Well, we all seem to have survived the move! Even though many of the rooms have a long way to go before they are “finished” I do feel pretty settled (mostly) and I’m REALLY happy with how a lot of my plans have already come to fruition. This is just a lovely house, so there really isn’t much that I could do to mess it up decorating-wise.

I read Fieldstone Hill Design blog and Darlene suggests thinking about your personal design style and writing down a list of words – in order to help you buy only things that you really really love. So when you don’t buy things that you like, just because they were on sale, etc., it saves you money and your house isn’t filled with stuff that you feel so-so about. That really resonated with me – although I’m not sure I could have done things any differently when we got married. I didn’t really know my style and we had NOTHING. So, now I’m trying to be really intentional about what I bring into the house and getting rid of as much stuff as I can if I don’t REALLY love it. And, I am trying to be patient until I find just the right thing.

Nicole’s Personal Design Style Words

Elegant

glamorous, sophisticated. For example: turned wooden furniture legs on casters, Carrera marble (I want this for my dream kitchen counters – I even love marble when it is stained and not perfect – it is still lovely to me), crystal chandeliers, and un-lacquered brass fixtures — but only in applications that won’t get ruined by an active family

Rustic

farmhouse, utilitarian, hard-working, enduring, durable, easy-care (wipeable), rugged matte-finish metals, raw/distressed wood — for furniture items that get USED and abused – like the dining room table, flooring, and seating.

Bright

airy, breathes, flows (more of a feeling than any particular color or fabric)

Orderly

serene, uncluttered, organized, clear surfaces (i.e. no decor items on tables, etc. so you can actually use them without having to clear it off first)

Inspiring/Natural

unique, wood (grey, white, medium/natural, weathered, limewash), lots of natural elements, interesting textures

Classic & Timeless

This is a slippery slope for me because while I really do love classics, I do NOT want my house to look like old people live here! I am attracted to a lot of old things, but I need to remember to mix in some modern things to keep it from feeling frumpy and boring (see next). I love carved wood, but I really prefer Louie XVI with straight lines to the easier-to-find-on-craigslist Queen Anne or Louie XV curvy styles.

with Unexpected Touches of Whimsy

So, while I want to furnish my home in mostly solid, neutral colors (gray, beige, linen, leather, wood, etc.), I also want to add pattern/bold color/pattern in TEMPORARY applications and SMALL doses (Darlene calls them punch colors) like fresh flowers, accessories, pillows, etc.. NO patterns or colors on major pieces of furniture (unless it is easy and inexpensive to change when I get tired of it).

 

So, without further ado, here is our new house! This page is a placeholder page for all the links to the pics for our house tour in one place. I’ll make these links active as I publish each room tour (one room a day is the goal).

 

main level/downstairs:

Entryway, Laundry Room & changing station

Keeping Room/Homeschool Room

Dining Room

Living Room/Family Room/Fireplace Room

Kitchen

 

upstairs:

kids rooms and kids bathroom

laundry chute room (nursery)

Master bedroom and bath

 

basement:

guest suite/sewing room

 

outside:

our permaculture-ish suburban backyard