I’m giving a big sigh of satisfaction now that I can say we are officially “settled”….or at least enough to have hosted a big family event last night, with tons of compliments and all around fun at at our newly renovated house. It was one of those events that forced us to finish all of those lingering unfinished projects…hanging closet doors, changing light fixtures, sewing curtains, painting random walls that for some reason got left out during the week-long paint-a-thon. Installing stair treads. Ya know, little things. :)
But those little things add up, and it was a real challenge it was to meet the party deadline! I can honestly say I was dripping with sweat, hot gluing new roman shades together and helping the hubby re-install the iron stair railings, less than an hour before guests began to arrive. But we finished! And it feels amazing to relax today! (sans cleaning up party debris).
Do you guys mind if I share a few pics? I’ll shout it from the mountaintops! SO SO SO SO SO grateful for our new home! It’s a joy to cozy it all up! Truly…I know I’m a bit fanatical about decorating, or maybe all women are this way? Or maybe I’m just slightly obsessive compulsive AND I love decorating, which of course equals an obsessive decorator. Every wall needs a picture, every chair needs a pillow, every tabletop needs a pretty vase of flowers and an antique tea set. That’s just how I roll.
First up, living room. Here’s what it looked like before (took this pic at a showing, so this is the previous owner’s decor).
And here it is now! Oh, I just love spending time in this room! So happy! So fresh!
I still can’t believe I snagged that antique trunk at a garage sale for $30!!!
This might be Mr. Dock’s favorite spot…his cozy reading chair.
Another garage sale score….got the old fan at a yard sale down the street for $1. I threw them a buck and ran!!!
Here’s the staircase sans dingy carpet…sat this way for a couple of weeks, hoping and praying, I’m sure, for some love.
And here’s the staircase after.
Dining room….featuring Grandma’s old chandelier. She says her and Grandpa bought it together for their 50th wedding anniversary. Such an honor to have it in our home. And they weren’t joking with that solid brass. Even without the crystals, it took both Russ and I to lift and install it….might weigh more than the table.
The girls room of course, with, as usual, more yard sale treasures. Nora spotted this cute 1960s pink chair at a yard sale as we were driving to lunch one day….$10! The perfect bedtime story chair.
If you know me, you know I’ve got an unhealthy obsession with wall collages. I do. I can admit it.
And my day-of-party super easy diy Roman shades for the kitchen!!!!! If you haven’t tried these, you simply MUST. They are super super easy DIY Roman shades using an old crappy mini blind (you remove the slats and just use the basic structure of the blind). I used THIS tutorial and found it totally easy to follow. The only change I made was omitting her step of gluing the shade to the back of the mini blind and then using an extra strip of fabric to cover the front. In my blinds, the pull cords came out the bottom (underside) of the top piece, so gluing to the front was no problem. Plus, I love that the cords are hidden behind the fabric, and it’s no trouble to pull the shade forward when I want to grab the cord and open or close them.
I know I shared a pic of the front room last week, but here it is with a big more bling. Some of my vintage floral plate collection displayed above the window, some silver candlesticks, and a little bit of wall art. What in the world should I do on that far wall behind the table? I like those 2 lamps at the end of the table, but they are completely baffling me in terms of how to address the wall. Art above the lamps? Feels kinda high. Hmmm….would love your ideas!
Decided to soften this little sitting area by hanging a couple of my favorite old quilts from the railing, and I just love it!!! The double wedding ring is a family heirloom, and the dresden is a treasure that I snagged at a local flea market. I just can’t bear for quilts this pretty to sit in a linen closet or a chest, tucked away and rarely seen….so much work and emotion went into them, and they should be admired! I love that these gorgeous quilts are the very first thing you see when you walk into my house.
Well, there’s the house-cozying wrap up! So glad you stopped by to check out what in the world I’ve been up to (seemingly in hiding!) for the past 2 weeks. Now, time to relax and enjoy summer! We’re swimming, reading in our hammock, and sewing! Excited to share another Sugar Block with you, and announce the winners of the Andover giveaway on Monday!
