Posted in Home, Queens Lake

Making a home

This moving stuff is so much, not so fun, work.  Luckily Stevie came just a few days after we moved in and really made a huge dent in the unpacking.

Then my mom and her friend, Judy, were here last week. They completely unpacked Hanna’s boxes. That was a really big help. Since Hanna is away at school her room will be the acting as the guest room. My mom also worked in the yard quite a bit. She really misses having a large yard, I’m happy to accommodate her love of gardening. She prepped some garden areas, put out lots of garden decor and planted some roses. She was happy and I was happy!

I’m the indoor cat to my mom’s outdoor cat.

I love decorating, moving things around and editing what we have to work in new ways. I have an eclectic style, a bit farmhouse, a bit traditional and now a bit New Mexican. We don’t typically buy new furniture or big investment types of purchases. I like to change things around so garage or resale purchases are better for the budget and frankly my style. We have many family pieces, like the tv that my grandma dragged from someone’s trash to her house, she gutted out the tv parts leaving the shell of the case. She then refinished it, adding glass doors and a glass shelf. I use it to house the various crystal we have, also, mostly hand me downs.  I love this sort of stuff. Historical pieces, well, my history anyway.

This is the TV cabinet my Grandma repurposed

I want our house to be…..timeless, not trendy. You won’t find a sign that says “Farmhouse” or drop cloth curtains hanging from our windows or anything like that. Not trendy, rather, updated and comfortable.

After mom and Judy left I went in and added the little touches to Hanna’s room that make a place special. She wanted to incorporate cacti into the design and I found these cute cacti lights at Pier One so I tucked those under the edge of the upper cabinets. Super cute if you ask me.

Hanna chose a pretty Emerald green but I went with the lightest color on the card, Breaktime, to give a spa like feel. Before she left  for school Hanna picked out some throw pillows and accent pieces to go in her room. plus we purchased the chair and nightstands I previously talked about on my blog. I purchased new all white linens to keep with the spa/hotel vibe I wanted. I’m going to add several pictures of her room for you. What do you think? I love how it turned out.

Hanna loves it, too. And we are ready for guests! Whose coming next? YOU?

I’m hoping to squeeze in some knitting this weekend. I really should get in my craft room and finish unpacking there. I have way too many books. Not to mention I haven’t even opened the boxes labeled yarn or crafts yet, I won’t say it out loud but it’s a hot mess in there. Look at the picture with your eyes closed please.

Real life ahead————–>

Happy knitting.

 

 

Posted in Williamsburg, VA

Swirling thoughts keep swirling

 

We are closing on our new house on January 31st. Im spending too much time with all these thoughts and plans swirling around in my head. What colors to paint. Should I paint every room? Do I want neutrals or colors. Neutrals in some rooms, colors in others? What plants to plant. Hydrangea’s and Roses, definitely some Impatiens. Where to place furniture and art work. Living room will have our big couch but do I put my favorite chair in there or in the family room?it never ends.

 

I’m spending so much time scour Pinterest, Instagram and blogs trying to decide what my style will be.  I’m what I would consider hand me down eclectic. which won’t change,  but what is the overall feel I’m going for.

What I really love about this house is all the built in storage. It is homey and cottage-y. I will make sure to enhance all the moldings and builtins with my paint choices. White trim and cupboards is a definite yes. The family room and kitchen have beams that have been painted white and I will keep that, but these and the crown moldings are getting lost against the white ceilings. I will change the ceiling color just enough to make these features the glory of the rooms.

 

You can see the ceiling beams and moldings in the family room

 

this is one of many builtins in the hallway
one of the bedrooms

I’m pretty sure when I saw the builtins I was sold. Totally ready to move in.  I love the “dressing room” part of the master bedroom. There are matching builtins on either side of the 3-way mirror and a make up desk.  I can imagine a large mirror hanging above it with some new farmhouse style good lighting will be perfect. Eventually I may replace the counter or maybe open up the master bath into the dressing room area.

one side of the dressing room
make up desk with original 1962 sparkle countertop

A big challenge is definitely going to be the master closet. and it is just a closet.  very basic and very small. With some fresh paint and some smart storage choices I will make the best of it.  It’s a great time top finally pair down to that Capsule Wardrobe I’ve been planning.

please be kind
these clothes belong to the current home owner
more along these lines

 

Chuck asked why I didn’t want top build a house so I could make it exactly what I want.  I do have exactly what I want. to take something good and make it amazing.  To be the curator, the editor, the caretaker. This is what I want.
Now to get off the internet and finish knitting my hat. To keep my mind from swirling.
Happy Knitting.