Hello everyone! It’s hard to believe it’s time for summer home tours again! Marty at A Stroll Thru Life has been doing such a wonderful job over the years bringing this group of diverse and talented bloggers together for seasonal tours, so I am honored and excited once again to participate:-) Be sure to start with Marty’s tour as she has such a beautifully put together home always decorated so nicely for each season, and welcome to everyone coming over from Kelly’s beautiful Colorado home!
If you’re new here, you can check out this post to see what motivates what I do here in our little mountain home.
Let’s jump right in. If you’ve seen the first photo, you’ll have figured out that I love Victorian, cottagecore, dark academia and anything maximilist, and I love to change things around seasonally as well. My go-to decor items are always useful things – books, plants, candles, family photos and original art. For summer, I made a big change in the living room. I shared in this post what influenced me to step out of the box and pick this beautiful shade of pink. I still love it, and could not be happier I took the chance. I can’t wait to see this color during the fall and Christmas seasons.
I didn’t change much else for summer, though, and just) added the Kaufmann Queensland pillows I made back in the spring.
We had some things stored at a friend’s workshop, including this chair, and I’m so glad to have it back. It was inherited from a relative and a chair she purchased for her husband when they married. I had it reupholstered for my husband when we got married, and I had forgotten how much I love the lines of the chair as it’s low profile, but so very comfy. (**I realized I needed to iron the arm covers after I had taken the photos:-)
I did a little furniture switcheroo and ended up using my grandmother’s trunk here as a side table. I love the blue color and how well it works in this space.
On the mantel, I added some Solomon’s Seal from the woods here. I’d never thought of using that inside, but what a statement it makes! I’d moved great grandmother’s chaise into this position a month or so ago, and I cannot believe how much I love it and find I use it much more as well.
I love this room so much, and I love the new color as well. I feel like it’s finally becoming what I’d envisioned. And my grandmother would love it too:-)
I painted this room a lighter shade of a peachy pink as well and added the picture rail. I brought back the linen curtains I’d made several years ago as I love the lighter color for summer. A feed sack runner topped with a vintage Iranian runner also adds a lighter look for summer to the room.
In the kitchen, I brought back the sink skirt and shade I made from the vintage fabric my friend Alicia gave me a few years back. I absolutely love this fabric, and the colors could not be more perfect in my kitchen. My lower cabinetry is painted an older ColorPlace color from Walmart called Grand Smoky Mountain, and is a match for some of the colors in the old house daddy grew up in here. We also made the wormy chestnut countertops ten years ago from wood here. The shelves are stair treads salvaged from the old house as well as the wormy chestnut bead board I restored and installed a few years ago.
I really didn’t want to change anything from the spring look in here, but I always get inspired by something, and I love to show people different ways to rotate things in and out seasonally.
I kept most of my everyday china, and added some antique plates from my grandmother to bring in the color.
As canning season really kicks in later, I’ll have to clear anything unnecessary out so I have room for veggies, jars, canners, etc.
I added these pieces from my inherited set of Noritake Chandova from 1921 to the wall here. I love this pattern, and have enjoyed using it this year.
I filled this antique Minton bowl with peonies from mother’s garden including great granddaddy’s white peonies and pink roses.
And my biggest find of the year was this antique (late 1800s) Bradley and Hubbard hanging oil lamp. It is electrified, but can be reversed back to oil very easily. These are usually in the $300+ range, but I found this one for $60! I’ve been searching for one for years, so this was a find I could not pass up. The pulley system is fully operational, and it can be lowered and raised back up.
We don’t get the amazing light in the summer we get in the winter because of the trees and the angle of the sun, so I love still having some drama but also the lighter colors as well.
Back around Easter, I decided to use my buffet as a buffet so I left out the Noritake Chandova to use and love having it here easily accessible.
I decided to rearrange the bedroom just for something different and really wanted a super simplified actual summer farmhouse look in here – not modern farmhouse but a more authentic farmhouse look. Everything is antique except the hanging quilt, and I bought that about 30 years ago.
I switched my grandmother’s trunk for this one inherited from my great Aunt Frances. An antique flour sack baby quilt is folded on top.