XO
What a lovely family home you have. Surely worth all the hard work. You are just so creative!
You home is coming together beautifully. It is so homey too. I’m not very creative, but I am thinking maybe a large wall hanging (quilt) could drop down behind the lamps if they are not too close to the wall. Looking forward to seeing other suggestions. I, too, am looking forward to another block. The last week I finished my first quilting project. I made an encouragement shawl for my Financial Analyst’s wife, who just had breast cancer surgery. I did not think I could put something together that quickly, and it is the first quilting (stitch in the ditch) that I had done. I started on Saturday and finished it the following Thursday.
LOVE IT! My favorite thing to do is rehab, call me crazy. I like the “after” part of relaxing in the new best though. Great job!
You could always paint that wall a fun color, I also like the idea of hanging a quilt on the wall.
Hi Amy, your new house is really lovely ! I have an idea for your wall…. as you like vintage and olf frames… I would suggest tu use several of them, mixed shapes and sizes…. and maybe print pictures of your faimy (you, husband and children) in black and white, end of 18th century, beginning of 19th century style…..
Below it’s an idea :
http://decoracionydisegno.blogspot.be/2011/11/decorar-paredes-con-cuadros.html
http://style-files.com/2009/10/09/paintings-grouped-together/
I wish you a nice week-end !
Ornella
Amy, your new home is beautiful. It is so inviting and comfy looking. Your creativity shines. Thanks for sharing!
So pretty Amy! You all have worked so hard. Enjoy your summer!
Thank you for sharing the development of your beautiful home… I would second the wall hanging or one of your lovely quilts in that spot. Seems to me you had made a lovely playmat for a child…
Why not hang the Dresden quilt on the wall by the table with the lamps in front of it? Love your new place. Blessings for many years full of many wonderful memories.
I love the wall collages…so simple and yet so clever! You have made a great job of renovating your new home – well done! Now you deserve to relax and enjoy the summer. I also think the Dresden quilt would look lovely on that far wall.
What a lovely home! Have a great summer!!
You and your husband should congratulate each other, you work well together and the finished product is gorgeous. Your home is very inviting to all ages.
Lyn
Amy! So very lovely! Please come do my house next :-)
Your house is so beautiful Amy! You and Mr. Dock did a wonderful job on it and I really appreciate you sharing the pics! I would hang one of your lovely quilts on the wall or some of your art pieces that were shown at the Art Museum in Denver. Since you love to make wall collages, I would hang the pieces that were displayed there. You do such beautiful and very creative work that it should be displayed as a collage! Just an idea. Have a great weekend and thanks again for sharing. Love it when you post pics of your life.
Thank you for sharing your pictures. I can’t believe you accomplished so much and still took care of your babies and daughters!!! Enjoy the rest of the summer!!!!
You’ve done a perfect work with your home. It looks so warm, so personalized, your kids should be happy for their new home. I absolutely LOVE that renewed, light blue drawers chest downstairs, is great!
So, the idea of a quilt on that wall is great, but I love the idea of four pieces of framed artwork by the kids over that area. They paint/color or whatever but they are all the same size 12″ x 18″ with different colored painted wooden frames. Leave the artistry to the kids. Picture of the family that they paint, fabric sewn together by them and then framed…and then allow them to switch it out as they grow. Just a thought…
love the way you have decorated your new home.
you certainly have been hard at work but the house looks great what a difference
So beautifully done you two. I love all the pictures, pillows and most of all the milk glass. I love it and have many, many pieces. My aunt gave me my first piece when I was 13 for my birthday and I have been collecting it ever since – 57 years (whew an I really that old. I sure don’t fee like it. :-)). Praying for God’s blessings on you, your family and your home. I know you will use for His glory.
wow you guys worked hard to get everything so nice and inviting. What a great place for your family, I can only imagine all of the great times and the wonderful memories that this experience of a new home will forever be imprinted in your children, this are the moments worth living for. Thank you for sharing this wonderful pictures.
