There is something so exciting yet slightly intimidating when faced with a blank canvas! That is how I felt the first time I stepped into my new home. Like it was one large blank canvas waiting for me “paint my picture” on it, knowing what I would choose would set the tone for the entire home.
It was also the first time I would be decorating a home from scratch as a “home decor/diy blogger.” There’s pressure in that folks! At our last home my taste and style evolved over the years and when we left it was still a mish mash of ‘before and after.” Project in my mind that never made it onto the canvas. This time around I have PLANS people! I have a vision….
Today I wanted to share with you the BEFORE canvas…because every great AFTER must first start with a BEFORE! So, here’s a peek at my new home.
I will be sharing lots of fun projects, design ideas and decorating ideas with you but for now let’s take a TOUR of our new house! (and excuse the pictures they were taken with my phone. smile)
I’m in love with our wrap around front porch, completely Southern including the addition of ceiling fans and rocking chairs!. We love the view from our porch, where we can sit and rock under the fans! When we enter the house from the front door we have a wonderfully large foyer and staircase. It has great vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors.
I love that the stairwell is open on both sides and open along the top.
This angle is standing in the formal living room looking across into my new office complete with french doors!
Since this blogging gig has turned into a “job” and I use that term loosely since it’s so wonderfully fun, I am excited to have my own office! I love the french doors and that it’s on the main floor. This will be mine…all mine! 🙂
This is looking into the “formal” living room. Because it’s not a large room, I am considering a grouping of club chairs in here. I just love the intimacy of a grouping of chairs and I think it would make a nice place to hang with guests before dinner in the dining room.
The dining room is most definitely one of my favorite rooms in the house. Complete with wainscoting paneling, large wide crown molding and the trey ceiling the details are just lovely! I love how light and bright it is. In fact the whole home, as you will notice, has gorgeous crown molding and wide baseboards throughout! Lots of attention to detail.
Here is a view from the breakfast area looking back down the hallway into the kitchen and the entryway. There is a full bath on the main floor which makes it really nice for guests. The door you see leads to the finished basement, which we’ll visit shortly!
Are you shocked it’s not white?! ha. We looked far and wide for a white kitchen in a home that was right for us. Not an easy feat! It’s the one thing I compromised on, but I have great plans for it! I adore the hardwood floors and how open it is. It also have stainless steel appliances and the cabinets are very high quality. Stay tuned for some fun ideas in this space.
I think this room is TRULY my favorite space. Maybe because I’ve laid claim to it as my “own hangout room.” With a formal living room and a recreation room in the basement, I am going to create a space here that is cozy and warm where I can watch my shows while the kids and Bama Boy hang out in the “man cave” downstairs! grin.
This is the view from our backyard! Believe it or not, we are on almost an acre here. All of the wooded area behind the fence is part of the property but we love that there is a smaller area fenced in for our dogs. It’s the perfect situation. It’s very quiet and private back here.
Another thing we loved about the house is the back staircase. It makes it so convenient for the bedrooms on this side of the upstairs. Unfortunately, it results in piles of things on TWO staircases…make that THREE since we have a basement. Tell me we aren’t the only family who piles a million and one things on their stairs? 😉
This is a peek into my daughter’s new room. Her new black iron canopy bed was the first purchase we made for the house. She is so excited to have a canopy bed and we’ve moved her from a twin into a full. The best part of her room is her “other room.” Yes she has TWO rooms in one!
This is a finished attic space which she is going to make her “lounge.” What teenager doesn’t want their own lounge? ha!
You can see a sneak preview of the colors and look we are going for in her room. This will be a fun one to decorate and she will be helping with lots of input and ideas!
So I lied before, THIS might end up being my favorite space in the new house! My dedicated craft and photography room. The room where I can work and leave messes and shut the door at the end of the day. With a separate office, this space will only house crafts and props and supplies as well as an area set up for taking photos. I’m so excited about the potential of this room!!
I don’t have any decent pictures of the master bedroom, but here’s a glimpse of the master bath. It’s one of FOUR full bathrooms in the house so this one will mostly belong to me. 😉 It has an huge walk in closet with full organizational system. It’s a dream bath and dressing area!
So you are probably wondering why I’m showing you this room in the basement. Well, we are converting this room into our son’s room, and I promise we’re not just locking him down in the dungeon. He is moving back in with us, after a year on his own and we want him to have the basement as his “own space.” This room has a finished ceiling, walls, outlets and a door but otherwise it’s most definitely not finished. This is our first project in the house. We will be converting it to a cool “loft industrial” space for him. Watch for this upcoming reveal!
Here are some pictures of the future recreational room i.e. “man cave” and oh do I have plans for this room! My family will finally be getting their dedicated University of Alabama room! Roll Tide!
Can you believe this is a basement?! It’s so light, airy and bright with two large picture windows!
It also has heigh tray ceilings, lots of space to hang out and…
a back entrance to this gorgeous private brick patio!
There are two more bedrooms upstairs, an office for my husband and a guest room as well as several bathrooms to decorate! Plenty of space for a family with a teenager, a college student and two dogs. 🙂
My weeks in the new house have consisted of tons of this….
Two guess where I am here…..
and this.. Ikea has become a “dirty word” with Bama Boy these days! ha! The first room I am setting up is the family room. Here’s a glimpse of the direction I am going in there…
What do you think?
Yes that is brass! Did I hear a collective gasp or does it meet with your approval?
