summer home tours 2022

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Summer home tour 2022: entryway and living room, decor | june 13, 2022.

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This 2022 summer home tour walks you through our light and welcoming modern farmhouse-style entryway and living room. I hope you will find inspiration and enjoy your time in our summer home. Welcome friend!

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“In summer, the song sings itself.” William Carlos Williams

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The coffee table is close up

Welcome friend! I am so thrilled you are here at our summer home tour, where I will be sharing our light and welcoming entryway and living room.

You can shop our summer home on my Amazon storefront HERE .

Welcome to our home, the Blanks!

You can check out last year’s summer home tours here and here . You will tour our kitchen, bedrooms, living room, and dining room.

I am thrilled it is time again for summer home tours, and this year is full of inspiration!

If you came from my friend Jennifer of Cottage On Bunker Hill, how pretty was her summer in New England tour? I loved what she shared. And, a big thank you to my dear friend Kelly of The Tattered Pew for hosting this exciting home summer tour series.

Now, come on in, and welcome to our home!

Summer entryway.

Blue bench in the entryway

“A good first impression can work wonders.”-J.K. Rowling

I have shared this quote before and love it! Not only is it true of face-to-face interactions, but I find it relevant for our homes as well. Each season, I enjoy trying to create that feeling for family and friends that come to our home.  

Farmhouse style entryway

I love how this sign (“May His Presence” sign, use code SHEGAVEITAGO for a discount) greets family and friends with hope as they enter our home. And, may you will feel these words of hope as well. Do you like words in your home too?

My summer color palette this year included whites, shades of blue, and beige.  While adding texture such as jute and greenery throughout.

Processed with VSCO with a6 preset

That blue bench has been in our entryway for many years, and I have just swapped out the pillows seasonally.

The board and batten wall was a DIY you can find here .

Farmhouse Entryway

I moved this arched cabinet to our entryway from our kitchen, and I like the distressed look of it against our white walls.

How beautiful is this new artwork? It is called “Seaside” which is one of our favorite beaches to visit, so I instantly loved it. You can find it here (use code SHEGAVEITAGO for a discount).

Candle on top of books

An easy console table styling idea? Just add a stack of books with a great-smelling candle on top of them ( favorite candles here ), then to the left a vase with summer stems , and on the right a lamp . Easy as 1-2-3!

Entryway table

You can shop the look by tapping on the images below:

Now we will enter our living room which is connected to this foyer area.

Summer Living Room

Coffee table styling

“I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket.” – Kellie Elmore  

3-wick candle on the coffee table

We have two sofas in our living that face each other and just got this naturally finished coffee table. I really love the size of it and its look.  You can find it here .  

Summer living room

Protip: Head over to my Instagram feed, to see in action, how to style this coffee table !

Draping beads in a bowl can add some great texture next to a stack of coffee table books with a candle.  Do you see an easy styling pattern I did with these spaces?!

Wood beads in a bowl

Are you a faux or real house plant person? Regardless, this summer home decor tip doesn’t have any biases!

Just use them, faux or real. i loved adding faux plants to these spots for summer: the mantel, our kitchen, on a living room trunk, and in our dining room. the more, the merrier i am finding.

coffee table styling

How pretty are these lambs’ ear stems in a white vase? Perfect for summer!

Pillows on the sofa for Summer

I traded out my old pillow covers for these creamy pillows. Also, don’t forget to swap your chunky knit blankets for lighter-weight blankets.  Hang them on a blanket ladder for display and easily accessible for use!

You can find this DIY HERE on how to make your own blanket ladder.   If you’d rather not make one, this is a great alternative !

Blanket ladder in living room

Shop the look by tapping on the images below:

Wondering about our fireplace/mantel area all the details of our summer mantel are found in this post here ..

And, that wraps up my living room and entryway summer home tour 2022. I am thrilled that you stopped by!

Now, head over to my friend, Kim of Cottage In The Mitten blog, to check out her bright cottage patio.  I know you will love it.

Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours. Thirty talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each summer home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

The Tattered Pew / Cottage On Bunker Hill / She Gave It A Go

Cottage In The Mitten / Stonegable / My Wee Abode

Tuesday’s Tours

Thistle Key Lane / Midwest Life & Style / White Lilac Farmhouse

My Thrift Store Addiction / Willow Bloom Home Blog / Dabbling and Decorating

Wednesday’s Tours

Bricks ‘n Blooms / Amy Sadler Designs / Peacock Ridge Farm

White Arrows Home / Pasha Is Home / The Ponds Farmhouse

Thursday’s Tours

Simply2Moms / Country Peony / Southern Home and Hospitality

Shiplap and Shells / Eleanor Rose Home / Cloches and Lavender

Friday’s Tours

Le Cultivateur / Lora Bloomquist Create & Ponder / Noting Grace

My Family Thyme / Vintage and Grace Living / County Road 407

« Welcome Home Saturday with Michelle of Our Crafty Mom

Farmhouse summer home decor ideas ».

[…] The Tattered Pew / Cottage On Bunker Hill / She Gave It A Go […]

[…] and checking out my Summer patio tour! Next up on the tour is Brendt from She Gave it a Go and her Summer Entryway & Living Room Tour. She has a beautiful modern farmhouse style that I am sure you will […]

Your entryway and living room look so lovely! I adore the sign over your bench. What a beautiful way to welcome someone into your home! So wonderful to hop with you today, friend! Happy summer!💛

Brendt, you are a girl after my own heart! Faith, family, and farmhouse! Your home speaks to my soul, starting with the blessing sign in your foyer! Your home looks so fresh and bright and you know I love the colors you use! What a blessing to come and visit! Taking away lots of ideas. And if the coffee table fits I’m buying it for our sunroom makeover! Happy summer! xo

Yvonne, This made me smile so big! Your words are so encouraging and mean the world to me. Thank you so much, and I cannot wait to see if you get the coffee table and how beautifully you style it. xoxo, Brendt

Hi Brendt, your summer home decor is simple yet elegant, and I adore your entry and that sign! Pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

Brendt your home is so bright and definitely full of joy!!! I love walking through and hearing your voice. I am loving the new coffee table and how you have styled it. You have such a gift! Thanks for joining me this week!

Brendt, I love all the light in your home. The soft shades of blues, whites and beige makes the spaces so tranquil. You have styled your rooms so beautifully. Love it!

Thank you so much, Tammy! I appreciate you so much. xoxo, Brendt

Everything looks so peaceful and comforting. The best kind of summer retreat! Love the colors, the decor and you always explain how to do it so well. Excited to be hopping with you this week. Happy Summer!

Brendt, Beautiful home tour. Love doing these hops.

Thank you, Rachel, I appreciate you so much! Warmest, Brendt

Such a beautiful home. So much fun hopping with you today.. hugs to you.

Thank you, sweet Renae!

I’m loving what you’ve done to bring summer into your home Brendt! Your entryway and living room look so beautiful. Your bench in the entry is my favorite. The color is perfect and you’ve chosen the sweetest pillows. So much fun my friend.

Thank you so much, Kim! I appreciate your lovely words; it’s a joy being on this tour with you. xoxo, Brendt

Your home is so warm and inviting Brendt! I enjoyed your summer tour, so much inspiration!!!

Heidi, This makes me smile, friend. Thank you so much, and loved you stopping by! Blessings, Brendt

Your space is so calming and welcoming. I love the neutral colors and warm tones. Looking forward to seeing you again at Haven!!

Thank you so much, Jennifer! I appreciate your kind words about our home and love you stopping by. YES…see you soon at Haven. YAY!

Blessings, Brendt

Summer is so hot in the south and your summer decorating is the perfect way to cool things down. I just love all the natural elements you used too: they add so much texture! It’s a pleasure to be touring with you this week. Pinned and pinned!! Happy Summer, Brendt!

Your home is so fresh, bright and welcoming! Love the bench in the entry & the sign above. Yes, words personalize our homes so meaningfully:) Thanks for the tour!

YOur home is so beautiful Brendt! I love how cozy it all looks and perfectly decorated for summer. I love the sign abovve the bench too!

Thank you so very much, Stacy! So happy you stopped by. xoxo, Brendt

Brendt, your new art work is lovely, and such a beautiful addition to your summery entryway and living space. I’m always inspired by your relaxed and welcoming style. Pinning of course!

Your summer decor is stunning. I love the calming colours you used and the incorporation of all the beautiful textural elements.

Brendt, I love how bright and airy your home is. Perfect for summer, and you definitely achieved a beautiful and welcoming space. So happy to be touring with you this week. Pinned!

Brenda, love your home and all your touches for summer.

The blanket ladder and your bench are pretty pieces.

Your home looks amazing.

Always love touring your home, Brendt. And, yes, I love having word art in my home, especially when it points to the Lord! My newest that is over our sofa might be returned in hopes of finding something larger! Your new coffee table is lovely, as well! Pinned!

So beautiful! Your entry way is so restful and welcoming. So fun hopping with you.

Brendt, your home is just lovely as always! Your pillows are so cute and your entryway is perfectly welcoming!

Happy summer to you, friend!

Everything is as gorgeous as usual in your lovely home Brendt! I always love your tours and time spent reading your posts!

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Beautiful Lakeside Cottage Summer Home Tour 2022

Looking for ideas on how to decorate your cottage home for summer? Well, you’re in luck! Today, we’re giving you a sneak peak into our lovely lakeside cottage. From bright and airy spaces to cozy gathering spots, this home is sure to inspire. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the tour!

Hey Friends!

Welcome! I am so glad that you are here. I always enjoy our time together.

I’m so excited to share my lakeside cottage home tour with you today! This has been a dream of mine and my husband for years. We wanted a place on the lake that would bring our family together. This past year, we finally found “the one.” I can’t believe it’s finally a reality.

Everything about this place is perfect for our family, from the view of the lake to the cottage charm. I hope you enjoy taking a look around as much as I enjoyed decorating it.

I am joining the most wonderful group of talented Ladies for The Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours, hosted by Kelly from The Tattered Pew . You will get to see 30 amazing home tours over five days. You are in for a real treat. If you are coming over from the lovely Amy from Amy Sadler Designs , welcome. Isn’t her home amazing?

Today, I am sharing Lakeside Cottage Summer Home Tour 2022. Come on, I’ll show you.

Take a tour of our charming lakeside cottage: Brightened up your home for summer. Isn’t the color of the front door so much fun? I absolutely love it. French Blue is my favorite color-it’s perfect for welcoming our family and friends to the lake. Our lake front cottage home is freshened up and ready for summer.

I have painted the walls a fresh white to add to the cottage charm. I have added flowers, natural decor items, and vintage items throughout to adorn the home in time for family get togethers or just to enjoy at home!

Who doesn’t love to spend the summer in a beautiful lakeside cottage ? Dreaming of cooler temperatures by the water, and lazy days filled with family fun can make your soul smile.

I love this entryway. I added the French doors, vintage lighting and vintage bench. The best part is that you see the lake from the moment that you walk in the door.

The moment that I walked into this house and saw the range and range hood-I fell madly in love with this house. I knew that I wanted to spend many hours in this kitchen making meals for our family and friends.

I painted the island this lovely green. It adds so much character to the cottage kitchen.

Isn’t this the best place to wash dishes? There is a view from every room in the house. Our cottage is nestled among the trees on the banks of a serene lake, and we’re excited to show you around. T

he interior is decorated in a cozy , cottage style with lots of natural materials like wood and stone. Almost everything was purchased from and antique store, estate sale or Facebook marketplace.

Nothing is too precious-I wanted to create a home that was comfortable and lived in.

The dining room is one of my favorite rooms in the whole house. I love all of the windows. I added this vintage chandelier over a rustic style table. It’s the perfect place for sharing great food, fun conversations and playing lots of games.

One of my favorite things is to tie a boxwood wreath to my chairs and barstools with a beautiful ribbon. I have four barstools at the counter. I can’t wait to see the smiling faces of my fur grandbabies sitting at the bar. Oh what fun!

See the YouTube “How To” video below.

See the Lakeside Cottage Summer Home Tour 2022 video, here.

I love would it if you would subscribe to my YouTube Channel, here .

The living room is such a warm and cozy place to spend some time-and the view is amazing! My husband and I love to turn the chairs around and put our feet in the window sills and just watch the lake, especially if there is a storm brewing outside.

Isn’t this so much fun? It is my favorite wall in the whole house. It makes my heart smile.

The family room is another one of my spots in the house, it’s the perfect place to curl up on the sofa and take a nap. It is also the only room with a tv, it’s great for watching a movie together.

Thank you for joining us on our lakeside cottage home tour ! We hope you enjoyed seeing all the features of our lake home. If you would like to see more, please subscribe to our blog and YouTube channel.

We’ll be posting updates about the progress of our renovation project, as well as videos showing how we’ve decorated and furnished the interior. Thanks again for visiting, and we hope to see you soon!

I hope that you enjoyed seeing Lakeside Cottage Summer Home Tour 2022. If so, please Pin It!

I have a new Pinterest account, if you have been following me on my old one/ones-it’s a long story, please follow me on the new one here .

It is full of easy and healthy recipes. You can get it  here.

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I hope that you will check out all of the home tours on this blog hop. Each of these women are so talented and I am so honored to be joining them today. Please visit Kristin from White Arrows Home. She is crazy talented, you will love her home.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I always enjoy our time together. Please follow me on  Facebook.com/PeacockRidgeFarm , on I nstagram @peacockridge , on  Pinterest  and  YouTube.

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Caitlin Tazewell

Monday 18th of July 2022

Nice post, all the ideas are very good thank you so much for sharing them. it is very good that I find it all in one place.

Sunday 31st of July 2022

Thank you, my friend.

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

Renae, your bakehouse is simply gorgeous! I know your family will make many happy memories here!

Thursday 30th of June 2022

Thank you so much, Kim. I can't wait to start making memories.

Tuesday 28th of June 2022

It's stunning, Renae!! What a spectacular view out of those pretty windows! I LOVE that green island...what an unexpected pop of color! Thanks for taking us inside your beautiful lake home..what a special place for you!

Awe. Thank you so much, Rachel. I love the green island as well. It makes me so happy. Hugs and blessings to you.

Julie Briones

Monday 27th of June 2022

So happy to see your summer lake house tour at Tuesday Turn About! I'll be featuring your home at this week's party! Pinned!

Thank you so much. I really appreciate you. Hugs to you.

Friday 24th of June 2022

Your home is so dreamy!!! I absolutely love your style!!!!! Everything looks so fresh and so cozy, perfect for the summer months!!

Thank you so much. Coming from you, that means so much. Hugs to you.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy–to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen. Jude 24-25

Summer Home Tour

Welcome to our summer home tour! I am excited to be joining 30 talented bloggers this week to give you a little peak into our homes styled for summer. I love a little peak into people’s homes, don’t you?! Summer is our family’s favorite season! Summer for us is all about simplicity, relaxation, and comfort. I think you will find these same elements in the décor throughout our home.

