Welcome to stop number nine on the Parade of Homes presented by Poppies at Play.
When I was first asked to do a house tour, I thought, “my house isn’t finished, yet!” I then realized that my house will probably never be finished and I don’t want that to stop me from sharing it with others. So, here we go.
My house has two personalities. When you enter the front door, you walk into a house that was built in 1948. It sports wood floors, plaster board walls, archways, and pine doors with glass knobs. As you move through the house, it leads to a modern addition put on in 2003. This was done without any effort to match the moldings, architecture or feel of the 1940’s house. So, I have the challenge of blending vintage charm with builder “stock.”
The front door opens right into the formal living room. A wonderful thing about older homes is the attention paid to window placement for lighting and ventilation. This room gets beautiful morning sun.
I recently painted it Aria Ivory by Sherwin Williams with a crisp white trim. The room is filled with vintage and antique pieces of furniture. Some were inherited, found or given to me and some were purchased at yard sales. The total spent on furniture in this room is only $120!
I inherited this desk from my great grandfather and tucked a caned seat bench found at a yard sale for $5.00 under it.
The 100+ year old piano was free and the pair of French provincial chairs was $20 (for both) at an auction. I slipcovered them in white cotton twill from Wal-Mart. The living room opens up into the dining room and a small hall that leads to my business office, a half bathroom, stairs to the second floor and our home office (which was the original kitchen.) We refinished the oak floors in a dark walnut stain.
I’m working on building a “family wall” over and around the piano. I’ve used family photos, collected dark wood frames and white mats that I’ve cut myself to give them a clean look. The empty frame is just waiting to be filled.
An ironstone wash bowl filled with twine, pinecones and moss covered tennis balls sits on top of a stack of decorating books. The table was saved from my grandparent’s attic and is still a work in progress. I tucked a laundry hamper filled with quilts and matlasse spreads under it.
A curio inherited from my aunt is filled with family and historical treasures, including mini balls from the Civil War, sterling silver coins and a piece of the Berlin wall.
I hung a three arm chandelier on either side of the French settee to add some overhead lights to a room without one that was hard wired into the ceiling.
In the back of the house is my family room. We spend about 90% of our time in this room, so it is appropriately named. It’s not my favorite room of the house as far as decor goes, but it is a wonderful space and I have big plans!
The stone fireplace is the focal point of the room and is topped with my Antiques sign I made out of a $1.00 headboard purchased at an auction.
My Etkorp Ikea sofa faces the fireplace, but is situated for TV viewing as well.
An antique iron crib acts as a daybed or settee under one of the windows. It provides extra seating in a pinch and something a little unexpected.
Excuse the pipe insulators around the hearth. With two toddler boy and that ugly black foam has saved us many trips to the emergency room. I am generally a blue and white kinda gal, but I felt limited by the green counters in the kitchen, which is open to the family room. I thought it was much better to work with them than against them.
I’m hoping to someday paint the cabinets white and replace the green laminate with wood plank counters that my husband makes for me.
Until we can afford to get rid of the green, I sneak my blue and white in where I can.
The formal dining room is another work in progress, but it’s almost “done.”
I purchased the table and chairs for a total of $300 from Craig’s List. I bought the table first and then found the matching chairs a few weeks later. I already painted and refinished the table and the chairs are next. They are going to get a coat of white paint, some distressing, and hand painted feed sack slipcovers.
I rub it in every time I show my dining room, but I’ll say it again. The chandelier (complete with all of the crystals) was $4.00 at a yard sale! It’s probably one of my best finds. I found the ironstone in my grandparent’s attic. The plates have been collected over the years at yard sales and antique stores.
I’m also planning on making some new curtains, but I need to find the right fabric, first.
The buffet was bought at an antique store by my parents over 25 years ago. The mirror was another attic find and the accessories are all from thrift stores.
My business office was used as our nursery for the first couple of years we lived here. Once my business started to expand, I realized working on the kitchen counter was not going to cut it. We moved our boys in a shared room, so I could have a work space, which is almost always a dumping ground.
I am planning on painting it a soft pink and making floor to ceiling shelves and work space.
The hutch was $35 on Craig’s List and the chair was $10 at an antique shop. I made the ornate chalkboard out of a tacky brass mirror frame.
My bedroom is a room I’ve been working on for months. I have several more pieces to buy to call this room finished, but I have not found what I’m looking for at a price I can afford. I need an armoire and a pair of side tables or small cabinets.
