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First Floor Photo Tour

OUR 1st HOUSE

My house feels left out. 

I tried to explain to it that we haven’t stopped loving it.  That it’s okay sometimes to share the limelight.  I even attempted to make it understand the magnitude of being on The Nate Berkus Show… but no, no, no.  It feels ditched.  desserted.  dumped.     

I don’t want it to feel like that little Spears sister so I decided to focus a little harder on making it feel special.  Do you mind?  Do you think that maybe we could bring the excitement over the new house and the new photography business venture down a few notches and give our current home the thunder it wants and needs?  Do you think that it would be weird to really savor the last few weeks in this house by just givin’ it our all? 

Is that so hard a request?  to milk this thing?  to show you every nook & cranny?  to dive into it like a wrongly accused convict who escaped from prison and had to plunge off a cliff into the raging ocean below narrowly escaping dogs, police and a shower of gunfire?  (man I gotta stop watching so many movies…)

I am going to assume your silence means yes…you would love that.  So here we go – let’s do a little photo tour of our first floor.  Maybe I’ll just ramble about whatever comes to mind with that particular room.  That’ll be fun.  Funner than a Tina Fey movie.  again Katie…put the remote away.  and try to remember that nothing is funner than Tina Fey.  geesh.

Here’s the dining room…

It’s been so long since I showed you some of these rooms that it kinda makes me teary eyed!

This one is especially fun to show you because this room is really only used for special occasions and parties.  It’s not everyday that we go into this space…so the memories I have in here are sooo positive.  The fun showers, the gatherings, the times we told friends that we were pregnant, the time that we have romantic dinners…this is where all that happened. 

 

Currently we have a bunch of clean blue and woven stuff going on for the table and buffet.  I thought it was nice for the fresh new year.  You may also notice that we kept the lemon branches out.  I don’t know why I love them…but I am still diggin’ the color yellow…I know it’s kinda been on the design-radar for a while but I don’t care if it’s old-news, I love it. 

Moving onto our first floor bathroom.  Not much to say in here.  I still love the striped towels and the crisp palette of neutralness.

Here’s an angle you haven’t seen before.  Yes – I had to cram myself into the corner to get this shot.   It probably would have been easier to just change my lens but I like a challenge that involves small spaces and my large youknowwhat.

On the other side of the room is our little bathroom cabinet.  This is one of my favorite transformations.  It’s amazing what white paint can do!

Okay…keep going in the house and you will probably find yourself in the kitchen.  Do you realize that we laid those hardwood floors?  Did I ever tell you that?  Sometimes I am so impressed with myself.

And the curtains are new.  Originally I bought the fabric to make a nursing cover.  Then the dangpeople (that’s one word) over at Udder Covers sent me a discount code.  So the fabric was turned into curtains. 

 

I love how open the window is now. 

Did you also realize that we did EVERY thing in this kitchen except for lay the countertops?  And the only reason we didn’t do that was because the installation was included…

man, I feel so impressive that I should probably wear a badge that says WATCH OUT – I THINK I CAN DO IT!

I would like to see the reaction to such a badge.  Especially in public restrooms.

Here’s a little seen view of our house…kitchen to den.  yup.  this is where I live 90% of my life.  right here.

And the angle from the other direction.  Amazing to think that when we bought this house, there was a wall of cabinets that separated these two rooms, huh?  It’s true.  I tore into them on day 8 or something like that.  Right after throwing a bridal shower for a friend.  It was luau themed. 

The den had to say goodbye to the Christmas tree.  I probably would have cried if I wasn’t running around like a rabid dog screaming Nate Berkus! 

I redid the mantle.  I love it.  I was going for a modern-esque-meets-old-world look.  eclectic.  but classy. 

And our coffee table got a makeunder – I just placed the antler on there.  Will is mobile thus Will grabs whatever is on said coffee table thus one item is easier to move thus one item is on said coffee table.

You see that hole in the wall?  The hole that most would call a doorway?  Yup…that is the reason that I said that they keep free books at the library.  in front of an audience.  and Oprah’s designer.  and a million people. 

It leads to the living room.

Did you realize that this room right here shows my biggest design delimma?  You see that couch?  yeah.  And you see that next room through the hole?  The one where I put two chairs?  yeah.  Do you realize we used to have two couches?  side by side.  with a small wall separating them.  And I didn’t know what to do.  So I got rid of the one in the den and started over.  But yeah – when two people (each with a couch) gets married, this is what could happen.  Consider yourself warned.

This is Jeremy’s favorite view. 

