Welcome to
The Everyday Home
Tour – Summer 2013.
My sweet Southern Mama is a gentle soul. And one fine cook. Just like her
Mama and I’m sure her Mama’s Mama…. cooking runs in her blood.
I was blessed to have the love of cooking passed along to me….and I am
happy to say it looks like our sweet Roo loves it, too.
There is no rhyme or reason as to why we are good cooks… there isn’t a
culinary degree to be found hanging on our walls.
But, we all have one thing in common.
We love our homes.
Our homes reflect who we are, what we feel, what we believe and who
we love.
Our family has a saying… “I cook to show you how much I love you.
You eat my food to show how much you love me.”
So, why am I talking about our family’s love of cooking when this is
a Home Tour?
Because when I think of our home – I want it to be that kind of place
that is more than bricks and wood and carpet and tile.
‘Cause to me – that’s nothing more than a house.
But, when you add family heirlooms and wood blocks and legos, and
passed-down iron skillets and a fridge full of silly magnets you picked up
on your travels…then throw in some juice stains on the carpet and fingerprints
on the glass doors…and cat hair. LOTS of cat hair –
Then, and only then… do you have a home. A home that love built.
A home that anyone is welcome in.
A home where you want to visit…and stay for supper.
Welcome to our home…
Mr. Boo-Boo Bunny, one of our three cats, has come out to greet you.
At 17-yrs old, he is the patriarch of the family. Or so he thinks. 🙂
I like to call our front porch “The Little Porch That Could.” It’s small…
But, we love it. It’s been through a lot of changes, and it’s one of the places
I love to decorate with seasonal changes. I was going to paint the red door a
pretty blue just before the Spring, until someone told me why Southerners
love their red doors so much.
For one thing, a red door was always a sign of welcome for weary travelers.
But in Biblical times, it was meant to ward off the Angel of Death.
So…red it shall be.
White rockers are the seat of choice. The pillows change out, too. It’s a
great place to sit late afternoons when the sun is on the other side of the
house, and watch the world go by.
A colorful Summer-themed wreath hangs in a chippy white metal container…
a sure sign of things to come inside.
So, come on in. I’ve got fresh, sweet tea with lemon waiting for you.
It’s hotter than a wet setting hen out here.
The Foyer
Our Foyer is long and narrow and has two areas on each side of the front
door. If you have followed The Everyday Home for a while, you will
remember that over the past year or more, I have been in the process of
“de-redifying” our home. Our entire home used to be entirely red, gold
and sage. But, I longed for lighter and brighter and different after almost
20 years of marriage.
No, in my house – not my hubby.
So, ever so slowly – I have been changing areas to better reflect the new
blue+white+tan color scheme. I recently added this fabulous mirror to
this vintage chest. I had been searching for the perfect mirror for months
and months, and literally stumbled upon this one day.
You can read more about that here at “When Pigs DON’T fly!”
I really don’t make a lot of changes during the Summer months. But, if
you stop by – you’re going to see a lot of fresh-cut vines and stems from
our almost 5-acre yard.
I have decided that I have O.C.D. (Obsessive Clipping Disorder)
If you see a wild-looking, barefooted woman with garden clippers in her
hand…possibly even in her Hello Kitty! jammies… its ok.
It’s just me. Clipping and gathering. Cave-woman style.
There are two windows on each side of the front door, and each window
has an upholstered cornice (which I just recovered literally a few days ago)…
and a cream striped roman shade. Don’t you love this fabric?
Birds and flowers and vines. Swoon!
On the opposite side of the door, there is a vintage bench made from
an old bed.
Again, I just recently made some major changes to this area. (I promise
to blog about it later.) This bench was purchased when we lived in
Brussels, Belgium. A very old and dear Flemish neighbor made these.
You went into his 300-year old barn, chose a bed from the stacks and
stacks of antique beds…and he turned it into a work of art.
I love it. It is not a family heirloom, but it will hopefully become one one
of these days.
I also made new pillows and a new cushion… using some of the same
fabric from the valance along with a coordinating plaid. Love!
Our home has a great circular pattern that flows from one room into the
next. It is great for parties – and we are blessed to have most of our family
live near-by so we can enjoy birthdays and anniversaries and “just because”
get togethers.
Just off to the right of the Foyer is the Living Room or what I like to call
the “Room with a View.”
It is not unusual for you to hear me call this The Morning Room. This room
has the most beautiful glow in the mornings when the sun shines in through
the large arched window. It looks out onto our front yard, and I cannot tell
you how many times we have seen a family of deer or a fox strolling through
the yard. It’s a wonderful place to sit in the morning and read or drink coffee
… or blog.
This room holds one of our most cherished pieces. My husband’s
grandmother’s English hutch with the original glass. Being in the
military, we moved every 2-3 years. I always held my breath until this
piece was unwrapped and I could see that it had survived intact.
It has its own bruises and scars, but that’s what I love about it.
