My Christmas bins have all been pulled out this week and I’m busy decorating for the Holidays right now. Before we get all the way into Christmas, I thought y’all might like to see the main level of our new house and where we are now. I haven’t really shared all that much since we first moved in, but we’ve come a long way from where we were those first few weeks, especially with the changes in the dining room and living room.
These are all phone pics and later on I’ll do a real photoshoot with my big camera, but for now I wanted to share where we are in the house. And to make it really fun, I’m adding in some Before pics of when we first bought the house, so you can really appreciate the After shots!
Here’s the entry before.
Coming in the front door, I’ve added a few things to that area to make it a little interesting and Mark painted the front door the same color as our kitchen bar, Ben Moore Knoxville Gray, which we really love. That natural jute rug is from Target and it’s in my Shop my Home page if you’re interested. I recently added this to my top tab, so you can check out my home finds (and similar things to what I have and love) on there and I’ll be adding to it along the way.
Just a reminder of what this room looked like when we bought the house!
And After!
This cabinet was Mark’s and we finally got it in the living room space. We love this room and it’s so cozy in here with light coming in the windows and how open it is to the foyer and living room. Notice Mark’s antique lamps in the corners. Those are Art Deco style and he puts them together himself to make one of a kind lamps. I’ll share a few pics of them close up, but that’s one of his hobbies. He buys the parts off Ebay and then makes the lamps.
Loving those brown leather chairs that I dyed so much more in this deep brown color. And there’s a peek of the new light fixture from Lamps Plus. Looks so good in here!
It might be small, but it feels like a little jewel box when you’re in here. That’s my grandma’s old vintage table with a lamp on it that I’ve had for many years.
Still planning to get the sofa recovered soon. That glass table I’ve had awhile, from Pier One. Some thought it was too big in here too, but it’s really just fine. There’s no problem getting around the table and room to set things on it. And since it’s glass, it visually takes up less space. I may change some things out here later, but for now, we are quite happy with this space.
Here’s what I did with those black and white shells I found in Panama City while shopping down there. I found this brass bowl at Goodwill recently.
I had some comments on Facebook that the cabinet is too large for the room, but we don’t think so. It just adds a cozy feeling to the room and it’s the focal point now. I love the color against the navy walls and white trim. He’s had this piece for awhile and it came from Haverty’s several years ago. I can get into those lower cabinets just fine even though the sofa is partially in front of it. Mark is going to add lights to the cabinet and that will add even more ambience when we add things to it behind the glass.
This is the view from the sofa to the dining room and on into the kitchen.
Here’s a closer look at Mark’s lamps. He hunts down and find parts on Ebay and then puts them all together for a one of a kind Art Deco lamp, so they are all different. He’s got a special place he buys those glass shades too.
Each base is unique and he rewires them all too. He has a guy here locally who does the powder coated paint finish for him in a bronze color.
Aren’t they pretty?
I think he could get into the lamp making business and start selling these, although they wouldn’t be really inexpensive with all the time he puts into them.
They really are original works of art though and I think they look great in the corners of the living room.
Another view to the dining room and on into the family room beyond. We do love how open it all feels on the main level of our house.
Dining room view next door. We didn’t leave a pathway open from the living room to the dining room, because it’s so easy just to walk around the little wall into the dining room.
Here’s the way it looks from the dining room side looking to the living room. It all flows together and we really like how it all came together. You can see how tall the cabinet is in the living room, but it really anchors the room since the ceilings are tall.
View when we moved in!
And now! Another view to see how it works together. Notice that Mark added all that chunky molding around the door opening. It wasn’t there originally and it adds SO much to both spaces.
Dining room before
And after. You’ve see the dining room all finished and decorated for Thanksgiving. I linked those lamps on my Shop my Home page if you’re interested. But note, I got them at Homegoods for $60 each, not knowing that they are designer lamps and cost much more than that from other sources. I linked the best price I found! That was one of my great shopping moments when I found those. I seem to stumble on great deals when I least expect it!
Stairs before.
A look at the stairs and foyer After.
And here’s a good shot of the new foyer lantern fixture and top of the stairs lighting (by Quoizel) from Lamps Plus. We just love the new fixtures and how much they change the house! Lighting changes everything, in my opinion!
