Luxe Decor: Christin's House Before and Afters

So it's been one year since we first saw (and fell in love with) our house.  Looking back over the past year has left me nostalgic for that exciting time when we started the house hunt, finally found our dream house and went under contract, had our closing date, made the move and started setting up home!  

The moment we found the house, I started my "inspiration binder".  This included before photos, floor plans, dimensions, inspiration photos and wish lists for new pieces.  I just recently looked through it again and was reminded of what incredible progress we've made in just a year!  While I still have a running list of more things I want to accomplish, it's good to put it into perspective and recognize how far we've come in a relatively short amount of time.

I'm sure you've seen most of these photos at some point throughout our blog posts, but who doesn't love "before and afters"?!  Here are some shots I took when we first looked at the house, and some shots of how it looks now after some love, attention and elbow grease!

FRONT YARD

BEFORE

AFTER

LIVING ROOM

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STUDY

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SUNROOM

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DINING ROOM

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KITCHEN

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MASTER BEDROOM

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GUEST BEDROOM 
(TURNED DRESSING ROOM)

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JACK & JILL BATHROOM

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BACK YARD

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Luxe Decor: Christin's Master Bedroom Mood Board

Ever since we moved into the new house, my biggest design challenge has been our master bedroom.  Partly, because the expense of all the large pieces we needed, but also my inability to commit to pattern or color.  We've needed a new headboard since we purchased a king size bed...all along I've been thinking a custom one with a patterned fabric.  While I've found fabrics I like, I feared they didn't have longevity and I would grow tired of it quickly.  This factor has held up any progress in this room...until I decided to forgo the pattern, go with my gut, and stick with neutral.  This may not be a huge departure for me, but it will flow nicely with the rest of our house and will give me flexibility to switch thing up with my ever changing mind!

The Concept

I already own a vintage, white lacquered faux bamboo dresser, pair of natural coral lamps, a gilded sunburst mirror and a vintage brass lamp with black shade, all of which I plan to use.  I just got a pair of mirrored chests that will serve as bedside tables.  And I'm waiting on a pair of custom leopard x benches that will go at the foot of our bed.  Our custom tufted headboard with contrasting black piping is currently being made.  The Hermes blanket is on my "wish list"...we'll see....

Stay Tuned!

Designing The New Digs: Exceptional Entrances

I am in awe of all these incredible entrances I've come across on Pinterest!

Simply beautiful.  All of them!

image via my pinterest

But I must say, I love my entry too.  It makes smile when I pull up my driveway.  I love the combination of architectural detail, the metal door and the Mediterranean lantern and tiles.  I'd still like to get a more interesting pair of planters...but in the meantime these will do.  I got them from Home Depot for a steal and stained them a rich brown.

Designing The New Digs: Our Kitchen

While I've "pinned" many dream kitchens onto my Pinterest board for inspiration, I've noticed they all have one thing in common...WHITE! (surprise, surprise, right?)

INSPIRATION

photos via my pinterest

Here is what our kitchen looked like when we bought the house.  Not quite what I had in mind... But nothing a bit of white paint couldn't improve...

BEFORE

All we did when we moved in was paint the walls and backsplash and refinish the floors (and add the island).  Not bad for a quick fix!  While it is still far from being our "dream kitchen" it far exceeds all the other kitchens we saw while house hunting.  We have many plans of enhancements down the road..marble counter tops, custom island, subway tile backsplash, upgraded appliances, pendants lights, etc, etc, etc... But it the meantime, it will serve us just fine!

AFTER