Retirement brought changes to Nicky and Angie Lovett. They sold their five-bedroom house in Murray, agreeing that their next residence would be their last shot “to do it the way we wanted it.” According to Angie Lovett, “my husband, Nicky, said he wanted a yard that he could mow with scissors.” That “next home” became the loft above Blue Moon Antiques in Hazel.

In 2005, the Lovetts bought the building that had been a drug store on the main floor and a beauty shop upstairs. “I have always loved history, old homes and antiques,” Angie said. “We had booths at flea markets for a long time. We started renovating the upstairs with my husband doing 90 percent of the labor. He does the work, I do the decorating.” They moved into the loft in 2007, the same year they retired to open Blue Moon Antiques.

“Looking for antiques is an aspect of treasure hunting,” Lovett said. “We never know what we’re going to find.” She pointed to a bust on the table. “We found that in Michigan. We travel quite a bit to look for things, going to stores, flea markets and auctions. Sometimes we end up taking turns driving all night with our purchases. I know we are too old for this.”

At the top of the stairs entering the loft is the den, a serene, very comfy-cushy room, decorated with mostly shades of white. Lovett revealed the secret behind the extremely tall window treatments, explaining “I couldn’t find the look that I wanted for the windows. I found king-size sheets with wide, khaki stripes at Pottery Barn and used a heavy fabric for lining, then I made the window treatments.”

Six richly varnished steps invite guests from the den up to the kitchen/dining area. The bar, made from the bottom of an old church pew, is braced with porch corbels. The dining table, originally from an old store, seats at least eight. A shelf with a mirror above it accents the brick walls. Both items have paint peeling. “I don’t want things to match. I don’t look for perfect finishes. There was a time when stripping and restoring furniture was in. Now, not fine but worn is the look. It adds depth. If it doesn’t have a few bumps or scrapes, I don’t want it,” she said.

The over-sized bathroom is a combination of old world and new. A wall-size early tapestry hangs above a luxurious whirlpool tub. The Lovett’s oldest son did the tile work in the bathroom. Previously a sideboard, the piece now serves as a vanity.

The Lovetts had the French doors that go into the master bedroom for years before they built the loft. Through the doors, the sitting room off the master bedroom is Lovett’s area for displaying family photos, old and new. A rare print of George Washington is displayed there, also. The iron bed was her grandmother’s.

Lovett says they still have the lighting to work on. “We have the original lighting here and are not sure what to do. We are taking our time. I’ll know it when I see it.”