If you are coming here from Kim at Shiplap & Shells beach cottage summer home tour…welcome! Kim’s home truly embraces the feeling of summer. I look forward to opening our home to you and showing you around our cozy home! A big thank you to Kelly at The Tattered Pew for including me in this summer home tour event!

After my home tour, I hope you will check out the other summer home tours linked at the end of this post. I know you will find endless inspiration in their beautiful blogs!

Welcome to Our Home

If you are new here, let me introduce me and my family! Hi, I’m Heidi! We are a family of four living on the south coast of Massachusetts. Our home is a labor of love, which we built from the ground up almost 15 years ago. We are DIYer’s, so the projects around our home are endless. Our latest DIY undertaking has been our kitchen. My husband says this will be the last major project in our home, but we will see about that (wink, wink!). We live about 20 minutes from historic Plymouth, Massachusetts and we enjoy heading there on hot summer nights for dinner and drinks by the ocean.

One of the most commonly asked questions I get is, “Where did the name Eleanor Rose Home come from?” Eleanor Rose Home is named after our dachshund-mix rescue, Eleanor Roosevelt. She is the apple of our eyes and the epitome of love, homeliness, coziness, and togetherness. Eleanor embodies all things I wanted the blog to represent! You can read more about me and the story of Eleanor Rose Home here .

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about our family, it’s time to get this summer home tour started!

Kitchen Summer Home Tour

The kitchen is the heart of our home.

When you walk through the front door into our home, you enter the kitchen. As I mentioned earlier, our kitchen is currently under renovation. We still have a few things left to do including building the oven vent hood, painting & hardware updates to the cabinets, and wallpaper to hang. But for now, I am enjoying all that we have accomplished so far!

You can view the progress of our renovation in my Instagram highlight labeled Kitchen Renovation .

My hope is to have the kitchen completely finished by the end of this summer (fingers crossed)!

My vision for our kitchen remodel was an open & airy farmhouse-cottage style kitchen with a combination of warm woods & cozy whites. It has been so fun seeing our vision slowly come to life!

To create that cottage vibe, we installed beadboard around the entire kitchen including the backsplash. I love the texture the beadboard adds to the entire room. We painted all of the beadboard Alabaster in an eggshell finish by Sherwin Williams . Picking a shade of white paint was no easy task, but I am so happy with the color we decided upon! Alabaster is the perfect creamy shade of white for our home.

My favorite part of the entire kitchen renovation is this open shelf area with hanging pegs! I wanted to have an open shelf in the kitchen so we removed the cabinet that was here. It was amazing how much lighter and brighter the kitchen became by simply removing that cabinet!

To style this shelf for summer, I placed a few red ranunculus in a cream colored planter and added a couple of blue & white striped hand towels for just a small touch of red, white, and blue.

I loved the addition of the basket to the hanging pegs as well. The texture of the basket against the texture of the beadboard really makes this area pop. Also, who doesn’t love a little scallop detail?!

These glass bon bon jars are one of my favorite additions to the kitchen! I love the functionality and uniqueness they add to our countertops.

In this corner of the kitchen by the stove, I have a cookbook holder. I like to leave a particular cookbook open to the page that contains a recipe of my grandmothers. I love that every time I walk by the open cookbook it reminds me of her and her delicious homecooked meals.

A great way to keep your home cozy is by adding items of sentimental value into your décor, pieces that are unique and special to you and your family.

From this view in the kitchen you get a small glimpse into the rest of our downstairs, which includes the library and living room.

Let’s head over to the next stop in our tour, the living room!

Living Room Summer Home Tour

Our living room is small and cozy. Just how we like it! We enjoy unwinding here at the end of a long day with our feet up with an exciting movie on the television or a good book in our hands.

Our entire first floor is open. The sofa console table we have on the back of our living room sectional helps to create a more defined living room in an open downstairs.

This console table is one of my favorite pieces to style & play with in our home. I love changing the décor on this table often. For summer, I added an old white olive bucket with a mix of blue & white hydrangeas, chamomile, and stock along with a red bow for a festive 4th of July arrangement.

I added a few of my favorite books in shades of blue to our console table for another pop of my favorite summer color!

When building our home, we added built-in bookcases along with two window seats to one wall in our living room. The window seats are one of Eleanor’s favorite places to nap and keep watch for mom’s deliveries (she is not a fan of delivery drivers!).

I like to keep our bookshelves simple for the summer with a collection of our favorite books, a couple of faux green plants, and a few baskets for texture. To add texture and dimension to the bookshelves, I face some of the books with the pages facing out and randomly alternate them on each shelf (this has been slightly controversial on social media!). I just love the the texture it adds to the bookshelves.

You may notice a few gold bunnies on the bookshelves as well. Gold bunny figurines are a year around décor staple in our home!

I love adding small pops of blue to our home for summer, and one of the easiest ways to do that is with throw pillows. I like to purchase pillow covers and change those on our throw pillows seasonally. The blue script pillow cover here, is the just the right amount of blue for summer in our neutral living room.

Above our living room sectional, we have three large wooden signs with photos of Nadalee & William from a couple of years ago. I love these photos of our children and the natural backdrops of the photos are perfect for a summer home.

That completes the tour of the first floor. Let’s head upstairs to our master bedroom!

Master Bedroom Summer Home Tour

We did a small refresh of our bedroom a few years ago. The refresh included installing Summer Squall wallpaper by Ellie Cashman as an accent wall behind our bed. This wallpaper is absolutely stunning with it’s large bold flowers and it’s incredible lifelike attention to detail.

I love the challenge of keeping this wallpaper suitable for all seasons and holidays!

I added this pink & white block print/stripped quilt to our bed for the summer. The bright pink color is what sold me, and I loved how the small floral block print complimented the large floral print wallpaper.

Summer is the perfect season to play around with bold colors and patterns that you might otherwise might be nervous about trying! Summer is full of bright, vibrant colors so it’s the perfect season to experiment with colors in your home.

To style our nightstands, we clipped wild roses from our woodline along with a few peonies we have growing in our backyard. Shopping our yard for natural décor is one of my favorite activities. It is like a treasure hunt and the bonus is it’s all budget friendly!

We purchased our bedroom furniture a few years ago from a local New England furniture store . The furniture gives the perfect French farmhouse-cottage vibe to our bedroom.

I wrote a blog post last week with 10 tips to refresh your bedroom for summer. You can check out that blog post here for a few great tips and to see more views of our bedroom!

Thank You for Stopping By

I hope you have enjoyed this little tour of our home as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing it with you. I would love for you to visit us again, it was so fun having you here!

Let’s stay in touch! You can subscribe here to receive exclusive content & weekly newsletters from us delivered right to your inbox.

Cindy at Cloches & Lavender is the next stop on this summer home tour. Cindy is a fellow dachshund lover and her home is filled with beautiful, unique, vintage pieces which makes her home feel warm and inviting. Be sure to visit the other homes in our summer home tour too, links included below. Happy Summer!!!

Links to products featured in this post can be found in our new “ Shop Our Home ” page. I hope this page makes shopping our home a little easier for you! I earn a small commission when you make a purchase from one of our LTK links. Your support helps me continue to create meaningful content for you!

I look forward to sharing more of my home with you and inspiring you to have a well loved home! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and LIKEtoKNOW.it .

Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours

Monday’s Tours

The Tattered Pew / Cottage On Bunker Hill / She Gave It A Go

Cottage In The Mitten / Stonegable / My Wee Abode

Tuesday’s Tours

Thistle Key Lane / Midwest Life & Style / White Lilac Farmhouse

My Thrift Store Addiction / Willow Bloom Home Blog / Dabbling and Decorating

Wednesday’s Tours

Bricks ‘n Blooms / Amy Sadler Designs / Peacock Ridge Farm

White Arrows Home / Pasha Is Home / The Ponds Farmhouse

Thursday’s Tours

Simply2Moms / Country Peony / Southern Home and Hospitality

Shiplap and Shells / Eleanor Rose Home / Cloches and Lavender

Friday’s Tours

Le Cultivateur / Lora Bloomquist Create & Ponder / Noting Grace

My Family Thyme / Vintage and Grace Living / County Road 407

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67 comments.

There is a ton of useful information in this article. I loved the witty writing style. I also found some useful information here https://conservationconstructionofdallas.com/ . Keep up the good work and I will check back later for other articles.

• Pingback: How To Style Open Kitchen Shelving -

Thank you Mary Anne! I appreciate your kind words so much!!! Have a great summer!

What a beautiful home you have! I love how you’ve styled your kitchen and that accent wall in the bedroom is so lovely! Thanks for sharing !

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Thank you Emily! I feel the same way about you and your home!!!

Hi Cindy! Thank you so much!!! I would love to do a blog hop with you again!

Thank you Jen! Our kitchen is a work in progress, I can’t wait for it to be finished! Happy Summer!!!

• Pingback: FARMHOUSE FRIDAY 259! - County Road 407

I absolutely love your style!!! Your home is so beautiful!!! I’m loving your kitchen soooo much!!!!! So pretty!!!!

Just popping back in to say how much I loved your tour and that I’m featuring it on Farmhouse Friday tomorrow. Thank you for sharing it with us and hope you link up again. pinned

Oh wow! I just love your home! I’ve been looking for kitchen inspiration and your is so lovely! I’m pinning for sure!

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Thank you Michelle! The summer home tour was so fun, and I am so glad we connected. Happy Summer!

Hi Lora! Thank you!!! Summer is the perfect time to play around with colors, happy summer!

Hi Julie! Thank you for your kind words. It was lovely meeting you and I look forward to staying in touch!

Thank you so much Rachel! Happy Summer!

Thank you Jennifer! It was nice meeting you through the summer home tour, I would love to do another one with you!

Heidi, First…I can’t remember if I already left a comment on the tour…LOL!!! Your home is incredible! I truly love your style! You’ll have to message me offline and tell me where you live in Mass…and if you are close to me!! I have to put a New England blog tour together soon.

Heidi, Your home is so inviting and I loved every detail. So much inspiration in one post.

So happy to meet you through touring with you, Heidi! Your home is lovely, light and airy! And the farmhouse cottage elements are perfect, as well! Looking forward to visiting your blog more!

Thanks for the lovely tour of your beautiful home! I love using the vibrant colors of summer too; nice to see someone else who does, too!

Beautiful summer home tour Heidi, and I love that you included your bedroom so I could get a glimpse of that beautiful wallpaper. Your bedding is such a pretty contrast! Pinning!

Hi Cynthia! Thank you, I hope you are able to do that this summer as well! I can’t wait to head to your summer tour to take a look around!

Thank you so much! Your kind words mean the world to me!!!

Hi Cindy! Wow, thank you so much for your kind words, that really means so much! I can’t wait to tour your home, headed there today!

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Wow, waking up in your home each day must be the best feeling. I love every nook and cranny. Hope you get the kitchen finished even though I’m not sure how it can get even more beautiful. Excited to hop with you again. Happy Summer!

What a STUNNING home you have created, Heidi!! It’s simple and cottage-y and light and airy. I love all of your simple decorating using textures to make your home feel cohesive yet very much alive! Beautiful!!

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Heidi, thank you for having me as a guest in your home. You have turned a house into a beautiful home. I love how you display family photos. I have that on my to do list. Hopefully, I get a gallery wall of my kids done this Summer. So fun hanging out with you on this tour!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Kim! It was a pleasure meeting you as well, I hope you have a fantastic summer!

Thank you for having me Kelly, this was a blast!!!

Thank you Renae! It was an honor to be a part of this tour with you and all of the amazingly talented ladies!!!

Thank you Susan! Happy summer!!!

Hi Tammy! Thank you so much for taking the tour, I am so glad to have been a part of this event with you!

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Heidi, what a gorgeous home. That wallpaper in the bedroom is so beautiful. I love the bedding you selected for the bed. Enjoyed this tour!??

Nice tour Heidi, everything looks beautiful!! Thanks for sharing Enjoy your summer! ??

Your home is so beautiful! Your kitchen is so warm and welcoming. I can imagine people sitting at your counter visiting. It was so much fun hopping with you this week. Blessings to you.

Heidi your home is just beautiful, and I loved getting to know you some more! I’m excited for you and your new kitchen! Thank you for joining us this week!

Heidi, your home is so lovely! I especially love the built-ins and your bedroom is so elegant, yet cozy! So nice meeting you through this hop! Happy summer!

Thank you Kristin! I’m so glad to have been invited to this tour with all of you talented ladies! Have a great summer!

Thank you Elizabeth, I appreciate your compliments! Happy Summer!

Thank you Stacy! I hope you have the best summer as well!!!

Thank you Kate! Awww that makes me so happy, pups are the best!

Hi Cindy! Thank you! Hydrangeas are my favorite too, they are so beautiful!

Thank you so much Jen! I love looking at that cookbook everyday and thinking of her!

Thank you AnnMarie & Anne! It was fun being a part of this event!

Thank you Cecilia! I appreciate you taking the time to tour our home!

Thank you so much Kim! I appreciate your kind words!!!

From your built-in bookcases and window seat to your kitchen beadboard, your beautiful details are so inspiring Heidi. I love how you have decorated your home for summer. How special to leave your cookbook open to one of your grandma’s cherished recipes. What a lovely tour.

Everything is so beautiful! It’s fun to get to know you through this hop. I love your bedding and I love how you came up with the name of your blog, so sweet! Happy Summer!

Hello Heidi! I loved touring your charming home! Everything is styled beautifully–pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

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Your home is absolutely stunning Heidi. I love the mix of woods and white you use throughout your home. So happy to have met you through this blog home tour. Pinned!

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Your home is stunning! I love all of the natural elements. So many beautiful details to look at!

Heidi, I love your beautiful home tour. You have put together an amazing collection of curated finds and everything is styled to perfection! My favorite is the cookbook that is opened to a page with your grandma’s recipe. How special. Happy summer to you. Pinned!

Your home is beautiful and I love hydrangeas. I can’t wait for mine to bloom.

Great touring with you

Heidi, your home is so cottage cozy and inviting! And your kitchen is already so pretty and welcoming. I can’t wait to see it with it’s final touches. Btw I love how you named your blog…it struck a chord with me because I feel the same way about my pup! Great to tour with you and happy summer!

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What a gorgeous home you have! I love the bedroom wallpaper it is fabulous! Have the best summer.

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The 12 Best Clever Home Tours of 2022

By Zoë Sessums

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

At the end of each year, when I take the time to look back on all the homes we’ve featured on Clever, it never ceases to amaze me (and impress me! and inspire extreme jealously in me!) what people can do with their homes. There are renters who have figured out how to turn less than 600 square feet into a breezy oasis. There are minimalists who will make you want to give away all your clutter. There are homeowners who truly know how to pick a perfect paint color . From Australia to France, Rome to Rotterdam, the incredible spaces keep on coming. 

