This year, Thanksgiving is extra special to me. I like to think I have a thankful heart every day of the year, but this year, oh this year, I’ve really got some celebrating to do this Thanksgiving Day. As you can imagine, I’m SO thankful to have a house again. A year ago, I had no clue that I would be in my own house this year and it’s been a long and steady journey to get here.
Thankful, oh yes I am definitely extra thankful this year. The gratitude in my heart is full for my family and for God, who brought me where I am today.
I’ve already showed you my pretty Thanksgiving table, but we won’t be eating Thanksgiving dinner here at my house. All of my family will be gathering at my cousin’s house over in Duluth, but I’ve kept my table all set up just so I can enjoy it for awhile.
Just in case you forgot the horrors I started with, I want to remind you where we began back in April, when we closed on this house.
Oh my word, has it ever come a long way!
I’m going to document every room in the house eventually, because each one deserves its own Before and After feature, don’t you think?
Let me take you back to the Before shots. Hospital green walls, with a shiny brass light fixture and those oh-so-lovely vertical blinds that were once so popular. The floors look halfway decent in this pic, but the wood was damaged and couldn’t be saved. Not to mention the filth everywhere, even the baseboards. Gag me!
I know! It’s shocking when you see this now, right? This entire house has come SO far in the last 6 months. I’m really done with the dining room, except for the drapery panels. I’m going to get those up soon.
This is one fairly small space at about 10 x 10′, but I’m enjoying every inch of it. So happy my round table fit in here so well.
The corner cabinet is a nice cozy fit as well.
I can comfortably fit 4 to 6 and I’m glad I have 2 extra chairs to spare to make it 6 total. That Ballard Designs lantern is the star of my dining room. You can see the entire tablescape up close on this post.
Another peek at the corner cabinet with burlap backing that I painted and rehabbed about 3 years ago. Here is the link on the how-to post for that cabinet.
I’ve enjoyed having the table set and just looking pretty. After looking at a construction zone all these months, I’m over dosing on pretty now!
I settled on my 3 botanical prints above the board and batten for now and added 3 of my soup tureen collection here on the sideboard. Those gray lamps from Kirklands are perfect in here too.
It’s small and cozy, but packs a lot of punch in my new house.
I’m so happy and content right now, I’m just beaming with pride and joy.
I hope you and yours enjoy the week to the fullest. My family and I will be, I can guarantee that. My niece, Lauren and her hubby will be joining us for a few days, so that’s always a treat.
What are you up to for Thanksgiving this year?
Congratulations! Your tancity shows as well as your God given creative talents. Bless you and your parents this Thanksgiving holiday. You deserve the best.
Stunning….I love it…so peaceful…what a great space for a intimate dinner party!
SO PROUD FOR YOU AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED. HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING.
Wow, what a stunning transformation!! Your dining room in beautiful and I can’t wait to see the other rooms in your house. You have such vision to look at the before and see exactly how you can change the space to be so beautiful.
In Canada, our Thanksgiving was back in October. You certainly have much to be thankful for, especially this year. I wish you and your family an wonderful Thanksgiving.
The transformation is incredible!!! Congratulations… giving thanks with you on your new home!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!! Terri
Thanks so much for your giving nature. You are an inspiration to all of us in so many ways. So happy for your new beginning and your beautiful home. Have a wonderful holiday with your family. I’ll spend mine with family as well. In fact I’d better get busy preparing my contribution to the meal!
Have a wonderful holiday!!
Rhoda, your house is so beautiful. I think it is amazing how your Mom and Dad were by your side almost every step of the way. You are very Blessed! Thanks for all the posts!
I have enjoyed your blog so much!
Just beautiful – I have loved being able to read and follow along on your journey !! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas – such a warm special time of the year !! I give thanks to the Lord for all my blessings and pray for the USA in the upcoming years – praying that things get better for all.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, your sweet daddy and momma, and the rest of your family. God’s blessings to you!
Karen in Texas
Rhoda, you have come a long way in a year. Your home is gorgeous, the dining room is so, so pretty. And you look so very happy. Have a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Rhoda! So happy for you. My sister now finds herself in the same situation and I am sharing your story with her! Hope lives! Wouldn’t it be great if after the new year you invited all the players…the cute floor guy, the nice neighbor, the handy cabinet man, and of course, your parents to a brunch and all could admire your vision completed? You could take pics and we could celebrate, to0! I think they who saw the house originally wold be the most impressed! I bet your realtor would be impressed, too!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, Gina, thanks for the suggestion. I am going to plan an open house in January and open the doors to whoever wants to come, so a couple of those guys just might show.
Hey Rhoda,
Crazy idea for you, how about get a mirror cut for the bottom of that Ballard latern over your table. It would reflect your centerpieces… love it maybe????
I enjoy your blog!
Hey,Jennifer, sounds like an interesting idea. Not sure I would get around to doing it though. Thanks!
absolutely beautiful! it’s nice to see good things happen to people who went through some hard times.
Happy Thanksgiving, Rhoda! Did you ever do a post on how you “rehabbed” that corner cabinet? I have a very similar antique oak one and I am thinking of adding burlap or some sort of fabric to the interior. Is it just tacked in or did you glue it as well? Thanks!
Hey, Lisa, yes here’s the link for that post & I went back & added it above too. It is tacked & not glued. Did this back in 2009:
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/corner-cabinet-how-tos/
Your transformation is divine! Have a wonderful holiday.
Your dining room is GORGEOUS! And yes every room deserves it’s own before/after post! I love seeing the before and after pictures. That wainscoting in there is gorgeous! I may have to find a room or space in my house to do that.
I know you are extra thankful this year and I am glad you get to enjoy the holidays in your new home!
Happy Thanksgiving, Rhoda!
Rhoda, I’m so happy for you…your new digs are very nice…Your home has come a long way…Blessings to you and your family….Have a great Thanksgiving…..
Just stunning. Looks so perfect. You enjoy, you have worded hard and deserve everything! Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your family.
It’s looking beautiful! Yes it has come a long way. Thank you for putting up lots of photos for us to see different angles, etc.
Can’t wait to see more!
Liz
I’m facing some of the same dilemmas so this is truly an inspiration. What did you do with the ceiling? I’m new to your blog so apologies if this has been discussed previously.
A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Hi, Trish, my ceilings are 1979 original swirly stippled plaster. I had them repainted in fresh white and they will stay that way. Not planning to change them at all. I grew up with swirly ceilings so this feels good to me.
You SHOULD be beaming. You’ve worked so very hard on your beautiful new house, and everything looks lovely. Kudos to your mom and dad, too. Happy thanksgiving to you and your family.