Happy summer friends! It always seems to me like spring takes forever, but finally here we are with a canopy of green leaves shading the house, a garden sprouting up with promised abundance, fireflies and, well, of course mosquitoes.
We love having a cool, comfy respite from the heat, and I’ll be sharing our living room today as part of the Summer Home Tour series hosted by the lovely Marty at A Stroll Thru Life. I’m also super excited to be following one of my favorites, Cristina at Remodelacasa. She can literally build anything, so be sure to check out her post.
We are blessed to live on family property my great grandfather bought as his summer place away from the heat of Hypoluxo, Florida. The North Carolina mountains are certainly cooler than Florida, and we have a beautiful mountain creek just steps from our front porch.
Inside, I love the feeling of a cool, dark cave. In fact as a child going to visit caverns nearby in Tennessee, I loved the cool escape from the heat, so my normal darker color palette works well this time of year to keep things feeling cool.
I did lighten things up because the many trees shading and keeping the house cool, also make it darker in the summer. I packed away the red velvet Lambrequins and paisley drapes and left just the cream lace sheers. I love the way they filter light, and for this room, we really don’t need anything else.
I also picked pink as my accent color and brought out pillows I had stored. Pillow covers are a great way to inexpensively change up a look seasonally, and I love the softness of the pink.
If you’re new here, I am a lover, collector and restorer of all things old. Almost everything I have is passed down from a relative, found on the property, or from an antique or thrift store. I restored and installed all the wood trim, which was salvaged from the original house here. You can read more about the old house, which will explain why I am so passionate about giving these things new life.
The drop leaf table belonged to my great grandfather, the 1940s radio to my great grandmother pictured here in a 1921 photo. The books belonged to my grandfather, who was a teacher and surveyor, and he used the bell to call his students to order. The Chinese ancestor prints are inherited from another relative and hang on windows from the old house. The oil lamp is from the late 1800s and was a gift to my mother.
I actually bought the Duncan Phyfe sofa off Marketplace, and when I called the owner to set up a time, it turned out to be a family friend.
I added just a touch of Florida with some shells my grandmother collected and placed them in a 1970s’ vintage ash tray. Mother bought the candelabra in Lebanon.
The armoire was a craigslist find, and I stenciled the design last fall because I thought it was too plain for this room. I love how it turned out. It hides our TV and other electronic equipment. I don’t want to see a big, black plastic TV when it’s not on, so I still prefer mine hidden.
These Victorian chairs are favorites as well, and were also a marketplace find I could not let go by. They are in excellent condition, and this has become a favorite morning coffee spot.
I added a few more nods to my grandmother’s Florida heritage with more of her shell collection, and a cute sail boat we found while on vacation several years ago. The brass incense burner is antique and also inherited.
Because this vintage Persian rug has several shades of red, peach and coral, the pink shades work well with it. I covered great grandmother’s table with linen floral fabric and topped it with a pink/coral taffeta. I love this bit of fancy, and it helps tie a lot of the other color elements in the room together.
I dressed the mantle with some of grandmother’s “mock orange” branches. If you’ve been here long, you’ll know I love to bring in whatever plants or flowers are in season. If nothing is blooming, I’ll bring in greenery of different varieties.
Of course, peonies are always a beautiful early summer flower and make the house smell so good.
I borrowed the antique inherited rose prints from my mother, and while I really wanted to keep them together, I had another spot perfect for the mate.
I have a lovely collection of antique pin cushions from my paternal grandmother and great grandmother. They were both excellent seamstresses, as is my mother who had her own design business and taught me early on to sew. They’re just too pretty to hide away, so I use them frequently in decor around the house.
If you’re new here, I built the mantel from restored trim salvaged from the old house. The Perfection Kerosene heater has also been here on the property for at least 100 years.
It might seem a little fancy and old fashioned compared to more trendy decor, but this really is the room we love to sit and relax in when we get a chance. In fact, my husband says frequently his reward for a hard week at work is getting to relax right here in his leather chair. That Duncan Phyfe sofa is my favorite Sunday afternoon nap spot, and I love that even though the room looks formal, it really is a collected, comfortable and interesting space.
I think the important thing in any decor is to find what works for you – your lifestyle, your preferences in color and style, and what is going to bring joy to you when you walk into that room. This room brings me much joy because everything has a story, and together, they tell our unique story.
Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to follow me on instagram, facebook and subscribe to my youtube channel. There is a lot coming, and I can’t wait to share. I’m really excited about my summer kitchen, thanks to a friend gifting me the most fabulous vintage curtains, and that post will be up with a video next week.