We dug into our archive of home tours and found 2022’s fan favorites. From a sleek duplex in Long Island City to a handful of gems in Brooklyn and LA, these homes highlight the best of design and space. Get inspired by 12 of the best Clever home tours from 2022.

This 592-Square-Foot Sydney Home Shows Off Compact Functionality

Yasmine Ghoniem (right), founder of design studio YSG, and her husband, Tom Swanson.

“At its core, my outlook is nourished by the layers of my culture and travels,” says Yasmine Ghoniem, founder and principal of YSG Studio . Yasmine, who has an Australian mother and an Egyptian father, grew up between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia—with a few years in-between in Australia—and almost a decade in America for postgraduate studies and work. “Like all YSG spaces, everything in my home is interconnected and there is no hierarchy.”

After renting a place in another Sydney suburb for some time, Yasmine and her husband, Tom Swanson, were ready to take the big leap toward home ownership. “Several months of online searching [brought us to] this golden find,” Yasmine says. Situated on a building’s upper level in the city’s iconic oceanside neighborhood of Bondi, the compact 592-square-foot apartment immediately seduced Tom—who is “a mad surfer,” according to Yasmine—with its beachside location. It didn’t take much more to convince the interior designer, who loved the sensible layout. “It shares no common walls and has no internal corridor, meaning absolutely no space is wasted,” she says. “Tall ceilings were the added kicker. Original timber-framed windows were also a requirement.” — Karine Monié

This Long Island City Duplex Is Its Own Hidden Gem of Beautiful Objects

A Charlotte Perriand coffee table for Cassina is surrounded by Olivier Mourgue’s Djinn ottomans upholstered in a wool bouclé. A Ron Rezek green table lamp sits beside the sectional, and a Sergio Mazza’s Alfa lamp is on the coffee table.

Alan Eckstein has mastered the art of the search. As the founder of Somerset House, a Brooklyn furniture store that’s cultivated from his collection, Alan has the type of knowledge for chairs, consoles, and tables that any professor would have for a subject.

Alan and his wife, fashion stylist Haley Loewenthal , lived in a one-bedroom apartment when the pandemic hit. And though it felt like home, it was missing one detail that suddenly took on a profound amount of importance. “We didn’t have any outdoor space,” he says. “We also wanted to start a family, and there wasn’t room for an extra person to join us there. We knew that in order to grow, or to even have somewhere to exhale, we needed to move.” So, Alan began to do what he does best: search.

The 2,500-square-foot duplex in New York’s Long Island City had two bedrooms and two floors, providing more than enough space for the couple to spread out. It was almost as if Craigslist, a long-beloved treasure chest for Alan, had come through for him again. “I think it was available because of the pandemic,” he notes. “My wife and I were looking for an interesting open space with character. This apartment has that, and the best part about it is that it also has a private roof deck.” — Kelly Dawson

This 800-Square-Foot Brooklyn Apartment Is Full of Smart Storage Solutions

Noah Venezia (left) and Megan Hershman in their Brooklyn apartment.

When Megan Hershman, a design director at Common Living, and her husband—Noah Venezia, a graphic designer and adjunct professor at Pratt Institute—stumbled upon the top floor of this two-story town house in Carroll Gardens , it was the abundance of natural light that instantly hooked them. “The unit is north and south-facing, and gets direct sun for most of the day,” Megan says. “We immediately knew it was right for us.” In addition to good lighting, the couple appreciated the old-world charms of the building, like the tin ceilings, cast-iron built-in kitchen sink, and original hardwood floors. “We also loved the old-school charm of the pink bathroom, which felt so playful and one-of-a-kind,” Megan adds. — Monica Mendal

This 594-Square-Foot Apartment in Silver Lake Is a Modernist Jewel

Fanny Singer in her Los Angeles apartment.

By Kristi Kellogg

By Nicolas Milon

Not much more than 600 square feet, Fanny Singer ’s Rudolph Schindler apartment is housed in a 16-unit complex from the 1920s that has a semi-commune feeling with its interconnected living spaces and garden walkways. As each apartment was given its own identity, Fanny has loved figuring out how to live in this vision. “There is a vast array of different apartments in the building,” she says. “The one across the way is a double-height apartment with an incredible wall of windows. Mine is oriented toward the Hollywood sign—a perfect painting studio.”

The writer and cofounder of design brand Permanent Collection thinks that even though Schindler was an iconic LA architect, the space doesn’t have a particularly local feeling. “The shapes are very Russian Constructivism.” This idea rings true in the wood features, the fireplace, and the shape of the ceiling. “Schindler was very specific with his work. He designed with an idea of exactly how people should live,” Fanny says. “I haven’t become one of those people who are totally obsessed with Schindler, but he becomes part of your psyche.” — Zoë Sessums

Taking Rustic Vibes to New Heights in This Stunning California A-Frame

Bringing things right back up to date, a large floor rug from Cold Picnic injects a sense of modernism to the space. Vintage pieces, including a 1960s dome floor lamp, glass coffee table, and chairs by Marcel Breuer , are judiciously situated, layering the spaces and echoing the home’s midcentury history.

A serene rural setting where you’re surrounded by towering trees, rugged mountains, and shimmering lakes is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. So naturally, when SoCal dwellers Gloria Noto , founder of organic cosmetics line Noto Botanics , and her partner, designer Ash Owens , first set eyes on the arresting 1,900-square-foot rustic hideaway that they now own, they knew it would reshape their lives. And not just in its triangular A-frame form, but by providing both a personal refuge and workspace.

Located in the remote wilderness of Crestline, California, with its cozy cabins and quaint cottages, their 1964-built midcentury marvel is the first home the creative couple have bought together. “I was in LA and Ash was commuting between there and New York, so we really wanted to find a home for all of us,” Gloria says. She shares a dog, Mio, and cats, Holly and Benny, with Ash. “I still keep a loft in the Arts District so we can go back and forth, but it’s nice having the option to step away from the city now, and to submerge ourselves into this sanctuary we’ve created.” — Kate Lawson

Patrick Janelle Transforms a Rundown Rental Into a Chic New York City Loft

When Patrick signed his lease, he thought the fireplace was functional. As it turns out, he can’t use it, but it still adds character to the place.

Patrick Janelle always dreamed of living in a downtown Manhattan loft . The lifestyle influencer, who also runs the talent agency Untitled Secret , fantasized about an airy and industrial home as he spent the past decade climbing the rungs of the New York City housing ladder. So when he grew out of his most recent abode, a compact yet curated SoHo apartment, he knew it was time to actualize his goal.

“I’m very romantic in my ideals about how I envision things for myself and my life in New York,” Patrick shares. “I’ve always made a point that I wanted to be in Manhattan—as cool as I think Brooklyn is—and I never have had this quintessential loft moment.”

Since Patrick couldn’t afford to buy the type of spacious loft he’d been lusting after, he focused his hunt on rentals that would allow him to renovate. After a handful of viewings, he found exactly what he was looking for: a generous three-bedroom in an early 20th-century factory building with a very lenient landlord. He adored the prime Flatiron location too. — Morgan Goldberg

A Charming 200-Square-Foot Apartment on Paris’s Left Bank

The beautiful 19th-century floor tiles and the fireplace were original to the building. Throughout the loft, discreetly integrated storage is present, sometimes highlighted with bronzed brass details.

You might assume that a 200-square-foot apartment would be the home of a student on a budget or maybe a short-term rental for travelers. This apartment, however, belongs to a successful businesswoman who lives outside of Paris and was in need of a small pied-à-terre in the capital. 

Pauline Lorenzi-Boisrond was commissioned to renovate the studio on the rue du Cherche-Midi. “She comes to Paris regularly for work, but she had grown tired of impersonal hotel rooms where she can’t leave her things from one visit to the next,” Pauline, the interior designer and founder of Studio Ett Hem , explains. “She wanted her own little suite in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area.” Ett hem means “house” in Swedish. It is indeed a fitting name for a designer tasked with overcoming the limitations of the space to bring out its homey charms. — Nicolas Milon

This 400-Square-Foot New York Apartment Is Maximized With Custom Millwork

Eight-foot-long drawers offer storage beneath the bed.

Like most people with internet access, Corey Kingston is obsessed with scrolling through the real estate listings on Zillow . The New York–based architect could argue that this hobby doubles as valuable market research for Le Whit , the design studio she founded with Liza Curtiss, but its most fruitful reward was the discovery of a Lower East Side apartment she could actually afford.

The 400-square-foot residence popped up on Corey’s screen during a heat wave, so she quickly put in an offer while the city was a ghost town. It was accepted thanks to the lack of competition and her instant connection with the seller, who was giving up the place to enroll in a Philadelphia architecture school. They bonded over an appreciation for the early-20th-century building’s history as a tenement and then a squatter property. — Morgan Goldberg

This Enchanting Los Angeles Apartment Was the Longtime Home of Mae West

A visual centerpiece of the apartment is Kimberly’s “wall of kooks.” It includes portraits she’s picked up through the years. Here, the small black table next to the leather chair was owned by Mary Pickford, the red pen on the coffee table was owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor, and the perfume on the table was owned by Mae West.

Designer Kimberly Biehl ’s fascination with old Hollywood began as a child. That was around the same time that her quest to discover and bring new life to old pieces also began. She started shopping at estate sales, garage sales, and flea markets in her teens. “As soon as I could drive, that’s where I was,” she says.

It’s no wonder then that Kimberly’s own home is filled with old Hollywood relics and classic furniture pieces she’s breathed new life into. What is a wonder, though, is that it’s happening in a piece of old Hollywood itself. Kimberly lives in the former apartment of Mae West, in the historic Ravenswood apartment building. — Lauren Harkawik

Art Imitates Life in This Bauhaus-Inspired Brooklyn Apartment

Vicente (left) and Audrey pose in their living room.

Raised by two aesthetes in an historic 1899 house in Hartford, Connecticut, Audrey Rose Smith had an art-filled childhood. Her father was a preservation architect, and her mother ran an art gallery, so their home was constantly host to artists and their work. It’s only logical that Audrey later became a gallerist herself.

It also makes sense that she swiftly fell in love with a fellow creative. Only eight months after meeting Ecuadorian photographer and designer Vicente Muñoz , the pair jointly purchased their prewar Clinton Hill apartment in Brooklyn. They married soon after, partnering in matrimony as well as real estate without looking back.

Eight years later, the couple has cultivated a tight-knit and like-minded community in the neighborhood. Turn-of-the-century buildings by architects like William Tubby, Montrose Morris, and Ebenezer L. Roberts pepper the streets where they frequently run into friends and colleagues. “It feels like an art world sitcom,” Audrey quips. “The farmers market is really exciting.” — Morgan Goldberg

Jewel Tones Heighten This 700-Square-Foot Rome Apartment

Counter stools offer a space for guests to accompany the chef in the kitchen. Wood elements further reflect the forest-inspired colored choice for the cabinetry.

“I think of a house as a complicated machine in which something new breaks down every day: a lamp, a faucet, a lock, an electric socket, the boiler, the refrigerator …. But when we can forget about the responsibility of continuous maintenance, we feel happy. Then the other side of the coin, opposed to the responsibilities of ownership, is sheer gratitude.”

That was the thinking of Álvaro Siza, the great Portuguese architect who, at the age of 89, continues to inspire a younger generation. In their space, design duo Eugenia Rolando and Federico Patacchiola of Paros Architettura —a couple in life as well as at work—start from these very words to create subtly inventive places.

A prime example of their work is Casa Costantino, a small but elegant Rome apartment. The building, a 1960s structure in the Ostiense district , is a stone’s throw from the famous Garbatella area. The 700-square-foot apartment is all modern, and thanks to Paros Architettura, it’s been transformed from an old family home full of memories into a light-flooded environment with a contemporary feel. — Ludovica Stevan

A Rotterdam Apartment Is Filled With One Artistic Couple’s Many Vintage Finds

Jeroen (left), Stéphane, and their dog, Henry.

Stéphane Monnet and Jeroen Dijkstra either have good luck, good timing, or simply the good sense to know when something just feels right. When they were apartment hunting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands , Stéphane was seeking out distinctly European surroundings—since he was moving from Toronto—and they found them in a one-bedroom property, downtown. “With all of its flourishes, huge windows, and open spaces, it was a perfect fit,” Stéphane says. “It was already snatched up, but that deal fell through at the last minute.”

Set inside a building from the 1880s, facing a busy street on one end and a verdant courtyard on the other, their home had been recently restored to reflect what existed way back when. Intricate crown molding sprawled across ceilings while wainscoting lined the lower half of the walls, and that artistry was painted in shades of green to contrast the white in between. Windows stretched over their contrasting outdoor views, and plenty of light streamed in. The couple also had a private balcony to share, in case they ever wanted a closer look at the birds, whose pleasant song woke them in the morning. — Kelly Dawson

By Morgan Goldberg

By Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar

2022 Summer Home Tour – Part 2

Oh wow, did you see all 30 homes on last week’s tours?  Every home was amazing.  I found so much inspiration and so many tips for changes I would like to make to my own home and also decorating ideas too.  I’ve been busy adding summer around the entire house, so I thought I would show you how I’ve changed out my family room and master bedroom.  Welcome to 2022 Summer Home Tour – Part 2

As you probably know, I love color sometimes and lots of it, then there are times when I am almost neutral.  Sometimes I am even halfway in between these two, so you never know what I might like at any moment.   Since I had super bright yellow and black for Spring – (if you missed it, you can see that post here . ) – I thought something a little calmer was in order.

If you saw my 2022 Summer Home Tours – My Home , you saw this picture.  It shows how you can see from the front door all the way to the back of the house where the family room and kitchen are.

When you enter from the living room area, you have the family room on the right and the kitchen on the left.  Again I love the light that these big windows bring in.  These two recliners are the favorite seats in the house.

The sofa is where I have fun switching out colors and pillows.  My horse painting has great color and so much character that it is really the showstopper in the room.  It is a great focal point.

I love the tv console, the lighter wood is a great contrast to the wood floors.  It adds another color and texture to the room.

The cowhide rug plays well off the horse painting and helps to anchor the room.  Since this is a smaller room, the round glass coffee table doesn’t seem to take up any space, but I still have room for a few accessories and even a fun tic-tac-toe game.

If you turn around you will see the kitchen on the other side of this room. The back of the house is the breakfast area, kitchen, and family room.  This is where we spend most of our time.

The kitchen isn’t huge, but it functions really well and it’s one of my favorite places to be.  I enjoy cooking.

The breakfast area holds my trestle table and seats 8 really comfortably.  We have great family meals here.

Now let’s go upstairs and take a peek at the Master Bedroom.  For the summer months, I thought it was time to take off a few layers and lighten up the bed linens.  I moved the leather chair from the living room into the bedroom and moved the white chair I had here down to the living room.  Musical chairs are always fun.

One of my favorite colors is soft camel and this works so well in this room with the rug and headboard pattern.

I removed the heavier camel quilt that I had at the foot of the bed and added a few new pillows in soft camel to change things up a bit.  I love the soft camel and white on these pillows.

