your home is your portfolio....

...or at least it is for me.

We have spent time (and money) this week getting the house like we wanted it before they came to look at it.  These were plans we had in the works for the next six months or so---but with an opportunity like this, why not do them now?  

Here is one new purchase:  this brown linen settee (from Ballard)  It is so perfect for this room.  It is a great place to sit and type or read and put your feet up with the sun hitting your back (this room, and our home, faces south)

And on the other side, sweet Kate painted this for me this week (there is no way you can paint furniture with two little boys at home.  If you know of a way, please fill me in!)

my old antique dresser (deep sea green...oil-based semi-gloss Ben Moore)

So today was really great.  Seriously one of the best days of my life.  Whether or not they do choose our home or not, I was so happy with our work and my design and how the home was.  All you can do is give it your all....and we all did.  I think I can feel good about surrendering the outcome if I know I did all I wanted to do.

Here are a few more shots of the house (clean (!) and with roses from our yard)

By the way, that candle right there (as well as those candlesticks you can see on the island) were from a recent shopping trip to Anthropolgie.  I find that a lot of candles make my head hurt.  I don't know the name--but this cream & black one is so subtle.

Our inspiration board got a coat of white dove to lighten it up a bit.

The nightstands finally got dressed up with the new knobs I've had in the drawer for about a year.

(shot from yesterday--not clean--but the setting sunlight was so unreal.  I am a book hoarder.  And pillow and lamp hoarder.)

and Kate's new stitch art for this room....

How beautiful are these?  And stitches!!!  And she is a fine artist, not a seamstress.  I cannot tell you how much I love these.

I still owe you a proper post on her art.  It's coming...along with the mantel post :)

One reason we justify spending this money (like on new sconces for Liam's room) is that we believe it is cheaper than interior design school.

And this is no knock at school...or being ASID for sure.  Just for us, and our lives now, it wouldn't work.  I have a master's degree in English (not that my grammar and spelling always display this), and I just think I am learning so much by living as a decorator and using my home as an example.  People will like it or not like it, but our home is the one place where I have (kinda) free reign to do what my heart desires.

Wyatt got new (old) mirrors, a new pillow, some silver satin Dutch Boy paint on his changing table, and more of Kate's finery above it.

new antique chair, PB rustic frames and photos

And for me, it works out best that I read and learn by reading design books while they nap.  Perhaps I'll go back one day, perhaps I won't...but for now I don't feel I need it.  I do need to learn, for sure, but in a more organic way.

Anyway, I do hope I have good news to share with y'all soon.  And if not, the good news is I am proud of what we've done...and it feels nice to sit back and enjoy a little accomplishment.  "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair", for sure, so you gotta appreciate the high notes.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, friends!  I'm off to see babies tomorrow.  Both my friends I threw baby showers for this summer both delivered a week early....babies Ruby and Daisy.

Julie

Inspiration for our open shelving

Do you remember seeing this from CL--makeovers on a budget?  Well, I fell in love.  I bet the zinc "M" from Anthro didn't hurt.  Something about this kitchen really stuck with me.

So when we found our beautiful diamond in the rough last September (an untouched '70s ranch), I knew this picture had to be incorporated.  I hate to admit that I totally copied a magazine...but I did.  I hope I continue with this passion I have for design, grow in my confidence, and one day go only with my gut.  But for now and the near future, I am definitely taking my cues from blogs and magazines.

The fireclay apron-front sink was a definite in our kitchen renovation.  My mom has had a farmhouse sink since I can remember, so perhaps me owning one was already predestined in my genes.

After looking up the sources in the magazine, I found the designer used a Walker Zanger diamond pattern.  After I got their catalog, I realized I loved Ashby Mosaic better--a little bit quatrefoil.  

In the inspiration picture, the tile goes all the way up.  My contractor said "No Way."  He tried to convince me to get subway tile.  At 22 cents a tile I wouldn't cry if one or two chipped during drilling.  We tried a million different ideas to see if these oak shelves would work with the WZ tile, but we just didn't take the chance.  I also didn't want to change to subway (which I do love).  This tile, in my opinion (and I am the only one washing dishes here three times a day), is the jewelry of the room.  It stayed.

I don't really have a good shot of it yet, but here at nighttime you can see we chose beadboard for the remainder of the backing of the shelving.  We also extended the beadboard floor to ceiling around the table area.

It is a dream come true for me to have this kitchen.  Life is so challenging (and beautiful) raising two little boys, it is so rewarding to do so in an environment that you love and that inspires you.

Wishing you inspiration and beauty!  Julie