At Home With Linda

I am so excited to share my sister's house with you! 

That said, it has taken me a while to get around to doing so. It's been a busy week. (Aren't they all?) We put the finishing touches on our "formal" school year on Tuesday, and I have been finalizing our records and Bekah's portfolio in preparation for our end of year review scheduled for next week. But today is the day. It's been rainy here, and aside from a dash out for coffee and a six-dollar skirt at Old Navy, I've been here at the computer, editing and compiling pictures to show you.

My sister Linda and I have lots of things in common. One thing we do not have in common, however, is the number of homes in which we have lived. I have lived in only two places since I have been married (we have lived in our current home for thirty-five years). Linda has lived in...well, I'm not sure. I'll just say "many." But every single home she has made lovely. Her style has changed over the years and she has had different furniture and different colors. She has lived in rented homes and apartments and she has owned homes. She has lived in old places and new, some average-sized, some very small. Whatever the circumstances, she has made each one uniquely beautiful. 

This home happens to be a rented apartment, which comes with limitations as far as architectural features and colors. No problem! Linda has worked with those limitations and has made it her own. I think it looks like she has lived here for years! Come with me and we'll take a look around!

This pretty pot of annuals (planted by our dad and mom) sits at the entrance, a statement of welcome. 

Here is the living area. What do you think? Do you want to move right in?!

I am going to take you clockwise around the room, showing the big picture as well as a few closer shots for detail. 

(I love this gallery wall featuring family photos.)

Adjoining the living area (and separated by the sofa) is the dining area. 

I'll insert a bit of reality here. While Kati and I were taking house photos, there were eight people in the house. Mom, Kati, Bekah, and I. Linda, of course, and her daughter Amy and granddaughters Isabel and Ivy. We had eaten lunch and there was baby paraphernalia and children's books and purses and various and sundry bags. And a cat and a dog. So we scooted things here and there while we snapped pictures, and we only had a few shots where faces were in mirrors or a hand or foot was in a corner. Amazing! :) 

Anyway, here is the dining area, cleared of people and lunch. 

(Proof that we had lunch. It was delicious, too!)

A little corner of the kitchen...

...and just outside the kitchen, at the top of the entry stairs, is this cabinet, perfect for pretty kitchen storage as well as a lovely focal point. 

   

 Yes, I even sneaked my camera back to the bathroom.

Although Linda has some lovely furniture, it might be worth pointing out that a lot of beauty can be found in the details. She has used some ordinary things to enhance the overall look of the rooms, and to draw the eye into the nooks and crannies. 

Did you notice her use of old books?

And how about the placement of plants and green things? (I love the preserved boxwood wreath. I'm not sure I would have thought of hanging it in a cabinet.)

And then there is the repetition of blue in her accessories, from coasters to throw pillows.

I hope that you were inspired by our tour of Linda's beautiful home! 

Did you take away any ideas to use in your own home?