I just reupholstered the chair seat that is beside the hutch. I love the
very Southern message…
Sitting on the hutch is a favorite Bunny that stays out all year. I have a
“thing” for bunnies. 🙂
A vintage drop leaf desk sits in the corner. Above it is a self-portrait of my
hubby’s late Aunt. She was a graduate of Julliard and was also an Opera
singer in NYC. I love the vibrant colors!
New hand-made window treatments using plain white linen, Annie Sloan
Chalk Paint, painter’s tape and transfer paper. I love how they turned out.
And yes… I guess I have a “thing” for pillows too…because my sofa
runneth over.
Remember a few weeks ago, how me and The Hubbs had a conversation about
the old “rusty” coffee table? He didn’t think it fit into the room.
I guess I won out, cause it’s still here.
And you may be wondering, why is there an old, chippy blue door with a
cotton wreath leaning against the wall?
It’s just one of those pieces that makes me smile. But, there is a great story
behind it and how it came to be at The Everyday Home.
You can read about it HERE.
So, you can see that this room is a mixture of all styles. Just like the rest
of our home. Some of this, some of that, a piece from here and a table from
there. Maybe it doesn’t make sense to anyone but us…. but isn’t that what
“home” is all about?
The Kitchen and Breakfast Room
Let’s mosey into the kitchen, shall we? It’s where my heart is. My
grandchildren help me cook, it’s where I pour through countless recipe books
like they are juicy romance novels, and it’s where – inevitably – everyone
gathers when we are having a party.
This kitchen, along with the rest of the house, was a disaster when we
bought it. But, I saw below the layers of really bad paint and horribly
placed tile, what a beauty she was underneath. I adore my kitchen.
Oh, yes – there are some changes I would make. And slowly, we are.
But, it’s an incredible space to cook and create. When I think of our home,
the kitchen comes to mind first and foremost.
The cabinets were painted white not so long ago, and I added a Faux Brick
Painted Backsplash, as well as, some Corbels. The wood countertops were
supposed to be temporary until I could decide on what granite I wanted.
That was over five years ago, and now I cannot imagine my kitchen without
them.
You may not wanna hear this, but this copper Farmhouse sink may be going
in the near future. While I do love it, I do not love the care that is required
on a regular basis so it looks presentable. This is the sink my Mama warned
me about.
No, literally. It will be replaced with a ceramic white farmhouse sink.
I cannot imagine not having a farmhouse sink. It makes a great place to
bathe babies, btw.
Speaking of silly magnets… I love my Scrabble tile pieces.
A newly painted (ASCP) drop leaf table holds a pot of herbs, which I like
to have around as much as possible.
And I am happy to say that there is a new addition to The Everyday Home’s
Farmhouse Kitchen!
Meet Cleetus…
Cleetus takes center stage on my new chalkboard wall I just added above my
little blue chest.
Notice I added some cute little numbers to the front of the drawers?
(Numbers from Lowe’s in the mailbox department)
Cleetus has a message for y’all….
Yup! Cleetus is a pig of few words, but when he does speak….it’s genuine.
Are you in need of a bit of refreshment? I am so sorry. Where are my
manners? My Mama would skin my bottom if she knew I had not offered
you a cool, refreshing drink when you came in.
Supper isn’t quite ready yet. So grab your glass and we’ll go sit in the
breakfast room a few minutes, to rest your feet.
The Hubbs thinks our breakfast room has gone to the animals. Farm animals,
that is. I reckon he’s right. I added some beautiful cow creamers to the black
hutch. Now don’t get too used to this black hutch and table. “A changes they
be coming.” Stay tuned!
The Dining Room
“Pass the Victuals”
When we first bought this home, and before we added the large Family Room
addition – this room was the Family Room. That would explain why we have
a huge brick fireplace in our Dining Room. But… I LOVE it!
It’s the one room that still has a lot of red, and probably always will. Because
this is also where my cherished Pink and White Staffordshire is displayed.
On the walls, in the French hutches flanking the fireplace, and on the mantel…
Most of it was purchased during the three years we lived in Europe. I made
many a journey across the English channel in my American van, to a place I
call Heaven in England – Stoke-on-Trent. Sigh! It’s a massive flea market
filled with so much fabulousness, you cannot even begin see it all.
The best part! It was cheap! Sometimes “dirt” cheap because I had to wipe
away the layers of dust and grime from where it had been stored in a barn
and simply brought to market. (gasp!) My van could almost navigate the
trip to this market on auto-cruise. If you ever get the chance to go, take along
an extra suitcase (or three) – you’ll need it.
One of my favorite pieces is sitting on the chest. A Staffordshire Soup
Tureen which still has the lid, drip platter and ladle. It makes my heart
very happy!
And speaking of my heart – this is one of my Mama’s favorite sayings, and I
recently passed along this bit of advice to my own grandson. I’d love for
you to read about that story HERE.
I know it’s not polite to take someone to see their Laundry Room, but I am
tickled pink and the project my son and I started while The Hubbs was away
one week. It was supposed to be a week-long project, and would be completed
in its entirety so I could surprise The Hubbs when he got home.