A simple bouquet on the dresser is all I’ve used.  I am trying to learn, less is more.

That’s it for this season’s 2022 Summer Home Tour – Part 2.  Hope you enjoyed visiting my home and hope you found tons of inspiration for your own summer decor.

If you missed any of the 30 amazing homes that shared their summer decor last week, you can catch up here.

  Hymns & Verses – Southern Hospitality – Chalking Up Success

Tuesday – June 7th Lineup

Calypso in the Country – StoneGable – 11 Magnolia Lane

White Arrows Home – RemodelaCasa – Pink Peppermint Design

Wednesday – June 8th Lineup

Designing Vibes – Cuckoo4Design – Whispering Pines Homestead

Decor to Adore – Thrifty and Chic – Clean and Scentsible

Thursday – June 9th Lineup

CitrineLiving – Southern Home and Hospitality – Worthing Court

The Stonybrook House – Southern State of Mind – This is our Bliss

Friday – June 10th Lineup

Follow The Yellow Brick Home – Country Road 407 – Quarters One

Shiplap and Shells – Simply2Moms – Pasha Is Home 

You may also enjoy:

2023 fall home tour – my home, modern farmhouse & how to get the look, cooking light – penne alfredo – everything’s in …, easter’s on the way.

Marty, You have a peninsula, an island AND a table that seats eight and you say that your kitchen isn’t huge?! That is huge in my book! Besides, it is BEAUTIFUL! Well, your entire house is beautiful and your love of family shines through it! PS: I am a daily follower and have been for years.

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Sweet Summertime in the New House // 2022 Summer Home Tour

We are in full-on Summer mode over here since the boys got out of school before Memorial Day Weekend. It’s a miracle I was able to snap some pictures for the tour with the condition of the house with 3 boys home all day! I truly can’t believe July marks one year in Arizona for us. I’ll do a full before and after tour later this Summer but for now, here are the spaces I sprinkled a few Summer touches in. Welcome to our 2022 Summer Home Tour // Sweet Summertime in the New House .

Hello & welcome! Thank you to Marty of A Stroll Thru Life for organizing another wonderful week of Home Tours! I’m honored to be included for yet another season.

If you popped over here from Southern State of Mind ‘s home, then welcome! I know you had lovely time perusing Heather’s gorgeous Atlanta home. She is my real life bestie I met on the internet and her home is even more beautiful in-person than in the photos.

If you’re just stopping by today for the first time, hi, I’m Rachael, the voice behind the lifestyle blog, This is our Bliss. You’ll find snippets of style ideas, home décor inspo, entertaining tips & mom life as I navigate life’s adventures alongside my husband and our 3 boys. We picked up and moved from Illinois to Arizona last July after 10+ years there.

Since this is our first full Summer in the house, it’s my first Summer Home Tour here as well! You can see last year’s Summer Home Tour , a farewell to our last house right before we moved, by clicking here .

You can also check out our Empty House Tour , Early Fall Tour , Christmas Tour and Spring Home Tour of our Arizona house.

SWEET SUMMERTIME IN THE NEW HOUSE // 2022 SUMMER HOME TOUR

If you don’t know about the heat here in the desert, let me tell you. It. is. HOT! We are already around 105 degrees in early June and our temps will continue to climb between 115 and 120 this Summer. So unless you’re in the pool, you’re not doing much outside. With the kids home in between camps and playdates, I didn’t do much zhushing, but opted for a stripped-down simple Summer vibe.

Fresh flowers and clean spaces are what make me happy. And the “clean” or rather picked-up and clutter-free is a rarity, so I’m especially giddy when it lasts long enough to document it!

Let’s head into a few spaces and take a peek around…

SWEET SUMMERTIME IN THE DINING ROOM

I cleared everything off the table except for one small vase . I decided I wanted something other than fresh flowers in here, so I stepped out back and clipped a few palm branches and stuck them in the vase.

Something different for a change [ since Palm trees weren’t exactly growing in our backyard in Illinois! ] and I love the way it looks!

The Dining Room was just completed in January of this year during the New Year, New Room Refresh Challenge so it pretty much looks the same. I don’t plan to make any changes in here except for the occasional vase swap and tablescape set-up.

SWEET SUMMERTIME IN THE POWDER ROOM

I normally wouldn’t include a bathroom in my Summer Home Tour but I juuuust wrapped up this Powder Room project at the end of May, so felt it deserved a spot in the line-up. Plus the hot pink bougainvilleas are bright & Summer-y 🙂

You can see the full reveal with sources her e and each of the weekly ORC updates here .

I’m already brainstorming what space to work on in the Fall challenge. There are plenty of rooms I’d like to get my hands on as you can imagine being in a new house with lots of new ideas.

SWEET SUMMERTIME IN THE GUESTROOM

This room has been a slow and steady work-in-progress since we moved in. My desk sits in here so it is a dual-functioning office & guestroom.

We added a new [smaller] nightstand & lamp at the end of last Summer, a new rug last Fall & just recently hung the curtain rod & panels a couple of weeks ago.

You might remember that large art piece over the bed from the Guestroom in the last house, but I’d still like to create a gallery wall over my desk area [ and tidy it up enough to photograph ] sometime this year. Then it will be complete 🙂

SWEET SUMMERTIME IN THE KITCHEN / FAMILY ROOM

Our main hub is in the center of the main floor where the kitchen and family room are one large combined space. I gave the joint spaces a facelift last Fall during the ORC so not much has changed in here either.

Other than the painted backsplash!

Did you notice it’s black now? I know I owe you a full blog post on what we did, but let me assure you it looks 10x better than it did. I love the bold black against the white cabinets.

It feels much more “me” now.

Don’t you agree?!

The island, couch & coffee table have yet to be cleared off this Summer so I’ll call this a win. Prepping for a tour isn’t all bad…it really gets things snapped into shape in a hurry!

SWEET SUMMERTIME IN THE POOL

This is where you’ll find us every afternoon! Camps or lounging in the morning and then we head out here after lunch when we need to get out of the house for a break. The pool is the perfect temperature right now to take a dip and cool off.

A pool was one of our must-haves while house-hunting last Spring and we are sure glad to have one right about now.

If the kids aren’t in the pool, you’ll find them in the basement aka the frat house!

One of these days I’ll take you down to the basement and show you around, but that will probably be a few room challenges away 😉

I know we have a few more months of hot Summer heat, but with shorter Summer Breaks, we’ll be back to school in less than 6 weeks. Until then we’re going to be taking in all that Summer has to offer!

I hope you have a great one, too!

* The flutter sleeve top I’m wearing in some of the tour photos can be found here. I’m wearing a small & would say it runs true-to-size. The top is only $15 & tons of color options available. I also have the red 😉

Well now that we’ve made our way through the house, be sure to stop by Citrine Living ‘s stunning home for a peek at her Summer styling in the entryway.

Thanks for hanging out with me today! The rest of the week’s lineup is below. Don’t forget to pop around for some lovely Summer inspo.

Hymns & Verses – Southern Hospitality – Chalking Up Success

Tuesday – June 7th Lineup

Calypso in the Country – StoneGable – 11 Magnolia Lane

White Arrows Home – RemodelaCasa – Pink Peppermint Design

Wednesday – June 8th Lineup

Designing Vibes – Cuckoo4Design – Whispering Pines Homestead

Decor to Adore – Thrifty and Chic – Clean and Scentsible

Thursday – June 9th Lineup

CitrineLiving – Southern Home and Hospitality – Worthing Court

The Stonybrook House – Southern State of Mind – This is our Bliss

Friday – June 10th Lineup

Follow The Yellow Brick Home – Country Road 407 – Quarters One

Shiplap and Shells – Simply2Moms – Pasha Is Home

TO SHOP THE ITEMS IN TODAY’S SUMMER HOME TOUR, YOU CAN CLICK THE IMAGES BELOW FOR DIRECT SOURCE LINKS!:

For more of our Home Tours, go here ! And for all Home content, be sure to check it out here .

 Happy Summer, friends!

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Rachael @ This is our Bliss

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Wow, your home is gorgeous! I’m sure you’re having a blast with all the new places to decorate…and that pool is fabulous! Thanks for the tour! Shelley

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Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane

Happy one year anniversary in your new home, Rachael! You’ve done SO much in that amount of time! Girl, those pink pumps in the bathroom “throne” picture are so good–and the room redo isn’t bad either. 😉 The black looks amazing. Enjoy those sweet boys and the pool–happy summer!

I love your new home and all of your gorgeous summer touches! So chic and so are you! Happy Summer! xo

It’s amazing what all you’ve accomplished in making your new home “you” in such a short time. Your kitchen makeover is so pretty, I love the changes you’ve made. Your powder room makeover is Stunning. I love the wallpaper on the ceiling, so creative and such a fun surprise. The gallery wall is another great surprise. Very creative and oh so pretty. Thanks tons for joining the tours again this season, love seeing how you transform your new home.

Julia@Cuckoo4Design

What a stunning tour of your beautiful home! And that pool is to die for!

These Are Our 10 Most Popular Home Tours of 2022

From cozy California cottages to grand French manors, here are the homes that reigned supreme this year.

When it comes to selecting the beautiful homes that are featured in our magazine or on our website, our editors don’t pay too much attention to where they’re located or fixate on a particular style aesthetic. We can find beauty in a bohemian bungalow, a Georgian manse or an island retreat, as long as the home is well-appointed, has plenty of personality and a unique story to tell. And it turns out, many of our readers feel the same way. We pulled our most popular home tours of 2022, and there’s a delightful mix of cozy California cottages, colorful coastal retreats, grand French manors and more. Here are our most popular home tours of 2022.

A Montecito Cottage Designed by Suzanne Tucker

A Michigan Lake Cabin Designed by Amy Meier

This low-maintenance lakefront cabin acts as a young family’s vacation home—and the rustic interiors were designed to be liveable, durable, and full of character. The cozy design and massive glass windows overlooking the lake make this home a fan fave for good reason.

A Historic Block Island Home Designed by Miles Redd and Gil Schafer

This beautiful Block Island home is our third most popular house tour of 2022. The sunlight-dappled home is full of romantic coastal charm, thanks to seashell pink accents, gorgeous ocean views, and a "party barn" that serves as a place to entertain guests.

A French Manor House Apartment Designed by David Jimenez

A centuries-old manor in the French countryside is pretty much the definition of romance, at least in our dictionary. An hour north of Paris, this manor apartment designed by David Jimenez is surrounded by ancient oaks, fragrant pines, and open fields. Inside, convivial French touches and an incredible art collection make this home truly special.

A Charming Colorado Guest House Designed by Heidi Callier

Heidi Callier reimagined an old workshop on the property of a Colorado home into a well-appointed retreat for guests . This intimate cottage is inspired by British design and is filled with collected items, layered textiles, and cheerful colors for an extra dose of charm.

Noel Pittman's Elegant Los Angeles Home

Noel Pittman's home , a 1920's architectural beauty, is located in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Pittman took inspiration from Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean design, which is evident in the home's terra cotta tile, antique Spanish lebrillos, and original ironwork staircase. Layers of custom upholstery, antiques, art, and textiles make the home feel extra personal and inviting.

Summer Thornton's Enchanting Chicago Townhome

This stunning living room from Summer Thornton's Chicago townhome earned the coveted spot on our May-June 2022 cover for good reason. The room's warm apricot paint color was inspired by a sunlit building Thornton had seen in Venice during her travels, while hand-marbled paper crowns the ceiling. We love how whimsical the room feels, thanks to mixed patterns, layers of texture and color, and an extra-fun tasseled couch.

John Saladino's Timeless Montecito Home

John Saladino's California home , which was the cover star of our March-April 2017 issue, is a love letter to beautiful architecture, decorating, gardens, and furniture design. Many of his idyllic rooms look like still-life paintings and feature incredible antiques, sculptures, and global textiles. When designing this pool and outdoor space, Saladino said he was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman nymphaea—natural grottoes said to be homes of nymphs. Magical, indeed!

A Hudson Valley Home by Louise Copeland

This nearly 200-year-old home in the Hudson Valley is the ultimate retreat for a young family. Though the layout of the house has been brought into the 21st century, there's still plenty of vintage charm to go around. 19th-century antiques, natural light, and lush gardens make this a bucolic escape that still manages to feel quite livable and contemporary.

A Historic London Apartment Designed by Philip Vergeylen

This London apartment designed by Philip Vergeylen is the epitome of modern glamor and daring decoration. Bold patterns, rich colors, globally sourced antiques, and an impressive art collection make this a truly one-of-a-kind space with tons of visual interest.

Jaime Milan (she/her) is the deputy digital editor for VERANDA, where she writes about design, architecture, gardens, jewelry, fashion, travel, wine, news and trends. In her spare time, she can be found shopping at the antique store, cooking, gardening, or teaching her mini Australian Shepherd, Gumbo, new tricks. Follow her on Instagram at @jaimemmilan. 

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Simple and Classic Summer Home Tour (Coastal Inspired)

Welcome friends!  It’s June and the official first day of summer is right around the corner!  To celebrate, I’ve joined a group of talented bloggers for our 2022 Summer home tour   hosted by the lovely, Marty of  A Stroll Thru Life.   This week, you’re going to have the opportunity to visit 30 homes for tons of summer decorating ideas!  At the bottom of this blog post, you can see the full line up.  Be sure to stop back each day so you don’t miss any.  For my contribution, I hope to inspire you with my simple and classic summer home tour!  

*For your convenience, please note that this post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking my links below, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

Summer Home Tour:

Before we begin, I want to welcome those of you who are arriving from  Chalking Up Success!   I’m sure you loved Jayne’s easy summer decorating ideas.  Not only is she super-talented, but she’s one of the sweetest bloggers!

When you’re finished here, remember to visit the links at the end of this post to see all the beautiful summer decorating inspiration!  

Now, let’s get started with my classic summer home tour!

Today, we’ll start in the family room where I decorated my mantel in a coastal style…

Coastal Style Summer Mantel:

Since I already have some blue in my family room, it was easy to decorate my mantel with beach inspired colors.

exact rug /  wire basket /  similar pitchers

When decorating for summer, you can’t go wrong with some simple coastal accessories.

similar green jug vases

Recently, I found this art print at Homegoods and planned to hang it in a bedroom at our family’s beach house.  For now, it works great as a focal point on my summer mantel.

As I searched for items to decorate my mantel, I used the colors in the artwork for inspiration.  In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with classic blue and white for summer!  And you can’t go wrong with white hydrangeas when decorating for summer…

Decorating with Summer Flowers:

Just like  in my spring home tour, I like to add fresh flowers to my home…

Since my hydrangea bushes haven’t bloomed yet, I bought these at the grocery store.  Here on the east coast, we see tons of hydrangeas in the shore towns…so it made sense to add them to my coastal inspired mantel.

