Parade of Homes House Tour

I am thrilled and honored to be participating in the 2011 Poppies at Play Parade of Homes. Andy has put together a fabulous list of 20 bloggers who, over the course of this upcoming week, will be showcasing some of their favorite rooms in their homes. It is sure to be fun and inspirational!

Whether this is your first time visiting Red Door Home or you are a long time follower – welcome!

Women’s Day Budget Decorating / Photographer – Michael Partenio

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

I am Stacy, a stay at home mom who loves refurbishing vintage and thrift store finds, budget decorating, DIY projects, and sewing. Below you will find a small sample of some of the projects my husband and I have completed over the ten years we have lived in our home. I hope you enjoy the tour.

Basement Bathroom and Sitting Area

Better Homes and Gardens / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Better Homes and Gardens / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Our basement finishing project began with a simple goal – create a space suitable for guests but also one which would serve the needs of our family now and in the future.

Better Homes and Gardens / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Better Homes and Gardens / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Our wish list included a guest bedroom, bathroom, sitting area, bar area and storage space. We spent a lot of time planning and making many budget compromises along the way. (You can read more here and here.)

Kitchen and Bath Makeovers / Photographer – Bryan McCay

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Kitchen and Bath Makeovers / Photographer – Bryan McCay

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Kitchen and Bath Makeovers / Photographer – Bryan McCay

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

In the end our basement turned out to be one of my favorite places in our house. Our guests seem to like it too - many times asking to stay longer the next time!


Dining Room

My dining room has come together over the last several months mostly by chance. The most recent addition being a pair of 1950’s velvet chairs which I found not too long ago.

This space is truly a mix of varying styles and price points. In the thrifty category you will find the Henredon table and four painted chairs (refurbished from Craig’s list), wall clock (painted floor sample), column centerpiece (vintage find), pair of alabaster lamps (Ebay) as well as the sideboard and dark chairs (painted and glazed thrift store finds).

The splurges include the blue and white zig zag rug and gray silk curtains – sewn by me.

By balancing the two I was able to create a unique and stylish space which didn’t break the bank! Future plans for this space include adding architectural details to the ceiling and walls.


Family Room and Kitchen

Women’s Day Budget Decorating / Photographer – Michael Partenio

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Women’s Day Budget Decorating / Photographer – Michael Partenio

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

My family spends a majority of our together time in these two connected spaces.

Once again, the furnishings come from a wide variety of sources including vintage finds and new purchases, Ebay and thrift store items, repainted hand-me-downs, and flea market pieces.

Women’s Day Budget Decorating / Photographer – Michael Partenio

Stylist – Donna Talley, Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

The pictures of these rooms are from a 2009 Women’s Day Budget decorating feature as well as new photos I have not shown before.

Daughter’s Bedroom

Completed about a year ago, my daughter’s room was truly an exercise in compromise – she wanted pink, pink, pink and I wanted a room she would not out grow in a few years.

We kept or repurposed most of the existing furnishings and filled in the blanks with simple DIY projects including making dog silhouettes, sewing slipcovers, pillows and curtains, adding ceiling molding, dressing up a bulletin board, and more.

When it was all done we both came away with a space we loved!

Thank you so much for stopping by my home. I love meeting new blogging friends and hope you will leave a comment letting me know you were here!

The next stop on the tour is Gina from The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Seven Ways to Add Vintage Charm to Your House

Older homes exude charm. They contain custom details and design elements which for the most part are not present in the new homes of today. So how do you achieve this vintage look inside your new home?

Here are a few of my favorites - many of which I have incorporated in my own home.

Light Fixtures
Although there are many quality reproductions available at various price points, there is just something special about the real thing. A word of caution = be sure to check the wiring before installing as most vintage fixtures will need to be updated.

Cottage Style 2010

This vintage light fixture hangs in our living room –a great alternative to can lights.

Doors
Use them for their intended purpose, mirrors, headboards or decorative accents.

Velvet and Linen

Dreamy Whites

We found this pair while our house was being built and had the builder install them instead of the planned French doors.

Shutters
A great design detail to use for headboards and folding screens. One of my favorite aspects of shutters is that they are usually found in a variety of colors.

House Beautiful 2010

Brabourne Farm

Beautiful Homes 2004

Columns
Install them as a permanent fixture in your home or use them as a design element.

Renovation Style 2008

Cottage Style 2010

Architectural pieces
Old ceiling tins, corbels, windows – the list goes on and on. My favorite and probably the easiest way to add vintage charm to your home.

Veranda

French Country 2009

Traditional Home 2006

Mantels
Another vintage item which can be used for its original purpose or turned into shelving, headboards, and more.

Big Style for Small Rooms 2010

Cottage Style 2010

Counters / Bars / Built-in Cabinets
If you are lucky enough to have the space for these beauties, they undoubtedly become the focal point of any room.

Cottage Style 2010

An English Pub installed as a counter in this homeowner’s basement.

Beautiful Homes 2008

A built-in cabinet in our dining room which was removed from a local real estate office.

A grain bin from an old general store which we use for storage in our kitchen.

These are only a few of the many possibilities. What is your favorite way to add vintage charm to your home? Have you incorporated any of these ideas in your décor? I would love to hear your ideas!

Note: Always use caution when bringing vintage painted pieces into your home (especially if you have children) as they may contain lead paint.