(aka surprise = I bought a new washer and dryer) Well, it took much
longer than a week (like THREE) and my sweet hubby pitched in to help
complete the job. So, before we head into the Family Room… let’s step into
the laundry room which is right off of the kitchen.
The Laundry Room
It’s not a huge space. But, before we ripped out a useless closet and added
more pantry shelving, it was a disaster. I hated the room, and had absolutely
no storage. A gal can only take so much, so one day Mr. Sledge Hammer
came home to play. And play he did!
(you can see the Laundry Room Before HERE)
If its possible to love a washing machine and dryer… I do. They are by
Samsung, and laundry is still a chore…but the pretty little buzzers
that sing to you when a cycle is done makes it so much more fun! Ladies,
diamonds are pretty – but give me a fabulous Washing Machine and
Dryer anytime.
Almost the entire room was covered in bead board, to include the ceiling.
And I know its hard to tell here, but the ceiling is painted a soft, pale blue.
We also changed out the light fixture to this cute little one we found at Lowe’s.
The wall opposite the washer and dryer received a half-wall treatment. I used
inexpensive lumber and mouldings to create this look. You can read how we
did that HERE. The metal numbered signs are from my shop,
Farmhouse Decor. (sorry, they are no longer available.) I have big plan
for this wall, and it involves that blue chippy door you saw in the Living Room.
The upper basket shelf was another inexpensive project, and it gives me so
much storage I have extra baskets to spare! I bought the baskets at Kmart.
Yes, Kmart. Who knew?
We also replaced the floors, but since I was not impressed with this product –
it shall remain nameless. (lessons learned!)
And when you need some inexpensive art…
Ta-da! Art board, paint and ole’ fashioned clothespins. It doesn’t get any easier than that now does it?
So, let’s head on back through the kitchen and go into the Family Room.
Honestly, we should refer to the Family Room as the LIVING Room because
it’s where we spend most of the time outside of the kitchen. It’s a borderline
between my hubbie’s Man Room, the Kids Play Room, and best of all – the
Party Room. And it’s all done…. English-style!
This room is where we have amassed our collection of English landscapes,
and my husband’s collection of British military art. Oh, I know it sounds a
little formal and stuffy… so we added some hand painted Royal Feline plates
to take the edge off some.
Who doesn’t love Cat Royalty, right? The other thing that keeps this room
from becoming formal and stuffy is this…
Meet The Pub! You know how I said that everyone tends to gather in the
kitchen when we are entertaining? Well, this is where they head when
Supper is done! I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun we have
had gathered at this spot.
This is a big room, as we intended. Generally, the large open space is filled
with Legos and dinosaurs and a princess tent. But, that was the intention
all along. A room that would hold family and friends and allow us to grow
and enjoy being together.
And as much as I love my lighter and brighter blues and whites and creams
throughout the rest of my home…the rusty-red, gold and brown color
scheme of this room fits the decor and the style. I love the “Fall.” And this
room makes me feel like I am wrapped in a beautiful Fall day.
A Belgian marble-topped chest holds an assortment of European crystal
decanters and glasses…
– and one of my Stoke-on-Trent finds is across the room…
An English Mahogany fireplace surround. I hauled it back on top of my van
all the way across the English channel. The sweet British gentleman who
sold it to me also helped me load it and tie it on top of the van. It was a
nervous drive home back to Brussels.
Above it are some of our artwork, and the tall, strikingly handsome Bubba you
see in the center is Lord Kitchener. My hubby could tell you all about him
and his military endeavors (maybe because he majored in British history
and Military Strategic Planning and retired as a Marine Colonel?) All I know
is that he looks really “purdy” hanging above our “Faux” fireplace.
Okay, I hear your tummy grumbling and I know you’re getting hungry.
Supper is ready…cause I hear the smoke alarm going off. Ha!
Just kidding…. there was one more thing I wanted to show you before we
go sit down to eat.
It’s a small little tag I added to a terrarium I made. Three small words…
a simple message which completely conveys our home.
I hope you feel the same way…
Thank you for joining me for our Home Tour. I have so enjoyed having you and hope you come back again soon.
Now…let’s go eat shall we????
xxoo, Barb
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Check out some of the Projects seen above:
1) Front Porch Decorated for Fall
2) Painted Faux Brick Kitchen Backsplash
3) More Indepth Kitchen Reveal
5) Guest Bathroom Before and After
6) Guest Bathroom – Beach-Inspired Burlap Lamp
7) Create Your Own Chalkboard Pantry Tags
8) How to Fake an Expensive Shelf
9) How to {Fake} Expensive Moldings and Trims
Also, check out The Everyday Home’s
Fabulous Days of Fall Tour
2) A Breakfast Room Tablescape
3) Cotton is Made for Fall Decorating!
and
The Everyday Home Christmas 2012 Tour
anna pell says
I love it all ! I think you would love my home also , we have such similar styles . You have inspired me to paint my deep red accent wall , to a soft blue , I love your blues . I’ve been stuck in the reds ,golds and browns for too long . keep up the decorating , its beautiful . annie
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