For the last two days I’ve been down in the basement clearing and working in the root cellar. Some days I call it the canning room, and other days I refer to it as the root cellar. Root cellar is probably a more accurate term since the house is 90+ years old and I imagine that back in the day, potatoes and carrots and all sorts of vegetables were stored down there during the winter months.
I don’t know why, but it’s still strange to me that all those years have gone by and not a single family {and I totally wonder how many families have lived here over the years, and what their professions were and how many kids woke up on Christmas morning here} hasn’t done anything down in the basement to make the space more interesting or functional.
I get the same feeling when I walk by people’s houses and peer into their backyards from the street and wonder… WHY, WHY does your yard still look like this? Has nobody over the course of 100-200 years thought to plant anything? How can you look out at a haggered old moss ridden yard with no plants and be happy with that? How can that possibly bring you joy when you pull back the curtains in the morning?
How does that happen? I don’t understand.
Yesterday afternoon I put the second coat of white paint on the shelves. I might slather a third coat on them this morning, we’ll see. All I know is that by simply adding some white paint to the shelving, the space has gone from dark and dreary to happy and bright.
Now I just have to figure out what to do about the pantry door with it’s original paint {a very tired, and worn yellow}. I was thinking of doing something a little flashy, like a pub door red, or a British racing green color. What do you think?
And this light fixture. Any ideas on how I could jazz it up? Because of the floor joists above it may not even matter. But still, it would be nice to have something a little more exciting that a light bulb with a pull cord.
The root cellar, it’s coming along. One brushstroke at a time.
Have a great weekend everyone, and may it be a productive one. 😉
~Mavis
Renee from Wisconsin says
Hi Mavis,
How about a canning jar pendant for your root cellar? Something like this:
Roseto Wallace Single Light 4″ Wide Pendant with Glass Jar Shade
Model: MVP2227RSTB I found it on LightingDirect.com.
Love the white shelves and walls. It does make it so much brighter.
Tarah says
That is a really great idea!
Kim says
What a difference some white paint can make! Will these shelves be your wool storage area? If so, won’t all those colors be beautiful against that backdrop of crisp white!
Wondering if there are any windows to supplement the one light bulb? Is there enough light to enjoy working down there?
What about painting the door a robin egg blue?
Nancy says
Looks great Mavis Now you added another project to my list my shelves in my basement would look a lot better painted white too!! But first I have to clear them of all the stuff might be awhile
Meg C says
I am partial to the idea of UK racing green – maybe because that is the color of my front & back doors? I love being the house on the street with the rich, bright green door vs everyone else’s typical red or black that is super common in our neighborhood! lol
But any fun color, really, that brings you joy is a winning color!
Also, I love the previous commenter’s suggestion of a mason jar style light fixture!
Trish says
Looks great Mavis
Maybe a chalkboard paint for the door.
So far, I love the shelves.
It gives an idea for our 1965 cellar and tornado shelter.
Mavis do you have to have a vent on the door?
Keep having fun!!
Trish
Jennifer says
Racing green for the door, I think. I love the white for the shelves; it really does make them look worlds better.
Linda Lou says
I love the idea of painting the door some fun, bright color. We have 4 exterior doors to our home and each one is painted a different color. Maybe a bright colored metal colander would make an unusual light covering…but I liked the idea of a mason jar light that one of your followers suggested too. Bring joy to your life, any way you can!
Kaia says
Looks great! I vote green for the door!
Charlotte says
Spray paint your ceiling (floor joists) white and put up a galvanized light fixture. The brightness factor will go up 300%! I vote for green door
Carrie says
I suppose the light would depend on what you use the space for and if there is any other lighting. While not pretty, we love the Costco led shop lights. They would be easy to mount to the joists, bring a lot of light, and have a remote control. You command hook it near the door and no more walking into a dark space
Debra says
I have a similar room in my cellar but I noticed this year that it gets below zero in winter. What temp does your go down to? I keep my canning in mine.
Mavis Butterfield says
It seems to stay around 55 degrees.
L. Bryant says
Paint certainly makes the space lighter and it will feel much cleaner than the usual basement area. I would add an LED track light. they are lightweight and can be installed where your current light fixture is located. the best part is that with the ability to direct light into multiple locations you can have as much or as little light as you need in any given area.
Laura says
Third coat for sure. I think it needs it. Making a great improvement!
