I think it is time to end the "Love Your
Home" Series at this time. Spring is a crazy, busy time and I just
don't seem to find the time to devote to it the way I like. I may
feature more houses in the future, but for the time being, this will be
the finale.
That being said, I will close it with a reveal of my own home.
While
the architecture and decor of the houses I will be featuring may vary,
what they all have in common is an interesting story to share because
it is the story of the people who call it home.
My Eclectic Home
Nine
years ago, Hubby and I decided to downsize and move to another part of
town. God gave us the perfect house and we have loved living in this
gated community every single day.
This
was a new "speck" house when we found it. It is in the Garden Home
section of what at that time was a new gated subdivision. Our best
friends were building a home in the "big house" section of the
community. Our house is a modest 2,000 sq ft, but plenty of space for
us.
This is what it looked like in 2007.
Today
I love the night time view.
So ya'll come inside and make yourself at home.
The
only wall color I changed was the foyer. I felt the red set the theme
for touches that can be found in every room. Besides, it makes me
happy.
I
love playing with decor for this narrow foyer table. For spring I
added some of my white pottery pieces and one of my prized pitchers.
On the bottom are some of my favorite pieces of crystal.
The
salad bowl and tray on the left were wedding gifts of my mother's. The
two matching pieces in the center were gifts from a very special friend
many years ago. The gorgeous tall vase held a massive birthday floral
arrangement from my son when he was in college. The other lead crystal
bowl is an heirloom piece I treasure.
Now come have a seat and we'll visit a spell.
We have a very open floor plan, and it is one of the things I loved about this house.
We added the plantation shutters throughout except for the Master Bedroom.
We
elected to not put our TV in this room. I just didn't want it to be
the focal point of the room. Besides, once I found this picture, I
couldn't imagine anything else being above the mantel.
I
enjoy changing out the decor on the mantel a couple times a year. I
did this arrangement before spring and Hubby and I still enjoy it, so it
will remain for a while.
This
is the last remaining demitasse cup and saucer from a favorite aunt.
She gave them to me while I was still in high school many, many years
ago. The books are some from my dad's family dating back to the mid
1800's.
This
grouping contains a treasured piece from Italy, signed by the Italian
artisan, Marli. It was given to us by a very dear friend years ago.
She also gave me the antique porcelain pitcher. It is Crown Ducal Ware
from England.
I love the details of this piece.
On the left side of the mantel I put a metal plant urn that I thought added architectural interest.
The books are old music hymnals also part of the collection from my dad's family. The picture is by
Luigi Schiavonetti (April 1, 1765 – June 7, 1810), an Italian reproductive engraver and etcher, entitled, "
The Mask." #57. I have no idea of its value, but it is invaluable to me.
These
Martha Washington chairs were part of an uncle's estate that my mother
inherited. I had them reupholstered ages ago as evidenced by the
out-of-date flame-stitched fabric. The colors in this fabric are the
inspiration for the color scheme throughout the house. Since I haven't
found another fabric that makes me as happy as this, they remain
unchanged.
The
vase was purchased while on a trip to Greece in the mid 70's. The two
books here are our guest book and family picture book that I compiled
for our 50th Anniversary last year. I just like seeing them.
This
wall behind the chairs is a composition of mirrors, which I enjoy using
in decorating, especially to expand small spaces. The sconces are
holding cups and saucers recently given to me by a dear friend who sold
the tea room she had owned and operated for 25 years. You can find her
story
HERE and
HERE.
One
of the few items I purchased when we bought this house was this
secretary that goes with our bedroom furniture. It fit perfectly in
this little niche and holds more of our favorite items.
A
compromise we made in having a fourth bedroom was less dining space.
However, we felt it was worth it. We may regret it when we get ready to
sell, but it works for us.
The table is set for a Good Friday evening dinner with friends.
I chose to use china with a delicate floral pattern, gold flatware and stemware that was a wedding gift 50 years ago.
I
moved the tall centerpiece to a side table and replaced it with one
that is more conducive for conversation. The azaleas are in full bloom
right now, and I love using them inside.
I even added one to the napkin ring.
I
did this painting that hangs in the dining area last year. It
incorporates all the colors I'm using in the house, and it makes a good
conversation piece.
The kitchen is one of our favorite rooms in the house. It is spacious and well organized.
The elevated dishwasher is one of the features that sold me on this house. I wonder why all builders don't do this.
With plenty of counter space, I can designate special spaces such as the cookbook,
and beverage stations.
Another
of our favorite rooms is our 4th bedroom converted office/library/den.
It is in here that we spend most of our time and have our computer and
mounted big-screen TV. And yes, those chairs are as comfortable as they
look.
Being Sunday School teachers, we needed space for our books and commentaries.
They have even spilled out into the hall.
This
old pie safe had belonged to Hubby's mother. We rescued it from an old
building right after our wedding. It has seen many transformations
through the years.
When
we found it, it was painted silver with rusted screens in the doors.
It was hinged on the sides so it could be folded for moving easily from
one place to another. We replaced the screens with glass and when we
moved here, I painted it my favorite color. Don't you just love it?
The painting above was done by a friend.
The next-door bedroom contains three antiques that are special to us.
One
day back in the early 90's I got a call from a dear little man in our
church who was having to close up his house and move to be nearer
family. He told us to come over that he had a few things for us. Among
those things was this cute little English chest and the coffee table.
We loved Mr. Henry and having these pieces that were special to him is priceless.
Another
piece that is special is this dresser that we found in a little antique
shop in our former town. We needed something to go in our college
son's bedroom. Little did I know it would become one of our favorite
pieces of furniture. I found in one of the little drawers a receipt for
a raincoat dated
4-5-1946 from Hepworth & Son, established
in 1864 and located in Leeds, Great Britain. I understand there are now
almost 600 stores across GB. Yes, the receipt is still in that little
drawer.
The painting was given to us over 40 years ago and done
by a lady in our church. It dates back to the 50's. I have other small
watercolors of hers in the guest bath. They are very dear.
The 3rd bedroom also contains a story.
This
dresser was given to me by a little Cajun lady in South Louisiana, who
spoke very broken English. She lived in a little shot-gun house full of
antiques. I mowed her lawn during my junior year of high school and as
payment, she gave me a choice of three pieces. I couldn't believe it!
I chose this piece because of the beautiful Italian marble.
The Master is our retreat. The walls are a soft olive green.
A few weeks ago I created this little grouping and tied it together with one of my paintings.
As
you can tell, I do not use a lot of patterns in my house, but my
bedroom contains patterns and textures that I especially enjoy.
Just
off our bedroom is the sunroom. I chose to paint it the same color as
the bedroom as an extension of that space. It is another of my favorite
places to live and my orchids like it as well.
It also serves as my painting studio.
There is absolutely nothing fancy about our home, but it is home and full of love.
