Mrs. G has put out a call to her legions of loyal readers--share the heart of your house with me. What a grand idea. In fact, most of my (Almost) Wordless Wednesdays have featured things I love in my house, many of them inherited from my mother.
I have always taken my job as a "homemaker" seriously, and I love the home I've created for my family. Everything has been done on a budget, and eclectic is definitely my decorating scheme. Of course it's a work in progress. It's definitely a labor of love.
We began our house search with a list of our priorities. I found a house that fulfilled everything on the list that was non-house related (cul-de-sac, canyon location, walking distance to swim club/grocery store, specific school we desired). The one thing that wasn't that great was the actual house. Ever the visionary, I realized the house is the only thing on the list you can change.
And change we did. Over the course of 2 major remodels we took an 1100 square foot house on pie-shaped cul-de-sac lot to 2600 square feet. It was easy-peasy. Actually, it was a nightmare that I've conveniently blocked. You know how childbirth wasn't that painful in retrospect? It's a lot like that.
Now for the tour . . . Let's step into the foyer.
Like Mary Alice, this dresser is where I store my table linens. Also, thank you cards and art supplies.
Can you tell I'm into displaying my family photos?
Formal living room what? How about we put a pool table in there instead? Did I mention that I love natural light. Window coverings why?
The kitchen/great room is truly my vision. If I'm in the kitchen, I'm still in the thick of things. I have the perfect work triangle.
Please, sit at the bar and have a glass of wine while I finish dinner.
Yes, it's a big couch. Then again, we are a large (in quantity, not necessarily bulk) family!
Formal dining room, why? Let's just eat in the great room!
Separate office/computer room? No, then we wouldn't be together!
Spend a fortune on bookcases? Not after I found these on clearance for $10.00 each. Yeah, baby--10 bucks apiece! On my wish list? New wooden frames for all my photos, adding more, and rehanging them. What's stopping me? A little thing called sending 3 more kids to college in the next 4 years, starting NOW.
To me a house just wouldn't be a home without an animal or two (or four or five if you want to include the cats and the snake).
Controlled chaos--the "staging area."
Back hallway
Area rug/floor sampler
Thanks for stopping by. I can't wait to see your place! Thanks again to Mrs. G for hosting, isn't she the best?
It's a great home - it's a great house!!!
Have a good Friday, Jenn - see you - Kellan
Posted by: Kellan | June 27, 2008 at 02:02 AM
Your house is beautiful. I love your kitchen triange-your personality really comes through. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Mrs. G. | June 27, 2008 at 02:11 AM
This is such a fun idea! I loved your tour. Especially the kitchen!
Posted by: JCK | June 27, 2008 at 02:37 AM
Snake? Really? Oh my.
Jenn, your home really reflects you. So homey, organized, and special.
Posted by: Cheri @ Blog This Mom! | June 27, 2008 at 03:01 AM
I absolutely, positively LOVE your home!!! The kitchen is fabulous and I seriously want to steal that couch!!
Posted by: bichonpawz | June 27, 2008 at 03:09 AM
Jenn, your home is lovely and looks so comfortable. I want your kitchen! Your comment was dead on, too. An inviting bed does become so much more important as I get older. I just love sinking into my pillow at night and I allow myself to wake up slowly in the a.m. No kids in school, no alarms anymore. YAY!
Posted by: Tina | June 27, 2008 at 03:23 AM
Can I come and just live in your sofa!?! or your kitchen, either one is okay with me!!! I love your house....the bad thing about this is that I can't tell you right now, I'm going to get the itch to own my own home!!! I need to get my pictures up!!!
Posted by: debbie | June 27, 2008 at 03:39 AM
Delicious wine....and gorgeous home....even just seeing it 'virtually' you can see how welcoming it is, and how important your family are - really special.
H
x
Posted by: hen | June 27, 2008 at 03:51 AM
Your home is lovely--thanks for the tour!
