Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Our Home Tour...again...

I shared our home tour over at It's Overflowing last week, but it includes many pictures that I have yet to share here at my own site!  So, I felt I should share it here too if you didn't get a chance to stop over there and check it out.....

We bought our current home about 4 years ago.  One day back in 2008 I was complaining about the shared walls of our city condo (which you can tour here) with my husband and he unexpectedly said "ok, let's move."  We took about two weeks to get the condo ready for sale and a month later we were closed and moved out!!!!  This all happened so quickly that we had no where to go!  So, humbly, we went home to my parents house.

Since we had temporary housing at my parents we thought it would be a good time to find a fixer upper and put our own stamp on it! We took this house down to the studs, moved walls and updated every last room.
We widened the entry and enclosed the front porch to capture more space; this allowed us to create a large front hall closet.  Here is our "winter" entry.  You can read more details about how I staged it for Christmas/Winter here.





Off to the left is our living room.  We added all new windows and opened this room into the dining room..........



Our pup popped up several times while I took these pictures....
You might appreciate it more when you see the before:




This room is still a work in progress as several decisions were quickly made when we moved in (i.e. I'd like to change the wall color and the rug - although my husband doesn't know that - add a mantle, accent lighting, etc).  Regardless, we love to cozy up to a fire in this room. 

 Across from the fireplace is our tv, we recently took it down from over the fireplace and I love the change.  We updated our gallery wall to surround the tv: 


Here is the gallery wall before the change:
You can read about my tips and ideas for creating a custom gallery wall here, and tips for adding interest and accents to your walls here.

From our living room, you enter the dining room....








Here is another before shot:


...and after:


...the pup showed up again:


Here is the dining room set for a winter/Christmas party.  You can read more about setting a tablescape here:




We opened up the dining room so that it flows right into the kitchen:




We still have some updates in here - after four years I think I'm finally ready to make a decision on kitchen hardware and window coverings.  The kitchen opens to the back family room that leads to a deck and the backyard.  


We spend a lot of time back there in the summer!



The boys have spaces of their own, too.  Downstairs is their bright and colorful playroom where I display their recent pictures and artwork:


...back upstairs I had fun decorating their bedrooms.  Full details of my older sons "Industrial Big Boy Room" are here:



..and the nursery details, including DIY bedding, curtains, and wall letters, can be found here:






Finally, I love having a calm and peaceful master "retreat" to relax in at the end of each day.  Full details on our "winter" bedroom can be found here:

32 comments:

  1. I'm still amazed every time I see the transformation! You guys really have done such an amazing job with the place.

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  2. You have a LOVELY home! I LOVE the transformations!

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  3. I love that your dog just sits perfectly for the photos! If mine ever photobomb it's always a slight blur.

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    1. The day I took those particular pictures was very gloomy so I slowed the shutter speed way down. I'm amazed at how long she will sit there and stare at me w/o moving.

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  4. You have a beautiful home, so many great details...my favorite is the painted fireplace...makes a big difference!

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  5. Oh my, your home is to die for!
    Love your doggie too. The fire place, the nursery with the little ship mobile and your bedroom. Perfect;)
    So many details, love!

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  6. Wow! Amazing job. Everything is gorgeous and your kitchen is lovely. Such s darling springer:) I have a picture of mine ( in my kitchen) in my last blog post. They always have to be included!

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    1. Thx Leslie. We are a family of Springers. My mom's springer is the long lost twin of your younger springer...I swear.

      They are such pretty dogs....they need to be included. :)

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  7. I am in love with your home! so gorgeous and still so comfy and cozy! Wonderful job
    XO
    Kristin

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  8. OK, you really need to put a warning label on here when you show those "before" shots! I audibly gasped and clutched my chest!!! What a profound change!!! All of your hard work shines through in every room! I absolutely love the living room with all those windows to allow in the natural light! The fireplace looks brand new!!! I rally like the way the dining room flows into the kitchen area but still maintains the feel of a separate dining room. Every single room is fabulous!!! Terrific job!

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  9. This home tour is just stunning! I loved every inch of it! There is nothing I like better that a good before and after story and this is one of the best I've seen in a long time!

    Love it!!

    Lynn

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  10. Your house is SO drool-worthy! I seriously could just stare at your pictures for hours! Thank you SO much for sharing I am pinning a few photos to the Inspiration Gallery Feature Board.
    Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy

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  11. oh my goodness, what an amazing space. the work you did on it was definitely worth it-i love the openness and the light. and the pencil tile backsplash, too.

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  12. Your home is gorgeous. You have made some tremendous changes. It looks amazing.
    Ruth

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  13. Your home is lovely, and sure looks like you did a great job of updating it. Might I ask you what type of paint you used to paint your fireplace.
    I am thinking of doing my white, but have heard you had to have a paint that was fire retardant or something like that. Was just wondering if you
    remembered the brand of paint and what have you, or if you have any tips
    for me that I might could use.
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful home, very inviting....
    Blessings, Nellie

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    1. Nellie - I'm pretty sure we did NOT use special fire retardant paint (but it was a few years ago so my memory isn't 100%). We went to the local Benjamin Moore store and they guided us on what to buy. I'm so glad we painted the fireplace because that small change made such a difference.

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  14. You have a beautiful home. I love all the little vingettes you've created. They made me smile.

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  15. What a great job you two did. We did the same six years ago, so know your frustration, but mostly excitement when it comes together. Love your home-it's beautiful.

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  16. beautiful home....I love your lantern in the entry and on the dining room table. you gave me an idea...thanks for sharing!

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  17. Beautiful home! I Love all the soft gray on the walls.

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  18. I love the color of your living room walls. Any chance you remember the color?

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  19. Wow! new follower! I love your style! please drop by and say hi!!
    marcy

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  20. Gorgeous! Love everything-My Favorites: white fireplace, pendant lighting and dark wood floors! New follow. Follow back at
    http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/01/sweet-heart-pillow-upcycle.html
    http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/01/choose-to-be-happy.html

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  21. Hi. Just found your blog and love how your home is styled. Especially love your chandi in the dining room. Great tour!

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  22. Gorgeous, Dawn! You did such a wonderful job with the renovation. Thank you for joining the Open House party.
    xx, Sherry

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  23. What a beautiful home. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.

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  24. Beautiful! I love how you opened up the dining room to the living area with the columns. Pinning!! Congrats on the feature at Homestories A to Z! Tell me about your dining room light - it's amazing!

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  25. Your home is so beautiful and I love how you have incorporated space for your little ones. Would love you to come and share it at Silver Pennies Sundays if you get a chance - http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2013/02/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-and.html

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  26. You have a beautiful home! I have the same curtain wire art hanger in my boys' room and it's map themed like your nursery. :) I love all of the choices you made throughout your home. It looks so peaceful.

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  27. I'm going to need to cozy up this weekend and go through more of your images from your home. It's such a great feeling making a home your own and having your own vision. We're in the process of moving and looking for a new home - I'd love to renovate again. As much time and effort as it takes (and patience) it's so worth it as evidenced by your home. It's beautiful!

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  28. what a difference! I really loved your kitchen... the backsplash is to die for! Its so bright, light and airy... very nice! amazing job!

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