I sewed and assembled the half canopy and my hubby installed is the focal point and highlight of the room. We wrote a detailed tutorial if you’re interested in replicating this look.
The dressing table belonged to my grandmother and is still undergoing a transformation. I recently refinished the top and I am looking for the perfect shade of paint for the base.
My $35 Craig’s List dresser is topped with some free lamps with Wal-Mart shades, my mom’s silver chest and a thrift store bird print in a gold leafed auction frame.
The master bathroom is nothing large, luxurious, or special. It’s all stock, off-the-shelf stuff from Lowe’s, so we’ve been working on adding personality and trying to make it look custom without changing expensive things like tile, flooring and fixtures.
I painted the walls in Irish Cream, a color that complimented the linoleum floors. The towel bar is actually the footboard of an antique iron bed. The wash stand was a freebie found on the side of the road painted in SW Creamy.
I replaced the dinky oak framed mirror with a refinished dresser mirror that fit the space perfectly.
Let me take you upstairs to see my favorite room right now, the guest room.
An antique crazy quilt that was found in my husband’s grandparent’s attic is hung to hide a window that leads to the attic.
I recently transformed my guestroom from a dark uninteresting room to a space that is welcoming, bright, and very “me.”
I used hard board to make a faux exposed board wall to add character to the odd-shaped room. Click here for a tutorial.
The SW Crisp Linen paint color keeps the room feeling light and fresh, but not stark. I purchased it from the Oops bin for $1.00. The red toile (found in a remnant bin) adds the perfect pop of color against the neutral whites and dark woods.
I hope you enjoyed a peak into my home. Remember, I am showing you my space from the very best angles and I’m leaving out the treadmill, toys, and areas that are a total mess. I have two toddlers, so trust me when I tell you that my house is a “real house.” Not a “magazine house.”
Now, make your way over to stop #10 to get a tour of Denise’s lovely house at The Painted Home.
47 Responses
Simply beautiful home – it is so inviting! Thanks for sharing.
Chelsea
It was so awesome to step into your home a little more than you've previously revealed. I just love your style! It's so warm and inviting and pleasantly stylish yet comfy casual. A wonderful blend!
And that guest room?!? That belongs in a magazine. Please make sure it's one I can just pick off the shelf locally because I want a copy! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Donna
You have such a beautiful home. I *love* all your special touches. Thank you so much for the great tour! 🙂
~Jennifer
What a beautiful house. I think I need to see more of that kitchen though. I love it!
Wonderful home…thanks for the tour!! Your DIY projects are so original and well-done…and I love it when the cats match the decor!!
Angela
Everything looks lovely! I love your thoughts on the fact that our homes will probably never be "finished". I was kind of panicking on the whole tour too, but in the end, the pressure really helped me to get my act together and get things ready. And I got a ton changed around.
And I ♥ that old scale!! I've been wanting one of those forever. That one is perfection!!
Oh ya, I'm #8 on the tour. 🙂
I love seeing all of the familiar pictures of your home in big fantastic sweep. Really makes me feel like I have come over to your place for a cuppa and you are giving me the tour.
I love just about everything. And for the life of me I couldn't tell what was supposed to be not finished.
So fun to have a little tour of your home with some new pics mingled with previous ones. That antique crib settee is brilliant.
Thanks for opeing your house for this wonderful tour. I enjoyed seeing all your wonderful displays.
What a wonderful treat to tour your home. I loved all your DIY projects…they have such "life" in them. Your home is filled with light…I love that!!
So many of your items I would love to have in my home. Sigh!
Hugs
SueAnn
Thank you for sharing your wonderful home and for being such a giving person.
You've done a beautiful job! I don't think anyone is ever really "done" with their home.
Beautiful home. Love those curtains in the kitchen?? The check with the solid is very appealing. I agree with Donna of Funky junk that your guest room is magazine worthy.
your home is beautiful! i really like all the personal touches. i like the iron bed seat idea, the headboard sign, your craigslist finds galore :), and that guest bedroom….awesome!
thanks for sharing 🙂
Even with toddler, toys and treadmills, your home definitely belongs in a magazine. It is absolutely stunning and you take really amazing pictures too!!
Thanks so much for being in the parade!!
You have a wonderful home. And you have some really beautiful pieces of furniture that I just love! A lot of great finds too 😉 Thanks for the tour.
What a stunning home. It looks comfortable, inviting and interesting. I would love just walking around looking.
