A Glimpse into the Past: Revisiting Our 2013 Home Tour – Style, Comfort, and DIY Decor Inspiration
Welcome to a special look back at our home from 2013! My passion for transforming furniture and refreshing spaces often means our home’s decor is a constant journey, a delightful revolving door of new ideas and beloved pieces. In this retrospective tour, we’ll explore the changes we’d made up to that point, showcasing rooms that were (mostly) picture-perfect on the day the photos were taken.
This tour offers a candid snapshot of our evolving style, a blend of cherished finds, creative makeovers, and timeless comfort. It’s a testament to how a home truly grows and changes with you, embracing new aesthetics while holding onto its core personality.
Welcome to Our Home
Our house is characterized by an open and inviting layout, generously proportioned with an abundance of windows that flood every space with natural light. While this creates a bright and airy atmosphere, it also presents a unique decorating challenge: limited traditional wall space. This often means I’m creatively seeking new ways to display my cherished finds and custom-painted pieces, always feeling like I have just a little too much beautiful “stuff” that deserves a spotlight.
The aesthetic of our home is a true reflection of our journey and passions – a curated mix of freshly painted furniture, unique thrifted treasures with stories to tell, and a selection of newer, comforting pieces. It’s a style that’s perpetually evolving, a wonderful “work in progress” that sometimes feels like delightful “turmoil” as new inspirations take hold and old favorites find new homes. This blend ensures that every corner holds personality and warmth, inviting guests to explore and feel at ease.
The Heart of Our Home: Living Room
Step into our living room, a space designed for ultimate relaxation and casual gatherings. It’s where comfort meets personal style, inviting you to sink in and unwind. Our decor here, much like the rest of the house, reflects a deep appreciation for the coast, blending natural elements with comfortable furnishings to create an atmosphere that’s both elegant and approachable.
The mantel serves as a focal point, a canvas for seasonal changes and personal touches. Here, you’ll always find elements that evoke a sense of calm and collected beauty.
While our home always carries a subtle beachy decor theme, summer is when I truly lean into it, layering in even more coastal accents. Think seashells, driftwood, and soothing color palettes that transport you to the seaside, even if you’re miles away from the ocean.
I particularly enjoy decorating with unique “found objects” that possess character and history, like these charming old corbels. Paired with the delicate beauty of fresh flowers, they create an intriguing contrast and add a layer of personal narrative to the room. It’s about creating moments that feel both natural and thoughtfully arranged.
A true delight in our summer decor are my two magnificent Endless Summer Hydrangeas. These stunning blooms consistently amaze me with their vibrant colors and abundance, providing fresh, beautiful floral accents throughout the entire season.
While many elements around our house are always subject to change and refresh, my gallery wall in the living room has remained a constant. It’s a carefully curated collection of art and photographs that anchors the space and reflects cherished memories, providing a beautiful backdrop that evolves only as new memories are made, not just with changing trends.
This sofa holds a special place in our hearts; my son affectionately calls it a “sleigh” because of its incredibly deep and inviting structure. It’s the kind of sofa that truly wraps around you, making you instantly want to lounge, relax, and perhaps even drift off for an afternoon nap. Plush, comfortable, and generously filled with down, it’s the epitome of cozy living. If you’re curious about its unique journey to our home, you can read the full sofa story here.
The walls in several rooms, including this inviting living space, are painted with Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies. It’s a fascinating chameleon of a color, subtly shifting its hue throughout the day and appearing uniquely different in each room, depending on the light. This versatility is precisely why I haven’t grown tired of it – at least not yet! Its understated elegance perfectly complements our casual and cozy aesthetic, creating a harmonious and welcoming environment.
A Serene Sanctuary: Master Bedroom
Our master bedroom underwent one of the most significant transformations in our home this year, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. The biggest change? The carpet is gone! We made the decision to replace it with beautiful wood floors, and the impact on the room’s overall feel and cleanliness has been remarkable. I honestly never truly felt like the carpet was ever completely clean, so this update has brought an immense sense of fresh air and serenity to our private retreat.
