Hello friends! Spring has come early to the mountains, and since we didn’t really have a normal winter, it feels strangely warm way too early. Of course warmer weather makes one want to open up the windows and air out the house, but then there’s pollen for the next few months, so we won’t be doing that! I have done some spring cleaning and rearranging inside, and I’m excited to be sharing spring decor as part of Marty’s Spring Home Tour series. These seasonal tours are always so much fun, and there are so many different styles to inspire you, so let’s get started!
Welcome to everyone coming over from Pasha’s beautiful home at Pasha is Home! Don’t you love seeing different styles? I’m always inspired by others, and always find something I can take away and try in my home, even if it’s an entirely different style. That’s the beauty of design.
I love antiques, vintage, anything Victorian, cottagecore, dark and light academia and everything in between. For spring though, I was feeling kind of Appalachian farmhouse – is that a thing? Windows open, white sheer curtains blowing in the wind, quilts hanging on the clothesline, etc., so I took my normally dark, Victorian style and lightened it up just as the Victorians did in the summers – changing the curtains, fabrics, etc., to lighter versions – and as always, just used what I had here, could make or borrow from mother:-)
In the living room, I made floral pillow covers from some of the Kaufmann Queensland fabric I had left over from the sink skirt. I love this floral, and it’s perfect for any season, especially as it pretty much has every color and can coordinate with any color.
I also added some other pillows I had made in different florals, but the same colors, which is so quintessentially cottage style.
Plants are so important in any season and classic blue and white porcelain works with any decor.
I usually add some Nandina leaves as well as Mountain Fire Pieris branches to the mantel, but the Pieris has not bloomed yet here, and the -0 temps killed all our Nandinas. If all else fails, books and candles are always a good choice.
I am certainly enjoying the light in here this time of year, and just these few changes make the room feel fresh and new – but still old, lived in and comfortable.
In what should be the dining room, but is the only place the piano and pump organ will fit, I traded out the beautiful vintage red floral curtains I had here for lace sheers. Similar ones here:
Oh how I love the contrast of the sheers with the old wood, plus the light here now is glorious. When summer comes, the leaves on all the trees will block the light, but I’m certainly enjoying it for now.
In the kitchen, I really wanted that Appalachian farmhouse/cabin kind of feel, and with the wormy chestnut wood I installed here from great grandfather’s house, I knew with muslin curtains, feedsack towels and vintage accessories, I could have that look.
I made the sink skirt about 10 years ago with this beautiful floral and drop cloth fabric. I didn’t have enough fabric to make a whole skirt, so I used the floral for a sort of yoke then used the drop cloth fabric for the skirt.
I made the ruffled towels from some of granddaddy’s feedsacks here, and you can see the print has worn off from repeated washing – just as it was designed to do.
I poured the candle in a vintage insulator and used this candle holder from probably the 1990s to hold it.
A vintage painting, Lincoln Beautyware canister set, and a Magic Yeast display box from granddaddy’s store all take this kitchen back in time.
I really wanted to use my Wedgewood Queen’s Plain creamware, and I added some other pieces to it including Mother’s mixing bowl and inherited Noritake Chandova.
About 10 years ago I realized that calendars repeat, so I bought several vintage calendars. This is my second time using 1967. I love these Currier and Ives calendars, and they are actually still in print.
If you are new here, we made the wormy chestnut counters from wood here on a little guest house, and the shelves are actually stair treads from the Victorian house daddy grew up in here.
All the trim and doors in the house I restored and installed – all from the old house. The wall and cabinet colors are also colors I found on wood saved from the old house and matched in new paint.
These plates came with flour sacks at my granddaddy’s store here. There are several different colors.
On the table, I wanted a simple centerpiece and used a vintage Iranian runner, an oil lamp just gifted to my mother, and a Mason jar filled with Mountain Fire Pieris from a friend – since ours have not bloomed.
We spend a lot of time right here at the table I built about 19 years ago. This room is the heart of our home, and the quirky aspect of this kitchen just adds to the charm. I’m surrounded by things from people I love, from people who have gone before me and from friends. That’s what makes this kitchen tell my story.
On my buffet, I added a runner I made from Chinese silk inherited from a relative. Books, great grandmother’s radio, an inherited painting hanging on a window from the old house are just a few of the things that I love to surround myself with.
