Our 2015 summer home tour
June 09, 2015
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Welcome to our summer home tour!
I don't do a ton of themed summer decorating, but I do add some touches here
and there to freshen up our house this time of year. I shared our new and
improved
living room
yesterday and it just feels like summer to me. So light and bright -- I'm SO
happy with it!
The blue dresser and white lamps are fresh and pretty. I can't remember where
I found the plastic coral but I love it under the glass dome:
I've been meaning to download some prints for those frames for for almost two
years now, but sticking scrapbook paper inside was much quicker and easier. :)
I already had the book of paper so it was a great way to fill these without
spending any money. I am a non-scrapbooker who is totally obsessed with
everything scrapbooking.
Back when I
trimmed out
these windows I took down the drapes and never put them back up:
I love having them open and letting the trimwork shine. And no drapes means
even more natural light, which I always say is nature's best accessory.
This corner used to be full of furniture before the rearranging that happened
last week. We'd like to add a couple matching chairs to this room eventually,
but for now the gray chair is a nice comfy spot:
I've had that ottoman for years -- I think it was from Meijer? The natural
rattan is a perfect addition for summer. (I keep it around all year, it just
looks especially good during the warmer months.) ;)
Because I'm so thrilled with this "new" space, I have to share one more
picture and then we'll move on:
You had to know Colby would show up at some point, right?
I tend to pick up more plants this time of year as well -- for both inside and
out. I've had this ficus for years and it's survived being moved -- even
though I hear they hate that. I doesn't really grow much though -- it's stayed
this size for years now:
At least it's not dead. Small victories! I have a small thing with putting
plants in baskets. I do it a lot -- I just think it gives them more weight in
a room. And that way I can buy really cheapy pots that aren't the prettiest.
Those can get crazy expensive (more than a basket).
I haven't shared this angle of our front living room for a long time:
Yeah I was kidding. One more picture. :) Those tall ceilings were what sold us
on this model the second we walked in. I never guessed they would stump me so
very much when it came to decorating!
Next up I want to trim out those upper windows -- and I may be paying someone
else do do that cause that's entirely too high and terrifying for this
girl.
Our former dining room has undergone many transformations over the years but
now that it's a "library" it (most likely) won't change again. I know better
to say never. ;)
We changed it up because we never used the formal dining room -- we were
pretty sure we'd use it more if we could relax in this room. And we were
right. We sit down in here all the time!
It's such a lovely spot to sit and talk or read. I finished a book in one day
over Christmas break sitting right here:
The
built ins
are still one of my favorite additions I've ever made to our house. I never
tire of it and the storage is fantastic!:
And like many spots that are accessorized in our house -- once I get it the
way I like it, it rarely changes. ;)
Years ago my son and I took an old canvas artwork I didn't love anymore and
painted over it with some leftover blue paint. I'm still a little
surprised it turned out so pretty:
We don't have any expensive artwork in our home, but this one I will treasure
forever. And it was free. :)
Tearing the carpet
off our stairs
was one of the best (and craziest) decisions I've ever made:
It's also one of the cheapest -- I only spent $50 in supplies to finish it off
after I was done pulling all the carpet. The investment was in the time (and a
few tears after pulling out hundreds of staples).
Last year we decided to take down a wall in the family room (instead of adding
on which was CRAZY expensive). The wall separated our family room and my
office and it opened up the space a ton! It took a few months start to finish
(we hired the big stuff out and then I finished up the details) and we LOVE
it!:
My favorite part of this room is the fireplace with built ins. And that dreamy
herringbone tile:
My latest DIY project in this great room was painting the back doors last
week:
It was highly annoying, but I'm glad it's done. The doors look so good
in black. But I think ALL doors look good in black. :)
A dream of mine came true when we took down that wall in the family room -- we
made a few other changes that allowed for a built in seat in our kitchen bay
window:
It is so dreamy. :)
It's crazy that we used to have our little kitchen table in that spot -- since
we gained so much space during the reno we were able to move where we
eat.
Not only did our family room get much bigger, but our kitchen doubled in size
too:
Our kitchen is undergoing a slow DIY reno this year. So far along with the
window seat, I've
extended our kitchen island
and
built in our fridge
as well:
I'm hoping by this Christmas the kitchen will be complete. Actually, who am I kidding -- I'm just hoping it's done by next year's summer tour. :)
Just love your home! Everything is so pretty and I really enjoyed the tour
ReplyDeleteyour home is beautiful- i really love how it has evolved so much more over the last year or so, and love the modern moody touches you have added.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tour, I always love seeing your home and all the fantastic details that you add. You are one amazing woman with some tools.
ReplyDeleteYour home is gorgeous, Sarah! I so enjoyed the tour. I love the pic of your living room showing those high ceilings wow! Your hard work can be seen all around your home, love it!
ReplyDeletep.s. your pics belong in a magazine!
I love your style! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have the most beautiful home. You have worked so hard to make the changes you have and everything you do just adds to the look. You are by far my most favorite blogger and I look everyday to see what you have been up to. We have a similar TV area and I want to do it like you have. I have been wondering where to put the furniture that is there so I can make the change and this morning it finally came to me what to do. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vicki! I'm glad I could help! :)
DeleteI just love your house! I always have and every time you make an improvement, it just gets better!
