occurrence and that I should have stuck with it. I never did, and now I hear there are some major disappointments coming up this season, so I’m glad I’m not hooked!!! But everyone I know who watches it, and there’s a lot of them!, they all LOVE it!
Megan C
Congrats! And love that magazine rack, where did you get that?
kim stoltz
I like you was seeing Downton Abby everywhere. So we watched the first season on netflix and really enjoyed it. Great characters and a history lesson too. Just started season two and looking forward to catching up. Another show I would recommend is Parenthood, it too is on netflex you need to start at the beginning.
KimN
YES to Downton Abbey…. yes, yes, yes the only downside of the series is that you have to wait SO LOONNG in between seasons
Elaine
I’ll add my voice to the many saying YES! You should be watching Downton Abbey! Love that show!
Barb
Watching downtown on Amazon prime, it’ s great!
Carrie Hughes
If you are a fan of Jane Austen at all, you will swoon over Downton Abbey. Here’s the kicker…even my husband makes a point to watch it with me on Sunday nights. You MUST catch up on seasons 1 & 2 before you start the third season. Congrats on your publication! (even though I know you have many under your belt:))
Stephanie
YES!! We are late to the party, too. I watched my first episode this past Sunday and am almost through season two. LOVE IT. You will, too!
Stephanie
I need to add that my husband loves it as well. Our 12 year old son refuses to watch it, however. ::-)
Janet
Yes! The main character is the HOUSE!! So you are sure to love it 🙂
Christie
I agree! I was just going to say the same thing … everything in the story centers around the house.
Donna Doble-Brown
OMGosh! It is tough to get used to saying it properly! I had a hard time as well . . . .but I would be shocked if you and Kev didn’t fall in love with the characters as I have! I just received season 3 from amazon because I couldn’t wait for it to air! Hulu plus was great for “catching up’ on the back episodes!
Happy watching . . .and I can’t wait to hear what you think! I have the first 2 seasons on DVD (blurry) if you want to borrow them . . . 🙂
Ashley
Yes – Downton – current season PBS.com for free or free with Amazon Prime (season 1 and 2)
Patti B
I’d say yes to Downton. You won’t die if you don’t watch it as some suggest, but it’s very well done especially if you like watching shows about the upper crust of British society back in the day. Hella drama and scandal as always. Luv u guys!
Carmel
yes – definitely start watching! I watched seasons 1 and 2 in 3 days!! It’s addicting – and makes you want to talk with an English accent 😉
always loved your old fireplace – and all the pretty mantel decorating ideas you provide!
chrissi
Count me in as a yes! I just started watching the first season on hulu and I am so hooked. I am a bit late to the party, but now I understand why all my friends were nagging me to watch. The bad part? I think it is addictive.
tricia
I love your fireplace redo from the last cottage! I am so inspired by the lovely touches you put into your homes 🙂
Chaney
Oh definitely YES to Downton Abbey!
allie
Yes!! Yes you should:) It’s mostly clean and a great story line. You’d love it!! and every once in awhile I get the hubby to join in with me:)
Donna Lohr
I just started watching with season one episode one and I am not a big fan of period pieces, but this one is wonderful…the acting, the characters (some to love and some to loathe), the setting , the ideas….
Yes. Watch.
Kelly
On the column room dividers, we did something like that in our home renovation completed last year…here is a link to a photo on pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/pin/175640454189425330/
We love the look, but we have realized they are not too functional with a two and five year old in the house!
shaina
Love your fireplace makeover! Congrats for being featured!
And YES- you most definitely should be watching Downton Abbey. Although, I should probably warn you that you might be tempted to quit the real world for a while and spend 10 straight hours in front of the tube…
🙂
Jenn
Congrats on This Old House!!
Downton is great!
Where did you get that awesome mounted magazine rack?
Kim B. in Az
While I have watched several recent episodes and a couple of old ones. I am not sure how I feel about it. Yes when I watch it is a good story and well written. I am just not sure about it from a Christian perspective. There are some land mines that I am uncomfortable with. Those range in uncomfortable from very to just a little. There have been affairs, homosexual issues, some premarital sex, and on screen deaths in the few that I have seen. They are not all in one thankfully. Maybe I just happen to see the few with issues in it. In last weeks episode I covered up half the screen for part of it because of what was going on. It was not immoral just not something I can handle seeing. I am not passing judgment on any who do watch it, cause that is between them and God. I just thought you should know about the potential issues before you watch because it is addicting.
Ter'e Crow Lindsay
Congrats on the article! I know it is a good one. I have not seen the mag yet, but will watch out for it.
Hey —- if “we” had our way about it — you and Kev would have your very own magazine and freaking t.v. show. But that’s just what I (and about a million other people) say. What do we know?????
I have not seen D.A. yet. The trailors leave me cold.
Angela Lane
Yes, watch Downton Abbey…great show