In my kitchen, I dressed up an orchid in a blue and white pot.  Sure, orchids are more tropical-coastal than the hydrangeas we see at the Jersey shore but they still look great for summer!  And they look extra summery when placed in view of the pool!

Patio Dining – Classic Summer Home Tour:

In the summer, we practically live on our patio.  Between the seating areas and the patio dining table, we have plenty of spaces to enjoy the summer weather.  Though when dining outside, I like to keep the table relaxed and casual.

For this table setting, I mixed some navy melamine plates with my everyday porcelain dishes.  Instead of getting all fancy with a napkin ring, I just tied the napkins in a simple knot.  

With some simple blue and white placemats, a few hydrangeas and candles and this table is ready for summer entertaining.

By keeping the table simple, we can enjoy the flower gardens and the views of the pool!

Thanks for stopping by to see my classic summer home tour!

Simple and Classic Summer Decorating Takeaways:

• Carry the same colors through your rooms.
• Bring the outside in…or the inside out!
• Use the sea for inspiration.
• Keep your decor light and simple.
• Decorate with seasonal flowers.
• Don’t “over” decorate…sometimes less is more.

Once again, thank you to Marty from  A Stroll Thru Life  for hosting!  To take the full tour, you can start with her beautiful blog. 

If you’re following in order,  Stonegable is next in the line up.  For many years, I’ve been reading Yvonne’s blog and I adore her decorating style.  She has a way of transforming spaces while making it all look easy.  You’ll definitely learn a lot from this talented lady!

Also, please visit the rest of the participants on the blog hop from the list below!  

Hymns & Verses – Southern Hospitality – Chalking Up Success

Tuesday – June 7th Lineup

Calypso in the Country – StoneGable – 11 Magnolia Lane

White Arrows Home – RemodelaCasa – Pink Peppermint Design

Wednesday – June 8th Lineup

Designing Vibes – Cuckoo4Design – Whispering Pines Homestead

Decor to Adore – Thrifty and Chic – Clean and Scentsible

Thursday – June 9th Lineup

CitrineLiving – Southern Home and Hospitality – Worthing Court

The Stonybrook House – Southern State of Mind – This is our Bliss

Friday – June 10th Lineup

Follow The Yellow Brick Home – Country Road 407 – Quarters One

Shiplap and Shells – Simply2Moms – Pasha Is Home

How are you decorating for summer?

Follow along so you don’t miss a post!

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33 Comments

Love your beautiful summer mantel. That painting is such a pretty find and shares the essence of summer. Your patio and pool are amazing. How nice to have such a fabulous spot to relax and enjoy summer. That is where you would find me for sure. Thanks so much for joining the tour again this season.

Thanks so much, Marty! Homegoods has some great seasonal artwork! Yes, we spend tons of time outdoors…and I’m sure you’re enjoying your beautiful pool as well! Thanks again for including me in your summer tour!

Such soft, subtle touches of the season, and I love how you styled your mantle. Happy summer—isn’t one of your kiddos graduating (I remember Instagram shots of college tours)?

Thanks Diane – and happy summer to you! Yes, a very busy time for us. My oldest graduates high school in 2 weeks! Time sure does fly!

I will definitely never tire of beach decor! So pretty and that pool is a stunner!

Thanks so much Julia! Great to tour with you!

Shelley, your outdoor space is simply awesome! That’s the way to go… outdoor dining and enjoying that beautiful space to the max!

Thanks Cristina! Yes, we spend so much time out there this time of year!

Perfect! I am loving all that blue and white.

Thank you Joanne!

Oh, Shelley, that pool makes me jealous! I miss having one so much–it’s not the same when you have to get in the car to get there. Love that summer mantel, too. Happy Summer!

Awe, thanks Christy! Happy Summer to you!

What a gorgeous tour. I adore your mantel. So many great ideas.

Thanks so much Laura! Enjoy your week!

I’m loving your coastal inspiration for summer Shelley. Your mantel is so lovely. You are so lucky to have that gorgeous outdoor space to relax and have fun. You’ve decorated it so beautifully. So happy to be hopping with you again my friend.

Thank you, Kim! I love this time of year so much – which I guess makes it easy to decorate with things I love. Great hopping with you as well! Enjoy your week!

Shelley, I love the coastal accessories on the mantel and that you centered it around that special beach scene artwork! And I’m sure you do spend all of your time out in your beautiful backyard this time of year!!

Thank you, Kate! Yes, our backyard definitely gets a lot of use this time of year… Hope you have a great summer!

I totally agree with you, Shelley..you can never go wrong with coastal accents for a nice, summer vibe. Your mantel is beautiful and that pool…just wow! What a fabuous place to enjoy this weather.

Thanks Erica! Yes, I hope to be out there a lot this summer! Great touring with you!

Shelley, wow everything is beautiful, and your outdoor space and pool are just to die for😍😍😍

Thank you Anita! We’ve been spending a lot of time out there! Enjoy your weekend!

Love the summery vibe, Shelley! I’m always partial to Coastal decor, even though there’s not a smidge of it in my home! Good thing we bought an apartment in Florida where I was able to satisfy that craving, lol!

How nice to spend time in Florida! And thank you for your kind words, Amy. Enjoy your weekend!

Everything looks so fresh and inviting! Simply beautiful. Love your patio furniture and table setting — beautiful photo! Carol http://www.scribblingboomer.com

Thank you Carol! Enjoy your week!

Such a beautiful tour! I love the coastal touches and your outdoor table and setting by the pool is amazing!

Thanks Kristin! I’m always drawn to anything coastal!

Love the blue and white colors! That print on your mantle just screams summer. Beautiful home!

Thanks so much, Lori! Yes, that print was such a find! Gotta love Homegoods!

Your home is gorgeous and I love your summer decor! That pool and patio are heaven!!

Thanks Tamara! We put the pool in right before Covid hit…definitely good timing on that one!

Thanks for the summer tour! It was inspiring, so sad its fall coming soon =(

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A Farmhouse Summer Home Tour Part 1

A few days ago I posted my summer garden tour.  It was full of all the outdoor farmhouse goodness that surrounds my home.  Now, its time to take a look inside.  Are you ready for a farmhouse summer home tour?

*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience*

I always like to start my tour on my front porch.  It is the entrance to my home, and this is where the goodness will begin.  

Welcome, so glad you’re here!

Upon entering my home, you are greeted by one of my most prized possessions, my antique church pew.  I decided to set it on an angle to change things up and I am loving the change.

In the summertime I like to keep my home light and airy, and I love to take advantage of all the lush foliage I have right outside my door.

Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lilacs, Mint, and Salvia line my flower gardens and now they adorn all the rooms in my home with their fragrances wafting in the air.

My entry is simple.  A place to sit down, with an inviting feel.  I added some fresh Lavender to the pew as a fun little touch.  Obviously this will not stay put, not with little fingers around.  The photo above the pew is the actual blue print from our house.   We built our home from the ground up ourselves. There;s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in these walls.

I love how the light streams in from the front door.

As we leave my entry, I want to do something a little out of the ordinary for myself.  I want to show you a little bit of where I work.  My office is no where near finished, but I love, absolutely love the light filled room and the view out onto my porch.   With the windows open on a warm summer day, it just might be the perfect place.

Every blogger has a lighting kit, am I right?  One of these days I will start painting again…one of these days.

My office connects to the heart of my home, my kitchen and dining room.

My dining room has been simplified as well.  Some fragrant Salvia in my antique dough bowl.

A little updated summer artwork on my butcher paper roll and a little rearranging on my farmhouse style reclaimed wood shelves .

From my dining room you can see my bleached antique barn doors in my breezeway.  I love this view.

I cut some fresh mint to be hung in my antique scale .

My kitchen has not changed in a while, and I may be getting ready to do some “updates”. What can I say, I am always planning things.  I do love my knotty Alder wood cabinets, but I think I may be ready for a change.

I’ve filled my galvanized tray with book page rolls, moss balls and twig decorative balls.

I still love my reclaimed water sign  above my window, and have no plans of moving it.

Our kitchen is truly the heart of our home.  We spend so many hours in this space.  I love the views out my windows and the views from my kitchen to the rest of my house, where I can watch my kids play.

This is the view from my kitchen.  Not bad eh?

This cow print is one I have wanting for so long and I finally got it!  You can find it at Wall Art ” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Minted.   I have mounted it simply with wood slats and will be doing a tutorial on it sometime soon.

There on the left is my painted upholstery chair, with a design created with sharpie markers.  2 years later, and it is still in excellent shape.

I wanted to keep my centerpiece simple on my wire spool coffee table .

One of my newest acquisitions is this vintage water jug with its wooded crate in tact.  When I saw it, I had to have it.   My number 4 pillow was created with a sharpie marker, and you can see my technique here .   The chairs are from Lamps Plus .  Aren’t they lovely?

Of course we have to have our television, but does it have to be unsightly? No.  We framed it out with barn wood and dressed it up with my white sideboard buffet .

I can’t leave out my sweet fiddle leaf fig .  Can you believe I got this on Amazon?

My fireplace got a simple farmhouse style arrangement.

A blank chalkboard, white pitcher, boxwood/lavender wreath, antique printers tray, and a tobacco basket.

A little more lavender and my garden hat.

As you leave my family room and head toward the front door once again, you will pass my sweet old bessie.

A copper bucket, willows, old ladder, and laundry tub.  It can all be combined to create a wonderful space.

My reclaimed wood table fits perfectly in this little alcove.

On the right is an old piece of molding from a house over 100 years old!  I had to have it.  I am not really sure what I will do with it, but for now it will sit where it is.

And here we are, back at the beginning.  Thank you so much for stopping by for my home tour today.  I will be continuing this home tour tomorrow, where I will feature my second story spaces.  I hope you will stop by or that!  This farmhouse summer home tour is just getting started!

Have a great day and remember…

*This post contains affiliate links.  I may earn a few pennies when something is purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.*

75 Comments

Everything is absolutely gorgeous! I love that church pew in the entryway. Beautiful tour!

Thank you Amanda!

Sara, your home is stunning! Beautiful! I can’t find a favorite thing about it because I love EVERYTHING about it! Such a cozy home to live in. Love it! It is fun touring with you this week!

Wow what a beautiful home. Love your farmhouse. Thanks for the tour.

Thanks BonBon!

Your home is absolutely gorgeous, Sara! You have such a great sense of style, and everything just flows together so well. Love it!

Thank you Sarah!

Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing peeks into your home. I love that cow print from Minted. Too cute!

Your home is so pretty!! I love the pew on the angle and the blueprint above it, what a fun idea to frame it! The “water” sign in the kitchen is so great, too! And your office is such a perfect place to sit and blog!

Perfection! I love your home! It’s my style dreams. 🙂

Your house is amazing, it’s great that you were able to build it yourselves too! I can’t wait until we build our forever home 🙂

Sara, I knew your tour would be gorgeous, but I think you’ve outdone yourself! I adore that antique pew, your beautiful kitchen and all of the ways you brought nature indoors for the summer! Thank you for inviting us in 🙂

WOW WOW WOW – your home is stunning. Love your style and impeccable taste. All of your vintage goodness is so warm and inviting. Fabulous tour!

Great tour Sara! It was so fun seeing more of your farmhouse! You have so many great finds, like that antique pew, Love it!

Sara, your home is so cozy! I love it! I could find a spot to sit in all day, in each of your rooms!

Love it, love it, love it! your home is the perfect amount of farmhouse! That entryway bench, and that view from your dining room where the sliding barn doors are have got to be my fav!

Your home is beautiful. I love all of the decorating details you included.

Enjoyed seeing your house. Loved the way you used the printer’s tray on your mantel. It gave me some ideas as to how to use my printer’s tray in my house. Love your blog!

Thanks Nancy!

Hi! Where did you get your couch?

Hi! Its actually a hand me down from my brother. I found a similar one here for you: http://amzn.to/2cMJ1gI

Your home is so beautiful! You have a great sense of style and I love all the little touches of greenery from your garden.

Your house is gorgeous! My hubby & I are building our dream home and i’m really loving the farmhouse style! Your couch and the sign above the oven range are so dreamy!

Thank you Leslie! Good Luck on the house, I loved building ours and would do it again in a heart beat.

Your paint colors are beautiful! What color is your front door and the exterior of your house? It is all so peaceful.

Hi there! I was looking for the paint color and I finally found it. It was called Sand Trap by True Value. You can see my post about it here: https://www.twelveonmain.com/refresh-front-door-spring/

I looked at this swatch and it looks so dark I have a burgendy door now. I want it to take as light as yours!

Your home is perfect!! This is the exact vibe I am going for in my house. I am currently working on changing out my oak trim with 1X4s painted white and my windows are wooden. I don’t plan to paint them white and I see you have the same wood window/white trim going on. I love it!

Oh that is so great! It was a tough decision to keep the windows wood with white trim, but I am so happy I did!

awesome…love all of it! we have a similar taste…happy to have found your tour

Thanks so much for stopping by Jane!

Your home is beautiful. Can you tell me the paint color you used?

Thank You! I used Antique White by True Value!

Hello – Simply LOVED the ‘organic’ feel of your home… I am a bit in love with your paint colours – front door (wow!) and dreamy, calming wall colour that still manages to contrast with white trim…. Was wondering if you would share your paint colours and save me hours, upon hours of pouring over paint swatches? Much appreciated! Janine

Thank you! The white that I use in my home is Antique White by True Value. I am still looking for the front door color, and if I find it I will post it! Thanks!

Just a thought – your kitchen cabinets are not what (I think) needs an update, it’s your backsplash that should be simplified 🙂 it reads a bit busy as is.

Totally agree with you. I am actually going to be updating the backsplash soon.

I love your front door, do you remember who the manufacturer is?

I purchased it from Stock Building Supply. I believe it may have been a Jeldwen door.

Awesome, thank you!! I love it!!

Lovely and cozy. I love that your kitchen isn’t white.

Thank you Mary!

Beautiful home! Bright and cheerful. Would you please share what white paint color you used throughout?

Thanks M.J. I used Antique White from True Value!

Just beautiful! Your home is amazing and love it all!!!

Your home is so beautiful! I love how thoughtfully you decorate. It’s gorgeous and all pulled together while still being a place that people can completely relax in. Love love love!

I love the whole look of your home! My fiancé and I are in the process of buying our first home and this is the look I’m going for! I’m desperately hunting for farmhouse decor that’s reasonably priced (Hobby Lobby, Wayfair, Target)…where are your favorite places to find it?

Hi there! How exciting to buy your first home! I love to shop at Wayfair, but some of my favorite places to shop for farmhouse pieces are Amazon, and Walmart believe it or not. I also have to say I have found a lot of my pieces at garage sales, thrift stores, and junk stores.

Beautiful! Curious….where did you get your sisal rug? I’m in need of a new one and like the look of the one you have. And, that church pew! Wonderful!

Hi, you have a beautiful home. I was hoping you could tell me where you got your kitchen pendant lights. Thank you.