Now, about that glass of wine...
Posted by: Jennifer H | June 27, 2008 at 04:52 AM
Your home is lovely--thanks for the tour!
Now, about that glass of wine...
Posted by: Jennifer H | June 27, 2008 at 04:53 AM
Oh. I'll take the pool table and the dogs, OK?
Posted by: manager mom | June 27, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Love love love your kitchen. At our last station we owned our home and it had a big kitchen with a bar right in the center of things. I loved being able to cook and talk with the kids or guests sitting at the bar. I miss it.
I also love your bench in the hallway and the linen dresser....we think so much a like. Love all your family photos....that makes it a house of love. What color red is that on the wall?
It's just so comfy and inviting...I want to stay for dinner.
Posted by: Mary Alice | June 27, 2008 at 06:58 AM
OH, what a lovely home you have made for your family. There is elegance and beauty, but also lots of room for fun and feeling comfortable. I applaud you. I would love to be one of those friends who could just drop by and sit a spell...
Posted by: Chatty | June 27, 2008 at 07:20 AM
How fun! I will have to try this. I love your home. And I would love to have a glass of wine at your bar while you finish dinner!
Posted by: Denise | June 27, 2008 at 08:23 AM
you know, your house is MIGHTY clean, and look at those fantastic beagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: gary | June 27, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Everything looks so comfortable! I'm so impressed by your creative re-use of the living room.
Posted by: Jen on the Edge | June 27, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I love your foyer! I wish that I had one!
Posted by: Mama Zen | June 27, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I love your home, I think because I see a lot of things that would look good in mine. We have similar styles. In fact our kitchen/family room is the same layout and it's my favorite thing about our house. And I am fairly certain we have the same light fixture over our dining table.
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Now I'm off to do this myself.
ps where did you find the $10 book cases? I NEED those!
Posted by: Karen | June 27, 2008 at 09:24 AM
I *knew* I'd love your home! It's beautiful, and very welcoming.
Posted by: Dharmamama | June 27, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Alesia | June 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Oh I love your kitchen. It looks like a great place just to hang out. I also love natural light, I don't understand people that keep heavy curtains drawn all the time.
Posted by: Memarie Lane | June 27, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Wow - I really love your house - it just looks so inviting. Maybe one day I'll drop by for a glass of wine.
Your new header is darling BTW!
Posted by: Don Mills Diva | June 27, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I LOVE YOUR HOUSE. I am moving in next week. You didn't show us upstairs, but I'm hoping there's a bedroom for me - someone's going away to college, right?
Posted by: The Girl Next Door | June 27, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Oh, I LOVE this. I feel so welcome, like I really am at the bar, watching you finish up dinner. What a warm home. LOVE it!
(P.S. We should get our beagles together for a play date. Huh? Okay, it's just an excuse to get together again really.)
Posted by: Just Jamie | June 27, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I loved the warm kitchen too. Your home is so inviting...
Posted by: Lisa Milton | June 27, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I love seeing your place. Thanks for letting us in. Your home looks so warm and happy.
Posted by: San Diego Momma | June 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Oops - hit the wrong button - too excited about the Beagles. We have two beagles too - Rugby and Riley - aren't they the best dogs ever?
Thanks for the pics.
Posted by: Angie | June 27, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Love your place. You've definitely attended to detail far more than me and I like the way your space feels!
Do stop by for a visit if you get a chance!
Posted by: Asthmagirl | June 27, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Lovely, Jenn. I SO TOTALLY COULD NEVER HAVE A WHITE TILE KITCHEN COUNTER WITH WHITE GROUT. To me, that tells so much about your personality RIGHT THERE. Come look at my place. My granite is black with hints of charcoal and caramel color. That so depicts my personality.
KEEP BELIEVING
Posted by: Angie @ Keep Believing | June 27, 2008 at 12:22 PM
sigh...I'm drooling, thank you very much.