Next on the tour is the very talented Cassie Bustamante. I’ve followed Cassie for years, and she always has something fresh, new and innovative in her decor, so you do not want to miss her post! Thanks again to Marty for all the work she does putting these tours together! All the links for the whole week are below, so start at the beginning and don’t miss one!
Monday
A Stroll Thru Life // Worthing Court //A Pretty Life // Pink Peppermint Design // StoneGable // Hymns & Verses
Tuesday
Southern State of Mind // This Is Our Bliss // Up To Date Interiors // It All Started With Paint // Decor To Adore // Cuckoo4Design
Wednesday
RemodelaCasa // Whispering Pines Homestead // Cassie Bustamante // Inspiration For Moms // Making it in The Mountains // White Arrows Home
Thursday
Our Southern Home // CitrineLiving // The Wood Grain Cottage // Grace In My Space // Thrifty and Chic // Designing Vibes
Friday
Casa Watkins Living // Follow The Yellow Brick Home // Chalking Up Success // Bloom in the Black // Quarters One // Clean & Scentsible
Your home feels so special at all times! Love the floras throughout and that sailboat is a perfect touch.
Author
Thank you so much for that Cassie!!!
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!! Love the deep rich elegant colors!! Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hugs,
Deb
Author
Thank you Deb!!
Always love taking in all of the textures and colors in your beautiful home. That is so special that your husband calls it his reward to relax in your living room. Love it!
Author
Thank you Julia!! I know, right? And he prefers a more modern/clean/Scandinavian kind of design, so it makes me happy he feels this space that way:-)
What a beautiful home tour! I love all the textures and rich, dark colours and how you’ve added fresh flowers throughout!
Author
Thank you so much Jayne!!
As always, everything is truly beautiful.
Author
Thank you Mother, and thanks for letting me borrow all the pretty things:-)
Every time I see your home and learn about each item and family member it came from it warms my heart. I love that you cherish and save your family history. That makes your home so warm, welcoming and special. I love your use of color, each room is a delight to the eye. Thanks so much for joining the tour again this season, I love your home.
Author
Thank you so much Marty! And thanks for all your work and for including me with these amazing ladies!!
I live in my grandparent’s farmhouse on what is now my century farm. My mother was born in my bedroom 105 years ago, so I understand and appreciate your love for family pieces and just the love of old! Fads come and go but not what you love.
Author
Oh how wonderful!!You are so right – and I think as I get older I am figuring out what I like more and more:-)
Anita, I’m so delighted you have a you tube channel! I loved the video of you doing your bedroom. You say it’s easy, but you are gifted. Your home is very special. (Your Victorian Christmas … unbelievable!).
I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years; I started at the beginning and read it right through over several days, what a fascinating transformation. Perhaps you’d be surprised to know that following your posts actually helped me heal from ministry burn-out … yes, really. So thank you! Would love to read the story of your evolving house in a book …
Author
Wow Vicky, thank you so much for sharing that with me:-) My husband and I were also in ministry and dealt with that. He is working as a recording engineer/musician/videographer now, and I’m just working part time as a choir director/pianist. When we first started in ministry, I could not believe that anyone could get burned out from that. Now I know for real:-) Blogging and creating non-musical things is also a great comfort and creative outlet for me as well:-)
First of all, I love your profile pic, you’re so beautiful! I keep on telling you that it’s always fun touring your home and yes, I mean it! I can stay here all day long reading the stories that are connected to all those treasures around your home…. The pin cushions from your grandmother, the kerosene heater, the brass incense burner… Love it!
Author
Aww, thank you Cristina:-) I appreciate that so much!!
Your home is always so wonderful to tour…I love how much history and family you have woven into it…just lovely.
Author
Thank you so much Jo-Anna!!
Your home is beautiful! I love, love all of the colors and the history! We have a house in the NC mountains as well, outside of Cashiers…I don’t think we’re too far apart! I’ve also had the privilege of hearing the Air Force Band several times as we lived at Ft. Myer when my husband was stationed at the Pentagon…. thank you for your service and sharing your home!
Author
Oh wow, what a small world!! We are not far from Cashiers. I was stationed at Bolling and spent a lot of time entertaining at the homes of the joint chiefs at Fort Myer!! I also bought some great pieces of furniture at the thrift shop there as well:-)
Such a stunning tour. I absolutely adore the history you share and all the amazing touches.
Author
Thank you so much Laura!!