Hi everyone!
Welcome to my new blog home! I made the switch to Squarespace to provide a better user experience for my readers. The photos are much larger here, which is why I switched in the first place, but then I fell in love with the clean space and the fact that all the posts are categorized now! You can find anything you want to in the archives or use the search feature. Use the buttons at the bottom of the page to connect with me on Social Media, or take a look through my portfolio.
Speaking of a new home, Jimmy, Oliver and I DID move into our dream home two weeks after Oliver was born. It's the most perfect place to hang out and spend time together as a family. Especially on a lazy Sunday.
We found the house when I was about 8 months pregnant, and I don't know if it was the hormones or just pure lust, but I HAD to have it. There were tears and fits and many many rounds of "I just can't picture bringing my baby home anywhere else!" Looking back it was pretty dramatic, but if I had it to do all over I would because I'm currently living the real life version of Bunny Williams' "An Affair with a House."
We spent a month making changes before we moved into it and couldn't have done it without my mom. She helped us make decisions, met workers at our house the day I was induced, and moved us in while I made a trip to the ER with post birth complications. She was our angel in that chaotic time, and we are so thankful.
Before we moved in we stained the floors, painted every surface, and changed out light fixtures. Below are before (old) and after (new) photos of what the house was like when we bought it and what it is like now. My friend Linda Williams came over and helped us style it, and I'm bowled over by her talent.
Old Foyer
New Foyer
Sources: {White Paint: Floral White} {Dark Paint: Iron Ore} {Floor Stain- 50% Dark Walnut and 50% Ebony} {Light Fixture - Scott's Antique Market} {Wooden Trees - Home Goods} {Wooden Bird - The Bilt-House} {Dress Photograph - Me}
Old Kitchen
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New Kitchen
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The extremely talented Clary Foreba of Margaux Interiors helped me find the light, and I'm obsessed. It transformed the entire room.
Sources {Bird Painting in Window - Trinity Artist Market} {Stools - Ballard's}
Old Family/Dining Room
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New Family/Dining Room
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Sources. {Aztec Ottoman - Nate Berkus for Target} {Coffee Table & Chinese Fishing Balls - Scott's Antique Market} {Pillows - Home Goods} {Balck and White Photographs - Me} {Bird Painting - Me} {Green Abstract Painting - Kristina Bass Bailey} {Green Tree Painting - Trinity Artist Market} {Rug- IKEA} {All Curtains in the House - IKEA} {Dining Room Fixture - Ballard Designs}
Old Living Room
New Living Room
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The most notable thing we did in the living room was cut the shutters in half to make the room brighter.
Sources: {Wave Pillows-Vintage Missoni Fabric} {Orange Pillows-West Elm} {Throw Blanket, Vases and Rug - IKEA} {Dress Painting - Me} {Ghost Photograph in Stairway - Me} {Orange and Brown Abstract Painting - Melissa Payne Baker}
Old main level guest room
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New Main Level Guest Room
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Sources: {Stool - Home Goods} {Bed and Black and White Pillows - IKEA} {Bedspread - Anthropologie Rivulets Quilt}
Old Office
New Office
We turned this into an office for me/playroom for Oliver. Whenever you picture me writing this blog or working on pictures, I'm right here! Oliver loves this rug, and he rolls around and plays with his toys. Charlotte also graces us with her presence and sit on her pillow from time to time.
Sources: {Bulletin Boards and Blue Pillow- Home Goods} {Candle- Jonathan Adler}
Old Nursery
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New Nursery
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I'm in love with Oliver's room. It's soft and soothing with a hint of his daddy's style (read, the Phish posters). When we bought the house the owner was using the room for her two girls, and I loved that idea. Obviously we just have the one baby, so it's a palace for him! We have the photos of my dad and uncle (O's namesake) hanging right when you walk in, and my old red sneakers sit on his bookcase. One of my favorite parts about this room is that we cut the doors in half to make farm doors. That way we can keep the top half open for naps and I can hear O. That was one of the most ingenious things I've ever learned from Pinterest and something I insisted on doing.
Sources: {Reindeer and Wreath in the Main Shot - Home Goods}
Old Upstairs Guest Room
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New Upstairs Guest Room
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Sources {Paintings Leading Into the Room - Me} {Bedspread - Anthropologie Circa 2001} {Bird Pillows and Blue Pillows - Home Goods} {Ballerina Paintings- Kristina Bass Bailey} {Two Abstract Paintings in the Bookshelf - Melissa Payne Baker} {Bird Painting in the Bookshelf - Gregg Irby Fine Art}
Old Master/Master Bath
New Master/Master Bath
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The master bedroom is my favorite part of the house. The morning light is clean, fresh and the perfect way to start the morning. The fluffy white rug is the perfect place for Oliver to learn to crawl. The seashell lamps were the find of the century, and the lack of color keeps my mind peaceful and relaxed. The bathtub is ideal for an end of the day wind down and glass of wine.
Sources: {Shell Lamps, Black and White Pillow on Lounge, Bench at End of Bed, and Rugs - Home Goods} {All Artwork - Me} {Light Fixture in Bath - Ballard Designs} {Table Next to Lounge - South of Market}
There is no way I could ever sufficiently thank Linda Williams for coming and helping us when we had a brand new baby and were living in chaos, but you better believe I will keep trying!
The new blog design and content import took over 50 hours, and I WOULD LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK! Do you like it? Is it better? Will you come back (please)? The comment section below is very easy to use, and I hope you do!
Thank you for visiting!
Blayne