 |
Bloggers Home Tours – Parade of Homes 2011
If you are new to my blog, let me introduce myself.
My name is Diane
I love all things creative, colorful and DIY. My background is in display – which led me into the wonderful world of DIY decorating and design when my husband and I bought our first house. We didn’t have a big budget so I used the tricks I used in the display trade to decorate that first home. That led me to writing a decorating book about it, called Instant Decorating back in the 1990’s. It is no longer in print, but my blog is where I continue to share ideas and what I have found works for me – all budget friendly.
With a bit of ingenuity and resourcefulness I think anyone can create a home they love.
I am so glad you are here.
If you enjoy your visit, I hope you will want to subscribe to my RSS feed or become a follower.
I live in a traditional center hall colonial with a front door the color of grape jelly to welcome you.
Project Links: Staircase Makeover, Faux Beveled Glass
Paint Color: Wall – Benjamin Moore HC-173 Edgecomb Gray Trim: Sherwin Williams 7008 Alabaster
This room is slowly evolving – if I have learned one thing about how to decorate a home - it is to not decorate it just to get it done. You have to sit in the room, feel it, and figure out how you use it – then let it evolve. This room has always been my biggest challenge as it is long and narrow, open concept and the walls all have some major architectural feature that needs to be worked around.
Update: Painted the corner cabinets
Update: Easy DIY Stone Fireplace
Updates: 
Project Links: Window Sash Fireplace Screen, Thrifty Throw, Gift-wrapped Table, Quilt Slipcovers, Stone Fireplace,
Paint Color: Walls – Sherwin Williams 7011 Natural Choice Trim: Sherwin Williams – 7008 Alabaster
Updated: Banquette Cushions and Table Makeover
Project Links: Build a Banquette, Beaded Trim, Enameled Tags, Natural Looking Topiaries, Kitchen Before and After Makeover, Quatrafoil Cushioned Mat at Momtastic.com
Kitchen Banquette cushion update Pillow update Table Makeover Paint Colors: Cabinets – Sherwin Williams 6119 Antique White Trim: Sherwin Williams 7008 Alabaster
No one ever comes through our front door, but through a side door and into this room. I wanted to create something with visual impact so when people first enter the house they have something pretty to look at. These shutters are from my childhood home that I repurposed into wall art.
Update:
Project Links: Trash and Dollar Store Storage Mudroom Clock Wall
This is where I spend most of my time. It is a bright and sunny space. It rarely looks this neat and clean!!!
Updated Studioffice:
Project Links: Office Chair Cover, Rolly Cart, Paint Chip Rolodex, Desk Set, Center Island Work Table, Ribbon Lampshade
Billy Bookcase Makeover Desk Makeover Library Files
Paint Colors: Walls – Sherwin Williams 6141 Softer Tan
This room has had a recent update that all started when I moved a mirror that was on a piece of furniture in my guest room and put it above the mantel in here. I then layered another mirror on top of it and loved it. After that I updated the rest of the room by painting my cheap-o brass chandy and then made simple slipcovers for the chairs.
Update:
Project Links: Chandelier Makeover, Simple Chair Slipcovers, Mirror Mirror, Painted/Papered Hutch Chair Back Runners
Paint Color: Wall – Benjamin Moore HC-28 Shelburne Buff Trim: Sherwin Williams 7008 Alabaster Hutch and Mantel: Sherwin Williams 7012 Creamy
This is the place I go when I want to get away. I especially love it in the warmer months as there is always a fresh breeze coming through the windows.
Project Links: No-Sew Ottoman, No-Sew Window Valance, Before and After
Paint Colors: Walls - Sherwin Williams 6806 Rhythmic Blue Furniture –Olympic D12-3 Prairie Dust with a whitewash glaze on top
I painted a craft store stretched canvas in my favorite colors to get a daily color therapy every morning. Plus it is an inexpensive way to fill a large wall.
Budget Makeover Hall Bathroom:
Dare I take you to my girl’s rooms?
This is what their rooms looked like when they were growing up and I still had control.
Then somewhere around age 14 – I lost the controlling vote on how their rooms would be decorated. Then they went to college – got apartments – came home and left again – leaving all their stuff – childhood stuff, high school stuff, college stuff, apartment stuff – lots of STUFF!!!
