I am once again thrilled to be part of Marty’s Home Tour series and am really excited to welcome you here for my summer tour. I hope you find something unique, unexpected and outside the box. Also, I extend a very warm welcome to all of you coming over from Rhoda’s beautiful home at Southern Hospitality!
First, for anyone new, a little background on our home. If you’re not new, scroll on by😀
We live in a small cottage-style house on property that has been in my family for five generations in the mountains of western North Carolina.
This was my great grandfather’s summer home away from the heat of Hypoluxo, Florida. Most of the original structures are still here and house lots of treasures from the past. When the original Victorian farmhouse was torn down, my grandfather painstakingly bundled and stored all the doors, windows, trim, stair treads, tongue and groove boards, and more, which we have been slowly restoring and adding to our house. Now when I refer to the “old house” you’ll know what I’m talking about😉 Most of my furniture, art and accessories have also been passed down, and I have added to that with items from antique and thrift stores as well as our travels around the world. Every single thing means something, and that’s what makes it *home* for me.
First, you’re welcomed to our mountain home on the front porch. You can see a full tour of this space HERE.
I try to keep things true to the mountain area we live in and to the property as well with a little bit of farmhouse style combined with the Victorian style of the buildings, comfy seating, hanging ferns and lots of color.
In our living room, I’ve added a few plants and that’s about it. I think this is the longest I’ve ever left a room without really changing something up, but since we added a wall to create this room, I’ve been in love with it as is.
I have found myself really fascinated with Victorian and early 20th Century Eastlake style — mainly because of the era of the inherited items I have, and because of the property and original Victorian buildings here, so there’s definitely a nod to that style in this room.
I was lucky enough to borrow my mother’s jaw-dropping antique “Gone With the Wind” oil lamp, and I hope she forgets I have it!
What an amazing piece of late 1800s history this is, and the beautiful color is just perfect for my room.
It’s right at home on my great grandfather’s drop leaf table along with great grandmother’s 1930s radio, and an antique inherited book press/copier.
I rescued these portieres from an old building here some friends owned before it sold. The other side is red velvet, and I used the other matching panel in my hallway.
Of course, having a fern in the corner is the perfect Victorian accessory.
We really do look forward to Sunday afternoons spent right here relaxing after a long week, and despite the formal look of the room, it’s really comfy and I think my favorite living area I’ve ever had.
My piano sits in a corner which used to be a dining room, but functions now as an entry/music room.
My husband made the cabinet out of a walnut tree my dad cut years ago along with reclaimed wormy chestnut trim from the old house.
I made this box from a newel post out of the old house and had it on the dining table, but moved it here for summer. Filled with ivy, it’s a summery and simple touch for this area.
Adding a fern next to my inherited 1880 pump organ also contributes to the Victorian feel. Plants, including ferns and palms, were very important in Victorian interiors, and I certainly love having this organic and natural element in my own home as well.
I love how open this space still is, even with the addition of the room. Taking out the island really was a good decision, and one I’m not regretting at all.
In the kitchen, I added more red and orange and made a new planter from an old wagon wheel hub.
I’m still loving the curtains and sink skirt I made from a vintage Indian sari, and the pop of color they add to the kitchen.
If you’re new here, we made the countertops from reclaimed wormy chestnut from one of the old buildings here about six years ago, and I love them more and more as they age and look like the old counters in my grandfather’s store. The marble slabs are also from his store.
I borrowed a few pieces from my mother’s collection of Franciscan Apple to coordinate with my Franciscan Ivy along with some new vintage Pyrex Cinderella mixing bowls I found at my local antique mall.
Of course, my mother’s homemade strawberry and peach preserves are perfect for my color palette, as well as her sweet salad pickles. And it doesn’t hurt that they are all delicious as well!
I just like a cheery kitchen in summer so I added yellow and orange to the reds for some pops of color.
I’m really excited about the wagon wheel hub planter. My parents brought two of these back from my aunt and uncle’s ranch in Montana years ago, and I was so happy to figure out a unique way to use one.
After cleaning this one up, I put a narrow vase inside to hold my ivy and Queen Anne’s lace from the property.
I’m sure I’ll style it many different ways as the seasons change.
Another project I’m really proud of isreclaiming this fluted trim from the little house for my pantry door. What a difference it made, especially with the screen door from the old house.
The cabinetry and trim are painted the same gray as my grandfather used in several of the buildings here.
The brass candlesticks are antique, inherited Queen Anne style, and I remember them sitting on my grandmother’s mantel when I was a child.
I really simplified my buffet for summer and only used a vintage lazy susan my mom gave me and a potted palm.
I’ve been so busy the last few months with these trim projects,including this one, and am again quite proud that I got past my fear of the miter saw and did this all myself!
