A Country Farmhouse – the RDH April Blog of the Month

Today I am happy to be featuring A Country Farmhouse as the April Red Door Home blog of the month.

A Country Farmhouse is the story of Trina and her husband’s renovation journey of an old farmhouse in the country.

Before

After

Along the way, she shares her passions for country life, antiques, old houses and healthy living.

Her eye for the beauty in every-day objects, her uncluttered, fresh decorating style, as well as her amazing photographs, are just a few of the reasons A Country Farmhouse is a favorite of mine.

When I think of Trina and her wonderful blog, the first words which come to mind are elegant, simple sophistication.

I just love how every object in her home seems to be something she loves, uses and is not just for show.

You may recognize the Country Living magazine cover from this past winter shown below. It is a picture of Trina’s living room all dressed up for the holidays.

There is a lot more prettiness to see, so be sure to stop by A Country Farmhouse. A thank you also to Trina for allowing me to feature her amazing blog!

An Urban Cottage – The RDH March Blog of the Month

Today I am happy to introduce you to An Urban Cottage – the March Red Door Home Blog of the month.

via An Urban Cottage

via An Urban Cottage

An Urban Cottage is a new to me blog that has quickly become a favorite.  You know I love a good house renovation story and this one is superb!  An Urban Cottage chronicles Steve’s journey of restoring his 1842 Greek Revival cottage in Boston, MA.  Along the way he also shares tidbits about flowers, decorating, favorite finds, and more.

Below is how Steve’s house looked when it was purchased.

via An Urban Cottage

Here is what it looks like today.

via An Urban Cottage

Quite a beautiful transformation, wouldn’t you say?  (For all the details click HERE.)  Along with restoring the outside of his house, Steve has also been hard at work renovating the interior. Take a look at the inspiring pictures below to see the beautiful transformation which has taken place.

Kitchen before

via An Urban Cottage

Kitchen after

via An Urban Cottage

Steve has done such amazing work on his house that not too long ago it was photographed for and will be featured in the new Better Homes and Gardens New Cottage Style book.

The book is not available yet but is scheduled for release in June of this year.  You can visit HERE to preorder your copy.

Steve’s current project involves an update of the bedroom shown below.

via An Urban Cottage

He is stripping wallpaper and plans to remove the turquoise paint from the floor as well as change the vintage Cape Cod cottage look into something more in keeping with the rest of the house.  I can’t wait to see the results!

Thank you Steve for allowing me to feature your incredible blog!  To see more Urban Cottage happenings please stop by Steve’s blog.  I know you will be thrilled you did!

Dining Room Redo – The Details

Thank you all for the nice comments about my dining room.  I have to say this was the first time I have ever been apprehensive about a blog post.  I truly was nervous!  So many of you loved the chairs next to the buffet in their original orange velvet, I was not sure what the reaction was going to be when I revealed I had recovered them in gray.  So needless to say I am thrilled so many of you left such encouraging and wonderful comments.  Now on to the details!

If you have been a long time follower, you probably know this room is a collection of furnishings which has evolved over time.  The buffet and six chairs (which I painted white and recovered in blue velvet for this redo) where bought from the Salvation Army.  Along with a table which is now in the basement, I paid $150 for all 9 pieces. The large cabinet is an antique store find. It is made of two pieces and I was told it was taken from a local real estate office.  I could not believe my luck when I found it a couple of years ago as it is the perfect fit for the wall on which it resides.

The table is made by Henredon and is a Craigslist purchase.  The chairs which matched this table are now around the kitchen table.  I used a vintage grainsack with blue stripes for a runner to add more texture to the room as well as lighten up the table. An ivy topiary from Lowes adds a much needed bit of green.

The mirror above the buffet is by Uttermost and the pair of alabaster lamps is an Ebay purchase.  Above the duo of vintage 1950’s chairs hang a pair of paintings by Jennifer Lanne.  Jennifer’s work has been featured in Country Living magazine as well as several other publications.  I have several of her paintings scattered about my house, as she is a favorite local artist of mine.

While most of the items in the room are older, there are a few newer pieces as well.  The rug is by Madeline Weinrib and the gray silk curtains I made from fabric purchased at Calico Corners.  The clock between the windows is new but is a bargain floor model from Ethan Allen which I painted.

Finally there is the pair of now gray French chairs with the ikat pillows which I made by repurposing the old fabric on the dining room chairs. In regards to my decision to recover the chairs, in the end it just came down to the fact that the orange was just not me.   It truly was a struggle to decide what to do – leave them alone or recover – but in the end I am so happy with how the room looks now so it was the right choice for me.

Thanks for following this transformation.  I would like to say this room is finished but as you know I have a hard time leaving things alone.  I am sure a little while from now I will be adding or replacing something. For now, however, I am just going to enjoy the room the way it is!

My Dining Room Redo In Pictures

Project Snapshots

Like many of you, the beginning of a new year has me re-energized.  I have been busy organizing, cleaning, purging, rearranging, and checking lots of those little pesky things off my “to do” list which have been there way too long.  (i.e. - the clock above my mantel which has been leaning against the wall for almost two years has finally been hung!)

Along with all of the above, I have also been working on lots of house projects.  So today I thought I would share a sneak peak of what I have been up to and give you an idea of what is ahead.  I will be sure to share all the details as each project is completed.

The biggest changes will be taking place in the master bedroom.  The pictures below are a few hints of the progress which has been made so far.

I have also been completing projects in the basement . . .

. . . adding some new artwork to the mudroom . . .

. . . and updating a few things in the kitchen. 

Changes are also in store for the dining room.

Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who entered the Something About Silver giveaway.  I try to host a couple of giveaways throughout the year as a way to thank you for choosing to take time out of your busy schedules and spend it with Red Door Home.

October RDH Blog of the Month – Belgian Pearls

One of my favorite aspects of blogging is the ability to connect with people from all around the world.  I love being able to experience different cultures and decorating styles right from my computer screen.  Belgian Pearls - the October RDH blog of the month - is a perfect example of the wonderful global bridge the internet provides.

Greet’s site was one of the first blogs I discovered when I began Red Door Home and it has remained a favorite ever since.  As you might have guessed from the title, Belgian Pearls encompasses all things Belgian.

Greet Lefevre is a talented interior decorator from Belgium. She and her husband run the Lefevre family cabinetmaking business. It is a fourth generation company and their work is truly an example of what beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail is all about.  Take a look at the pictures below.  All of these photos showcase Lefevre Interiors projects.  Simply stunning!

As you might expect, Greet’s home is also gorgeous.

She and her husband recently finished an update of a room called the orangery.  I love the simple beauty of this space.

Not too long ago, Greet wrote about some special visitors she and her family recently entertained.

Many of you probably recognize Brooke Giannetti from the blog Velvet and Linen - The August RDH blog of the month.  Brooke and her family vacationed in Belgium and during their stay made time to visit Greet and her family at their beautiful home.  I loved hearing about their day together – all coming about through blogging.

Thank you Greet for allowing me to feature Belgian Pearls.  You have been a design inspiration for me and many others from all across the world.