Greetings from the land of sunshine, hospitality and pork chop breakfasts. Aside from enjoying the lovely weather (near 70 still), and meeting new people (southern hospitality is NOT a myth), I’ve been stalking the endless furniture stores giving the design direction of our new place a lot of thought, and I’ve concluded I need about 18 more houses to satisfy my decorating itch.
It’s sort of like walking into a cupcake store. How do I pick just one?? The logical answer? Don’t. So I’ve decided to concentrate on two…
ok, maybe three.
Sooooo, like any self-respecting decorating junkie, I took to Pinterest and had at it. Most of these photos (not all), have at least one common element. Let’s play ‘Where’s Waldo’ and see if you can spot them.
Source
What’s that you say? You noticed the color blue was prevalent? Well, I can’t very well decorate a coastal home and NOT use blue, right? Besides, it’s always been a fav of mine…brings out my baby blues, after all ;).
There’s also wood finishes in many of the photos which I’m especially drawn to and hope to add several wood elements to our new abode.
Annnnnnnd, if you get the impression I like romantic spaces with a Country French flair, you’re 3 for 3!
I came across a beautiful store owned by a designer and considered working with her until she informed me in order to achieve any one of these looks for ONLY the living room we would need a budget of $20,000-$30,000. Wanna bet?
In other news…
They broke ground last week! We will be meeting with the builder in a couple of weeks to go over some details. Turns out when we met with the designer at the showroom, there were a few things she neglected to tell us (she was new), but there’s also a few changes I might like to make if possible. There are pretty hefty fees involved for any changes and sometimes it’s best to do these things ‘after market’, but that’s yet to be determined.
I had my last Etsy class this week and learned a few things, but I’m still unsure if I will open up a shop or not. Once we are in the house and settled, if I still feel the urge to sew, I may do so. One thing I’ve been thinking about is while I thoroughly enjoy creating and blogging, maybe I did both as much as I did simply because there wasn’t much else to do when we were living in no mans land. Now that we are in Wilmington, where there is TONS to do, I just don’t feel the need (or want) to sit in front of a computer. But, I am a bit of a night owl and did much of my sewing close to midnight. Time will tell.
We are heading to Highpoint in a few days. It’s about a three hour drive but we’re just going for the day to determine if it pays for us to go back in the future for a night or two. There’s one store (FurnitureLandSouth) that’s as big as 19 football fields, so clearly Highpoint is not a one day destination if you’re interested in furnishing an entire house!
I found a cute sofa I like online for the living room. I’ve gotten some fabric samples and there are several that I’m drawn to. I’m thinking two smaller sofas perpendicular to the fireplace would be nice. It’s a bit tricky ordering such a large item online, but they have a no risk return policy and good reviews so if we don’t find anything we like better we may just go for it. .
We’re loving our new location, even spending time in BAM is painless (somewhat). We’re out most of the day and many evenings are spent reading and watching something on NetFlix (I’m reading Hillary Clinton’s ‘What Happened’ and we’re catching up on The Americans). Tonight I’m going to a tablescape demonstration at yet another awesome furniture store, and I may just bring my dslr, which has been gathering dust, and share some pics with you if I deem them worthy ;).
We spent a lovely Thanksgiving with some new friends, but we’ll be traveling for Christmas/New Years (just the two of us). If I have anything newsworthy I’ll try to get a post in but if not I’ll see some of you on IG.
Almost forgot! Here’s a video of the model of the home we’re building. Ours isn’t exactly like this one, for example, the master bath is a bit different. We won’t have that cute little window seat as you walk in but our closet will be bigger and behind the bath, not before it. Our range hood will be different and the laundry room will be accessible from the master bath as well via a pocket door. We also are putting wood flooring in the master bedroom, but we’re keeping it in the guest room. We’re including the little bonus room upstairs and are putting inexpensive flooring there because that will be my sewing room/office. We’re also just having a powder room up there rather than a full bath. With that said, this video will give you a really good idea of the space.
‘
Emily McGriff says
Oh Dooreen it is fun building and decorating. I’m like you, I need several houses to decorated because it’s so hard to choose a style. I think you will find you will need to spend several nights away from home while you are selecting furniture for the entire house. Take your time and enjoy to make sure you get what you want, no rushed decisions. Sounds like your new life will have you doing more and sewing less but I’m sure you’ll probably find away to do both. You enjoy your creative sided to much:) Love all the photos of your Pinterest boards. I’m sure you will find a way to achieve the look without such an extravagant budget! Keep those pics coming………
Brenda Pruitt says
I somehow thought your home would be built by now. I don’t use Instagram, so I’ve probably missed a lot. When is it scheduled to be built?