Here’s a little peek at the master bedroom. I borrowed this yellow chenille bedspread from my mom, then found another one in a different color I liked even better, so I’ll blog this space with its new look later.😊
We really do enjoy our home in the summertime and enjoy being outside as well. Really, nature provides the best summer decor and we try to enjoy every moment we can by eating alfresco on the porch, or roasting marshmallows over the fire pit. It’s all about family time😊
I’m so thankful for Marty and for all the work she does putting these tours together! I’m sure you’ll love the next home as well, so hop on over and visit Julia at Cuckoo4Design.
Be sure to follow me oninstagram and facebook for daily updates and fun things!!
Monday June 10
A Stroll Thru Life , Southern Hospitality, Far Above Rubies
Cuckoo4Design, Setting For Four, Pink Peppermint Design
Tuesday June 11
Remodelando La Casa, Inspiration For Moms, ZDesign At Home
House By Hoff, Duke Manor Farm, Decor To Adore
Wednesday June 12
Haneens Haven, Monica Wants It, The Chronicles Of Home
Follow The Yellow Brick Home, Thrifty & Chic, Hymns & Verses
Thursday June 13
Clean & Scentsible, Sincerely Marie Designs, 11 Magnolia Lane
Thrifty Decor Chic, Seeking Lavender Lane, Our Southern Home
Friday June 14
White Arrows Home, Our Fifth House, Modern Glam,
Designing Vibes, Decorating Delirium, Life On Cedar Lane,
Oh my word, you never disappoint. Your home is a burst of fabulous color and wonderful treasures. I love hearing the stories of each piece. Such a warm and inviting home. Thanks so much for joining the tour.
Thanks so much Marty for all your hard work!!
I love how much history is incorporated into your home, Anita. I am obsessed with all of the textiles in your music room. Beautifully done!
Thanks so much Erica!! I also appreciate your coming by to leave a comment:-)
Your home is completely charming and OH SO COZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am delighted to see a home with COLOR – absolutely amazing the way you've put it all together, and the stories those pieces could tell!! Thank you for not giving in to the whole Fixer Upper vibe that I'm so sick of seeing all over social media!!
Thanks so much Debbie!! I do love color and love incorporating it throughout my home:-)
So pretty, Anita! I admire the way you mix in family heirlooms, special pieces in your historic home. It's so colorful and special. My favorite pic is the last one with the porch lights on, so inviting and welcoming! I like that your home is unique to you!
Thank you so much Rhoda!!
Anita, your home is always one of my very favorites! I love the stories of all your pieces and treasures from the past. I treasure everything we have inherited from my hubby's parents. I wish I had something from MY family. I used to have those same orange and red pyrex bowls, wish I had kept them. Have a beautiful week. Do you still do tables out on your back deck? I always loved them too.
Thanks Pinky!! I had never even seen that Pyrex pattern but wanted something red, and when I found that I was so excited!! I did a table for Memorial Day but that's all I've done. I really need to do some more for sure:-)
It's so gorgeous I don't even know where to start…but I guess I will begin in the music room! The box of ivy on the piano is just so pretty, it just jumped out at me! All of your gorgeous and sentimental finds have me wanting to jump right into the computer screen to take it all in in real life. I love your gorgeous lamp! My dad gifted me a similar style lamp for Christmas that belonged to my great grandmother with a pastoral scene on it. I haven't found the right spot for it just yet but I do hope to share it in my fall home tour.
I can "sense" the homey feeling and love and care that you have put into decorating your home, an extension of your heart and art! I just love it all and I will have to visit this post again to really take it all in.
Absolutely delightful! Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
Oh my goodness Amber, thank you soooo very much!! I bet your lamp is awesome and I cannot wait to see it in the fall!!
How lovely in all seasons, your colors are so jewel like! Love it!
Thank you so very much!!
Your house never seizes to amaze me, I love the jewel colors and the history!
What isn't to LOVE about your home: fabulous color, heritage, woods, patinas, textures, Franciscan ware (my Mom's pattern)—just love it all. Beautifully photographed and curated…hugs, Sandi
So beautiful. I love all of the saturated colors in your home and your porch is to die for. It is an honor to be on Marty's tour with you.
Wow, wow, wow, Anita! Your home is so special and beautiful! I absolutely love it! xo
I have loved your home for so long….those porches and the kitchen that transports me to the French countryside. So lovely!!!
Your home is full of some amazing treasures!!! I love taking the time to really look closely at each photo so I'm sure I don't miss a thing!
I love all the stories that the pieces in your home have. What a special touch. You have a beautiful home.
Anita- i love how each piece in your pretty home tells a story and a special place in your heart. As always such a delight to visit your home. Enjoy the summer season!
I am so glad you went back to the reds. Your home is so beautiful and welcoming.
Blessings,
J
WOW! What a beautiful home. I love the colors, textures and history behind the pieces in your home. It’s refreshing to see how you’ve incorporated the past of your family belongings into a warm and cozy home. Thank you for sharing. It was truly a delightful.
You could definitely see your skills in the work you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as
you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after
your heart.
This apartment is beautifully decorated, I like old furniture