This chenille bedspread is an old one and has several holes I’ve repaired over the years.
There is nothing like the sound of a rushing mountain creek right outside the bedroom windows in the summer:-)
You can see how I restored and installed all this trim from the old house last spring in this post.
I found my grandmother’s bowl and pitcher while up in the attic with my mother after Christmas and could not be happier to have that here.
My maternal grandmother crocheted the shamrock runner and the framed handkerchief has been passed down in the family since 1872.
This sweet little handmade gown belonged to my grandfather who was born here in 1901.
My grandmother’s father from Hypoluxo, Florida, is the one who bought this property, originally a pheasant farm, for his summer home. The peonies and pink roses were planted here by him in the 1920s.
I love how simple and fresh this room looks for summer. It has the feel I wanted to accomplish, and it was done with things I already had, which is super important to me.
Click HERE to see two budget-friendly bathroom makeovers I completed earlier this spring.
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I hope you have enjoyed my summer tour, and I hope something I’ve shared has inspired you to use what you already have and just move a few things around for a fresh, new look. I’ll have a porch tour soon, and a garden tour later so be sure follow on all my social and subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss anything. All of the ladies are linked below for the entire week, so be sure to visit the, each day as there is so much wonderful decor inspo, and definitely a style for everyone:-)
Thanks again to Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for all her work, and make sure you go visit her beautifully decorated summer home!
Check out the video tour here:
Thanks so much for stopping by:-)
Click on any line below to catch up or see any tour.
Monday June 5th
A Stroll Thru Life – Simply2Moms – Our Southern Home – The Tattered Pew – Whispering Pines Homestead
Tuesday June 6th
Eleanor Rose Home – The House of Silverado – Calypso In The Country – StoneGable – My Wee Abode – Southern Home and Hospitality
Wednesday June 7th
Worthing Court – Thrifty and Chic – The Stonybrook House – Decor To Adore – Chalking Up Success – She Gave It A Go
Thursday June 8th
Shiplap and Shells – Pasha is Home – DIY Beautify – CitrineLiving – Thistle Key Lane – Country Road 407
Friday June 9th
White Arrows Home – It All Started With Paint – Southern Crush at Home – Amy Sadler Designs
Anita your home is so romantic and beautiful! I have to say you have so many lovely spaces but I truly love your kitchen. So much character and I love the curtain under your sink. Beautiful tour!
Author
Thank you so much Kelly!
I love how you showcase all your family treasures and history, it tells your story so perfectly. Everything is so well done. You make yesteryear new and not old. That is such a talent. I look and stare at each picture every time I visit your home, so much to see and admire. Thanks so much for joining the tour again this season, your home is truly one of a kind and so well done. I love it all.
Author
Thank you so much for that Marty! And also thank you for all the hard work you do putting these tours together and for including me☺️☺️☺️
What a beautiful home you have, Anita! I’m always in such awe of all the details in every nook of your home. Your colors are so beautiful I love the new paint! It really softens everything and is so romantic! Your home is truly transportive – it feels like another era and is so dreamy! Happy summer!
Author
Thank you so much Tamara for those kind words☺️☺️ I do hope it feels like another era☺️
I love the new wall color. It brightens a little but still goes so well with the rest of your home. I don’t remember seeing your kitchen before but wowza I love all that white and the skirt at the sink and the cabinet color! Everything looks amazing and so happy. And what a great idea to use runners on top of pieces for a brighter look. Glad I got to see your tour. Happy Summer!
Author
Thank you so much!!
The entire house is always picture perfect. I love it all… especially……….. the bedspread, the kitchen countertops, the wormy chestnut beadboard you put up in the kitchen… All is breathtakingly beautiful
Author
Thanks mom❤️❤️❤️
Your home looks amazing, I love how you decorated everything for summer!! So glad I could join you on your home tour today! Happy Monday!
Author
Thank you so much!!
What a lovely tour! Your home is so pretty and romantic. It’s obvious you cherish your family pieces along with all your vintage finds. It all tells a story of who you are. Thanks for sharing!
Shelley
Author
Thank you so much Shelley!!