Brenda
Kim says
I love catching up with you, Doreen! And I’ll take one of each of those rooms, too. Wow. I can’t wait to see what your place looks like when you’re finished. Fabulous…and I’m a night owl, as well. I move furniture, sew and craft at midnight. Too bad you moved away. We could be late night buddies!
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Oh dear Doreen! I love all those rooms you showed us! I see a trend of chandeliers, wood beams and accents and long wood farm tables… and of course the blues and whites.. and I also see some chippy rustic things too. I think your combining all of these things will make for a wonderful living environment for you. How fun to take some Etsy classes. When I opened my shop, I just kind of jumped in, and used their forums to ask questions. Would have been neat (and smart) to take a class. I’m sure I don’t use all of it’s applications and features. I agree.. now that you’re there and have so much more to do, you may not want to be tied to an Etsy store. I closed mine for awhile during the summer as was so busy, but opened it again after I got on a roll making little photo albums! And now those have sold and I should be making more, but with the holidays coming (and a little trip starting tomorrow to see my son)… I may not have the time to re-stock it! But the good thing is.. you can stock it or not, or even close it for short times if you want to. Once you get in your groove at your new house, and find yourself yearning for some crafty time… and once you get on a roll like you did before, you may want the shop as a venue to sell the overstock of items you make! That’s why I like mine… at least I feel like I have a reason for making so many paper flowers or photo albums!
Sounds like you are having a really fun time there and don’t miss the solitary life back in the woods. Glad you are doing well in BAM too! Take care and keep us informed… love the video too and your house will be wonderful. Please show us the building stages along the way if you can!
Hugs… Marilyn
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Oh, Doreen, the house is just beautiful! I can’t wait to see your actual home and I know all of the decorating research you are doing is going to pay off big time. It sounds like you are just loving your new life! SO good to see a new blog post from you!
Rita C at Panoply says
Doreen, how exciting, it’s so good to hear an update from you! Your home plan looks terrific, and I can envision your changes as your described them. I’m so happy for you and how Wilmington is working out for you. Your ideas for design styling will be great, and I can’t wait to hear how much less you’ll come under the budget than the designer who wanted to start at $20-30K. Lol. That’s funny.
Have fun in Highpoint!
Happy Holidays!
tammy j says
i love your life!
and i’m glad you included the video… it gives a better feel of it all.
the pictures you have chosen remind me of one of my all time favorite places…
Patina Farm. have you seen it? Steve and Brooke Gianetti. i bet i spelled that Italian last name wrong!
I’ll send you a fabulous link from the Quintessence blog. the blend of woods and rustic and elegance…
and the muted sea colors. oh good lord. a waiting room in heaven.
love your idea of the sofas. and the sitting room in the master bedroom is just … well… ahhhh.
xo♥
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says
I love the inspiration pictures you have shown here. Your house is going to be lovely!
Cyn says
Ha! I noticed all the chandeliers ad washed wood pieces first! There’s something so soothing and calming about all those colors, isn’t there? Can’t wait to follow along and have been wondering why there’s been radio silence! Makes perfect sense that you’ve just been busy!
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Ok I could live in everyone of those rooms easily. What beautiful choices. I like the direction you are going for the new house. I cannot wait for it to be built and you get in there and do your magic. Happy Friday. Have a wonderful weekend.
xoox
Kris
AnnMarie says
What a great place! Love all the details in the rooms. How much fun (and hard work) you will have decorating. I noticed all the chandeliers in your beginning pictures. You are having a few of those, right? 🙂
Poppy says
Ha! I noticed the blues and whites… and the wood, which surprised me, but confirms your love for it since it played a major part in your log cabin and now your dream home!
Aside from the actual model, which is beautiful, I also noticed the gorgeous greens outside, so pretty views will prevail both inside and out!
I know you are enjoying the process (tracking down amazing design stores, day trips to them, and dreaming), but I’m sure the end result will be jaw dropping gorgeous once you’ve done your magic!
Julie says
Hi Doreen, oh wow your house is going to be gorgeous and beautiful and brand new when it’s built!! I’m so happy for you and I hope it all goes well. It sounds like you both are really enjoying yourselves. I can’t wait to see your new home when it’s done.
Take care
Julie
Marsha says
Wow…amazingly gorgeous. Such great use of space. I love the light blues and very light celery green bedroom in the video. I am so happy for you. Can’t wait to see you all moved in. Have a wonderful Christmas holiday…….
Mary says
Beautiful selections Doreen. I too love that blue color and it is only natural to have it in a coastal home. I also really enjoyed the video. The ceiling in the great room is stunning!