Last spring, I finally restored and installed the Victorian saved from the old house into this bedroom, and what a difference that made in the room. I also painted the light, warm gray color to really let the trim stand out. For spring, I changed to a pink chenille bedspread borrowed from mother.
I found a remnant of an older chenille spread in my fabric, so I made a pillow cover and kept the bed really simple.
This quilt is actually not that old, but one I bought at Ames (remember Ames stores?) when I lived in D.C. in the 1990s. I used it in my youngest daughter’s room for years and was happy to get it out again.
I restored my grandparents’ medicine cabinet a couple years ago and recently found grandmother’s bowl and pitcher in my parents’ attic. The oil lamp is on loan from my mother and was a gift from a sweet friend. The framed handkerchief is from the mid-1800s and was a bridal gift, passed down on my daddy’s side of the family.
I love the sheer lace curtains in here, from amazon…
Branches from my grandmother’s weeping cherry tree are the perfect spring touch in this room.
I have enjoyed changing things out and using what I have to get my home ready for this season ahead. You really don’t have to keep buying and purging to have a beautiful home. I like to have some good quality basic things that can be rotated seasonally, then I’m not on the decor haul train that ends up purging and donating every January just to then repeat that cycle. You can have a beautiful home on a budget with a little creativity and a lot of imagination – and your home will tell your story. As it should:-)
I love this quote from Edith Schaeffer:
“It seems to me that whether it is recognized or not, there is a terrific frustration which increases in intensity and harmfulness as time goes on, when people are always daydreaming of the kind of place in which they would like to live, yet never making the place where they do live into anything artistically satisfying to them. Always to dream of a cottage by a brook while never doing anything to the stuffy house in the city is to waste creativity in this very basic area, and to hinder future creativity by not allowing it to grow and develop through use.”
Thanks for stopping by today! I do hope you found something inspiring here. You do not want to miss any of these tours, so be sure to go over and visit the beautiful home of fellow musician Kathy at Up To Date Interiors next, and I’m sure you’ll be inspired by her spring ideas as well.
Thanks to Marty for all the work she does hosting these tours!! All the tours from the week are linked below, so be sure to check them all out!
Monday March 6th
A Stroll Thru Life – The House of Silverado – StoneGable – My Wee Abode – Simply2Moms – Shiplap and Shells
Tuesday March 7th
Our Southern Home – Southern Home and Hospitality – Eleanor Rose Home – Decor to Adore – Clean and Scentsible – DIY Beautify
Wednesday March 8th
Worthing Court – Calypso in the Country – The Stonybrook House – A Pretty Life In The Suburbs – White Arrows Home – Chalking Up Success
Thursday March 9th
CitrineLiving – Pasha is Home – Whispering Pines Homestead – Up To Date Interiors – Pink Peppermint Design – Thrifty and Chick
Friday March 10th
County Road 407 – The Tattered Pew – Thistle Key Lane – It All Started With Paint – This is Our Bliss
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Hello Anita,
Your home is so pretty! I will be cleaning and spoofing today thanks to your lovely post. Where do you find your lace curtains? My living room has north facing windows so I need to ditch the heavy drapes!
Author
Thank you so much!! I bought all the lace curtains from amazon but none of them seem to be available anymore. The embroidered sheers in the living room are vintage from a neighbor.**Actually I found some that look exactly the same but with a different name, and linked them in the post for you:-)https://amzn.to/3yr3imD
I have north facing bow window and found my lace curtains at Penny’s. We have no box stores here so had to buy from Penny’s on line. Everyone loves my lace curtains. They are lovely.
Author
I think mother got hers from there as well. I had several sets that I had bought probably at Kmart maybe back in the day, and I gave them all away! I was so angry when I realized that, but I was able to find some on Amazon several years ago. A neighbor who passed away years ago had given mother these cream embroidered sheers I have in the living room and they are definitely favorites.
Hi Anita,
I was having trouble posting so hopefully you aren’t getting multiples of this comment. :}
Your home is so pretty! Because of your lovely post, I will be cleaning and fluffing today. Where do you get your lace curtains? I have north facing living room windows and I need to lose the heavy drapes!
TY!
Your home is always stunning! So rich and luxe with all the vintage layers, I’m always in awe when I visit! I love your floral pillows and those colors – just gorgeous!