Also, I switched out the ottoman covers for ones that had green piping. 

Cute huh?

I get lots of questions about our couch.  We love it.  We would definitely recommend white couches with slipcovers that are washable.  To date we have removed chocolate, blood, Kool-Aid, Gatoraide, soda, barbeque sauce, chili, mexican, and poop from it.  yes.  I said poop.

We also put our spring time pillows back on there.  I love that each one is different.  it makes me happy.  And yes, we love having lots of pillows on our couch…usually we end up fighting over at least one.

We also have found the easiest way to keep our coffee table decorated but baby-proofed is with this tray.  Since it is easily removable, we take it and put it higher up for when Will is practicing his cruising. 

Our green chairs.  I love them.  They are like the Kate Spade of our living room.  I also think I should sew some easy slipcovers for them…don’t know why but that just inspired me…hmm….maybe in a white linen with a pleated edge….

So that is our first floor photo tour (and some random information).  What do you think?  Anyone miss Christmas decor?  I do.  Maybe I am just getting nostalgic for it because it will probably be the last one we ever see in this house.  (weepweep!)  But it’s nice to have a house that is seasonally neutral enough to show to potential renters or buyers (psst…we had one come through today!). 

okay – so let’s chat….about anything…ready set go….

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Comments

  1. I love this house. If we lived in Georgia, I would buy it. And continue to give it all the love it is used to.

    You know that tray you have in your living room on the coffee table? You know the elephant you have in it? Where did you get that?! I have a slight elephant obsession, and I want that one next.

  2. We still have Christmas decor up. Usually, I forget to put up our (fake) white poinsettias, and those are still up, but we also have a little “Merry Christmas” thingie on our fireplace. It’s white outside. I figure I can get away with it for a few more days. Did you make your slipcovers or did you buy them? I was convinced I would never find slipcovers for our couch, but I’m fairly certain it’s the same shape as yours which is why I was curious.

  3. I love your house – wish we were moving there instead of Richmond (maybe) so we could buy it! Question: do you ever wish you had the tv in the den so you can watch it from the kitchen?

  4. Okay, I know you said you love the white slipcovered couch…do you have any stain removing secrets/tips? We don’t have children yet and I still can’t keep our white duvet clean. It just looks dingy despite bleaching or oxyclean!

  6. Husband: What are you doing? Me: Ugh, I LOOOVE this house. Husband: Is it for sale? Me: Yes, but not in our town. Or state. Or the midwest.

    I think we need to relocate.

  8. Love your style KB! Got a question – where did you get the lamp shades for the lamps in the living room? I remember you painting your “trophies”, but don’t remember the shade buying. I need a shade for cheap and Target is sold out. Thanks!

  9. My two favorite things:
    1. The mirrors in the dining room. I’m DYING to do this in my own place.
    2. That navy blue and white polka dot pillow in the living room.
    3. The green piped ottomans

    Okay okay, that was 3, you got me. But honestly, how can I only pick two things I love when I LOOOVVEEE your whole house!

  10. beautiful house, katie. i just love how crisp and clean and beautifully decorated it is– and to know that you did it on a shoestring!

    and the photos are just stunning. [*note to self- need a 5d]

    i would totally buy this house.

  11. I agree with the first comment, Love this house!! Especially the outside of it, looks so charming. If only we lived in Georgia and not on the other side of the states.

  12. I just saw CG on Nate and can’t wait to see you- please remind us when it is airing, ok?! 🙂

  14. I so love the den/family room area of your house and they are what originally attracted me to your blog! I browsed the house tour and saw those preppy navy dot and striped pillows and the green accent chairs and I was in love! They are rather Kate Spade like, but I always think of them as the JCrew chairs/pillows. Plus I love those leather chairs in the den, I need to hunt some of those down!

  16. ok… holdthephone. do you not have a highchair/boosterchair??? where do you guys eat meals? at the breakfast bar in the kitchen? just curious because you said you use the dining room infrequently, and you don’t appear to have a kitchen table…

  20. I love this house! You should be so proud of all your hard work!!!! Your decorating is beautiful!! Can I ask where you got the 3 green boxes by you tv????

  22. well Liz, we do have a highchair – it’s folded up and put away when these photos were taken. And we typically eat meals at the breakfast bar or right in front of the television. yeah…we are those people 🙂
    xo – kb

  23. Your living room is my favorite. Love the pillows, the ottoman slipcovers and those green chairs! You know, there is one view of your living room that I don’t think you’ve ever shown – looking directly at the TV from the couch. What is above the TV on the wall? 🙂

    It’s sad that I knew immediately what was new (kitchen curtains, slipcovers).

