My House Tour, Part Five

Now that I have my fabulous bookshelves, I feel like my family/living room is finally decorated! We have some minor plans to change a few things, maybe add a bit more seating or a small desk (or, if you ask my husband, a large aquarium). But for now, I'm pleased as punch with how it looks. Here are the horrid before shots:



And after.





I had a carpenter friend build the bookshelves. I knew the design/size I wanted, but was unsure about the color. I posted a bunch of paint chips to the wall (familiar task), and finally pretty much just grabbed one and handed it to him. I love how it turned out, the shelves are exactly what I had pictured!

Spool No. 72

I'd buy this dress in a nanosecond if it had sleeves. Just a prude like that.

But isn't it sweet? From Spool No. 72.

My House Tour, Part Four

Here are a few shots of our guest room. Below, the before shot. There was this awful green wainscotting which also covered part of the tray ceiling, then continued out into the hallway and guest bathroom. We had it all ripped out, retextured the walls, painted and replaced the light fixture.

Much better. We're going for a minimalist look in here, with a bit of toile thrown in because I can't help it. (My husband's quote when he saw the bedding, "toile again?")

Headboard is from HSN, bedding from Ikea, white tramp art mirror from Wisteria. On the other side of this room is our desk/computer. Not super pretty at the moment, so not pictured.

Liberty Loot

Picked up a few fun items from the Liberty of London line at Target the other day. I was really hoping they'd have men's ties in stock in my store, but there were none to be found! I picked up a couple of cute pieces for my daughter and some pretty bowls for the kitchen. Did you get anything?

My House Tour, Part Three

Above is a before picture of the boys' room. It's a really great size, and since we downsized, we lost the "playroom," so all of the toys, books and craft supplies will be going in this bedroom. So we're glad it's big. My kids pretty much draw, color, cut and paste in all of their free time, and the kitchen table is just not equipped for their stuff anymore. So the opposite corner holds a Land of Nod table and chair set, and soon some storage for craft supplies.

This room didn't need much besides new carpet, paint and a lighting fixture. The carpet had a horrible odor, and once it was removed, we realized that even the cement slab underneath this room had pet stains. I scrubbed with bleach and water, they laid down new plush carpet, and it's as good as new. We also installed new window coverings and drapes.

I've always dreamed of having a kids' library, and this is as good as it gets so far. Two Ikea Expedit bookshelves stacked on top of one another (we had the lower one in the last house), anchored to the wall, and filled with every children's book in the house. Except all of my daughter's chapter books. And all of the board books I'm still hanging on to. We just had to have that guitar artwork for our little musician (who insisted on being in every photo).

The door behind Miles is the closet and there is a bathroom just to the right of the white dresser. It connects to my daughter, Audrey's room. Drapes and bedding are from PB Teen.

Alice Lane Home Custom Work

Completely crushing on this house designed by the geniuses at Alice Lane Home. Look what their design services could do for you! Maybe even just one room! Drooling . . .

Beautiful Gustavian long case clock and washed woods.

Check out the herringbone floor and complete dining set from Oly Studio. Holy moly.

Photos by Ashlee Raubach, via 6th Street Design School

My House Tour, Part Two

We did a lot of remodeling in our kitchen. It started out wallpapered with oak cabinets, no hardware, white laminate countertops and a white laminate backsplash. We (and when I say we, I mean our contractor and his men) scraped the popcorn ceiling, retiled the entire floor, installed new black honed granite countertops, white marble subway tile for the backsplash, a new undermount sink, new hardware for the sink and cabinets, new light fixture above the sink, and painted the cabinets white!

And it's so pretty!

Before, hello 1986.

After, all white, gray and black. I know, kind of boring color scheme, but it needed some brightening up!

More before.

Below, looking from the fireplace toward the eating area. We knocked out that wall, this looks completely different!

My House Tour, Part One

We moved to this area of Texas from South Texas in 2008. We rented a home for over a year, trying all the while to decide what kind of home we should purchase. We went back and forth between building a home, splurging on our dream home, or going the safer, more economical route of remodeling an existing home. We chose to remodel a house on a pretty, quiet street, with a forest-like yard and a swimming pool. We purchased the home in October, and remodeled it from November 1 to December 5th, the day we moved in. Since then, I have been decorating and rethinking all of my current possessions, but I am finally feeling like the house is ours and just might be home for years to come.

I thought it was time to share with you the transformation. I'd love to hear what you think; I'll be posting pictures every day this week!

Here is the BEFORE view from the front door. Take special note of the low doorways and ugly window on the back wall, not to mention the carpeting and the tile. All gone on day one!

The AFTER view, and although this room isn't completely decorated here (it was over 2 months ago), you can see the changes pretty easily. All new floors, walls removed and doorways made larger. Brand new wood floors, new lighting fixtures, and new trim. We removed the whole back wall and installed two windows and a french door.

My favorite change is the fireplace. We covered over this brick veneer with drywall, designed and had a mantel built, then knocked out the hearth and installed pretty tumbled travertine subway tile, flush with the wood floor. We took out the hideous fan and put in a fixture with a simple drum shade. A new coat of paint on the walls and trim, and voila!

This is the BEFORE view from the back wall (now with french doors), looking toward the dining room. Take note of the doorway openings, we made them bigger.

We have since moved the furniture around (and taken down the Christmas tree). More photos of this room soon.

Stats on the house: It was built in 1986 and is about 2400 square feet. It is one storey, 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms on .70 acres.

Runway Rewind

This week, the PR designers were asked to create a look inspired by natural forces, either Earth, Air, Fire or Water. I wasn't too crazy about most of the pieces, but I really fell for Jonathan's idea. This pattern is created by layering fabric and then cutting pieces away in order to create a sort of print. I loved the color scheme. He mentioned that is was inspired by the model's natural skin tone and the colors of her hair, lips, etc. It was perfectly matched and so flattering on her. And as a pale blonde myself, I can testify to how hard it is to wear cream tones and look like you still have facial features. Well done, Jonathan!

Leanne Marshall

Isn't this dress from Project Runway alum, Leanne Marshall so pretty? I love these colors together.

via Bella Vita

Leifsdottir

Really lovely things over at Finnish company, Leifsdottir.

Cake Plate

Do you have one of Aedriel's plates yet? I love them! Here, she'll create a plate based upon your own individual wedding cake. Just one of the many ideas she has for . . . plates!

Stripes on Sale

Wishing I had either of these tops to wear for date night this weekend. Both on sale, at Vintage Fringe.

Canvas

I was a little shocked the other day when I received this very J. Crew-esque catalog from Lands' End, for their new line, Canvas. Liking, liking. Lots of basics, a bunch of cute accessories (jewelry, bags, shoes umbrellas !) and none of the flimsy t-shirts. Great mens' items, too. Take a look!