Testimony to their lives well lived. I go into these rooms now and they are quiet – just displayed memories – empty of life – messy museum exhibit’s of their childhood.
Project Links: Dresser and Drawer Pull Makeover, No-Sew Curtain Panels, Make your own Curtain rod and Finials, DIY Bed Hanging, 3D Gallery Wall
Paint: I mixed a variety of leftover paint to re-do this room.
Project Links: No-Sew Cushion Cover, Beach Towel Chaise Slipcovers
Cushion fabric: JoAnn’s Fabrics
Thanks for for stopping by and going on the bloggers home tours.
I hope I inspired you just a little to decorate your home in your own style – to create a comfortable and unique space that makes you smile and a place you are happy to call “HOME”.
A special thanks to Andy at Poppies at Play for inviting me to be a part of this exciting event!!
If you’ve missed out on any of the other homes on the tour… go HERE to get the links to see them all!
And don’t forget to show off your home on Saturday at Poppies at Play Link Party.
To continue on the tour click on the No. 19 button below and you will be taken to the next home on the tour– Freckled Laundry
Thanks for visiting!
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
Just Gorgeous Diane! Love it all!
Kim:)
LOVE your house and your “style”! I jumped back and forth looking at some of your projects. I have a window in the transom above my front door. I discovered after moving in and doing a little window washing that it isn’t glass. It is a hunk of plexiglass. I am going to try your faux beveled glass idea…especially since I saw the paints on clearance at Joann’s yesterday!
Thanks for a lovely tour of your home!
Hi Suzan -
I think that Gallery Glass is one of the best crafty products ever – it ranks right up there with Mod Podge. You are going to love it and if you ever tire of it – you just simply remove it. Your little window is going to look extra special now.
Hello, I enjoyed dreaming through your website of your home. Yes, it quite neat, clean, refreshing, and serene. Why aren’t you in my home helping me do the same thing? I just know you could do it. My home is kinda similar to yours in the beautiful rural hills of Connecticut. I am inviting you to come over for coffee, or run over if you can before it’s too late for those of us who have the stuff but just don’t have the OCD necessary to pull it all together so fabulously as you have. So when are you coming, huh? Need a sampler house to try new things on? I am open to all of your ideas. If you don’t drive, I will come and get you. Just drop me a line, I’ll be waiting on standby.. …………………….I’m still waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, oh wait a minute….perhaps you can help more than just me! Just a thought, but I work with Asperger’s teens and Autistic teens at a private residential boarding school in Connecticut…… oh, do we need YOU! you know you want to help us, you must share your gifts, you cannot keep it all to yourself. And, our wonderful teen and VERY GIFTED, Brilliant and Talented students would love a visit from you. We could use a makeover soon. Just askin’. Best regards, Deb H mselement@gmail.com
Your home is so pretty, Diane! I especially love that you get so much light in. Love the touches of purple you added in the kitchen with the rug and the green, too.
Hi Kathy-
I do love lots of light and could easily live in one of those modern houses where all the walls are glass. :) We were going to add a covered porch off of our family room, but when I realized how dark it would make the room, we opted for a deck.
Okay, that was the most fantastic house tour ever on the web!! I loved looking at every single picture! You are very talented there is no denying it! Wow, you ae so creative. I love your dinging room and that fantastic hutch. I have one but, it is MUCH smaller…kinda, wish mine was as big as yours;0. Beautiful job on every room!
Hi Casey-
Thanks – the hutch was given to me from my in laws about 12 years ago. It is big – 2 sections. It used to have doors on the top center shelves, but I took them off so I could have an open shelf look. One of these days I will think of a way to re-use them.
Diane, I have always loved your home! I love the springy colors that you have used and you are an expert at small details(I know, duh right?lol). Honestly, I am so glad you quit your old job(for you first and foremost), but your home is really reaping the benefits with the projects that you have been doing and doing so exceptionally well. By the way, the new pic of you is great! :)
Hi Erin-
Thanks so much x o. It has been over two months since I left my day job and I could not be happier. I am truly in my zone and loving it. One of my friends asked me this week if I missed it and I do miss the people I worked with, but not all the other stuff!!! I have even had two staging jobs since leaving too. I want to set up an interior design business, but am waiting to see where I am going to be in 6 months. My husband has been “in transition” (Unemployed) for over 2 years now and we have been living in limbo not knowing where we are going to end up. I am 90% sure we will be moving once he lands a job. It will be a lot of work packing up this house, but I am open to it and looking forward to a fresh start and a new house to decorate. Just have to keep waiting it out.
