As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Saturday, June 6, 2015

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? 

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great tour - and I WAS inspired!
    Yes, I did notice the way she used old books in her scheme...and I'm partial (personally) to dark colors and natural wood. I guess that's ANOTHER reason I enjoy her style.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful tour! Love all the interesting accents and creative touches. I do like all her uses of old books!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cheryl, your sister's home is lovely. I do believe the two of you have the decorating gene! I do love her use of old books under the cake dome and about the house. Her desk chair--beautiful! Please thank her for allowing us to have a peak in her home. That would be a great blog title (At Home with Linda) for her to begin sharing her knowledge about decorating. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like it! I so admire people who have the ability to blend styles and textures and colors, and come out with a style all their own.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very lovely apartment. She knows how to style!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Really lovely! She has a classic style that is very pleasing. About things to "take away"...the basket tray with a magnifying glass, the remotes, a magazine, and that little object...yes, don't be surprised if you see that at my house. ;D Thank her very much for being willing to share her home!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Everything is so neat and pretty--no clutter. Very classy and inviting. Love the little accents of blue and books. Very different style from yours, Cheryl, but I love both styles. Thanks for the tour, Linda.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes I love the reality of that magnifying glass. Her home is lovely and I can tell you are sisters! I like Vee see lots of inspiration here!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful! Very elegant, yet simple, not 'stuffy.' I feel as if I would be welcome in her home and not have to worry about 'messing' anything up!

    Thank her for us!
    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh how I enjoy a tour of a home, and this was no exception. So cozy, classic and lovely. Honestly I LOVED everything about it. A place you definitely wanted to sit down and visit in, I especially liked the use of old books!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks or the kind words, folks!

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your sister definitely knows how to make any space look warm and inviting! I love it. And I'm going to use that idea of the basket on the trunk in the living room. We're always hunting for the remotes!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Linda's home is so lovely, Cheryl, yes I did get some ideas, her use of old books was one, placing beneath the cloche is a great idea! The basket idea I love too, maybe I won't be losing our remote if I had a basket.Thanks for sharing, she needs to start a blog and share!~smile~
    Enjoy your summer, congratulations to Beka for another great school year.
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! What an absolutely lovely place to call home! Between her decorating skills and your photography, these pics look like you cut them right out of a decorating magazine. I love her classic style...so comfortable, warm and inviting. LOVE what she has done with those books! And now I am hungry because that salad just looks amazing. Thanks for the peek at Linda's home!

    ReplyDelete
  15. it appears you *and* your sister were bitten by the decorating gift. what a lovely home - it would have never guessed it was an apartment! it's simply elegant, welcoming, cozy.. i can easily picture myself sitting in the living room chair nearest the window, sipping liquid life (coffee). :)

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...