  26. Hi Kellie,
    We didn’t do anything special…we do bleach and use oxyclean spray for spot removal…but no real tricks. Typically we do not pop the slipcover into the dryer until it’s absolutely clean – that way the spots do not get set in.
    xo – kb

  27. Everything looks so good! I adore your style. My husband and I are thinking of adding a bar to our kitchen, so I have to know where you got the barstools?

  29. Hi Robin,
    To be honest…no. As much as I love my reality tv shows and my movies and my DVR, there is a joy in no television. The ability to just turn it out and enjoy life as it unfolds is a thing that I love very much. I think if I could see the tv from the kitchen, I would lose a lot of the things that make me smile. you know…the simple joys 🙂 I’m sure some people can tune out the tv…but not me.
    xo – kb

  34. Hi Colleen,
    They are from Crate & Barrel. They actually were an early birthday present to myself a couple years ago.
    xo – kb

  35. Times was plural…because we actually have more than one friend. shocking, I know.
    xo – kb
    p.s. WE ARE NOT PREGNANT!

  36. LOVE your house. LOVE your style. I was wondering if you painted the barstools or if they came white?

  37. I just recently discovered your website after we bought a house and have started the renovation/decorating process ourselves….we are hooked on your site and love reading the archives! You are inspiring us to do more! Can’t wait to see what comes with the new dream house. Quick question – where are those green chairs from? They are gorgeous…please don’t tell me from goodwill 🙂

  39. They came in white 🙂 I know…they weren’t listed online in white but they were there when we came to see the wood-colored version.
    xo – kb

  41. I love your house. All the clean whiteness and springy green. I think need some springy green in the frozen tundra of western pa.

    What color tans are your rooms? They seem like the tans I’ve been looking for… after like 15 paint samples

    Thanks!

  42. I love them too! We have the regular-height chair version of them for our kitchen table (but in dark wood).

  43. You are semi-hilarious. I giggled out loud at least twice. 🙂

    Love your house, by the way.

  44. Chat about anything? Now THAT I can do! No, but really, I just got caught back up this week’s posts (boo to storms killing internet!) and I gotta say, I admire the way that you have shaped your life to do what you love and honor God through it all. I think that’s the coolest thing I’ve gotten from hanging out in the blogging community– watching (ermm… creeping) people like you that are living examples of how to honor God with your gifts. So thanks! 🙂

  45. That one took me a sec too. Then I realized that you announced *one* Will to different sets of friends. lol

    Your house is gorgeous, and I hope the visit today turns into something concrete!

    Need to watch Centsational Girl tonight but sooo excited to see you on Nate next week! 😀 xo

  48. Hi Jackie –
    The den and dining room are painted with Olympic’s Dusty Trail and the living room is…I don’t remember. BUT you can go to the OUR CRIB page and scroll down till you see the source list link – it has every paint color and item listed.
    xo – kb

  49. Katie, your house is absolutely darling. Quick question — We recently bought white slipcovers (from Ikea) that fit our existing hand-me-down (not Ikea) couches perfectly… They are about ready for a wash, but I’m scared I’ll screw it up! What do you do? Do you bleach every time? Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

  50. Wash them right away…Bleach the first time and definitely don’t dry all the way…that way if it shrinks a little, it will still fit nice and snug. If you get a spot, spot treat it before washing 🙂
    xo – kb

  51. Your house is amazing — I cannot believe it’s still on the market! It shows beautifully and is going to make some lucky family very happy.

    Looking forward to your Nate appearance and hearing all about those libraries with *gasp* free books! Woot!

  52. I absolutely love your house! Your style seems so fresh and crisp and classic 🙂 I’m glad to hear you did the entire kitchen yourself. We are starting our kitchen renovation soon and are doing it ALL ourselves (well with the help of my super handy master plumber dad). You give me confidence that we can do it!

  54. Those are some really nice pictures.
    Maybee you allready posted that somwhere an I am just not looking at the right place to find it, but to me a floorplan of the “old” house is missing to really show the love 😉

  55. I was going to ask the same question. We just closed on our first house and I have spent hours staring at tan paint samples. I haven’t been inspired yet, until I saw these photos. Thanks for the details!

  56. You should be so proud of yourselves for what amazing work you have done to that house to make it your own! As sad as it can be to move on… you new home will be just as spectacular!!!

    My valentines day present from the hubbs is my new… are you ready for this???….

    Canon T2i!!!! It has shipped and will be here tomorrow!! Can’t stinking wait! All thanks to you for all your inspiration!

