Today I’m taking you on a tour of a bright and cheery living room. The homeowners are our friends and former next door neighbors turned down-the-street neighbors, Skylar and Chad. There are so many sweet rooms to share, but I just wanted to start with their living and dining room. This home has tons of gorgeous natural light that I’m completely jealous of. The mix of vintage and collected pieces is so fun and even shares a bit about their story.
Would you just look at that lamp??? Skylar found it at a flea market for $30. It had been given a shoddy silver paint job, so they sanded and repainted it gold. You can’t even see through pictures just how huge this lamp is. I’ve sourced lamps similar for clients with prices into the hundreds of dollars. The fact that it was so cheap and got some TLC makes me love it even more.
This piano was sitting neglected under a stairwell of the church where Chad leads worship. Skylar had it repaired and tuned as a surprise for Chad on their anniversary a couple years ago. The old stool is just beautiful and so unique.
This chandelier was actually purchased with a couple others on Craigslist to hang in tents at their wedding. After the wedding, they decided to paint it white and keep it for sentimental reasons. I LOVE when things in a home have that kind of a connection to the owner’s personal story…I encourage so many of my design clients to have at least a couple pieces in each room that hold significance to their journey or their family’s heritage.
They found the lockers sitting in a trash pile. Can you believe that? They snatched them up, drilled out the locks, and painted the doors white. They are perfect for storage; such a find.
On how being a homeowner has changed her personal style, Skylar says this…
“Owning a home has made me more selective about what I bring inside. I’m a big thrifter. When we rented, I brought home everything and viewed it as temporary since our house was just temporary. Now when I buy something, I try to decide if I actually want to look at it for the next several years. Not everything is exactly what I envision as permanent. But knowing we’ll be in this environment for the long haul makes me more interested in finding pieces that are perfect for this space, instead of buying things that have potential in a hypothetical “someday” house.”
In addition to being neighbors, Skylar recently started watching Gemma on days where I have several appointments. It is so nice to be able to walk my baby to the sitter instead of strapping her in the car seat-which she hates-and driving across town. Plus I do a lot of work on my computer from home, so it’s nice to know I’m close if anything were to go wrong. She gets to hang out with an adorable 18 month little boy and has the biggest crush on Skylar’s husband Chad. It’s bad enough to make Stu a little jealous:)
It is such a weight off my shoulders knowing Gemma is happy and well taken care of…not to mention she gets to hang out in this beautiful room! There are so many cute spaces in this house, and I’ll be showing some off in the near future.
In other news…
If you read my last post last week, you might remember the network for small business creatives that my friend and I launched this past weekend. Oh man, pulling together an event so fast was a ton of work, but we had a fantastic response and turnout. We had 40 guests attend that included a mix of local business owners, designers, artists and several in the technology sector. The business speed dating was the highlight of the night. People were so into it, that they wanted to do more rounds after our time was up. Since I was facilitating, I had to time and ring the bell to signal when the “dates” were over. It was amazing seeing people connect and engage, but I almost felt like the girl at prom without a date who stands off to the side watching everyone dance. Hah!
As far as coming up with a theme for Miss Gemma Bean’s first birthday party , I’m leaning heavily towards a wintery wooded forest theme. What does that entail, you ask? I’ll let you know when I figure out.
Kim @ Plumberry Pie says
Thanks for the tour! So fun taking a peek into other people’s worlds. I’m obsessed with the Eames chairs!
Heather {The Lovely Cupboard} says
Glad you liked it Kim:) Me too!! I’m so tempted to get some black ones for my dining room.
Kat says
Oh man…loved the tour! You know…I have that exact same little marble-topped table (the one in the 2nd pic) and I just put it up for sale yesterday…might have to change my mind about that one. Can’t wait to see more of this house. That little peek into the kitchen is killin’ me!
Heather {The Lovely Cupboard} says
Kat, I would consider buying that table if you close! The marble and metal together is the perfect combo. Maybe you should keep it:)
Beth of designPOST Interiors says
So jealous and in awe of that locker find!
Heather {The Lovely Cupboard} says
I never find stuff like that in the trash.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh i love it that dining room is amazing!
Heather {The Lovely Cupboard} says
My dark and dreary dining room is totally jealous:(
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh i love it that dining room is amazing!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh i love it that dining room is amazing!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh i love it that dining room is amazing!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh i love it that dining room is amazing!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh i love it that dining room is amazing!
Katie @ The Cat Bed says
I’m loving the bunting on the fireplace, I really believe banners should be up all year round and not just saved for special occasions. The sheep rug on the chair looks very inviting too!
Heather {The Lovely Cupboard} says
AMEN:)) I really want to make a tassel banner after seeing hers. It’s just too cute.
17 Perth says
Wow. This place is gorgeous! And how awesome Gemma gets to hang out there while you work!
Purchased a chandelier similar to theirs a few months ago and have been debating about using it—this makes me want to follow through with it!
And congrats on your event!
Heather {The Lovely Cupboard} says
Thanks Erika. Use it! If not, send it to me:)
Tan says
Oh my gosh that mantle, and THAT LAMP!!!! I want to redecorate my entire place now!