I have to say, my very first thought (after "That's an awesome writers' desk") was "Now THAT'S the way to focus on antiques!"
I love it and your photos are so professional. I would love to see more of your kitchen ( even with the green countertops). We are always working with something we want to change, but the challenge is part of the fun, right?
You have such a beautiful home! I especially love the black and white photos above the piano, history just adds more depth to every space. Thank you for letting us into your home!
I loved touring your home! You have some amazing antique pieces in there & it's just gorgeous 🙂
~Annie
oh so perfect…stunninly beautiful. http://lafeshiddentreasures.blogspot.com/
Everything looks SO great! So classically decorated. You did an amazing job. And your bedroom is to die for! Love the fabric! 🙂
Thank you for sharing, your home is beautiful and I love all of your antiques!
I knew before I came here I was going to love this post of yours! Your home is fantastic! Come decorate mine now!!!!!
Wow! Your home is so beautiful! I can't believe some of the steals you have found!
Every detail is stunning. I'm so glad that you mentioned you have messy corners, as it's good to know you are human. My favorite piece in your home is the $35 CL dresser. That is a jewel; you did a wonderful job.
We are similar in the frugal finds department. I think we've spent less than 2k on all the furniture in our entire home.
TTFN
I don't know where to begin Marian! Your home is so gorgeous and unique. You've created a wonderful space for your family. We missed you last week! Will definitely have to do it again.
xoxo,
Kim
Do you like your Ektorp sofa? I've always liked the way it looks! I also love the way you made your curtains in your family room, with the red and plaid. Pipe insulators = great idea! And I wouldn't have noticed them in the pictures if you hadn't told me about it. 🙂
Your guest room and bedroom are by far my favorite, though! And I love your wood tops with painted bases on your furniture.
Beautiful house!
So many lovely rooms, Marian! I love your attention to detail!!
I love the fact you have a piece of the Berlin wall! And those kitchen scales..are seriously hot! 🙂
Hugs,
Bird
Loved the tour! You have such a beautiful home, filled with unique pieces and family items, I'm sure everyone who enters feels welcomed and "at home"! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Blessings,
Stacey
This is so fun! I loved looking around your lovely home!
AHHHH! There is soooo much to love! the crib, the Antique sign, your scales! I love it all! I'm house #5! Isn't this fun!
Marian… your house is gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing!! I just LOVE the boards on the wall and how you decorated the guestroom! Awesome!!
Your home is beautiful. I loved the tour. I love the vintage typewriter, among several other things. Thanks for the tour!!
Beautiful house!!!! Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Thanks for inviting us in…I love going over to people's houses! Your blend of exposed/stained wood and painted pieces are so nicely done. The guest bedroom is wonderful. I love the photo of the door knob. It's truly captivating!!!
And the painted stairs and simply elegant. I need to have stairs in my next home so that I can paint them.
Free lamps? When are lamps free? And where?
I love that you actually have colors in your home! No, I mean it. I really love that!!
You have created a warm and beautiful home with such a cohesive mix of old and new. Your photography and the angles of your shots are truly wonderful. Thanks for letting us all take a peek.
Your home is amazing! I love the iron bed used as a settee! Very cleaver!
Marcia
Very pretty home! I love your style!
Your home is beautiful with so many creative and unique pieces. There are so many wonderful things to look at I had to go back twice to make sure I didn't miss anything. Thanks so much for opening your home for us.
just a pretty house. Magazine worthy.. i could live here.. mishelle
Love the character and stories behind everything. Well done. Love the headboard/towel rack in the bathroom.
I absolutely adore your house and am envious and in complete awe of your skills! Love to see these images!
Brenda
I absolutely love everything about your home! I literally want to jump through the screen to experience the beauty first hand. There is so much charm and character in your decorating style. Truly inspirational!
Love, love, love it!
WOW is all I can say! You have a spectacular home! I love all your use of plates too, I just did a post on this, it really is a great way to decorate, add texture and interest to the walls, I just loved every picture!
Beautiful!! Love it all!
Marian, I have to say as I read your blog from the first post (hey… I need something to do before I go to sleep and it’s better than watching TV!) that it is right around now that I’ve noticed a big shift in your photography. I think you started hitting on some great compositions during the SYTYCD posts that have definitely improved your game! It’s been nice watching how your photography skills (as well as your staging skills) are developing and progressing. This is an old post, so I’m not sure you’ll get this comment, but I thought I’d put it out there!