Thank you! My kitchen lights are from Kichler. I got them almost 10 years ago, but they still may sell them.

Your home is so beautiful! Been looking for a couch like your leather one. Where did you get it from?

I actually got it as a hand me down from my brother. I wish I knew where it was from. I found a similar one on Amazon, here is the link: http://amzn.to/2bVVekl

Can you please tell me where you got your leather sofa!? What brand is it? Thank you!

Hi Deana, I actually got this sofa as a hand me down form my brother! I cant find a tag on it, but I will keep looking!

You have a gorgeous home. What is the paint colour you used?

Hi there! I use Antique White by True Value

I love you couch! Where did you get it? The one you tagged in the photos to shop by isn’t the same style. I prefer yours in the picture.

Hi Mekenna. I tried to match as close as possible. I got this couch as a hand me down from my bother, and he doesn’t know where it was purchased either, so sorry!

Hi! I’m building a house and LOVE your fireplace! Do you have any idea the brand/type/color of stone that is? Boral country ledgestone looks just like it, but I can’t determine a color! Thanks!! 🙂

Gosh, I really dont know the name of the color of the stone. It is mostly grey with some touches of browns and golds.

Love your home! can you tell me where you found your white entryway rug?! Or what It would be called to search for it..

Thank you!!

Hi there, I found the rug at Mershalls. it is a sisal rug, so if you search for that you should find plenty of options.

Where didn’t you find your gorgeous front porch planters?!!!!

We actually built them!

Your kitchen cabinets are gorgeous. If you are truly ready for a change, please consider changing other elements and keeping those lovely cabinets. I enjoyed your home tour. Your home looks warm and welcoming.

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Love the dough bowl! I imagine it looking a lot like the one that my dad often talked about. My grandmother made bread every single week when my dad and his siblings were kids. Sixteen loaves to be exact (18 family members – believe it or not)! Every. Single. Week.

What I wouldn’t give to have that bowl, and the history that it embodies.

Lovely home I love all the little details! I also like how you painted a chair! I have been considering doing that with a old wingback chair. I want to do it white because my white slipcover can’t stand up to my children. But would it be easy to clean? And how comfy is it? What kind of paint did you use? Thanks so much?

I am in love with your fireplace! Was it something you had installed? If so, do you happen to remember the manufaturer of the stone and possible model name?

I am sorry, I do not recall the name of the stone.

im wondering the stain color of the mantle. your cover photo i found on pinterest of it is alot darker than the pics in the article itself. i was thinking a dark walnut at first but now im leaning towards american walnut. can you help?

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the panneling wood wall give a warm farmhouse feeling

Love it！！Your home looks warm and welcoming. thank for sharing.see my technique here Your kitchen cabinets are gorgeous. If you are truly ready for a change, please consider changing other elements and keeping those lovely cabinets. I enjoyed your home tour.

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The Cottage Market

An Eclectic Blog

5 Fabulous Farmhouse Home Tours

Hi everyone, how are you.  I have noticed in recent weeks that everyone that drops by The Cottage Market seems to have a love for all things Farmhouse so of course we have increased out collections but I thought that I would occasionally put together a selection of Fabulous Farmhouse Home Tours for you.  This way you can sit back with a nice cup of your favorite brew…click over to these wonderful blogs and enjoy the home tours that they have prepared for you.  I will also be featuring other style Home Tours…so keep your eye out for them.  We use to feature The Cottage of the Week …but I kind of like this idea much better…you get a larger selection and you get to visit incredible blogs…some might even be new to you!  Hope you enjoy!

You are going to love it at Thistlewood Farms!

Oh yes…before you leave…she will serve you the perfect glass of Sweet Tea!

Now it is time to join Jennifer over at Town and Country Living .  You are so going to enjoy this Farmhouse filled with heart and love!  When you enter her Farmhouse Kitchen you will be transported to all that is yummy in the world…it’s a happy place and if you listen closely you can hear a Rooster crowing!  The rest of the home has nothing but Farmhouse Charm.  Enjoy visiting all the spaces in this lovely home and for some reason I think after you are done you are going to have an urge to bake an apple pie!  Here’s quick sneak peek!

There is so much more to see in this Farmhouse Kitchen!  Jennifer is a Wizard of WHITE!!!

Enjoy your visit and soak in all the Farmhouse Goodness!

Now it is time to take a walk over to visit Anita at Cedar Hill Ranch where you will find a Fabulous French Farmhouse that will transport you to the South of France!  Anita has brought so much old world charm and has allowed her own inner style shine in this beautiful home.  You are going to be totally inspired!

Welcome to the Breakfast Nook…fresh farm free range eggs are being served!

Enjoy a snack of crepes in the Kitchen!   Bon Appetit!

Oh you are so going to love your visit with Becky over at Buckets of Burlap !  It is a Fantastic Farmhouse that is oozing with Farmhouse love.  Becky has such an eye for detail as you will see as you wander through her home.  There are special little touches everywhere you look and she uses burlap with brilliance!  The weathered look…the little pops of perfect color…the fresh blooms and everything in between makes this Farmhouse Fabulous!

From the Farmhouse Sink to…

all the little accessories that make a house a home…you are going to adore this Farmhouse!

It is now time to visit Laura over at Finding Home where Fresh Maple Syrup is being made (literally!) and Country life is good!  Laura’s farmhouse is an oasis for her and her family.  Decorated with love and farmhouse joy,  The kitchen is fabulous but my favorite part of this home is that there are gorgeous vignettes everywhere the eye can see and each one simply makes me smile and I think they will do the same for you!  You will enjoy every square inch of this Farmhouse and I know you will be totally inspired!

Is that piece to die for or what!

You can see what I mean here…how precious is this tray vignette…be prepared for much much more oh and then you will see the wall of plates…the upcyled door and the list goes on and on!  ENJOY!

Sure hope you enjoy these amazing Farmhouse Tours!  We will be back with more Farmhouse Fun and all kinds of Tours mapped out for you next week!  If you are still looking for more tours…you can always check The Cottages of the Week on our Menu!

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Living Large In A Small-ish Home

Summer Ideas For Bedrooms + Bedroom Tour

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Ready for a summer home tour featuring two of our bedrooms? The master bedroom and one of our guest rooms. Summer is the time to lighten up these rooms if you live in hot and humid areas like we do! Today I’m sharing our summer bedrooms and lots of tips for adding breezy summer style to your bedroom too!

Welcome to Blogger’s Best Summer Home Tours !

A big THANK YOU to Kelly at The Tattered Pew ! I met Kelly at Haven, a blogger’s and IG influencers conference, a few years ago! She is just the sweetest person and has a beautiful blog!

And she is the organizer of this pretty summery tour and has done lots and lots of work! I’m so thrilled to be a part of your lovely tour! Kelly thank you for herding cats to create this summer tour for all of us and our readers!

If you are coming from Kim’s summer tour welcome! Don’t you love Cottage In The Mitten ‘s style? So welcoming! Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

And however you got here, thank you for coming. I’ve been waiting for you!

StoneGable’s Summer Home Tour started last week with part 1. If you missed it or would like to see our summer home tour again visit me HERE .

Here’s a peek at what you will find. We chat about ways to add summer to your home!

See these images and more!

Today let’s chat about summer bedrooms.

I think summer is a great time to lighten up a bedroom. Lighten up decor and lighten up bedding!

Here’s our bedroom looking in from the door ready for summer.

THE SUMMER BED

The newest edition to our summer bedroom is the bed. We had an upholstered bed in this room and decided we loved it so much we wanted a platform bed. You will see what we did with our original upholstered bed later in this post.

I LOVE this bed! It is so well made and the upholstery is beautiful! You can see it HERE . The beige bed is sold out but you can get on the waiting list for its return. There is a light gray and a dark gray bed still in stock.

Our bedrooms are so light and bright! We have double windows that look out over the golf course.

It’s important to change the bedding from season to season to accommodate the weather and our sleeping needs.

Especially in the summer, I want to be cool. Even with air conditioning, I can still feel the humidity! Light layers are best! How about you?

I wanted a new coverlet and I did not want to spend a lot! I found one and think is perfect for summer and our color palette.

The three-piece reversible set, pillow shams and comforter was about $100! And it is a very nice quality! You can see the summery set HERE .

Here’s a close-up of the prints. So pretty for summer, right?

I usually tuck the sides of the bedding into the upholstered rails of the bed but I thought I’d let them stick out for summer. Less buttoned up and a little more free!

I’m not a fan of a duvet and cover at the end of our bed, especially in the summer. We would just kick a duvet and cover off of the end of the bed every night! So I kept things simple.

We like a linen sheet, a white duvet, and one other light layer in case we wake up in the middle of the night and feel a bit too cool.

Seasonal bedding is such a personal choice. Use pretty bedding that makes you feel comfortable!

A good bed and great bedding are the bedrock of a good night’s sleep! And yes, bedrock was a bit of a pun!

DECORATIVE SUMMER BED PILLOWS

Pillows on a bed are a must for me! Can you believe this bed is lightly layered with pillows?

I’m rather obsessed with them and get quite heavy handed when it comes to pillows. I would have added more but I remembered my buzzwords for this summer bedroom are light and breezy.

In front of the pillow shams that came with the quilt, I added a trio of 20-inch pillows with down inserts.

I usually buy a pair if not three of the same size square pillow. I can always find a bed or sofa to prop them up on.

Since I have a whole home color palette most of the things in one room will work in another as you will see later. It’s so important to have a color palette for your home. It doesn’t have to be neutral like mine but think about choosing colors for your home and then sticking with them. Decorating is so so much easier!

Here is a big, informative post, How To Choose A Whole Home Color Palette so you can choose the best and prettiest colors for your home! Reading this will help you be a better and more confident home decorator!

Because it’s summer, I love the look of buffalo check. Actually, I love buffalo check any time of the year! I’ve used buffalo check in our home for decades. It’s such a classic pattern.

Buffalo check works with our Transitional style. Don’t think checks are for Farmhouse style alone. They can work with many home decor styles.

Our summer bedroom also sports a French knot pillow and a long cheetah pillow on the bed.

You can see the indoor/outdoor check pillows HERE and the set of two down inserts HERE . And see the long antelope pillow HERE .

The big debate when it comes to pillows is… to chop or not to chop! Totally a matter of personal choice! I like to chop most of my pillows. Because these pillows are down-filled they chop easily! What side are you on?

THE NIGHTSTANDS

These little round glass and goldtone metal nightstands are so versatile. They can also double as side or end tables too!

Our bedroom is ample but not huge so finding a small profile nightstand with lighter visual weight was a must.

Visual Weight is a very important thing to know when you decorate.

See a post on VISUAL WEIGHT AND DECORATING here.

This nightstand is decorated very minimally! I plug in my electronics behind the side rails of the bed. When I go to sleep I put a tumbler of water next to the bed and that’s all!

You might also like the post, HOW TO DECORATE A NIGHTSTAND here.

I love having fresh flowers next to our bed! I found these pretty lacy flowers on the roadside. There are tons and tons of them growing now. I’m not sure what they are called but I just could not resist bringing some of them home.

The vase of these flowers on my vanity is spilling over with these pretty flowers. They look similar to Queen Anne’s Lace but are not. Can you tell me what they are?

THE SUMMER BEDROOM VANITY

The vanity in our bedroom is such a luxury! I’ve gotten used to sitting down at my vanity and doing my hair and putting on my makeup! My grandmother had a vanity and I used to watch her do the same. And I loved watching her. So when we moved to StoneGable I made a secretary desk into a vanity and loved it.

Here at our Tanglewood House, the vanity sits against the double windows. It has a pop-up lid with a mirror and lots of compartments for makeup and jewelry and other things.

When the lid is down it also doubles as a writing desk!

Bobby got me this vanity the first Mother’s Day we moved here. It is a wonderful treat! You can see my vanity and the chair HERE and HERE .

THE ARMOIRE

I don’t have a dresser and mirror in this bedroom. Instead, we have a tall glass front armoire. All of my clothing except my handing clothing fits in this ample armoire!

The armoire is at its best any season because it reflects the decor in the room.

I’m not a believer in Feng Shiu so I don’t mind the armoire being opposite our bed. It’s the best wall to put such a big piece of furniture on. I am a more decorating theory kind of a girl. But each to her own!

I hope you like our master bedroom summer tour and have gotten a few tips you can use in your summer bedroom too!

Now, let’s go upstairs for a quick look at one of our guest bedrooms…

THE GOLF GUEST ROOM

This post is long enough and I still have a bedroom makeover to show you! When I say “makeover” I mean lots of stuff from all over the house and the basement was rearranged and used in this guest room.

Learning to shop your house is like a secret decorating weapon! And it’s my favorite way to decorate our home. You can see a helpful post, 6 Brilliant Ways To Shop Your Home , here.

So let’s take a peek now and look for a post about this room and tips for getting a guest room summer-ready soon.

The Golf Guest Room is a nice large guest room! And a favorite of our guests.

Here’s why we call it the Golf Guest Room. This is a small sample of what you see from the large windows in this room…

Here’s a look at the bed with summer bedding on it.

And the big fluffy chopped pillows…

And a little table that works as a nightstand. Aren’t these daisies so dear? I like to send a plant or flowers home with overnight guests.

And here’s the dresser and ball mirror in the summer bedroom. The ball mirror in the foyer is still there. There’s a story behind the mirrors and I will share it soon when I post more about the Golf Guest Room.

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO SEE ITEMS FROM THE SUMMER BEDROOM TOUR BELOW…

Now, head on over to one of my dearest friends, Julie at My Wee Abode . She just moved and her story is so selfless and lovely just like here.

I’m hoping she will visit me again this fall or nearer to Christmas to see Lancaster County at its best. Last year we spent a delightful week together!

Thank you for stopping by and taking this summer bedroom tour! I wish you the most wonderful summer!

Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours. Thirty talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each summer home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

The Tattered Pew / Cottage On Bunker Hill / She Gave It A Go

Cottage In The Mitten / Stonegable / My Wee Abode

Tuesday’s Tours

Thistle Key Lane / Midwest Life & Style / White Lilac Farmhouse

My Thrift Store Addiction / Willow Bloom Home Blog / Dabbling and Decorating

Wednesday’s Tours

Bricks ‘n Blooms / Amy Sadler Designs / Peacock Ridge Farm

White Arrows Home / Pasha Is Home / The Ponds Farmhouse

Thursday’s Tours

Simply2Moms / Country Peony / Southern Home and Hospitality

Shiplap and Shells / Eleanor Rose Home / Cloches and Lavender

Friday’s Tours

Le Cultivateur / Lora Bloomquist Create & Ponder / Noting Grace

My Family Thyme / Vintage and Grace Living / County Road 407

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126 Comments

Your bedroom looks beautiful and all ready for summer. What a great deal you got on the reversible set! I love layering with lightweight bedding and the fact that your set is reversible is a bonus. The prints on either side of your bed are so pretty. A lovely room! Thanks for sharing and so wonderful hopping with you, today!