Author
Thank you so much Tamara!!
Such a lovely tour! You have such a talent for mixing colors and creating beautiful vignettes. I love your collection of white dishes and the way you displayed them!
Shelley
Author
Thank you so much Shelley!!
What treasures you have Anita! I love how you stayed true to the Victorian style even in spring with the lovely floral patterns!!
Author
Thank you so very much Kate!
So happy to see you hang your laundry out in the fresh air! I do too tho my neighbors think I am crazy! I love the smell from the grass and trees. I use my grandma’s clothespins and a clothespin bag my mom made me. This is why I love being able to enjoy both your YouTube and blogpost. Loving your use of chenille I have gorgeous chenille bedspread too and wish I could find a chenille bathrobe. Had one when I was a little girl and wore it out. .i cant repeat enough how i adore your home…in all seasons. You are an inspiration and your dedication is appreciated.
Looking forward to your bathroom episodes. Bathrooms are overlooked in the decor genre. Love and Blessings from Lin 💜💜
Author
Lin, I cannot thank you enough for your kind comments and for your sharing these very special memories with me! I am so thankful that something I do brings some of those memories back☺️☺️ I had a wonderful chenille bathrobe as well come to think of it, and I wore it out but it was definitely a favorite☺️☺️
Your home looks gorgeous! I am obsessed with those floral pillows that you added to your living room, they are so pretty!! Happy Spring!
Author
Thank you so much Anne☺️☺️☺️
I always look forward to all your tours. I really love the lace curtains the best!! So sweet and airy and I know what you mean about the windows opened and the curtains blowing in the wind. Something so homey and cozy about that!! Your home looks beautiful as always and always a treat to scroll through the pictures!! Happy Spring!
Author
I appreciate that Linda!! Thank you so much:-)
Your videos are so beautifully done!! So very enjoyable and relaxing. Your land is stunning especially with the water. I’m so glad I had a chance to watch it. The quilts also so pretty blowing in the breeze!
Author
Thank you so much Linda! I love to tell a story and love when people connect with that, especially these days when a few moments of something peaceful are so needed☺️☺️☺️
You have the most beautiful collections, Anita. Your Victorian-style tour is so inspiring. Your vignettes and color mixes are gorgeous. Happy Spring!
Author
Thank you so much Kim!!
Oh I just love the cabbage rose pillows and charming chenille bedspread. It is a delight to be on tour with you!
Author
Thank you so much more! I had no idea when I bought that Queensland fabric about four years ago that it was popular in the 90s, then I started seeing it in some of the old magazines I have on sofas and curtains, etc. I really love it and think it’s a timeless fabric. I had used it in the kitchen but decided to make pillow covers for the living room with some leftover fabric and love how they turned out☺️☺️
I always love to see how you move and change accessories to create new rooms all over your house. You manage to give every space such a fresh look every season. Your heirlooms are all so priceless and tell your story so beautifully. Thanks so much for joining the tour again this season, your home is a treasure.
Author
Thank you so much Marty! I sure appreciate all the hard work you do and appreciate you including me in this wonderful group of ladies☺️☺️☺️
I enjoyed seeing your spring home, Anita! Thank you for inviting us in. Love that we all have different styles! 🙂
Author
Thank you so much Julie!
Beautiful spring tour Anita! I love the bedroom details. So many of your family pieces caught my eye including that very interesting medicine cabinet. What a treasure!
Author
Thank you so much Michelle! Yes I was so excited to restore that and put the things they had in it back exactly as they were, so it is definitely a treasure☺️☺️
I watch all your videos and love your beautiful home. I love to hear you talk about what you have accumulated from your family what wonderful treasures. Till the next video.
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Thank you so very much Marlene😊😊😊
Hi Anita! Lovely home. Happy Spring!
Author
Thank you so much Lori☺️☺️
Wow! The lace curtains with the piano are stunning!! All of the blue and white decor looks so great with your lovely home for Spring. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Thank you so much Kathy!!
Hello, I just wanted to say I absolutely love love your home. It is so inviting. That is the look I want but have problems achieving. You can tell you love your home.
May I ask where you purchased your velvet mantle scarf. I would love to have something like that for my mantle.
Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us.
Author
Thank you so very much Susan☺️☺️☺️ I made the mantel scarf several years ago☺️