I’ve been busy redecorating my house over this three-day holiday weekend and getting ready for fall (Happy Labor Day to my U.S. readers!) .
I’m participating in The Inspired Room’s Fall Nesting blog party tomorrow, so I’m trying to get my house all spiffed up before everyone arrives. There was a lot to do because, as of yesterday, everything in here was summery and blue.
I’ve mentioned before that I like to keep my kitchen and family room neutral so I can change the colors around for the seasons. This summer, I went a little crazy for turquoise and gave it a try. I had never had any blue in my house before, so it was fun to experiment with something different.
Here’s how my family room and kitchen looked this summer:
I was still shopping for something turquoise to put on my mantel when summer ended. Now it’s time to find something for fall! So I never got the family room finished, but I’ve got a good start on it for next summer when I bring out the turquoise again.
I’ll just come out and admit that it’s hard for me to show you these rooms when they’re not really finished. I have a list a mile long of things to do in the kitchen–still need to hang the molding on top of the cabinets, replace the old countertops, install a new faucet, get new appliances. You name it, we’ve still got to do it.
But at least we got the walls painted and the crown molding hung. Oh, and we replaced the ugly brass chandelier that the builder had in there. That should count for something, right? My kitchen is actually one of my favorite places to be, flaws and all:
It wasn’t cheap to add this butler’s pantry, but it was totally worth it. It took advantage of that unused corner, and now I can store a lot of out-of-season decorations in those cabinets:
This old photo (below) was taken at a family reunion when my husband’s grandfather was still a boy. It’s one of my favorites. The basket is where I toss all the magazines, newspapers, and pieces of mail that come through the door every day. Every kitchen needs a catchall for paperwork.
You can catch a glimpse of the dining room we’ve been remodeling in the background. As soon as we get that job finished, I’ll give you the tour of it, too!
Like I said, it’s far from perfect, but the turquoise really was fun to have around this summer. I was sad to take it down.
But now the house is all dressed for fall and I love it. It’s very warm and cozy and has me hankering for some pumpkin pie. Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you how it looks in orange!
Follow me on Twitter to find out what I’m up to between blog posts. I’m @hookedonhouses. Click on the birdie below to read what I have to say today!
If You Want to See More of My Humble House:
- My Real (Messy) Life
- My Cheap & Easy Photo Wall
- Before & After: My Writing Room Makeover
- Crown Molding Magic: Our Fireplace Makeover
- Decorating in Black & White: My Family Room Through the Seasons
- Lily’s Little Bathroom Makeover
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Wow…my house wishes it could be like yours when it grows up! I will be ashamed to show mine now!
Your home is gorgeous. And I adore the addition of the turquoise. So pretty, fresh and clean looking.
Love,
Sue
I love the turquoise and would be tempted to hang on to summer just a ittle bit longer….
Your living room is so pretty! What is your wall color? I love it! I can’t wait to see the fall things in the inspired room’s party!
Oooooh, your house is so pretty! I agree with the first poster. My house wants to be like yours when it grows up! I can’t wait to see the new cozy look!
I think you did a great job injecting turquoise into your neutral kitchen and living room. I tell ya, I love color,but the older I get, neutral is the way to go. At least with the basics. Then inject color through accessories just like you did. Great job!
The wall color is “Pecan” by Eddie Bauer (got it at Lowe’s, the American Tradition Signature Collection). It really is a great neutral, although it was a bit dark with the turquoise, I thought. I went ahead and put the blues with it anyway, tho! It really looks great with the oranges in fall in reds in winter. -Julia
Your house is beautiful! I love the black and white fabric. I bet orange is going to look sooooo good! You could do some great halloween decor with these colors. Great inspiration for me. You have the same color walls, and similar floor plan to my living and kitchen. But I have the opposite white tile and stained cabinets in the kitchen. I like yours better! I can’t wait to see the fall colors. It’s too hot here in Texas to think about fall yet:-)
I’ve been counting the days ’til fall and said I’d have a fall wreath on my door on September 1st. But now that it’s here, I find myself wanting to hang on to summer just a little longer. Maybe it’s because it’s still 90 degrees here.
The butler’s pantry is genius! What a way to use wasted space- I’m sure I wouldn’t have thought of that. Love the turquoise but I love pumpkin too- I can’t wait to see it.
I love your kitchen and living room with turquoise – it’s gorgeous! I’m like you – it’s neutrals for me, too. I like to change things around too much. Can’t wait to see your orange accessories!
Wow I love your house! So pretty! I can’t wait to see the fall look! Please keep sharing more pictures of your house!
One more reason to have toile in my house. Simply beautiful. I have never thought to have all neutrals and add color with each season. My home is more fall color year round. Think I now need to go shopping!!
Your home is beautiful! Very relaxing and accessorized wonderfully. Bravo! I am participating in Inspired Room’s Fall Nesting Blog party too! I can’t wait to see what you do with this yummy time of year. This is going to be the most amazing harvest~y season ever…I can feel it in my bones!
Smiles ~ Ramona
Your home is lovely, Julia! You apologized for showing it before it was completed– yet what needed to be completed was not obvious at all. Your home is absolutely divine!!
I also commend you for having the motivation to be decorating your home for just the summer!
What goes up in my place stays (forever)– LOL.
You are so on top of it, girl! I love your pops of turquoise–one of my favorite colors without a doubt. Can’t wait to see the autumn version tomorrow!
Now I need to go cook some din-din!
it’s so lovely Julia! I agree with Starr – no need to apologize for not being finished. Looks finished to me – although I totally understand that we are always our own worst critics. I can’t wait to see your pics tomorrow!
I’m still debating on whether to participate in Melissa’s blog party – I adore summer so much that I’m somewhat in deinal that fall is really right around the corner…and I’m just not sure I’m ready for pumpkin time yet. (Although broke out some hot cider today…yummm.)
Oh. What a perfectly beautiful and comfortable hom…just like the owner!
I guess I don’t have a clue about what a Mr. Linky is??
Julia,
I just love how your husband’s handiwork improved the living room. It is a Classic!!
Janet
I love what you’ve done for decorating in the Summer Time, just that touch of turquoise , I love it with the white kitchen cabinets. I’m going to start adding my Fall decorations in a couple of weeks, I’m still hanging onto Summer,our Summers are so short here in Alberta.
What an inviting summer palce to cool off! I am still enjoying summer too much to move to another season. I can’t believe fall is already upon us., yet I am looking forward to see your beautiful fall transformation. Lily is darling!
Beth
Wow, I love your house.
Julia! How pretty! I love the turquoise! It is really a happy color, isn’t it? I think one of the plates from the kitchen would have looked nice on the mantel too. Maybe next year! Now I am off to see the “fall” version!
(Here in Sacramento, it’s much too soon to think about fall- we have long, miserable Indian Summers instead-blech!)
I love your kitchen. It’s just so pretty, and chic!
Wow Julia! Your kitchen is gorgeous
I can’t wait to see what you did…..
You know how I love my turquoise, I think it’s gorgeous as it! But orange is fabulous as well… can’t wait for more pictures!
Julia – we’ve been so busy we feel like we’ve been away f-o-r-e-v-e-r!! Love the kitchen AND the tuquoise – I’m really diggin’ that color lately – this spring it started at the antique store when I found an old turquoise flour/sugar bin with black knobs – I’m hooked (actually it would look fabulous in your kitchen!!
Thanks for sharing – now off to see your fall decorations!
Karla & Karrie
Oh Julia! Your home is so pretty! What a gorgeous and welcoming space! I love it!!
xo,
Kim
I love, love, love your kitchen! the turq. in it is just such a great touch.
Joni
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