This Larkin foyer fixture from Lamps Plus is huge at 4′ tall! When we got it out of the box and put it together it looked SO huge, but once installed it looks fantastic hanging up there. We did have to hire an eletrician to hang this big boy!
Lamps Plus sponsored several fixtures in our house and I’ll share them as I take pics along the way.
Nice long hallway to the family room with the living and dining rooms off to the right.
I wanted a long and skinny console table and found this one from Joss and Main from Hooker. I really love it here and I brought in one of my Queen Anne chairs that I had in my old living room to anchor this wall.
I found this glass and brass lamp for $5 at a designer sale a few weeks ago. It was a warehouse sale that I got in on here in my area. I added in my blue and white that I’ve been collecting for awhile, along with a few other things for a pretty vignette. This will change out with the seasons, I’m sure.
Family room before.
Looking into the family room. We switched rugs and added the teal zebra rug in here. This one is from Shaw rugs and not available anymore (darn it!). This space is still evolving, but I don’t think we will do much more in here as far as furniture goes. I do want to get a nice ottoman for in front of the sofa and still trying to decide shape and color on that. I don’t think we will add any sort of coffee table, as we like the openness of the room. I’ll change out the mantel seasonally too. And I’ve got bamboo blinds going on these windows soon as well.
It’s a cozy space and we enjoy how open it is to the kitchen.
Kitchen before.
I added a small garden stool in between the chairs for our party we had.
View of the windows. I brought all my plants in for the winter and put them behind the sofa for light.
And the TV cabinet on this wall along with Mark’s original watercolors he’s been collecting that we hung on the wall gallery style. We both love these water colors and the softness they bring to the room.
They are all winter scenes and we added these 3 on the opposite wall next to the bar.
Here’s a reminder of the kitchen Before! We just love the changes in the kitchen.
I did make this a little sitting area, as you can see. It just made sense to leave this comfy chair in here and I added a small side table that I got from the same designer sale. That cute table is a Hekman piece and was $100. You can see I ordered barstools too. These are from World Market and I ordered them when they had their furniture for 40% off. I’ll add them to my shop page. I had to put them together, but really like them.
Chair is from Birch Lane, I worked with them a couple of years ago and this is the Shephard chair from them. They have decent furniture for the price. I’m happy with this space and glad I just went with a chair and side table in here with my antique French buffet. With the addition of the bar stools, it would have been way too cluttered to try to put a table and chairs in here, which we wouldn’t use anyway.
I got a 5′ rug to go under the chair and I love how it anchors everything. Rug is from Rugs USA.
Looking back to the family room.
Kitchen before.
And into the kitchen through the dining room to living room.
Gray and white zebra fabric on the barstools. These are all wood and look really good.
Hallway from entry before.
And after, looking back down the hallway towards the front door.
Peeking down the stairs at the living room and dining room. We love this view every time we walk down the stairs.
You can see how it all flows together now and we are really loving how our home is turning out. We have lots more plans for updating things during the next year, so you’ll see lots more changes, big and small. We’ve done nothing in the bathrooms yet. I only have plastic shower curtains up in the 2 other bathrooms until I get a plan together to make them pretty.
Lots of changes, right? And all that in 3 months! We really love how much we’ve accomplished in such a short time. So far, we are really loving our new house, very happy with our decision and we are enjoying living in Acworth too!
Leila says
Your new home is coming together beautifully. Love the cabinet in the living room. It doesn’t overpower at all just adds definition
The colors. Are great – I think you used good taste and stayed within budget
Looks great
Good job!!😀
Nancy says
Wowza! Your home has become quite lovely! Everything is absolutely beautiful. His lamps are amazing! Well done my friend!
BamaCarol says
Beautiful! I love that tall piece in the living room! Can picture lots of pretties in there with the new lighting. I’m so glad you got rid of that green wall in there, it looked like a hospital green color! You have done a great job so far Rhoda. Can’t wait to see what else is up your sleeves.
Rhoda says
Carol, I was so ready to get rid of that green wall too!
Soli says
Love, love the white cabinet, my favorite piece!! Love the kitchen! Those lamps are unique that gives them a beauty in itself love them!
