SUMMER TOUR OF HOMES: MY FABULESS LIFE

by 40 Comments

So, I’m sort of doing a Wayne and Garth “we’re not worthy…” thing over here. I was so flattered (and maybe a little nervous) when Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage asked me to be a part of her summer home tour.  If you’re coming over from The Handmade Home, a big welcome!

You know those few days before company comes over that you frantically run around stashing all the toys in the spare room cleaning your house like mad? The last two weeks around here have looked something like that. Our home is made for living. With a four year old. So if you come over most days, it will look something like what you see here today, but you might also step on an Octonaut or five, or a Barbie on your way in, or find all of the pillows in fort formation in the living room. We’re all about making memories around here and enjoying living–no fuss. Home for us is all about being surrounded by the things we love: photos, Adelie’s (my daughter) artwork, collections of mementos and little treasures that just make us smile–all on a budget. It comes with time, collecting, thrift store and yard sale hunting, and a lot of sweat, ingenuity, and patience from my husband–bless that man. So, grab a cup of coffee and come in. This is my first official home tour ever, so: WELCOME TO MY HOME!

First stop, the entry way, of course. An old printers tray I inherited from my mom holds treasures from vacations and hiking (one of our favorite summer pastimes), some precious art created by my little one, and some simple color pops for summer. Oh, and disco balls. Disco balls make me happy!

 
I created this large print a couple of years ago from a list my mom made, before she passed away, of all of her favorite things. You can read more about that here. This list makes my day brighter every time I look at it.
Then onto the living room. The main level of our house is basically one big open area with the exception of my husband’s office and the master bedroom (both of which are still works in progress), so we’re limited on storage (and wall space) and most everything we do happens in this spot, which by the way, you can see almost all of from the front door. That means finding lots of ways to create hidden storage so the toy clutter is out sight. The TV console, made from kitchen cabinets found on the side of the road, doubles as toy storage, as does an old trunk turned toy box, and apple crates make great storage for books, toys and games, and do double duty as end tables.
In case you haven’t noticed yet, I’m sort of all about the neutrals for furniture and walls, but I LOOOOOVE pops of color like the floral pillows and a vintage map I got from my Grandma & Grandpa. We are big map/globe lovers around here. Oh, and that trunk: it’s like my crowning thrifting achievement; I scored it for five bucks!!
The gallery wall holds lots of our favorite photos, more of my daughter’s artwork, and some of my favorite local art.

I collect sand, postcards and other treasures from vacations, hiking, whatever…so this is like our little corner of memories and one of my favorite places in our house.

You may notice things are in a constant state of “tweaking” around here. It’s like a fun new surprise for my husband on the daily–he loves it (insert strong sarcasm font here).
In my black, yes black, kitchen and dining room, I’ve swapped out some of the black and white for a little more summer color, and more fresh roses from the yard on the farm table we built ourselves.
You can usually find my little artist creating all of those masterpieces over here in her little “office” as she calls it. Probably the best hour I ever spent building something.
Our kitchen hasn’t changed much since our renovation last year. You can find the whole before and after run-down here.
The bathroom might just be my favorite room. Is that weird? It might have something to do with the vintage brass light fixture I scored for $20. It’s all about white, gold and bright in here! Have you noticed yet that gold is kind of an obsession of mine? If it stands still long enough, chances are it’s getting some gold spray paint or leaf.
I overheard my husband laughing with a friend the other day about how disturbing it is to see, “Hello Gorgeous” over the toilet. Guess what? Sometimes I think I’m funny and may or may not have had that in mind when I put it there. Plus, I just love it, the end. The print (as well as the one in the dining room and gallery wall) is available in my shop.
You can find more about the DIY BATH letters and towel hooks here.
Finally, my daughter’s room that I recently finished. Lots of pink girliness going on in here. More on this room here.
Thank you so much for stopping by! I really am so excited and appreciative that you came and I hope you’ll come back soon. And now I’m thrilled to send you over to the next stop on the tour: my friend Laura’s drool-worthy house at Finding Home!
And be sure to check back all week for an AMAZING lineup of homes from some super talented peeps!

Monday, June 2nd
The Shabby Creek Cottage
The Nester
At The Picket Fence (Vanessa)
Thistlewood Farms
The Inspired Room

Tuesday, June 3rd
The Handmade Home
My Fabuless Life
Finding Home
In My Own Style
The Hunted Interior

Wednesday, June 4th
Inspired By Charm
Jennifer Rizzo
Madigan Made
Makely School for Girls
Funky Junk Interiors

Thursday, June 5th
Jones Design Company
Beneath My Heart
The Pennington Point
White Buffalo Styling Co.
Southern Hospitality

Friday, June 6th
At the Picket Fence (Heather)
Desert Domicile
Tatertots & Jello
Home Stories A to Z
Live Laugh Rowe

Comments

  1. says

    Hi Jenn –

    Love love love your home and style and the way you use color. I have to get your Hello Gorgeous art. It looks “fabuless” hanging in your bath. Simple and oh! so chic!

    Reply

  2. says

    Hi Jenn- It was a pleasure meeting you at SNAP. Where do I start? I love how your home is filled with love, personality and your favorite things. I’m thinking I need a Hello Gorgeous print above my toilet! I love the little office you created for your daughter, all of your moments from trips, all of your touches of gold, your black kitchen, and last, but not least the large print of your mom’s friend things. Brilliant!

    Reply

  3. says

    Jenn you are amazing! I love seeing the things you create and I’m slightly jealous that awesomeness just pours out of you!! I love it all! Keep it coming lady!

    Reply

  10. says

    I just love world map framed in…someday when we get a house I’m excited to do that in a child’s room or the family room…not much space in our apartment though:)

    Reply

  16. says

    Jenn your home is amazing!! I just loved taking the tour and seeing all of the incredible details and just the love that you so obviously have poured into every inch. :-) So thrilled to be part of the summer tour of homes with you!

    Reply

  17. says

    Love, love, love your house! Great tour!

    Can I ask … where did you get the copper brackets for the shelved above your sand collection? I have a skinny wall in our dining room that I want to line with shelves for our antique glass collection, and I think this would be perfect!

    Thanks!

    Reply

  22. says

    Finally had time to sit down and catch up on your blog today!! I’ve always been a big fan of your style and loved getting the full tour! Your home looks amazing.

    Reply

  26. says

    Hi, Just saw a pin and came on over. Do you have a tutorial and supply list for the shelf over the bathroom toilet with the sign Hello Gorgeous on it? Thanks and following and pinning now. I didn’t see a labe section on your blog to search.

    Reply

  27. Katie says

    I love your home and decorating style. What is the name of paint in the living room? I’ve been looking for a gray and this looks perfect!

    Thanks,
    K

    Reply

  30. Natasha says

    Hi! Your blog is LOVELY! I too collect sand from various places that I have traveled. I really like how you have displayed it! I would be careful with posting pics of sand taken from National Parks. Otherwise, thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply

  31. roberta seaver says

    Love your house and etsy store, especially the bathroom sign! Can you tell me where you’ve bought the shelf where the frame stands on?

    Thanks

    Reply

  32. Sarah says

    Love your site! I want to recreate your bathroom decor – where did you get that great floating shelf that the Hello Gorgeous sits on? Thank you!

    Reply

      • Lexi says

        You seem to have gotten a million inquiries into your shelves in the bathroom, so here’s another one! I realize you may not remember since this post is quite old now, but I’m curious if you know which spray paint you used? If not, do you remember if the color was a straight “gold” or if the wording was a little different? Thanks!

        Reply

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