The rich warmth of the wood floors instantly elevated the room, adding a touch of timeless elegance and making the space feel more open and sophisticated. Beyond aesthetics, the practical benefits of wood floors in a bedroom are undeniable, contributing to a cleaner, more allergen-friendly environment. It’s a change that truly enhanced our daily comfort and the overall atmosphere of the room, solidifying its status as a tranquil escape.
In contrast to some of the more accessorized areas of our home, the master bedroom is intentionally kept free of excessive knick-knacks. The design philosophy here prioritizes a clutter-free environment, fostering a sense of relaxation and calm. It’s a deliberate choice to create a peaceful sanctuary where one can truly unwind and recharge. My aspiration is to replicate this tranquil, minimalist approach in all the rooms of our home, creating harmonious spaces throughout.
Casual Charm: Kitchen Eat-In Area
Our kitchen eat-in area continues the home’s beloved beachy decor theme, making every meal feel like a mini-getaway. This space is designed for everyday comfort and casual dining, where functionality meets effortless style. The natural light and coastal accents create an inviting atmosphere, perfect for morning coffee or relaxed family dinners.
One of my absolute favorite spots in this area is our homemade bench. It’s a testament to the charm and comfort that a DIY project can bring to a home, offering a cozy and functional seating solution that perfectly fits the space. Its custom nature makes it an integral part of our casual dining setup, adding a personal touch that store-bought furniture often lacks.
The windows are adorned with oyster-colored burlap curtains, which I cleverly lined with white flat sheets for added fullness and privacy. This DIY curtain solution offers a beautiful texture and a soft, diffused light, contributing to the airy, coastal feel without sacrificing practicality. Below, a fantastic Pottery Barn rug, a true gem discovered at a thrift store, anchors the dining space with its understated elegance. Complementing these elements are the vibrant orange napkins, another estate sale find, adding a pop of cheerful color and a touch of vintage flair.
Our kitchen table boasts a fascinating origin story, having been found in various pieces tucked away in the back room of an antique store. This unique journey to our home makes it more than just a table; it’s a conversation starter, a piece of history that adds character and depth to our kitchen. Its weathered charm perfectly aligns with our home’s eclectic and lovingly assembled aesthetic.
Elegant Simplicity: Dining Room
Our dining room embodies an elegant simplicity, primarily designed for more formal gatherings and special occasions, yet still maintaining our home’s inherent warmth. In this room, the tablescape is typically the only element that undergoes frequent changes, allowing me to refresh the look and feel for different seasons or celebrations. It’s a space where subtle shifts can make a big impact.
I do have exciting plans to introduce some painted pieces into this room, adding another layer of personalized style and a fresh focal point. The biggest hurdle, however, remains choosing the perfect color to complement the existing decor and future vision. It’s a delightful dilemma that any decorator understands! Rest assured, once I make that decision, I’ll be sharing the transformation.
Do you recall the lamp filled with seashells that I acquired (you can revisit its story by clicking on the Pottery Barn rug link mentioned earlier)? It’s a piece I cherish and consistently incorporate into my decor, a true testament to its versatility and enduring appeal. Those shells have found their way into countless displays throughout the years, always bringing a touch of the seaside indoors.
For this particular tablescape, I’ve incorporated a charming burlap runner, providing a rustic yet refined base. Upon it, I’ve arranged a collection of ocean-inspired treasures gathered from various corners of our home – a subtle nod to our consistent coastal theme. The centerpiece is completed with classic white candles, freshly cut hydrangeas from our garden, and a thoughtfully mixed array of plates that add visual interest and a touch of personalized flair. It’s a simple, yet impactful setup that speaks to our love for natural beauty and collected pieces.
This tour concludes our walk through the clean and tidy rooms of 2013. I’m always busy with new projects and refresh ideas for the rest of the house, and I promise to share those updates with you soon. Each room has its own story, and I love bringing them to life through creative decor.
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking this trip down memory lane with us! Your visit means a lot, and I hope this glimpse into our home provided you with some inspiration for your own decorating adventures. Stay tuned for more makeovers and home decor ideas!
Sharing our journey with fellow decor enthusiasts at:
- Savvy Southern Style
- The Shabby Creek Cottage