Lorraine says
I have similar taste to you. I love the way it looks like a home you can live in. I think Mark’s cabinet makes the living room look cozy. Recently my neighbor moved her dining room furniture into her living room as it was more spaciious and functional with a table in it. Her former dining room looks cozy like your luving room now. When I move back from England I am going to do that. In my kitchen bay area I am going to put the stainless topped island I got from West Elm with bar stools I found here instead of my table and four chairs. I think that will work for us. Enjoying your new home posts. Did you paint the fireplace bricks?
Barbara Moore says
You have truly turned this house into a home. And a beautiful home, at that. It sure makes me happy to see you so happy, Rhoda. Your faith sustained you and now you are receiving so many well deserved blessings. Love every single thing (I may be loving Mark’s BEE-U-TI-FUL cabinet a little too much)!!
Rhoda says
Barbara, thank you so much, my friend!
leigh says
Unbelievable what you and Mark have accomplished in 3 months…It is perfect and beautiful. I absolutely love Mark’s vintage lamps…They and ya’ll are a match made in heaven! Happy for you both!
Nancy says
STUNNING! You inspire me. My best to you and Mark.
Nancy
Sharon says
I’ve been following your blog for a long time now and I am so happy for you in your new home. It’s just beautiful!
Donna says
Your home is stunning and very livable! I love that it reflects both your and Mark’s tastes and talents. His lamps are fabulous…beautiful and totally unique. Mark’s cabinet in the living room is perfect, and when he installs lighting, that will showcase all the pretties inside. The colors and textures in your new home are just beautiful. It certainly doesn’t hurt that your husband is an excellent craftsman!
Rhoda says
THank you, Donna, adding lights to that cabinet will be really nice and will show up what’s inside. Can’t wait to add some pretty things to it! I’m very fortunate to have married a talented guy and a sweet one too!
Susan Maclean says
Glad to see you were not upset by someone telling you that Mark’s cabinet was too big…… what do they know?! and anyway, as my Mum used to say “just tell’em to mind their own business!”. If it’s right for you both, it’s right. And I love the look of it!! Glad you are both getting it right in the new house and gradually putting your own stamp on it. I am sure Christmas will be a joy for you both. x
Donna says
Susan, your Mum was right…MYOB…I have many opinions in my mind and that’s where they stay unless they are uplifting or compassionate.
Laura M says
I can feel the love and happiness oozing from every corner — it’s so “YOU!”
Thanks for sharing . . .
Kat says
Can I just say I love love your house the colors look perfect and I love how you have mixed your style with mark’s the cabnet is awesome in the room !!!keep the pictures coming .😁
Rhoda says
THank you, Kat, I so appreciate all the great comments!
Monica says
Stunning! I thought at first it was a bit overdone but as you take us through room after room it just flows perfectly!!! Congratulations on your new home and your new life! Blessed for sure!
Roxanne says
Rhoda, it is hard to believe that is the same house! Amazing transformation!! I think Mark’s tall cabinet is the perfect anchor in the room. I love that you all are not afraid of color. Love your hall table with all the blue and white. The entire downstairs is such a cheerful, happy space! You and Mark are a great team.
Rhoda says
THank you, Roxanne, it’s been so fun to put our stuff together and make it work. I’m doing the same thing with both our Christmas decorations and can’t wait to share with y’all!
Carla says
What an amazing transformation! It is beautiful, Rhoda and Mark! I love the lamps, and Mark’s cabinet looks great in there.
GILDA says
THAT CABINET IS THE RIGHT SIZE FOR THAT ROOM…IT’S FANTASTIC!
Rhoda says
THank you, Gilda, glad to see so many agree and think so too.
Jana says
You two have made some major changes in that house. Looks entirely different. You’ve done away with the dated aspects, and introduced a more timeless style and palette. Good going!
Bonnie Brown says
Wow! You have done so much in such a short time. It is beautiful and thanks for sharing your home with us. Looking forward to more pictures of other projects in your home. Love that cabinet in the living room. It really caught my eye. It makes such a statement in there!! I’m so happy for you with your new husband and new home.
Rhoda says
Thank you, Bonnie, all of you have been so supportive and it’s always great to hear that you all like what we are doing too!
Joan Moore says
Amazing!!!!
You and Mark have accomplished so much in 3 months!
Everything looks beautiful!!!
I have followed you for many years now and continue to be amazed at all you do. Enjoy the holidays in your beautiful new home. Well deserved!!😍
Rhoda says
HI, Joan, thank you so much! I love to hear from all of you out there who have been on my journey with me for so long.