Debbie G says
OMGoodness…thank you so much for commenting on my blog so that I could also discover your’s! I’m loving it!!!!
Red Rose Alley says
The model of the home you’re building is so charming. The front of the house looks similar to our old house. These are some great PInterest ideas. And I do hope you’ll have some Blue in your home. A touch of Blue around the house is so pretty. And keep sewing, Doreen. You have such a talent with that. Love to see all the wonderful things you make. : )
Enjoy the Christmas season!
~Sheri
Red Rose Alley says
Just wanted you to know I’ll be taking a blog break for awhile, but the girls will continue to post as often as they can. It may only be every couple of weeks, as they are so busy. Stop by and say hello when you can, and I will still visit your charming blog and see what’s new with you in the new year.
~Sheri
Cecilia says
How nice to be in a community with so much to do! I’m glad you all found a place that fits your lifestyle. The house is gorgeous! Great floor plan – it flows well. So excited for you!
Jemma says
I am so happy that you are finding so much joy in your new lifestyle!
Such a gorgeous house and the floorplan looks amazing too.
Wasn’t this such a good move for you and the hubby!
XO
Jemma
Debbie - Mountain Mama says
Oh how exciting, Doreen – I bet you can’t WAIT to be settled in that gorgeous home!!!!!!!!!! Love your inspiration photos, I’m sure you’ll be over the moon with all the light and sunshine!
Linda says
Hi Doreen,
Well you’ve certainly no shortage of inspiration, that’s for sure….and I love each and every photo you’ve shared in this post….all beautiful! An etsy class–where? I wish I had taken some sort of class….I still would if I could find one! Take care and have a lovely week!
Dewena says
I loved the video, Doreen, helps me so much to picture your layout.
I guess I noticed the farm tables in your pictures, a favorite of mine, a tad rustic but with comfy chairs, as all dining chairs should be but mine aren’t. And the light fixtures. With so many great ones today it will be hard to narrow it down, won’t it? Definitely coastal blues–French coastal, of course. And you just can’t beat 2 sofas perpendicular to a fireplace. I see great conversations ahead for you and your new friends with echoes of whatever the North Carolina equivalent of Pat Conroy and other Low Country writers’ conversations would magically happen.
Was there a ground breaking celebration?
This is going to be so much fun, looking forward to it,
Dewena
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Doreen this was a fun post / love keeping up with what’s going on in your new life.
Etsy is not worth the trouble 🙂 Been there, done that 🙂
Kelly says
Your new home is going to be so beautiful! What a fabulous floor plan. I love the open concept area and sitting room off the master. Looks like the perfect size too.
Karen says
Oh, how exciting, Doreen! Love all your decorating ideas and your new home is absolutely fabulous! So livable and so many pretty details like the ceilings and woodwork and all those wonderful windows. The screened porch is great, too. I am going to love following along as you put your home together. Your style ideas are so pretty. 70 degrees sounds so nice right now. I woke up to a layer of icy frost on my deck today….brrrrrrr! Enjoy browsing all those furniture stores. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend $20-30,ooo on just one room – my goodness – we can only dream……..I think it is much more fun to use ingenuity and creativity to achieve the same thing. I was going to say the ‘where’s Waldo’ thing was the chandelier’s – there are some beauties showcased in your ideas. Enjoy your travels and hope your Christmas season is wonderful. Hugs xo Karen
Al says
I noticed the blue and also a lot of chandeliers. The house in the tour is beautiful and I can’t wait to watch the progress as you make yours feel like your own.
Melanie says
I didn’t notice the blue, but I did notice the French Country look! Very exciting to be having a home built and getting to start all over with decorating. But $25-30K from that designer just for the living room, huh? That’s crazy. You will do just fine on your own with decorating anyway. 🙂
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I really enjoyed that video tour and can’t wait to see what you do with this house!
handmade by amalia says
Gorgeous eye candy. Happy Holidays to you and yours, Doreen.
Amalia
xo
Judy says
Doreen, what a lovely way to start off the new year. So much pretty stuff to choose from even though some of the decisions will be hard to choose. I can’t wait to follow along OR live vicarously (don’t even know how to spell it) though your experiences. I will enjoy every minute of it..Hope your Christmas was all that you wanted it to be..Happy New Year..Judy
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
You definitely don’t need a designer with all your good ideas…your home is going to be lovely. Can’t wait to see more. Enjoy your traveling and shopping.
Rebekah Purnel says
Doreen, I had a dream to make a house like you, in fact, I was searching for a decoration style like yours. The pictures and ideas have made me a surprise! Will follow all of your ideas and must change my home style asap! But don’t know how will I do:) Hope to get like yours! Thanks again.