Your house is just filled with creativity! Thank you for the wonderful tour. I love how your house is “your own style” – as this is what every house should be – a reflection of the people who live there.
Diane, your home is lovely! I must be a little emotional today, because I almost cried when I read your comment about your kids’ rooms being museum exhibits of their childhood. I’m your newest follower, and I’m off to read about your terry cloth chaise covers. Thank you for sharing your home and your great design ideas :)
Your home is so beautiful. I like what you said about letting your family room evolve. I feel the same way about my great room. Sometimes I just want to rush out and get anything to fill it up, but I know I won’t be happy in the end if I do.
Diane,
As I was touring hour beautiful home, I kept saying to myself, “I think I’ve been here before” and then I saw your quest room. …. I love your update on the dresser! You have so many great ideas…. I have to snoop around later this weekend :)
Thanks so much for the tour of your beautiful home! I enjoyed seeing it and looking at all of your projects along the way. That modge podged table is too cute!
Thanks for sharing your lovely home! Lot’s of fabulous projects ( I may give the window sash fireplace screen a try) and I’m envious of your “craft room.”
Cathy
You have obviously put a lot of work and love into your home. You did a great job!!
xo
Ashlyn
Your house is gorgeous Diane! It’s so cozy, inviting, warm and it just oozes all the love you have put into it. The small touches are what really make a “house” a “home”.
Best of luck to your hubby. I hope he finds a job that he enjoys SOON. Hopefully this recession is on it’s way out. I was cut back to four days a week for over a year and I am finally back on five days a week now. These are trying times, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
If you do move, you will have a new blank slate to work with and we will all get to see the transformation.
Your blog is awesome! Keep up the good work!
Amazing! I am speechless. Its just gorgeous. I’m a new follower, can’t believe I’ve been missing all of this inspiration.
Your blog is great! Very easy to use and the tutorials are well done. Thanks!
Wow. Look at all that you’ve accomplished! What a lovely home~I especially love the collage above the dresser in the guest room, the dining room, and of course the chalkboard with the W.W. quote. Thanks for letting us have a peek!
Hi Diane!
I found your blog from the Tour of Homes and really enjoyed the tour. Especially the “Danger Zone” of the kid’s rooms. With both my children married and feathering their own nests, I find myself working with a fresh canvas and love some of your ideas. I will be following your blog for inspiration! Thanks!
Diane, I didn’t realize until now that you were such a fan of lavender/plum color! I love how almost every room has a splash of it. You are the queen of style instant decorating, as I look through your house tour, it amazes me how many tutorials you have shared on the wonderful things you create so effortlessly. Such a beautiful home. And I hear ya about the stuff left behind with the kids, what are we a storage facility?
Hi Stephanie-
I do love any shade of purple – it makes me happy to see it. I remember my mom always trying to organize all the stuff my brother, sisters, and I left in the house after we were out on our own. One day she gave us an ultimatum – come and get it by the end of the month or I am getting rid of it. I am not at that point yet – as I just kind of ignore their rooms for now. Out of sight out of mind – but if I have to move then I will have to figure out what to do with all of it.
Very beautiful! I especially love your baskets, whites, and ottomans in the Family Room for additional seating. I love a good, fluffy ottoman. Looks as if your daughter won quite a number of [equestrian?] awards! Beautiful treatment behind the headboard in the guest bed room and I’ve off to check out the terry cloth chaise covers.
xoxo,
Jami
Simply beautiful!!!! New follower…just breathtaking…hope you come for a visit
lifeatfirelakecamp.com blessings, julie
Diane, Thanks for the tour of your beautiful home. I had to go back and look at the pictures a second time to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Gorgeous!!