You have done a spectacular job with your new home. May you and your family be happy and content in your new surroundings.
Beautiful and cosy home. You are a talented lady! Great job !!!! Congratulations ;)
Amy, I am so happy for you! What a lovely, warm, personal home! So many happy stories will be created in this home!
How about an ever changing quilt show of family favorites, vintage finds, and whatever the kids make. If they haven’t made any yet they will soon enough. By the way the fabric on the 2 chairs under the railing is perfect.
Girl! You have been busy! It looks fantastic!! What about a giant vintage-y world atlas on the wall behind the lamps?? Just a thought :)
Your home is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the photos.
Hey Amy!! You did an awesome job!! Home made Ginger is the daughter of one of my college best friends!! It is a small world, isn’t it??
It’s beautiful Amy!
Oh my gosh. I want to hire you to decorate my house. Like, you need to come here NOW. Seriously, your home is absolutely lovely, thank you for sharing it with us!
Love that blue lamp in the first photo! I agree with other poster’s, what about putting some quilt wall hanging on the blank wall? Another idea is to create a large frame using molding around the lamps, starting at the table height (say about 4 ft x 3 ft), paint the inside a different colour, and add some pictures or art inside, so the lamps and the art become a feature.
Gorgeous stuff Amy! Well done! That fan…me=adore! How do you find these things? And did you leave the sewing machine in the “reading” table? That wall behind the dining room table is a doosie. Have you thought about a quilt? Something in coordinating colors, it would pull in the décor from the quilts in the other room? Or, and we picked this up at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, this cool art work of b&w photos of things that look like letters that spell out your family name. Ours is matted into a single framed image (I’ll email you a pic) or since your name only has 6 letters, they could be in 6- 5×7’s with coordinating distressed frames and collaged on the wall. Or single frame between the lamps and a quilt above! Lots o’ possibilities! It all looks great and congrats on your new home! (…oh geez…I just looked at a few other posts and saw they mentioned a quilt too. Oh well, great minds!)
Félicitations pour tout le bricolage,
votre maison est superbe
amitiés
Cécile
Awesome job on the house Amy. So many ideas I can use to freshen the tired look of the house we have been in for 17 years. Decorating really never ends does it
It’s a lovely home, Amy! Congratulations!
Well Amy, I must complement you! I am an interior decorator with 29 years owning my own business and helping clients pull their homes together. You have done an amazing beautiful job! Since you like wall collages, I suggest you create a T design around the two lamps on the table with your artwork. One or two framed pieces between the lamps and a row or two above the lamps. This is called a vignette, a design in itself You could even create a quilted wall hanging that does this. Or, you could even hang a full quilted piece on the wall behind the two lamps. Doesn’t matter if the two lamps are in front of a quilted piece if it is an overall design. If you hadn’t already hung the plates over the window, these could be artfully arranged in the T design around the lamps. You could still do this and create something else for the window. I saw a quilted wall hanging in a magazine that was a shelf with plates sitting on it. Pretty. I know whatever you choose it will be stunningly beautiful!
Amy, your home is beautiful! Any of my suggestions have already been mentioned – hanging a quilt or perhaps taking pictures of your children forming the letters of your last name- or perhaps their names! How talented you and husband are!!! Congratulations and enjoy your new home with your beautiful family.
It looks amazing Amy, you guys did a great job! Like many others I thought of an art wall quilt as well. If you would like wall art you can find large vintage piece at second hand stores. Something that would be a focal point in the room, I have been amazed over the years at the magnificent art I have found. Two of my favorites have been a roughly 76 X 60 print of a French house with a flower garden and a bike, and a print of a camp fire in the mountains, done in silhouette fashion. If you paint you could also paint a mural of sorts.