ReplyDeleteWell I think I could just move right on in! It is all wonderful. My favorites are those built ins in the dining room/library and the wall with the fireplace. Just gorgeous! When you run out of projects,come on over and work your magic on my laundry room/closet! :)
ReplyDeleteYour home is so gorgeous - I am dying over your library bookcases - they are stunning! And love how open your home is and how beautifully it flows from room to room. Such a great tour!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog from Simple Details today! What a gorgeous home you have. You know how to mix a little bit of tradition & a little bit of modern. Great job. I will look forward to following your blog and seeing how your kitchen turns out.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sarah, your home just shines. So bright and I love all the trim and built-ins. Oh, and that bookcase in your new living room is so fab :) xo
ReplyDeleteOh, Sarah, your home just shines. So bright and I love all the trim and built-ins. Oh, and that bookcase in your new living room is so fab :) xo
ReplyDeleteYour formal dining room makes me smile every time I see. Thank you for a wonderfully grand tour!
ReplyDeleteFirst time visiting your site. Had fun looking around. Absolutely would not go to the expense to trim out the upper windows in the living room. You don't want them to be the focal point anyway...keep the eye low in the room.
ReplyDeleteIf it were my home I would put a desk in your library because it is so close to the living room that if I wanted to read I would go in the living room because it is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about it! I just know it would get cluttered and you see that space when you walk in. I know us too well. ;)
DeleteYour home is really lovely - so fresh and inviting! It's also so fun to hear all the transitions our homes go through as we make them our own. Thank you for such a lovely tour and so many beautiful ideas.
ReplyDeletelove and blessings~
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Thanks for the grand kick off to Tuesday's tours! Your home is just gorgeous! I love how bright it is and all of your DIY touches! I loved reading your post about your new sofa - I'm in the same spot! I am dying to get rid of my upholstered sofa and get a nice, bright, slipcovered sofa that photographs well! I'll be following along to see how it holds up over time!
ReplyDeleteSarah, Your home is so beautiful! I Love the new living room look.
ReplyDeletexx.
Sherry
Wow Sarah, you've created such a gorgeous home for your family! You've captured the perfect combination of stylish and comfortable and it's so obvious it's truly a labor of love! Btw, I'm enjoying following along with the outside, and it's just as beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is my most favorite! You are such a fun, down to earth person. Also, you introduced me to Dave Ramsey, so that's a bonus too! I never comment on blogs, but I've been reading your blog for years and I can't figure how your living room and library fit together. I've never seen a picture showing both, but they seem like they're right by each other. It's just so puzzling to me, it seems silly... But I'm curious!
ReplyDeleteThank you Megan!! They are next to each other. :)
DeleteYour home is beautiful! Thanks for the tour and the idea of the basket planter....Christine
ReplyDeleteYour home is stunning!! I love the color of that blue dresser! Such a fun pop!
ReplyDeleteYour home is so warm & inviting, I love all of your batten board and black doors. Happy Summer! Jen
ReplyDeleteLongtime follower but with this living rom post, I'm more confused than ever on the layout of your home.
ReplyDeleteYour home is beautiful! My goodness, I love how much of it is DIY and done all by your own hands, which makes it that much more personable and special!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the Kitchen reno! Kitchen and Bathroom renovations are my all time favorite so I'm excited!
Lauren Baxter | LB Designs
xx
I love how you said you're a non-scrapbooker who loves all things scrapbooking! Me too--though I'd never thought of it that way! I love your house too! I can't help but wonder, though--do you ever just want it to all be finished? Or do you always really enjoy a new project? (I have a project house and I'm totally burned out!)
ReplyDeleteYour house never disappoints! It's just gorgeous. And I'm totally with you on the whole tall ceiling decorating conundrum. Definitely trumps me. My walls always seem so bare because of it.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though I know your house so well from following your blog through all the renewals. I like everything you've done.
ReplyDeleteLove your home and love your blog, but one thing in this post grabbed me and said "YOU ARE MY SISTER!"
ReplyDelete"I am a non-scrapbooker who is totally obsessed with everything scrapbooking."
I too have that particular affliction. I call myself a paper hoarder, because I love all the stuff but just can't scrapbook. "A $4 piece of red flocked paper? I am so not worthy!"
Thanks for the laugh and validation today! Now I'm going to go frame some paper.
Thanks for sharing pictures of your beautiful home. Never thought of having black doors but you made them look so elegant! Love love the built in seat by the window! It's indeed dreamy... can sit there for hours reading and daydreaming a bit :)
ReplyDeleteLove that huge piece of artwork - and it was free!!! Tell me more
ReplyDeleteThanks! You can see more here:
Deletehttp://www.thriftydecorchick.com/2012/07/diy-art-reusing-old-canvas.html
Your home is so beautiful and inviting! I'm especially excited to see how you transform your kitchen. I've been playing around with ideas that are fairly similar to the ones you've already done and shared as planned. It'll take me a while before we tackle the projects here, so I'm going to live vicariously through your experiences. :)
ReplyDeleteYour house is sensational. Wonderful architecture and "bones." Anything you do will look amazing. Not everyone gets the great starting point you did.
ReplyDeleteSarah, You have such a beautiful home! I love all the things you have done with it through the years. The fireplace is my favorite! Fantastic tour
ReplyDeleteWhat are the dimensions of your pantry? Is it large enough for you or what dimension do you wish it was? I am going to be redoing my kitchen in Sept. and would like a to build in a pantry,
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
So, so pretty. Every room!
ReplyDeleteWhat are the dimensions of your pantry? Is it large enough for you or what dimension do you wish it was? I am going to be redoing my kitchen in Sept. and would like a to build in a pantry,
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
I love your subtle summer touches. That scrapbook idea is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou have so many great custom touches to your house. The built ins and mantle are my all time favorites!
ReplyDelete