Mel says
This is such a cool project! I love the idea for a jar light, and I would almost consider string lights or something as well. Love the idea for a colorful door too. I like green or red, but I’ll throw out the idea of a royal or navy blue to match your nautical theme.
I was thinking about root cellars and stuff today because I’m making jam for the first time. I’ve made apple butter before, which I suppose is close, but I have tons of strawberry puree in the freezer. I originally froze it for ice cream, but it’s not practical to make that amount of ice cream right now. Actually, since it’s puree, I’m not sure if it is truly jam or closer to jelly. I’m going to freeze in containers instead of canning since I don’t want to have to go out for jars and stuff.
Mavis Butterfield says
Spiced Christmas jam was such a hit last year with the neighbors, if you are wanting to find one for gift giving later this year, I would add it to your list. https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/spiced-christmas-jam/ Also, strawberry freezer jam is lovely. 🙂 You’ll do great Mel.
Mel says
I might give that a try! Thanks!
Elle says
BRIGHT DOOR-YES! How about a brilliant turquoise or a fabulous ocean cobalt blue?
I personally like natural wood but white makes you happy so yea 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
I think if this house was a colonial, like our last one, I would have totally left it as is. But I feel like all houses have their own personality and this one is a light and bright house. 🙂 We went walking this morning and I saw a bright robin’s egg blue side door on someone’s white house and I was like…. Oh, now that looks nice. 🙂 There are so many choices, it’s hard.
Katherine says
Look to your garden and the color of the flowers you have planted for ideas.
Gwenn Ferguson says
I’m partial to red formdoors myself but a nice bright cobalt blue would be fun.
Color related question Me his, what color did you paint your bedroom walls? I really like it and would like to get a sample to see how it looks in our room. We moved to a newer house, a 1924 Craftsman from a 1915 farmhouse.
Mavis Butterfield says
Palais White https://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/GR-W15
Rebecca Anne says
Great job! I love what you’ve done with just work+paint! Thanks for bringing us along on your projects! It really feels like we get to tag along with you and be friends-you share your projects, your comfort/favorite foods, take us along on adult field trips, let us join you at the beach, show us how to garden, and where to buy plants and seeds, tell us what you’re reading…..THANK YOU! Your door should just be a color that makes you happy every time you use the door. I’d probably pick a cage cover light, (https://www.target.com/p/franklin-iron-works-rustic-farmhouse-ceiling-light-flush-mount-fixture-oil-rubbed-bronze-12-wide-open-cage-for-bedroom-kitchen/-/A-80005327) but, will you be able to turn it on if it doesn’t have a switch on the wall? Thanks again Mavis! I don’t know what else could be as interesting as reading your blog. I love to get to see what you posted every day! Hope you have a great weekend too! Wahoo!!!!!
Terena says
Rebecca Anne, you just said everything I was going to!! I live in a 1903 little house, and the stone-lined cellar could tell some tales of hard working pioneer women canning, preserving and saving the earth’s bounty to get their families through our hard Prairie winters!
Mable says
Sorry, liked the original wood look much more.
Ruth says
I agree Mable, wood is better.
It might have been cedar which if refreshed with a little sanding might have brought the natural moth repellent aroma back.
If the tannins in the wood bleed back through, Mavis might want to get a water based sealer to work with her water based paint.
The only wood I paint is Ikea furniture ; )
Gina says
Love the look of the paint, but i worry that is cedar, a natural insect repellant and definately held up over the years. The oils could bleed through the paint? Anyway, love the robin’s egg blue idea or a light sage green.
Earlene says
Some sort of cool looking track lighting
Marcia says
You don’t want to see our front yard then!
The answer to why is … nothing is permanent. We bought the house and left the yard as is, just drought tolerant plants. Then we paid $$ to have it re-done – replace the retaining wall, push it back a bit to get more patio space, make it into 3 tiers instead of just a hill, add a shed because we have no garage.
That was 11 years ago, then the drought came and we let the grass die. Over those years, the fence got faded and needed a redo, the stucco got dirty and faded and needed repainted, and did I mention 2 full time jobs and 2 kids? It’s not until recently when kid 2 hit the age of 7 that we finally have a bit more energy for SOME work. Still not a lot. So our back space is better – replaced the dirt (where the grass was) with drought tolerant ground covering, restained the fence, repainted the stucco.
The front yard is still a hot mess of just dirt. The four trees that were there (in a 35 ft wide spot) all died. We finally replaced the sewer lateral so we can actually do stuff now. OH, but nobody is open so we can’t actually rent the equipment needed or buy the stacking stones to build the small retaining wall, needed first.