That wall looks like a good place to showcase a seasonal quilt block or seasonal mini quilt. Something that can be changed at your whim.
I Love-Love-Love what you’ve Done-Done-Done!!!
A really lovely home. I especially like the built-ins next to the fireplace.
The living room transformation is awesome! Great job. You put “wasted space” around the fireplace to GREAT use!!! And by painting the fireplace, it all came together wonderfully. I would definitely hang a quilt on the wall in your front room!!!
It looks amazing! I wouldn’t even recognize the living room! I think the wall behind the lamps would look nice with a big quilt…something that would hang behind the lamps a little.
Amy I love your web-site and blog! Congratulations on your new home. I’m not sure how you and your hubby did it with all that you have going raising your young family.
I noticed a few readers suggested hanging a quilt on the wall behind the large table in the “front room.” I think a quilt would be fabulous. One suggestion though…have you tried turning the table length wise? Then you could pull it a way from the wall for a larger quilt which would work with the scale of the table. The colors of your quilt can pull the room together and the repositioning of the table will lend more balance in that space.
You have created such a lovely nest for your family for years to come. Enjoy!
Michelle
Lovely! Btw, I second the idea of the gal that suggested you use your museum pieces on that dining wall!
Love your house! Unfortunately I am clueless when it comes to decorating. I’d love to do a wall collage with family photos like yours. In a previous home, I hung quilts and crocheted afghans from an upstairs railing. We are trying to sell our home now so we can move out of state. My next house I will have to call on you. *grin* I wondered where you were since the 15th and now I know.
Love everything you’ve done. Cozy,not cluttered, brught colors, good deals, just lovely. Ya’ll accomplished so much in such a short amount of time!
Love all that you’ve done with your new home, Amy. Why not hang one of your gorgeous quilts on the wall behind the table? It would have the right scale and showcase your craft at the same time!
It is beautiful and congrats to being all moved and settled in. You did yourself proud.
I would hang a mini quilt on the wall behind the lamps. And that turquoise dresser by the stairs?!? LOVE!
Hi Amy, Can I move into your little girls room? I would never come out of it, ever. Your daughters are sooooo lucky!! Just beautiful! I have no decorating talent at all. :( But the other room I am waiting to see, is your new sewing studio. I hope you post lots of pictures of it, I could really use some ideas for my sewing room. Thanks for sharing all your new home pics, I really enjoy seeing them. Have a super weekend, and remember to sit back and “Breathe” now that all your hard work is done!
Wow, super cute! Great job. I love it.
Wow! Amazing transformation! So cozy and elegant. Wow! I need a nap after thinking how much sweat-equity you have invested. Well done! Bravo!
That big wall needs a really big bright colored happy quilt! Love your house.
Um, I need you at my house. We’ve been in it 8 years and it’s not anywhere near as fabulous as yours…
It sure is homey looking-glad you are enjoying it-I know how much work it was for you but at least it is your ideas.
Congrats! Your new home is beautiful! You and your hubby did a fantastic job renovating. I know it must be so nice to come home to after a long day at work :). I have seen these laser cut quotes/pictures that people decorate with. I have seen them at Hobby Lobby. They also have a tree. Thought the idea of having a picture of your family name spelled out by common objects was a great idea. You could also put black framed pictures of your kids, hubby & you as well as other family members on this tree. The tree is like a decal and can be removed easily without sticking to your walls and leaving residue. Each piece is separate so you could put it together however you want. A Family Tree. Just a thought. I know you will come up with something for that wall. You are a creative bug ;). Enjoy making memories in your new home. Oh, and, Welcome Home!
Of course, there are smaller size hammocks and stands which will take up less space
in the house. Once you’ve chosen the perfect
hammock or hammock chair for your space, you have to decide how you want
to hang it. A good wooden hammock stand should
be capable of holding around 400 pounds in weight.