Hugs,
Sherry
Hi Diane,
I just loved your home!! Your kitchen and mine look like twins!! I have a very well worn copy fo your book which I purchased back in 1992. It has been a reference for me all these years and I still refer back to it – it was and still is my favorite decor book! I have become a follower!! Check out my guest room post at detailsbykari.blogspot.com- it is purple and green!!
Thanks!
Hi Diane!
I just slowly toured your home and enjoyed every single inch of it!
I must admit I laughed out loud about your kid’s rooms sincde I have a 21, 12, and 10 year old. How very true! When we could control them their rooms were magical. Now? not so much! ha!
So many things I love about your home. For one, the front door and porch area, those fabulous shutters and art in your mudroom, the adorable chair in your craft room with the polka dots and your genius use of such great pops of color. I usually shy away from purples (even though it is my husband’s favorite color), but love the way you use it in your home.. Maybe I’ll have to branch out a bit this spring/summer and try some purple accents.
Your kitchen is just wonderful and I like the way it connects to the family area. It’s all so fresh and lovely, but definitely show “your style” in every space.
I’m so glad you and I were able to snag a wild card spot on Andy’s wonderful Parade of Homes. What a great experience it has been. I’m happy to be included among your followers also.
Best To A Fabulously Creative Woman!
Cori
Starview Sonnet
Dianne you home is wonderful. It looks very comfortable and relaxing. I have always loved that round metal tray table you redid. And do I spy another rug that you made? Love those too!
Beautiful home! I love your stairs!!! It’s so very cool that you used the shutters from your childhood home, and I’m digging the Willy Wonka quote. Very cool. Thanks so much for being in the parade!!
Wow just stunning! I loved seeing your beautiful home and marveled at your organized everything! I have never seen purple look as good in home decor as it does in the above rooms! Great job..really fabulous. I am so happy I discovered your blog from Isabella and Max…..now am your newest follower. Please stop by my blog too (3months old) about the building of our new home and my love for decor/design. Can’t wait to get to the decorating phase!!
http://www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com
Diane, your home is just beautiful and peaceful. Your love of purple pops in at just the right time and place. Can’t wait to see what you are up to next!
Diane, your blog is one of my new-found favorites! I love your house, your creations – and had to laugh when I saw the “danger zone” labels pasted on your kids’ rooms. I’m so familiar with this – fortunately, when they get older (as all four of mine are now), the messy-ness leaves. Thankfully, we have doors that can close and hide it all, haha!
Love these words of yours: “if I have learned one thing about how to decorate a home – it is to not decorate it just to get it done. You have to sit in the room, feel it, and figure out how you use it – then let it evolve.” I find this to be so true! Just bought an awesome little compact desk that is perfect for my needs (computer in bedroom – only place I can put it & I have no room at all!) It’s painted a bright turquoise blue (realized afterwards that I was using my turquoise handbag for the first time in a few yrs), and although I *thought* I was aiming for a shabby-chic white look, I’m actually considering keeping the color.
Had just thought that I needed to live w/it for a while before I decide, then I read this! How perfect!
Anyway, I’m hobbling right now due to a flare-up of an injury to my knee (fr last yr), so I’m going to put a lot of things on hold for awhile, til I get better. I have so many projects I want to work on, but for now, I think I’d best take it easy – and enjoy your inspiration!
You have a beautiful home and I absolutely adore all your projects. You’re one of the most creative people I know. Thanks so much for sharing all your great ideas with us!
Wow, your home is beautiful! I adore your bedroom! It is gorgeous and one of my all-time favorite bedrooms I have seen.
Diane, I love your home so much. You are so very creative and unique. You give amazing tutorials, too.
Diane, you are my kind of gal! I love how organized your home is. Yours is how I want mine to be someday. We’ll see if it ever gets there! :) Thanks so much for the tour, LOVED it!
Hi Diane -
I still love that dresser in the guest room. One of the best I’ve seen around.
Michael
I love your home. All the little details make it special–and make it clear that you decorated with love. Guests must feel so welcome when they arrive at your entryway.
What a very lovely home…I want to move in!! I can’t wait to take the time to check out all the tutorials listed under each picture, as I am sure I will get a lot of inspiration to try these wonderful projects in my own home. When I came to the pics of the living room with the beautiful calming white slipcovered furniture, I snorted ‘Yeah, right, she doesn’t have pets’, but then I saw your pets in and among the furniture! You are awesomely brave with all the bright lovely white! Thanks for the lovely, inspiring tour!