Anita, I love visiting your home. It’s like a museum with real historical pieces. I love your family history and knowing where everything came from and when. How you had the wood from the original house made into something for you. Each time I see something I didn’t see before like the Asian pot next to the pump organ. Have you written a book with the history of the old home place that build your home?
Then there was the biscuit recipe…
So beautiful Anita, especially loved the cozy corner with the blue trunk. Also was inspired by your buffet, maybe I’ll take my China out and display it. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home. Happy summer
Everything looks so rich and elegant.
I love all the color in your parlor.
The kitchen looks so crisp and cool.
The pastels in the bedroom make your room feel light and airy just perfect for these hot summer days.
As always you have created a masterpiece 💕
Thanks for sharing your gift with all of your adoring fans😊
Anita,
Simply Stunning!! I love your style and use of deep rich colors, antiques and architectural items….
Just gorgeous!!
Hugs,
Deb
I adore all of the inspiring layers found in your gorgeous home Anita. It is always such a joy to be on tour with you.
Author
Thank you so much Laura☺️☺️☺️
From the decor to the house tour in pictures to video, very well done, Anita!! Extremely enjoyable and the music in the video was beautiful and relaxing! I found myself smiling as I watched your video! Not sure how you will top this tour! That hanging lamp in your kitchen is perfection and fit perfectly with your Victorian treasures! The entire kitchen table with the center piece and the oil lamps below that stunning hanging lamp fixture make your table so inviting to sit and have coffee and cake! Of course, the paint colors in the shades of pink and touches of red work beautifully. I just adore all the color and the cozy feel of your home. Thanks for sharing!!
Author
Linda thank you so very much for your sweet and kind comments☺️☺️☺️ Yes the lamp is so satisfying to finally have because I kept looking and looking, and the $300+ price tag was just way too much. This one was such a bargain at $60 I couldn’t pass it up☺️☺️
There are so many beautiful spaces in your home Anita, it’s hard to know where to start! Most of all, I love your overall color scheme and how your vintage pieces pop against it. I would love to go darker in our home but my husband is not a fan – shame, it looks so beautiful. Maybe I can show him this and work on him a bit, haha!
Author
Thank you Jayne☺️☺️ I feel like I finally struck a balance so I still have the drama of darker but it’s not as dark as the dark gray I used to have, and surprisingly my husband and son are fine with it. But my husband is Puerto Rican so he’s used to color☺️☺️
I always love touring your home, Anita. Every detail is so beautiful. You have such a stunning collection of antiques, especially your furniture pieces. Your quilt hanging behind the bed is such a perfect touch.
Author
Thank you Kim! Yes that quilt has been packed away, and I was so glad to get it out☺️☺️
Your Victorian home is lovely and so dramatic (in a good way). Thanks for giving us the tour! Fun touring with you!
Author
Thank you so much Julie!
Every detail is just so beautiful. I just love the new wall color!!! I just love your collections.
Author
Thank you Christy! I’m really enjoying it too and glad I tried something different☺️☺️☺️
You have such a beautiful, cozy home, Anita! That blue trunk from your grandmother is precious. I love how you used all the old sheet music on the walls, and you display all of your china so well. Everything looks wonderful, and I just love your Victorian style!
Author
Thank you so much Kristin☺️☺️☺️
Anita ~ Wow! What great ideas! I love it! So fun doing this summer blog hop with you! Let’s do it again soon!
Author
Thank you so much!
Hi Anita! Whenever I tour your home, I always feel like I’ve stepped back in time. There’s something special about it. I love the little touches you added. Great to tour with you. Blessings, Lori
Author
I appreciate those very kind words so much! I hope that’s what people see and feel☺️☺️🙏🙏
Absolutely inspiring!!!!
You are so very, very talented and I love looking through your photos! Thank you for sharing!
P.S. The curtains in the living room … the lace ones … are they available online?
Author
Thank you so much! They are actually vintage embroidered sheers but the valances are made from lace curtains I bought on amazon. They’ve been out of stock though, and I’m afraid recommend one I’ve not tried. Just do a search for lace sheer curtains on Amazon☺️☺️