Happy Summer Kim!

Your rooms are lovely! You didnt mention the prints though that are real showstoppers! Would you share information about them please.

Hi Mari, I found those prints locally. I’ve tried to find a source for them but no luck yet!

So restful. I’ve learned from you in moving things around my house to keep things interesting. My husband thinks I’ve been shopping (I’ve been shopping my house!) when I pull something in from another room!

Shopping our homes is like a secret decorating weapon! Yay! I’m so glad you do it too!

Yvonne, I always love seeing what you share and this post on summer bedrooms was just lovely! I am inspired to try many of these in our bedroom, thank you for sharing friend…pinned! It’s a joy to be on this blog hop with you and hope to see you at Haven. xoxo, Brendt

Hi Brendt, thank you so much. I’m sitting out this Haven. We have some fun family plans. Hope you have a great time and learn a lot. Happy Summer, sweet friend.

Your bedrooms are gorgeous! I have been looking at upholstered beds. I was wondering if you could help me with the color of the bed in the master bedroom. Your bed looks light, almost cream color which is what I want. The bed on line looks like it has more brown tones. How would you describe the color? Thanks so much. Love your home. Really enjoy your posts.

The bed is beige and the bed quilt is beige too. Just a darker shade. Hope this helps.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. I started reading your blog two years ago, so I guess you can consider me a newbie. I now utilities bowls or trays in several room with the rule of three on them. I love all the ideas you share and your Sunday morning blog.

Your new bed is so pretty! I’ve considered getting one but thought I would miss having a bed skirt but your’s still looks soft and pretty. ? I’m not a fan of the rabbit ear chop but still like a gentle squish on top of my down filled pillows. The chop is no longer current but even when it was trending I thought it too contrived, preferring a softer touch. But, we all have to do what makes us happy, right? Off to check out the other tours.

Joanna, each to his or her own! That is what so lovely about decorating!

Your bedrooms are so gorgeous. I love the textures of the fabrics, gold and wood accents. Love it!

So nice of you to stop by. Happy Summer.

Love your home. Can you tell me where I can get the pillows on your guest bed?

Hi SD, the pillows in the guest bedroom are from Pottery Barn. I found them over a decade ago and have not seen them on their site. Sorry! I don’t have a link for you. Happy Summer!

Hi, sweet Yvonne! Your pretty flowers are hemlock, and they are poisonous to humans and animals, unlike Queen Anne’s Lace.

https://www.southernliving.com/garden/flowers/poison-hemlock-vs-queen-annes-lace

https://wecomparethem.com/poison-hemlock-vs-queen-annes-lace/

Thanks! They are similar but not the same. Thanks!

Your flowers might be cow parsley.

Love the platform bed!

I love that bed too! Both bedrooms are beautiful I bet you have a hard time getting guests to leave! 😉 Julie was so excited about all she learned and the time spent chatting with you. What a wonderful memory. Hope you have a great summer. Glad we’re hopping together this week.

She is such a darling friend! Thanks for stopping by Cindy!

Yvonne I always enjoy your tours and seeing your summer touches in your bedrooms was such a treat! Your style is so lovely, and I am always so thankful for your tips. I seriously look forward to reading your posts each day as they pop into my email. I’ll be right over to stay in the golf room! I pray you have a wonderful summer full of many blessings and thank you for joining me this week! And just so you know, I love herding cats:) It must be the teacher in me!

Kelly THANK YOU SO MUCH for including me in your beautiful tours!

Yvonne, your home is just so scrollable!! I am team “chop that pillow”…but my husband is on team “I hate all the pillows” …it makes life fun!! I’ve been a fan of yours since way back when I made one of your DIYs, that cute pom-pom wreath. I can’t remember how long ago that was but it was years before I started blogging!! So it’s fun to be in a hop with you today!!

Oh my, I made that pom pom wreath nearly 10 years ago. So glad you stopped by, Jennifer! Happy Summer

Yvonne, Your bedrooms are so stunning. I loved the bedding and outwork in the master bedroom so much.

Absolutely gorgeous! I love a neural color palette. So much fun hopping with you today on this tour. Blessings to you.

Your bedroom is so lovely Yvonne. I was surprised to see your bedding. I have the same set but you have styled it so much nicer than I have. Thank you for the inspiration. I always love touring your gorgeous home. Happy summer.

Love all you do! Do you happen to have a link for the dust ruffle on the above guest bed? Thank you much appreciated Pam

Hi Pam, you can find it on Soft Surroundings. Hope this helps.

Yvonne, Poison hemlock is a plant that grows along the sides of roads and looks very much like Queen Anne’s lace. Be careful that is not what you brought in the house. It is very prevalent in the Pennsylvania area. If you are not sure what it is, get rid of it. It is extremely toxic if ingested and can cause terrible skin rashes as well.

Thanks for the info. I looked up the flower and they are not quite the same, but close. You are so kind to try to help, Theresa.

Always love seeing your home decorated for each new season, Yvonne. Your summer look is so fresh & inviting. How fun to see golf out the window!

Hi Yvonne! Please let me know where the dresser is from in the golf bedroom. It it very nice!

Here you go Jane: https://rstyle.me/+FARhJ3PmIrOHZisEuIuqUw

How beautiful! I love the cozy neutrals and those pretty nightstands are amazing! You scored a great deal on that reversible set too! Wow! Happy summer!

Lovely bedroom tour Yvonne and one that I need to go back and study some more. So relaxing and a look I would achieve for myself or for guest! Pinning!

Lovely bedroom tour Yvonne and one that I need to go back and study some more. So relaxing and a look I would like to achieve for myself or for guest! Pinning!

Your home tour is beautiful. I love how you decorated the bedrooms in neutral, calming colours. The pastoral view out the window is so charming.

Yvonne, your summer home looks lovely. So bright and airy. Perfect for the season. Happy to be touring with you this week. Pinned!

Oh, Yvonne! You have done some LOVELY updates in your bedrooms since our visit! Love that coverlet on your bed as well as the pillows! And the updates in the Golf Room are gorgeous! Hope I get to see them in person, soon! Thanks for the sweet shout-out and for always being there for me, for your mentoring, and for just being such a godly friend! Always love touring with you! Pinned, of course!

Love you, Julie!

Hi Yvonne, I enjoyed seeing your beautiful bedroom decor. Your coverlet is lovely and I am always a fan of flowers and botanical prints! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

Hi Cecilia, thank you! Summer blessing to you too!

Yvonne, these soft, tranquil bedrooms are so so lovely and they are a perfect retreat from hot summer days! I’ve enjoyed going on both parts of your summer tour and always love your amazing fresh style!! It’s always interesting to see how you change things by season but always keep the things you really like in place (like your animal pillow in the family room). I’m so happy to be on this tour with you. Have a wonderful summer!!

So sweet Kate! Thank you! Your traditional home is stunning and I love all your beautiful summer details! Thanks for stopping by.

You’re bedroom is so lovely, Yvonne! I love how bright it is. Mixing the wood and textures creates such a cozy space!

I’m in love with the framed prints in your bedroom and bed skirt in your guest bedroom! I would love info on those! Beautiful summer tour!

Hi Leslie, the prints came from a local shop. And look on Soft Surroundings website for the bed skirt. Hope this helps.

I love your style so much!!! Your bedroom is styled so beautifully!!! I’m loving those prints so much!! Do you have a link for them? I’m feeling inspired by your gorgeous pictures to change up a few things in my bedroom! Thank you for the inspiration!!!

Everything looks so beautiful! Always love your seasonal tours and all the inspiration! Happy Summer!

I am interested in where to buy the bedding and bed skirt in that bedroom

Look on Soft Surroundings.

Love your new comforter set..and that french knot pillow!! But I always love all of your rooms!

Love, love, LOVE your master bedroom tour – so much so that I just purchased the bedding and pillows!

Check out the bottom of the post. It has the items in the tour there.

Your summer bedrooms are lovely! The styling makes the bed so inviting. I don’t see the pillows that you use for sleeping. Are they hiding in the pillow arrangement, or do you store them during the day?

Love your summer bedroom. Thank you for sharing

You are so welcome, Beth. Happy Summer!

Where did you find the baskets over your bed? I love your style! Thanks!

I found them locally. Sorry, I don’t have a source for them.

Could I ask where you bought the 3 round baskets hanging on the wall over your bed. I really like them. Thank you

I found them locally. Sorry I don’t have a source for them.

I love the neutral colors in the bedrooms, but you must be the most minimalist clothes owner I ever seen if you can fit all your clothes in that armoire!

I love everything about your summer bedrooms. I just recently purchased the same quilt that you have in your master bedroom. I LOVE the buffalo check pillows and I followed the link you provided to order them. Would you please provide information on the french knot pillow? Thanks Yvonne for sharing your decorating expertise and also for your Sunday post!

Hi Cheryl, I found the french knot locally. Sorry, I don’t have a source. I’m thrilled you are enjoying all the things you bought.

Always enjoy your blog.

Thanks for sharing. Looks great. Nice views out your windows too.

Beautiful serene and relaxing looking bedroom. Just perfect for summer. The prints above the nightstands are lovely.

Awww…beautiful!…just beautiful! (Inspiration to change some things of mine…thank you!)

Beautiful bedrooms. I love your posts and decorating. Very calm and relaxing. Thank you for sharing.

Lovely! I love the neutral tones. I recently went to white and neutral bedding and just love it. Your room looks beautiful!

Your bedroom is very soothing! I love how you put everything together to make a peaceful room.

I love your blog, and always get such great ideas. My take away from your bedroom post is I love the idea of giving a plant as a take-home gift to my guests. Such a sweet and thoughtful idea. It’s such a perfect way to decorate the room for the company as well as giving them something to remember their visit by

I love how you added the textures in your bedding to keep the neutral colors interesting!

More great tips!! Thank you!!!

I love decorating for the seasons, but I get anxious trying to store the decor until I’m ready to change to the next season.

I love this article. Living in the South, it’s always good to find advice and information on how to make bedrooms lighter and cooler in the summer. I love all the decorations here.

So when can I move in? You make rooms look peaceful and relaxing.

So beautiful in every way! Where did you find the bedskirt in your guest room. I love the texture and flowy look of it. I love all your pillows and the bed set that you found for less than $100. Super cute!

Hi Karin, I found it at Soft Surroundings.

Thanks for the inspiration! The armoire is lovely and the mirror would add so much light to the bedroom.

Just lovely. I think I have that same bed in light gray!

Your bedroom is very calm inviting I to like reverse bedding more option for your money ……bang for your buck ……

Loved your summer bedroom ideas!

Just Lovely

Just Lovely…Awesome Bedroom!! Great Ideas!

Love your bedroom style!

One of my favorite things about summer decorating is changing out the bedding!

Oh, how pretty and welcoming both bedrooms are ! I am not into fung shui either. My dresser is opposite our bed also, which suits just fine. I am particularly attracted to the golf guest bedroom as my husband is an avid golfer. It would be tempting to stay in your pretty bed and not get up. We also use light weight bedding in the summer. Thank you for sharing with us your decor and suggestions.

Beautiful Bedroom!

I love the burlappy dust ruffle on your bed!

So calming! I also love seasonal bedding! I have a variety of patchwork quilts that I rotate with the seasons. Thanks for the tour and info!

Fresh and simple ideas! Thank you!

Wow!! Your bedroom is Beautiful! I like your style!

Love your ideas.

I’ve had a vanity since I was a young girl and can’t imagine living without one. Yours is lovely and mine has a tendency to get quite messy!

I love your blog! I’ve been following you for several years and look forward to getting it. Very helpful and pretty tips❤️

I love your light and airy summer bedroom! BTW…. No chop! ???

Beautiful Bedroom Lavonne. Love the neutrals. Thank you for all your great advise. I need all the help I can get.? Have a wonderful day.

I LOVE the fresh flowers throughout your house for the summer. I just added hydrangeas yesterday to my home fresh from my yard!!

This bedroom is so clean, restful and gorgeous. I really like the spread. love it.

Just beautiful! The neutral palette is always so restful and peaceful. Nice job and great inspiration for my own home!

Loved the tour of your bedrooms – so beautiful – so welcoming – so peaceful! I bet it is hard for your guests to leave! (ha ha)

I just love all the decorating ideas, menus and faith based information you share. My morning routine is to read what you post/share with my coffee.

Keep posting and sharing!

The art work pieces next to the bed look like tapestry. I love the texture they add in the room. Summer time bedding has been a trick for me here. I’m testing out some new sheets but want so badly to try linen. I fear they will be too scratchy? One day I will try. The soft muted shades of white make your bedroom look visually cool. A great thing for summer months. Fall is approaching and I’ve been trying to find the right shade of nut brown for throws I needed last year. They always sell out before I get around to changing out for the season. Fingers crossed I find some this year. Thanks Yvonne!

Love the different textures/patterns you put together on the bedding!

Always love your decor ideas. Bought one of the rugs you recommended previously.

Enjoyed the Summer tours!

I love the light and airy feel of this bedroom! I recently remodeled my bedroom/balcony area and put frameless glass doors (for reference, https://minimasliding.co.uk/ ) but now I want to redecorate the whole room like this! Thanks for the inspiration!

I just love your baskets on the wall above the bed! So cute!

Your use of neutral bedding always seems to brighten up your bedrooms! It’s never boring and always has the clean lines that I love. Your flowers add the perfect pop of color as well!

Your bedrooms are very inviting. I love the soft, neutral colors.

Bedrooms look well put together and relaxing!

I love how you can move decor items from one room to another because of your whole home color palette. I’m trying to incorporate this method into my own home. Thank you for all you decor lessons.

Such beautiful peace bedrooms. Comfort and tranquility!

Looks beautiful! So classy & comfy! Thanks for all the ideas!

love your bedrooms! so tranquil!!

HI Kim, I adore your summer bedroom, looks so light and airy. I am in the midst of changing my bedroom as well, since we have had the set for over 40 years !! Time for a change haha. We started wi a new mattress by Saatva, love it and the customer service. We ordered new furniture that wont be in until November ugh, oh well par for the course these days. I love chopped pillows and my bedding looks similar to yours in the light colors and three big chopped pillows . i always adored your antelope pillows, I believer you had in your family room. I am searching for a cabinet for our TV in the lighter wood color, something different. Any ideas ? Thanks again for all your input I look forward to your emails ea week, especially spiritual advice tool. <3

Check Ballard Designs. They have a few beautiful cabinets.

Thank you for sharing! So inspiring!

I love your summer bedding! I just had to order the blue version! Always enjoy your blog!

this site is so helpful

I’m not a big decorator so this article appealed to me. I didn’t know what a coverlet was, thanks for enlightening me.

So serene and inviting. I absolutely love the quietness of the colors.

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California holiday home tours.

Holiday Home Tours are challenging to produce, requiring many volunteers and months to plan and execute. They are done with love as people open their homes and hearts to help raise money for special people, programs and projects. These ticketed events are often the biggest fundraising effort for clubs or nonprofit organizations.