    Thank you!!
    Amanda M.

  58. I big puffy pink heart your current house! I have an obsession with your spring living room pillows and those green chairs! Feel free to come down to FL and teach me to reupholster any time 😉 (Would it help if I said we have a beach? haha jk)

    PS – The “badge that says WATCH OUT – I THINK I CAN DO IT!” idea is hilarious!

  59. Hold the phones! I adore those ottomans! Where are they from? I am assuming they are still available if you just recovered them in the green piped covers? (::crossing fingers that you will say oh of course!::) And WHERE did you get that cheerful ginormous blue polkadot pillow cover? **Adore it!** Made me smile…I would enjoy seeing it on my sofa every day!
    LOVE your home, LOVE your blog even more! Here’s me praying that walker-througher (yea, that is a word, found in the library in one of them free books!) makes a nice offer to BUY that dreamy home!

  60. I read your blog…all the time. and never comment. sorry. I REALLY want a hood/vent over our stove/oven like yours but we aren’t sure what to do with the microwave that is there now. I didn’t see a microwave in your kitchen. Did you just get rid of it?

  61. Hi Katie-
    I love what you have done to your home and can’t wait to see the new projects that you will do at your dream home!! Since you are posting pics of your house…could you post the paint colors in the rooms? I can’t find your updated colors within your website. Thanks!! PS- your little boy is such a cutie!!

  63. Katie, I just now noticed those “window mirrors” in the den over that chest of drawers – where are those from? Or did you make them? I want to put something like that up in a stairwell that only has one light but keep striking out with all the mirrors I’ve purchased so far… the mirrored windows might just be what we need! Thanks!

  64. I *love* your den. I love the colors, patterns, the coziness, everything. I’m so bummed that I didn’t discover your blog before I decorated my living room, because it would totally be stolen already!

  66. Love your house! It’s beautiful! What fabric did you use on those green chairs? I about to start reupholstering one of ours and I love that color!

  67. whoops! I “am” about to start reupholstering, I really sound like a country hick with that previous comment!

  68. I seriously can’t understand why your house hasn’t sold yet. I’m a firm believer that having a warmly decorated home with neutral colors is the key to a quick sale. Your home clearly fits that bill, so the only thing I can think of is that new buyers have been to distracted with the holidays and cold weather that they should start gearing up their search in the next couple weeks. We’re getting ready to put our own fine home on the market Mar. 1, so hopefully it’s warmer then. Gool luck, Katie!

  69. Ok, I just have to say that you are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! And the fact that you got to meet Mr. Hotty-Hot makes you that much more amazing 🙂

    I HAVE to know where you got the pillows or the fabric for the pillows on your white couch. Those colors are the EXACT ones I’m using in my family room, and I have been looking for cute fabric for forever. Any help would be appreciated! 🙂

    Thanks a bunch!!

  70. I’m so glad you gave a first floor tour because it’s been a long time since we’ve seen some of it! It’s all so beautiful, well done Katie!

  71. Katie you make me laugh out loud! southern accent, I probably would have done the same thing I tend to jumble when I am nervous too…rotflmao… I DVR Nate so I can’t wait to see you next week! Congrats, you deserve it, Will’s nursery(as well as your house) is gordg!

  72. I love your house, Katie. Honestly one of my favorites – because it’s beautiful but looks like a real house, not a show room. You can live in it. My favorite is the pops of green in the living room. Those chairs have always been some of my favorites.

  73. I’ve always loved your house, especially those green chairs and all the colorful pillows. I just LOVE green & navy together. And no, I’m not missing Christmas decor, I’ve so ready for Spring to arrive!!!

  74. Katie, thanks for sharing the pics. I love how you’ve put thought into every inch of your house. Very random, but the little light above the bookshelves on the left of the TV – where did you find that? We live in a dark rowhouse and I love this idea to add some more light. Thanks!

  76. Thanks! Your house is looking lovely, and the pictures are perfect. Hope you’re considering home pictures as one of your photography services…if I wasn’t all the way out in Denver, I’d for sure hire you.

