Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of articles contributed by the Ridge Quilters Guild.
Envision a farm house set on a knoll in Paradise in 1930. Envision the same house looking much the same in Paradise 2019!
The owners are Travis and Joan McWilliams. This darling farm house was featured in the Paradise Ridge Quilters home a few years back and it is back by popular demand. Friends and family always enter the through the back door as in days of old. You will be greeted by a painted quilt block made by Joan and the original old fashion well is situated close to the entrance, the McWilliams now call it the “Wishing Well.” There is also vintage farm implements and antiques. The Camp Fire destroyed the original old barn as well as the other out buildings. The fire came so close it cracked the windows of the home but otherwise the home miraculously escaped the fire.
The McWilliams have done some remodeling to their home to bring it up to the modern day necessities, leaving all the integrity and charm of the old farm house intact. Upon entering you will see the rock fireplace with the original cabinetry built in on both sides.
Warm hardwood floors and wainscoting surround the room. There is a pony wall cabinet leading to the hallway. The cabinet matches the cabinets by the fireplace. It is filled with Joan’s beautiful quilts. Don’t miss the picture railing around many of the rooms.
Enter the spacious dinning room furnished with antiques; it also features the original china cabinet. An antique treadle sewing machine sits in the corner, and a large window fills the room with light.
The country kitchen still has much of the original cabinetry, brick from the living room fireplace is exposed to the kitchen wall.
The welcoming guest room features a custom made quilt rack to display many of the exquisite quilts made by Joan. When you see her quilts you will see how much she enjoys the process of quilting.
Down the hall from the guest room you will pass through the exercise room to Joan’s quilt studio. The studio was a sun room when her home was originally built. The room is filled with everything you could wish for to create beautiful quilts. As you would expect, it has wrap around windows making it light, bright and cheerful.
The master bedroom is upstairs with more of Joan’s quilts on the walls leading up the stairs to the room. The master bedroom is a charming attic bedroom (if you are tall you might have to duck a little under the doorway). The brass headboard was originally two twin beds put together to make a king-size bed. The brass headboards date back to 1913. The room looks much like a bedroom from that era. There is a comfortable chair in the corner. Attached to the bedroom is a large dressing room with a large armoire and vintage chest. The master bathroom has been remodeled and is beautifully done for today’s homeowners
Joan’s Christmas decor is a real treat. Although all of her Christmas decorations were lost in the fire, Joan and her sister had fun purchasing new decorations for her home. Joan flew in a decorator (her sister Diane Hubbard) to help decorate the delightful rustic country Christmas decor. Perfect for her festive country farm house.