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Feature Friday: Peeking Thru the Sunflowers

January 4, 2013 By Rhoda 36 Comments

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Today’s Feature Friday is a really fun one.  This gal, Deserae, who blogs at Peeking Thru the Sunflowers, and I go way back to early 2000, when we were both involved in an online decorating board which grew to about 1000+ members during its lifespan and the décor board, Great Impressions, was one of the earliest forms of sharing pics online.  We all had photo albums and would load pics of our homes, so those years were the early ones for me of browsing all those homes for inspiration.  And we all shared and had so much fun peeking into the homes of all these other women who loved nesting as much as we did.

And that’s really what kick started blogging for me.  It was the next natural progression and here I am now.

So, welcome Des, the fabulous decorator of a wonderful old schoolhouse in Kansas that dates back to 1870 and is on the Kansas Historic Register.  She and her hubby of 22 years have painstakingly restored this old schoolhouse, which was originally a building hosting school and community events, then later turned into a private residence for a family with 10 children.  In 1985, it was converted into a bed and breakfast and then back to a private residence and Des and her hubby bought it and really gave it some love.

You’re gonna love it!  Des’s style has really transformed in the last 10 years that I’ve known her online and she has a wonderful French cottage chic style that she has honed and made her own.  This schoolhouse never looked so good!

Des front door

The exterior front door is charming and all decked out for Christmas.

snow-white-flocked-tree-bhg

Speaking of Christmas, you may remember seeing Des’s house in last years Better Homes and Gardens Christmas edition.  I was so excited when I flipped open the magazine and saw my friend’s beautiful home all splashed across the pages.  So happy for her!  The above pic is from the magazine.  Isn’t that just lovely?

Des living room

Back to Des’s living room, it’s a picture of netural grays and whites with minimal accessories, but beautiful.

living room 9

She is an antiquing girl and has spent years collecting her treasures and this house is great for showing them off.

living room 16

She has dogs in her home, but didn’t hesitate to use white slipcovers and wow, is it all gorgeous.

living room8

A picture perfect way of putting things together, Des is very talented.

den1

The den is cozy and casual.

dining room

And the dining room looks like a French masterpiece with the slipcovered chairs and pretty sideboard.

dining room2

Beautiful from all angles.

kitchen 2

Des and her hubby completely remodeled the kitchen when they moved in and it is charming in white.

kitchen1

A beautiful space to cook.

kitchen3

Well thought out and dreamy space.

guest bedroom3

The guest room is fit for royalty with her beautiful antiques and treasured accessories.

guest bedroom4

Who wouldn’t want to stay in this room?

guest bedroom5

Gorgeous and elegant.

master bedroom

The master bedroom is equally stunning and lush.

master bedroom2

I love her bedding and how plush it all looks.  With her darker furniture and light walls, that really draws me in, I love that combo.

master bathroom

The master bath doesn’t disappoint either, with that vintage tile and white beadboard, not to mention the beauty of a chandelier.

master bathroom2

I just adore every bit of this space, especially this unique sink and that gorgeous mirror.

powder room2

The powder room has equal charm.

Powder room

And this house is about as charming as it gets.  Des has been working on her home for years (do they ever get finished?) and I really love what she has accomplished.  It’s truly magazine worthy and I can see why they wanted to feature her home for Christmas.

Hope you got some inspiration and please stop over to Peeking Thru the Sunflowers and look around, Des would love to meet you!

Today, I’m sharing a post all about moving in my new house at Wayfair’s blog, My Way Home, so would love for you to take a peek. 

And, sweet blogger Jennifer Carroll, featured me at her blog too, so wanted to give her a big shout-out and say thank you.  It’s a very nice article about me and my blog.

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, Feature Fri. 36 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Audrey says

    January 4, 2013 at 6:16 am

    Wow, such beautiful rooms, everything looks so cozy and soothing! Have a great day.

    Reply
  2. Terri J says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:23 am

    What beautiful rooms, and I would love to sleep in that bed. I have to say though, that I would “almost kill” to have an old chest like the one in the den!

    Reply
  3. Francy says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:27 am

    All I can say is W.O.W., what a fabulous house. I think I finally found my dream style of decorating! Love it.

    Reply
  4. kim says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:29 am

    Love Des’ style in fact her favorite room is being featured at my blog today, too.

    Reply
  5. Tammy Killough says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:36 am

    OMG!!! Would you please let her know I’ll be over in a bit with all my belongings! How GORGEOUS!!!! Thanks for sharing!! ~Tammy

    Reply
  6. Janette@The2seasons says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:01 am

    Wow! I love her house. She is having a good day because I just read about here on another blog. I think her blog will become one of my regular reads. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Marie Claire says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Rhoda, the Wayfair link isn’t working: “Page Not Found”. I tried it four times.

    Thanks for the lovely post today.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      January 4, 2013 at 8:58 am

      HI, Marie, I think it hasn’t gone “Live” yet, should be happening soon!

    • Marie Claire says

      January 4, 2013 at 11:25 am

      Okay, I got it…thanks!

  8. Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:43 am

    Magnificent! And I just love the history of it. Thanks for sharing!
    Nancy

    Reply
  9. Patty says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:46 am

    One of the most beautiful examples of decorating right with white! Absolutely Gorgeous!!

    Reply
  10. Kelly says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:51 am

    She has a lovely home. Love her style of decorating!

    Reply
  11. Celia says

    January 4, 2013 at 9:19 am

    Oh my – I remember Des from ‘Great Impressions’! It all came back as I looked at all those beautiful pics of her home! I can still remember her living room before she went all white and light – it was equally beautiful with the reds in there. Thanks for the trip down memory Lane Rhoda! I have bookmarked her blog and will enjoy following along:)

    Reply
  12. Annette says

    January 4, 2013 at 9:33 am

    A really Beautiful Home. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.

    Reply
  13. Lori says

    January 4, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Now, I get to add to my Home Improvement, 2013 ed. list. My kids will love you…they already think I can come up with more work than 100 people can get done in one lifetime! I happen to subscribe to the theory that busy teenagers make happy parents!

    Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  14. Pinky says

    January 4, 2013 at 10:26 am

    OMGoodness, what a gorgeous home!!!!!!!!!!! I will definietly RUN over to see her blog! Thanks for sharing her with us, Rhoda. I love her style. It is amazing to me that she can keep all thw white so beautiful with dogs!!! I want to know her secret:) XO, Pinky

    Reply
  15. Nancy says

    January 4, 2013 at 10:46 am

    This is fantastic. I love seeing Des’s home. I am so inspired.
    Happy New Year!
    xo Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

    Reply
  16. Anne says

    January 4, 2013 at 10:53 am

    Des has a beautiful home!So wonderful to see it featured here!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  17. kristin says

    January 4, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Wowza, this is just gorgeous! I could move right in and not change a thing. Thank you for sharing, have a great weekend.
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  18. Pat@BPM says

    January 4, 2013 at 11:48 am

    I’ve loved Des’ home since way back when and enjoyed all the wonderful work she and her husband have done over the years. Beautiful!

    Reply
  19. antiquechase says

    January 4, 2013 at 11:55 am

    ADORE Des’ house!!! Perfect feature !

    Reply
  20. kelly says

    January 4, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    Des’s home is one of my favorites! I love her style and consider her a dear friend as well. She is so talented with home decorating and styling. I love everything she does! Thanks for sharing her charming home.

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me?

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