I’d imagine that
1. People were just busy
2. Not everyone is handy
3. Maybe the house was big enough and they just didn’t need the extra space? I’d kill for any little space I could get, 1100 sf is kinda small for 4. Not gonna lie.
It’s entirely possible that over the years some people did the yard, but you have to maintain it.
Amy says
Yeah, things change so much over decades, not to mention centuries. I live in a 110 year old house and found out not too long ago that 100 years ago every house on our block had a cow in their own backyard, and big gardens, too, but no traces remain – except that I now have excellent soil for my own garden.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I doubt the painted walls are going to be as good for produce as the natural wood. I think if people want a nice, modern house, maybe a new house is best. Yards don’t last.
Candice says
Hi Mavis,
Was the wood in the root cellar cedar? It looks like it may have been cedar which has natural properties that repel insects. Maybe that is why no one ever painted it?
Mavis Butterfield says
Not cedar. 🙂
Annette says
So jealous of this cool space! Do you access the door from your kitchen or outside?
Linda Sand says
I liked the original wood and just the one light. Root cellars are supposed to be dark and cool to keep vegetables from growing spindly roots instead of preserving their goodness. I guess if you aren’t planning to store root vegetables there maybe it won’t matter too much. But your turnips, beets, onions, carrots, and potatoes would have preferred you not mess with that space.
Cheryl says
If you want it white than you can make it white, since it’s yours. With the light off, it will still be cool and dark for all the veggies. Oh…and i vote a bright red door.
Is the pull light in the middle of the room? My Gramma’s was in the middle of the room and when we went down to grab her a jar of canned food or a root veggie, we would have to go into the middle of the room to turn on the light…it was scary when we were young…especially when a cobweb would smack you in the face…lol.
As far as people’s yards go? We built our home 34 years ago, and we took care of everything ourselves, the hubby and I. Tons of plants and flowers and trees, a small garden, a pool, clothes hanging on the line, etc. As time has gone on, and we have gotten older, there have been many surgeries, 2 back surgeries, 2 joint replacements, heart surgery, cancer surgery, etc. and it’s harder to keep up. But, we still get out there and rake a little…rest, weed a little…rest…plant a little…hang some clothes…rest. You get the picture. My only regret? I wish I had 7 kids like my Mom did…so i could get a little help around here…lol!
Tricia says
I had to chuckle at your questions about why people (i.e. especially Maine people) don’t “fix the place up a bit.” Having grown up in “the other Maine,” (if you haven’t heard that term yet, you will), I can tell you several reasons as I have many immediate family members and friends who espouse those ideals.
1) They really don’t care; where you see “mess” or “blah” or” run-down,” they see normal or they don’t even notice. Really. I grew up that way. It took marrying my husband—who does notice–for me to see it at all.
2) They don’t want to spend the money. Or they don’t have the money (particularly in the other Maine) I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Paint is SO expensive.”
3) If they put money into the yard, the tax value will go up, and with it, property taxes. Not even kidding. Very real reason for many Mainers.
4) Who sees the basement? Natural wood requires no upkeep. Paint it, and it will peel or chip and require even more work.
5) Priorities: leisure over work. Read: Going fishing trumps digging out overgrown shrubs any day of the week. Especially when you don’t even notice the shrubs.
I could list more, but that should get you started. We still have a home in Maine, but we are only there in the summers right now because we work in Hong Kong. I have “grown” in this regard…but it would be safe to say my neighbors might scoff and whisper that I’ve had too much time “away” and got a little too big for my britches.
Marcia says
Now I want to know about the “other Maine”.
Nancy says
Mavis, what about a clip on light cover for the bulb in the root cellar? Because of where it is located, a new fixture might not be possible but something like this would dress it up:https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-4-3-4-in-Acrylic-White-Dome-Clip-On-Shade-with-7-3-4-in-Width-8149400/203066164
Jo says
Nothing says root cellar better than a light bulb with a pull chain! I guess I am nostalgic..
Melissa Mobley says
My mother in law has a few of the exposed light fixtures like yours. We did this: we used glass light fixture shades to dress them up. To install, it is light fixture, shade and then bulb. Once the bulb is screwed in, then it holds the shade on and makes it not look so bare. But, I know you will do something fabulous! https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-5-1-4-in-Frosted-and-Clear-Cross-Shade-with-2-1-4-in-Fitter-and-5-in-Width-8127000/203065994