Hey...I thought of you this morning. I was taking my clothes out of the dryer and noticing how very wrinkled they were (left 'em in overnight AND that was another load in there I didn't notice when I put the second one it...hey, it was dark and the dryer's on the porch.) and thought...WWJD? I KNEW you'd never be in this situation to begin with, and KNEW you'd iron the pants in a heart beat. Guess what I did? Since I have NO idea where the iron is...I sprayed the pants with wrinkle out and put 'em back in the dryer for 5 minutes. Voila!
Posted by: Janet | June 27, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Jenn,you have a lovely home.I wish I had a pool table,well maybe not I'd have no place to put it.
Posted by: mike golch | June 27, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Hey!
We have that print of the French street scene too!
Your house looks very comfy.
Posted by: blackbird | June 27, 2008 at 01:19 PM
What a friendly home! I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the photos!
Posted by: Smalltown Mom | June 27, 2008 at 01:42 PM
May I have the wine now? It's 5 o'clock somewhere.
Posted by: standing still | June 27, 2008 at 02:59 PM
I'm coming over for wine too. Lovely home.
Posted by: oliver rain | June 27, 2008 at 03:29 PM
My couch would like to get your couch's phone number. I'm also sending a big ROOH!! to your Beagle.
Posted by: Tootsie Farklepants | June 27, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Wow, your house is beautiful and so warm and inviting!!! Thanks for the tour!!
Posted by: Karen MEG | June 27, 2008 at 04:45 PM
The internet: the next best thing to being there.
Posted by: Jason | June 27, 2008 at 05:45 PM
As a person who is certified in Feng Shui I will tell you that pics of the family belong everywhere BUT in the bedroom. I'm also a redesigner and it's one of the things I have to tell people over and over. Do not have your family and friends looking over your bed. For obvious reasons!
Posted by: Suzy | June 27, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Great place - perfect blend of pretty, peaceful, and practical.
Posted by: wenderina | June 27, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Beautiful! The effort you've put it into it really shows!
Posted by: Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy | June 27, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Beagles?! I LOVE them! Beautiful, homey home also. I would have expected nothing less.
Posted by: Irish Goddess | June 27, 2008 at 08:20 PM
What a beautiful home! It looks like family. Congrats!
Posted by: Over-Medicated Housewife | June 27, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Gorgeous! And more importantly, welcoming & loving. I particularly adore your red wall.
Frugal framing tip: Get wooden ones at Goodwill or garage sales, then either do a mass spray paint of whatever color you want, or brush on white for a shabby chic look.
Posted by: stephanie (bad mom) | June 27, 2008 at 09:50 PM
How true that the house is easier to change than anything else about the location. That's the reason we bought ours too, thought it needed lots of work. Great job on the addition; your home is beautiful!
Posted by: Kimberly | June 27, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Ahhh, that was a satisfying house tour! It seems like you have great natural lighting throughout too. Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: so NOT cool | June 27, 2008 at 11:31 PM
So beautiful. What more can I say, that hasn't already been said?
Posted by: Jennifer | June 28, 2008 at 02:40 AM
I love the openness of the kitchen/great room. And the rug patterns! Don't apologize for liking things neat! I'm so messy, but I have come to truly appreciate a clear surface. I long for them.
Posted by: Laura | June 28, 2008 at 04:46 AM
Love the way the diamond tilted backsplash mimics the cathedral ceiling in the great room.
Thanks for the tour. Oh! I forgot my hostess gift. How embarassing.
Posted by: Manic Mommy | June 28, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Oh, Jenn, I am perfectly "at home" in your home! Too many words to describe how it feels come to me. "Beauty to my Heart" keeps ringing in my head, and that is not just a physical beauty.
When released, I'm having them bring straight to your place! In the meantime I just keep looking at the pictures, and imagine living in there 24/7; it feels so comforting, so right.
Posted by: Ragdoll Billie | June 29, 2008 at 09:14 AM