Exciting Photo Shoot News!!!

Today I am happy to share some exciting news! I just received confirmation that my new family room built-ins will be included in Storage Magazine, a Better Homes and Garden’s special interest publication.

The photo shoot will be produced by Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith publications and photographed by John Bessler. I am so thrilled to be hosting both of them in my home. You may remember they were the creative team behind my basement remodeling story which appeared in Better Homes and Gardens a few years ago.

Better Homes and Gardens / Donna Talley - Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Photographer - John Bessler

And to add a cherry to the top – Donna and John will also be using my house as a location back drop for a story Donna is creating for Flea Market Storage Magazine.

Better Homes and Gardens / Donna Talley - Regional Producer and Editor for Meredith Publications

Photographer - John Bessler

Needless to say I am giddy! The shoots will take place at the end of March, but at this point I am unsure as to when they will appear in print. I will be sure to keep you updated with a few sneak peeks.

Thanks for sharing in my excitement!

Built-in Cabinets and a Better Homes and Gardens Photo Shoot!

Happy Monday!  I Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was very busy but super fun with what seemed like an endless whirlwind of activity.

The flurry of excitement began on Wednesday with the arrival of several people who were involved with a Better Homes and Gardens location photo shoot at my house.  (Yes, I know I kept it a secret!)

A few weeks ago my home was chosen to be used as back drop for a holiday floral feature.  So for three days my house looked like the photo below.

Lots and lots of flowers!  It was a tremendous experience and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to observe a very talented group of professionals as they all worked together to create the most incredibly beautiful flower arrangements.

Then first thing Saturday morning the carpenter arrived to install the built-in cabinets on either side of the fireplace.   After two continuous days of work there is still more to be done.  I am so pleased with how they are turning out and can’t wait to start accessorizing.

He will be back next weekend to do touch up painting and install the doors.  Until then, here is a little sneak peek as to how the cabinets look so far.

So that is just a little hint of what I have been up to.  I promise to share more information soon.

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.

Rerun of a Rerun

My basement entrance is back in print again!

Better homes and Gardens recently republished their special interest publication “100 Decorating Ideas – Big Style for Small Rooms.” So in case you missed it the first time around in August of 2010, here it is again.

My basement entrance is idea number eighty-six.

Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications

The original story (shown below) about my basement remodel appeared in the July 2009 edition of Better Homes and Gardens – although the entrance picture included me in the photo. This article also featured pictures of the sitting area, play area and small space under the steps.

Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications

Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications

Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications

Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications

So I guess you can call this a rerun of a rerun! Hope you didn’t mind seeing it again.

A Holiday Decorating Inspiration

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

Over the years my holiday décor has incorporated an ever increasing amount of natural elements. I have traded in much of the red and gold for a more subtle palette of white and silver. This transformation began about four years ago when I discovered the article shown below.

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

The story which appeared in the no-longer-existing Creative Home Magazine featured the home of designer and friend Elizabeth Tanny.

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

Her mantle with its fresh wreath hanging from a vintage garden gate set me on my own quest for a gate – which I finally found last year!

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

I fell in love with the way her holiday decorations were incorporated into the existing décor of her house. She did not simply set out more stuff.

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

Instead, she swapped her usual all white throw pillows for ones of green and brown. She also replaced white ironstone with presents covered in coordinating wrapping paper

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

Her use of fresh flowers makes it a simple transition from holiday decorating to beautiful winter décor.

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

As you can see, Elizabeth’s holiday decorating style has definitely stood the test of time. Her décor looks as fresh today as it did four years ago and has inspired many of the decorating choices I have made in my own home.

Creative Home Magazine / Photographer - Michael Partenio

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

Have you ever been inspired by a magazine article or friend for your holiday décor? I would love to hear where your ideas/inspiration comes from!