 November 2023

LA MESA : Annual Historic Home Tour Saturday, November 11, 2023, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.   Mediterranean to Modern Architecture in La Mesa Highlands. $40, lamesahistory.com

OJAI : Ojai Festival Home Look In November 11-12, 2023, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $45 valid for both days - each house may be visited one time, ojaifestival.org The properties include: Smiley's House, Gwynne Cottage, Maison Ojai, Oak Creek Oasis

ORANGE / TUSTIN : Orange Jack & Jill Guild Holiday Home Tour November 17, 2023, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Includes three beautiful homes in Lemon Heights and Orange Park Acres. Each home features inspiring architecture, design and landscaping elements that reflect the beautiful and serene surroundings. All proceeds benefit CHOC Children's Hospital. $65 presale includes lunch, foundation.choc.org/guilds/jack-and-jill/

TEMECULA : Temecula 37th annual Holiday Home Tour November 18-19, 2023, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Includes Spanish Hacienda; Italian Villa; and French Garden Living. Plateau Vineyards, 20170 Sierra Soto Rd., Murrieta, CA, hosts the Marketplace shopping & vendors. $42, Bistro $21,  tvwc.com

FRESNO : Fresno La Comida Guild Home Tour, Tea & Boutique November 30-December 1, 2023, 1-4 p.m. lacomidaguild.org Thursday Evening Preview & Gala at The Fort begins at 4:30 p.m. with shopping at our boutique including a champagne reception and host bar, hors d�oeuvres, sit-down dinner and an exclusive tour of five beautiful Fresno area homes. Cost is approx. $150 | Friday Home Tour, Tea & Boutique Tea & Boutique open from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. with one of a kind items. Homes are open for viewing in a self-guided tour from 9- a.m.-4 p.m.

December 2023

AVALON : Holiday Open House at Mt. Ada December 1, 2023, 2-6 p.m. Tour the grand Wrigley home open only once a year to the public. Cookies, drinks and Santa Claus.   Presented by the Catalina Island Foundation, Catalina Island Company and Catalina Island Women's Forum. Approx. $5 per person ticket, catalinaislandfoundation.org   Must be 14 years or older to attend. Mt. Ada, 398 Wrigley Rd., Avalon CA 90704 (310)427-2450 (in the past there has been a $ Taxi running continuously 1:45-6:30 p.m. from the Tour Plaza to Mt. Ada)

HERMOSA BEACH : Hermosa Beach Sandpipers Holiday Homes Tour December 1-3, 2023, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fri.&Sat.; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sun. $, sandpipers.org

LONG BEACH : A Victorian Holiday Celebration at the Bembridge House December 1-12, 2023 (not confirmed), a historic home owned and operated by Long Beach Heritage. Magical display of decorations enhanced by docent-led  tours. Everyone is invited to attend the Bembridge House tours and enjoy the yummy cookies.  The Friday night tour is for adults only, because �Holiday Wassail� (wine) is served, along with light refreshments. Friday Night Parking - Please use the parking lot behind 927 Daisy Ave. The Daytime Tours 1-3:30 p.m. (Saturday, Sunday and Tuesdays), tickets cost $15 (children when accompanied by an adult are free). The ticket cost for the Nighttime adults-only Tour 6-7:30 p.m. tickets are $20, lbheritage.org

MOUNTAIN VIEW : Christmas at Our House December 1-2, 2023. On Friday guests enjoy a Boutique, Cookies and Coffee Cart, Champagne reception, Student Showcase Production and Christmas Gala. | Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. features Boutique Cookies and Coffee Cart, High Tea and Student Performers. sfhs.com

PASADENA : 56th Annual Holiday Look In Holiday Home Tour December 2-3, 2023,  9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. See 4 elegant homes decorated  for the holidays showcase beautiful gardens and the magnificent architecture embellished by the talent of the finest floral designers. Enjoy a feast for the eyes and ears as you leisurely stroll through the homes and gardens while docents point out interesting features and musicians provide holiday music in the background. Visit the free Holiday Look In Boutique w $45, pasadenaholidaylookin.org

PASADENA : Holiday Tour at Castle Green December 2, 2023, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  125-year-old Castle Green, one of only two times each year that it's open to the public. Visit 25+ private condominiums, the Penthouse, and the iconic Bridge, as well as the ground floor that's decked in holiday finery. Built in 1898, the Castle was designed by architect Frederick I. Roehrig with influence of Moorish, Spanish, and Victorian elements and has turn of the century glamour and charm. Location: 99 S. Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA  $60-70, castlegreen.com

LOS ANGELES : Grier Musser Museum Victorian Christmas House Tour Sunday, December 3, 2023, 1-4 p.m. Guided Tours and Refreshments provided. | Location: 403 S Bonnie Brae St. Los Angeles, California, CA Guided Tours start at 1 & 2:30 p.m. Admission: $15, $6 child, griermussermuseum.org 

REDLANDS : YMCA 56th annual Holiday Home Tour December 3, 2023, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Event features 6 homes: Hopkins Home - Silverleaf Ct.; Krejci Home - Sunset Drive; Kavanaugh Home - Valle Vista Drive; Canada Home - Mariposa Drive; Miraflores Home ( University of Redlands) - Highland Ave.; and Raphael & Maeder Home - Parkwood Drive.  $40, or $90 patron ticket which includes champagne brunch at Citrone Restaurant & front of the line VIP acces,  ymcaeastvalley.org/events/hometour

RIO VISTA : Holiday Home Tour December 2, 2023, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (held only on odd-numbered years) The program contains a map of seven festive and unique homes on the tour. The event is held in conjunction with the Rio Vista Museum Olde Tyme Holiday Faire, annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the end of Main St., followed by a lighted boat parade. Hosted by RioVision $25 general, $50 VIP, riovistavision.com | eventbrite.com

ROSSMOOR : Holiday Home Tour December 2, 2023, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Five beautifully decorated homes in an annual event produced by Rossmoor Woman's Club. Event is held first Saturday in December each year. $25, rossmoorwomansclub.com

SACRAMENTO : Sacramento Sacred Heart 50th annual Holiday Home Tour December 1-3, 2023, self-guided walking tour of five magnificent homes in Sacramento's Fabulous Forties neighborhood. Decorated for the holidays by top area interior designers and florists,  tour takes approx. two hours from start to finish. Friday 12-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $40, $35 senior, sacredhearthometour.com

SANTA CLARA : Santa Clara Historic Home Tour December 1-2, 2023 2023 tour features Santa Clara Woman's Club Adobe and four private homes: an adobe circa 1790; Carpenter Gothic circa 1861; Queen Anne Cottage circa 1895; Spanish Eclectic circa 1933; and a Spanish Revival circa 1935. Decorated for the holidays, docents provide information about the house and the families who once lived there.. Check in starts at Peña Adobe. Ticket $25-35, sc-hometour.com On December 3, 2023 Harris Lass House Museum at 1889 Market Street in Santa Clara will be open for a free event, no tickets needed. Visitors can tour the house and take photos with Santa! 

WOODLAND : Dickens in the Valley Holiday Home Tour Saturday, December 2, 2023, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Five  beautiful Woodland homes decorated in Holiday Splendor:  1813 Estrada Drive,  1440 Blanchard Drive, 15475 Country Road 97A,  18202 Gadwall Street, and 1404 Midway Drive. Event sponsored by Friends of Meals on Wheels as a fundraiser. $30-40, eventbrite.com

LOOMIS : Holiday Home Tour December 9, 2023, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Select Loomis, Granite Bay, Rocklin & Roseville homes are on tour. Boutique is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Pick up your wristband at H. Clarke Powers School and start tour of decorated homes in the local area. $, This event is organized by the Loomis Basin Education Foundation. Add on experiences include $25 Luncheon and $100 VIP reception with private evening tour. $45 daytime tour, loomisholiday.com

ALPINE : Alpine Woman's Club Holiday Home Tour December 9, 2023, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $35-40, alpinewomansclub.org

BALBOA : Balboa Island Holiday Home Tour December 10, 2023, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $35 approx., balboaislandnb.org Tour 8 uniquely decorated Island homes in this pleasurable walking tour sponsored by Balboa Island Improvement Association.

SAN FRANCISCO :   The Victorian Alliance of San Francisco presents: Victorian Alliance Holiday Home Tours  December 10, 2023, 3-7 p.m. at Alamo Square neighborhood. Location: Hayes at Steiner San Francisco CA, 94117  $10-$50, tourvictorians.com   Tour  five glittering, lavishly-decorated  homes in the Alamo Square neighborhood, known for the city's most iconic Victorians. See the main floor principal rooms of each home, decorated in high-Victorian style as docents provide stories about the homes, their histories, and why they are decorated in certain ways.  Proceeds from the ticket sales will help the VASF, San Francisco's oldest all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization committed to the restoration and preservation of historically significant structures.   

RANCHO CUCAMONGA : Christmas House Inn  usually offers an Annual Open House (last year it was Dec.11.2022) with two sessions. The popular wedding and special events venue  is open to the public but reservations go fast starting in mid-November. $15 last year, christmashouseinn.com

Past events

SAN FRANCISCO: Home Tour October  no 2023 info Historic Heights: 25 Years of Tradition elegant private residences steeped in art and history and exquisite architecture in Presidio Heights. This is a fundraiser for Junior League SF. $65-up, jlsf.org

SAN SIMEON: Hearst Castle Holiday Twilight tours will be available on select nights  - no new dates posted as of 10/17/23 $30-up, reservations 1-800-444-4445 hearstcastle.org/tour-hearst-castle/ daily-tours/ holiday-twilight-tour/ Wind your way through the grounds, Casa del Sol-guest house, and the grand social rooms of Casa Grande 

VISTA: Vista Holiday Home Tour was virtual in 2022. vistacommunityclinic.org  

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.

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2022 home tour is over. take a look at a previous home tour, 2019 home tour—41st anniversary.

The 2019 tour featured four private homes plus the Mission Branch Library:

Colonial Revival

Italianate/colonial revival, spanish eclectic cottage.

The Santa Clara Historic Home Tour began in 1978 to showcase unique homes in the City and to benefit local nonprofits. A few years later the tour became a holiday event sponsored by the Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara (HPSSC) with assistance from the Old Quad Residents’ Association (OQRA). Last year our efforts benefited the following community programs and sites: the Santa Clara Elks Lodge #2347 ENF Scholarship Fund, the Santa Clara Mission Branch Library Renovation Project & Historical Collection, the Santa Clara Central Park Library for the Heritage Pavilion, the South Bay Historic Railroad Society, the Saint Claire Hook & Ladder Historical Society, the Santa Clara Woman’s Club Adobe Restoration Project, the Bill Wilson Center-Quetzal House Upgrades, the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps and the Santa Clara Parade of Champions.

The tour demonstrates how vintage buildings have been restored to create delightful structures. Sharing these city jewels helps demonstrate the value of keeping historic neighborhoods intact. This tour has become a Santa Clara tradition. A special thank you to the dozens of volunteers who work long hours throughout the year to bring this event to our community. We appreciate City Historian Lorie Garcia’s beautifully written and thorough home histories and descriptions. Thanks also to Mary Hanel, Retired City Librarian, for her research and contributions to our program.

Corporate Sponsors

Sponsored by.

Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara

With Assistance From

Old Quad Residents' Association

Historic and Cultural Projects in Santa Clara

©2019,2020,2021 Santa Clara Historic Home Tour

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Housing | Bay Area home prices at highest levels since…

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Housing | bay area home prices at highest levels since summer 2022, home sales in march fell year-over-year, but prices are still going up.

Homebuyers could be forgiven for thinking it was 2022.

As of March, the median sales price of a home in the nine-county Bay Area was $1.39 million, according to new data from the California Association of Realtors . That brings prices back up to levels last seen two years ago, and marks a 15.5% increase from this time last year — the biggest spike among California’s regions.

It’s a sign that prices have recovered from the dip they took during the fall of 2022, following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike that sent home sales activity into a downward spiral. Single-family home prices are now at $1.4 million in Alameda County, $890,000 in Contra Costa County, $1.75 million in San Francisco, $2.2 million in San Mateo County, and $1.9 million in Santa Clara County.

“Buyers in the Bay Area are realizing that there’s no point in waiting for rates to come down,” said David Stark, spokesman for the Bay East Association of Realtors. “Across the board, we’re looking at very robust price appreciation.”

But high prices are where the resemblance with 2022 largely ends.

Inventory is way down, as current mortgage rates of over 7%   keep would-be sellers with historically low pandemic-era mortgages — in some cases below 3% — rooted in place. And when a home does hit the market, there’s a good chance buyers will end up in a bidding war.

The persistent lack of supply has driven down home-buying activity — across the nine counties, sales dipped in March by 5.4% year-over-year. Contra Costa County saw the biggest hit to sales, with a decrease of 21%. Low inventory helped drive the median sales price in the county up 9.5%.

For buyers, the steeper home prices and higher interest rates are a double whammy, pushing homeownership even further out of reach for many. Even just a few points of difference in interest rate can add hundreds of dollars to a monthly payment.

Buyers aren’t expected to get relief from high interest rates anytime soon. Though some economists predict rates will decline in the latter half of this year, stronger-than-expected inflation data in recent weeks could mean the Federal Reserve will keep rates at their existing level. Mortgage rates tend to track interest rates.

Despite that, real estate agents say there’s fierce competition among buyers, as some of the pent-up demand from the typically slower winter home-buying and selling season comes surging back.

“Even with interest rates where they are, buyers are still aggressively pursuing these homes,” said Ned Laugharn, a real estate agent in San Jose. “People are jumping in, because the house prices are going up faster than the interest rates are coming down.”

Agents at Laugharn’s brokerage firm, Silicon Valley Premier Properties, have seen as many as 20 offers on a single home. Buyers are making major concessions, such as forgoing inspections, and often bidding far over asking price.

“The competition is back to what it was before the market slowed down,” Laugharn said.

Uncertainty over real estate commissions following a major settlement by the National Association of Realtors doesn’t seem to be giving buyers any pause either, agents say.

Homes are spending an average of just 10 days on the market these days in Santa Clara County, down from 14 at this time last year, according to Redfin data from March . Compare that to 22 in San Francisco, 13 in San Mateo and Contra Costa counties, and 12 in Alameda County.

The competition is surprising some buyers, who are having to wrap their heads around the idea that pandemic-era bidding wars may be back.

Brian Fitzpatrick has spent the last six weeks house hunting in the East Bay. He’d noticed that inventory was limited, he said, which is why he’d been waiting to look until the spring, when people are traditionally more likely to list.

“I looked at some houses last week in Montclair — one of them was sold at 30% more than asking,” he said.

“I would love to find a house today and stop looking,” said Fitzpatrick, who — after spending the last few years between Oakland and Lake Tahoe — is hoping to make the return to city life. “Who wants to spend all their time house hunting?”

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