I just took the tour of your fabulous home. Amazing! I could only wish to be so creative. Can’t wait to see more!
Lovely home! I love your use of unexpected colors. i’m branching out to incorporate more colors in my home as well.
You have such a stunning home!
hi..!!! I am from India. I was just surfing the net to find ways to make my home better and i came across your ideas and I am totally stumped !! You are sooooo amazing..!! With very less amount I can make my home look AWESOME..!! thank you so much..!! Your ideas are rocking.!!
Hi Ishwarya -
Thanks so much XO. I have been getting a lot of readers from India lately. It is exciting for me to be able to reach so many people from all around the globe. Thanks for taking the time to connect with me.
Beautiful home God has blessed you with! Would love to know how you did the office chair. Have one like it, minus the arms, that I would love to recover.
Thanks!
Hi Bronni –
Thanks for the nice note. I have a post on how I covered my office chair – you can find it here: http://inmyownstyle.com/2010/01/how-i-transformed-a-not-so-pretty-desk-chair.html
It was a while ago that I did it and I am going to be posting a new cover for the chair soon.
I love your site!!! I am very inspired by your talent. You have been blessed with a beautiful home. I was showing my husband the bathroom you did (LOVED IT), I have been wanting to do something to our bathroom and really liked the outcome of yours. Keep the inspiring projects coming. God bless you!!!
Thank you!!!
I just found this site and I love it!!! I feel I am “among my people.” I too, love to be creative and love to decorate. Diane, your house is precious and I love your projects. Thank you for sharing with us. Thank you.
Hello Diane, I had to leave my comment because I love your blog, it is well written, has awesome tutorials and I pretty much love your house. Thank you for sharing with us!
Love this!!! How fun! Live in MN and don’t have the two toned stair cases or turned. But very efficient and lovely
At 26, I just bought my first home and am so excited to start remodeling and decorating. Your blog is fabulous as is your house. My parents’ home is a colonial as well and decorated similarly, the traditional style is definitely the best! I think I’ve pinned about 10 posts so far of yours to Pinterest. Will continue to follow! Thank you!
Hi. I Love, love, love your home. thanks for sharing. I am in the process of redoing my kitchen and am now using yours as my model! I have white cabinets and (nasty) white laminate countertops. I need to change out the countertops, and didn’t really want to get the same white, but something perhaps off-white or beige. Granite, unfortunately, is not in the budget so unless I do a tile of some kind, it’s back to laminate. Can you tell me what color or shade your counters are? They work great with the white cabinets without overwhelming the space. Thanks so much! Terry
Oh my goodness!!! I am soooo glad that I came across your website! My husband and I have moved into a very small studio apartment in Sydney Australia and we are starting from scratch again with very little money. I absolutely love decorating and creating a calming feeling in my home. Now, I have to do that all on a budget and as the apartment is so small, everything has to serve more than one purpose. Your ideas are just the best, and I’m so excited to get started on some of the projects. My first one will be the curtain hanging behind a bed head (in your guest room). I will definitely be visiting your site regularly!
Thank you so much for a while there I was starting to feel like I’d have to live in this ugly studio apartment just the way it is. You’re absolutely awesome!
Hi Diane!
I can’t get over how much the outside of your home and mine look alike. Also the entry is almost identical.
I will be following you and your ideas.
Thanks you so much for sharing!
Julie
I really enjoyed looking at your home. I’m in love with the white furniture. I’m currently looking for a small open hutch in paint and put in my kitchen. The lavender and pink are refreshing. Great job!
Kim Mamaia
Hello Diane,
I love your home I want to learn everything about how to re-do some of
my furniture. I love your taste in color and decorating. Please help me.
I have 4 pieces of furniture that I would love your help and advice with .
Thank You
Dania
Hi! I love your office decor. What paint color do you have on the walls in this room? Thanks!!!
Hi Andra – I have my old office and the makeover in the post. The first old color – tan was A Sears paint. I don’t remember the name, but it was the same color as Ben Moore Shaker Beige. The new color is Glidden Pink Petal White.
{ 4 trackbacks }