Before and After: A Renovated Farmhouse

Today's Agenda:  ISO good desk for a client...Desk, I know you are out there!

I recently had the nicest request from a friend -- "Would you help me get my house ready for a neighborhood house tour?"  I know it doesn't sound like much but every time someone asks me to come into their home, invade their space and completely move their things around, I am humbled and thankful.  

My friend lives in a beautiful home that was originally built in 1904.  A renovation was done in 2009 that added on a brand new kitchen, living room and master bedroom suite.  I'm about ready to move into her home...it's beautiful and cozy -- my perfect idea of "home".

We hung pictures, cleaned up some spaces and found some great pieces to use that were lying about in her basement.  But the bulk of my fun, um, I mean, work was in the two guest bedrooms.  Bedrooms sadly end up a little neglected since so much time and energy (and, honestly, money) are spent on the living areas so I'm always happy to try to create a cozy space in bedrooms and have them feeling "done".  

In just a few hours' work, with no paint changes or structural changes and by just bringing in pieces I have in inventory and using what my friend had and a few bargain purchases, I was happy to be able to turn these two guest bedrooms into cozy and inviting spaces.  My husband is now officially in trouble...instead of sleeping on the couch if we fight, I'm headed to my friend's house!

Guest Bedroom No.1:  The light is great in here!  Beautiful blue paint on the walls. And that bedding is one of my favorites.  With some pretty art that my friend had, I went out to create a little Parisian-inspired guestroom.  We were thinking of getting rid of the armoire but I was able to salvage it and just find a better space for it.

Before & After #1

Before & After #2

Guest Bedroom No.2:  This room felt so cozy when I walked into it so I wanted to go with that feeling and create a cozy nook. I created a spot that you could use just for reading, you know just in case the entire house is a disaster and you just can't face it!  It is pretty nice to have a couple rooms in a house that you know will pretty much always be clean and that you can escape to.  I went with a neutral color palette to create a cozy feel and had fun layering lots of different textures.  

Before & After #1

Before & After #2

Before & After #3

  Before & After #4

 

And, the neighborhood house tour was a success!  I love any house/embassy/design house tour and try to go to as many as I can but I had never been on the other side of it and it was so fun to meet people on the tour and hear their thoughts on houses in the area, what they liked about this house and where they lived!  Only downside was that I missed seeing the other houses on the tour!