  78. Hi Debra,
    The pillows are from all over – the navy polka dot one is from PBTeen, the silveryblue is from TJMaxx, the green dot one is Pier1, the white & green flowers is from Target, the green one with the white branches is Ikea, the one that is all different colors is a Pottery Barn placemat.
    Whew…talk about mixing and matching, right?!
    xo – kb

  79. It was some green indoor-outdoor fabric that I found for $1 a yard. It was in a discount fabric store and I knew that the color was great and the durability of the fabric would be perfect.
    xo – kb

  80. I know Becky…we do. Well, we don’t have EVERYTHING we would want…I’ll have to do a post about it later 🙂
    xo – kb

  81. Hi Katie,
    The colors haven’t changed really – have you been to the source list? It’s linked to at the bottom of the Our Crib page.
    xo – kb

  82. We have our microwave on the counter next to the fridge…I guess you can’t see it in these pictures, huh?
    Believe me, we would NEVER get rid of it….how else would we eat?!
    xo – kb

  83. Hi Collette,
    They are from the Pottery Barn outlet…and the covers are for some similar ones (we got them at the PBOutlet too!) but I don’t think they are for the exact same ottomans. The polka dot pillow is from Pottery Barn Teen – also at the outlet 🙂
    xo – kb

  85. I’m wanting to knock down a wall in my kitchen and add a peninsula/breakfast bar like yours…can you tell me how much overhang you have? is it 12 inches?

  86. Hi, no but seriously, I need those window mirrors! And they’re not on your source list. In fact, that nook doesnt even make it into the picture of the den! Details, please!?

  88. It’s about 9 inches…which is shorter than normal but we did that because we wanted it to not block the doorway to the deck but also wanted it to be centered on the hallway doorway that leads to the foyer.
    xo – kb

  89. So I’m sure I’m not the first person who’s ever asked, but do you mind answering ONE more time? Where is your couch from? I love that it looks so comfy, yet not so casual that it looks sloppy.

  90. Your house is beautifully decorated. I started following your blog recently and really enjoy it. I used to live in Atlanta and miss it so much. I should move back and buy your house. Now I just need to convince my husband that is a good idea. Can I ask what color you have on the walls?

  92. Hi Brenda,
    You can see the colors of our house on our source list – it’s linked to under the Our Crib tab…it has everything 🙂
    xo – kb

  93. Oh Katie, this post really made me fall in love with your blog all over again. I absolutely love your house and would be in line to buy it if it were in my neighborhood. But I so love your style. It was the first house I saw in the blog world that I really thought, man, THAT is what I’m going for. Not a copy…but the feel and everything. I will miss this home, not as much as you I’m sure, but wow, you’re new house is sooooooooo different and GI-HUGE-ANT! I think I’d be a little intimidated, but if anyone can make that huge house a home, it’s you. Best wishes.

  95. Ok, so I KNOW I commented already, and I KNOW you have told us over and over again where the couch is FROM…but do you know what “style” it is through PB? I am looking for just such a thing and don’t see a similar style in the current catalog. Thanks!

  98. Umm where on earth did you get the rug in your kitchen? I love it. Let me guess years ago on some random sale. Always my luck but, I hope not this time.

  99. Hi MommaRa,
    It’s from Shades of Light…who knew, right? I think it was called Trellis rug…or something like that.
    xo – kb

  100. Thank you so much for responding, Katie. I really appreciate it. How smart of Ikea to call them bookshelf lights! 🙂

  101. Hi Katie, I have been reading you for awhile now, and this is my first ever comment. I love your design style…classic, simple, pretty! I need some help. We have a (not so beautiful anymore) light blue sectional. Due to a skylight in our condo, a dog and 3 years of use, it is now a dirty, gray, splotchy mess. And I would love a slipcover for it. Any hints on where to find one that won’t break the bank? Help please

  102. Hi Katie! I love your house so much…and I totally get the weird feeling you get when you are moving on from something that it might feel “lonely” or whatever. I hate it when inanimate objects emotionally blackmail me!

    Anyway, we are starting a kitchen redo at our house, and your happens to be very close to my vision. I am on the fence about painting my existing cabinets or staining them…yours look quite lovely left as natural wood! I think I might try that look first and then paint after a while of living with it.

    SO I was looking at your backsplash. What made you decide to go with white grout with your white tile? Is it hard to keep the white on white clean? have you ever gotten pomegranite juice on it? what are your thoughts on contrast grout with white subway tile?

    xoxo!

  104. Hi Angi,
    It’s from Shades of Light. I think it was called Green Trellis…don’t know if they still have it, but you might want to give them a call!
    xo – kb

  105. Im in love with your house! it is absolutely beautiful. great job guys! I really like your family room, it looks classy but also very cozy. Did you guys have an inspiration in your mind when putting the room together?

  107. I love the decor! They all have such great coloring and decorations! Thank you for all the great tips. I found this giveaway for home decor that i cant help but share with my favorite blogs! Sarabella Giveaway

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