Here’s a little secret I’m going to end with. Shhhh….we are leasing the house for now. We had to get into something quickly and we decided renting for now was the best option to do that. We have the option of buying it down the road, and we most likely will do that BUT for now it’s MINE but not really MINE. So I’m going to be sharing TONS of great ideas to make fabulous, but not permanent, changes so that ANY house can feel like HOME!
My new home and I will see you back here….often…at the picket fence!
Heather… it’s great! I know you are going to do beautiful things with it… the rooms have nice sight lines and an open airy feeling… beautiful!
It’s fabulous, Heather. I’m so excited for you!! I know you must be having so much fun!!
Stunning House. I can’t wait to see what all you do. This is such a beautiful place. Hugs, Marty
Approval approval! Beautiful home for a beautiful family! Love the sneak peak too. Great color choices!
Well congrats big time! AND WOW WOW WOW!!!!
Your new home is stunning in every way – sure hope it all works out for you!
It’s perfect – what fun you will have designing and decorating it!
And it’s nice seeing brass make a come back. I’m not one for much contemporary these days but that is one nifty end table you shared!
PS – my best friend from high school played piccolo in UoA’s marching band when Bear Bryant was coach (yes, I am dating myself) and still is a huge Tide fan! Those were the days!
You go girl! I can’t wait to follow along and your space looks totally amazing! I LOVE that rug!
Happy day to you!
karianne
Heather congrats on your new house that I know will quickly become a home! Y’all will have so many great memories there. I so wish we could move back home. We dream of having an acre of land and a basement ecspecially since the boys are getting older. Your front porch is just dreamy. Thanx for sharing your befores with us!
It’s absolutely lovely! I love what I see in the living room so far. Great colors!
Can’t wait to see the Bama Room. Roll Tide!
Can’t imagine the space, the beauty, the yard and the wrap around porch, I even love the kitchen just the way it is. Nothing needs changed other than the ‘downstairs room’. Hope you can purchase it down the road, it is a nice home.
It’s wonderful to get a peek at your home while it’s in its blank state, Heather. I just know that everything you do will be beautiful. Love the direction that you’re headed in your family room. Can’t wait to see more!
Congrats on your new house and on having your family back under one roof! I’m thrilled for you and excited to watch you turn your new house into your home! I’m excited to follow along! xo
Heather your new home is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S !!!!! Blank canvas and already it looks amazing.Cannot wait to see your home turn into your home for you and your family! Have fun creating!
xx
Anne
What a beautiful spacious home Heather! Congratulations to you.
I sensed a theme here … seems like you’ve claimed just about every room in the house!!!! And I’m in love with the rug and chairs and the colors and where oh where did you get that amazing table? Please tell me IKEA … and then I will rush right on out and copy you and get one of my own. Seriously. I’m in love!
🙂 Linda
Heather it’s beautiful and you will have a blast fixing it up and making it “you”. I love the front porch. I always wanted a wrap around porch with ceiling fans and wicker and rocking chairs. Can’t wait to see more pictures
Heather it is just beautiful! I can’t wait to see you turn this gorgeous house a home!!! Congrat’s to you and the family, so happy for you.
XXOO
Kristin
It’s a beautiful house, Heather! Gorgeous inside and out. I love all your room ideas. How great that you will have a couple of spaces to call your own. I can’t wait to see all you do in it!
Wow, Heather congratulations on such a fab home with all that space!! I am so jealous (in a good way) of all that space!! How fun it will be to see the transformations! I will definitely be living vicariously through you enjoying all the fun:-)
Gorgeous and huge! So jealous of the basement space!;) Living so close to the coast those are basically unheard of around here. Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Nancy
What an awesome floor plan and layout of space! Love the blues in the family room…can’t wait to see the reveal.
My teen girl has a lounge too…it’s where she spends most of her time and where she and her friends hang out. Well worth letting them have input in the decor.
I hope y’all get to buy the house…seems too good to pass up!
I know you’re going to have so much fun decorating and making it home…either way.
Oh my goodness – it is gorgeous! I love your yard and patio, and you have so much space for your blog/job/stuff. That is awesome. My Bama boy is jealous of the Man Cave – Roll Tide!
Oh my goodness! It’s gorgeous! It has everything you could possibly want in a house. I would definitely want to keep it. 🙂
Woo hoo! Your house looks so beautiful! How exciting for you and your family. I know it’ll poke our eyes out when you start putting your touch on it. Can’t wait to follow along.
Hope you’re doing well.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.
That’s not for you. That’s for me. I’m repeating it over and over.
And over and over and over.
And over.
How exciting! It’s a beautiful home and it seems so roomy! Waiting to see you turn it into whatever your heart desires! Judi
How stinkin exciting for you and your family. Can’t wait to see you create “your home”.
Heather,
I am beyond thrilled for you and your family. I know the long road you traveled to get to this place. The excitement and joy coming through your post is such a blessing. I LOVE your new home and having your own office space is going to be so much fun. Your sneak peek of the room is LOVELY the rug is so pretty and the color palate is Beautiful. I am so looking forward to going on this FUN decorating, diy adventure with you.
xoxo
OH my – GORGEOUS home! And how nice that it’s such a neutral pallet, so that you don’t think you have to improve upon everything right from the start. Your decorating can go in ANY direction. LOVE that brass table w/ the mirrors! It’s an amazing piece, and who wouldn’t like to see even more reflections of that beautiful carpet! I’m so excited to see all of your home decor & DIY. Thanks for sharing!
Love our new house. Have fun decorating. I love your rug. Where did you get that?
I know someone that will have a great deal of fun decorating this large home. Congrats!
WOW! What a beautiful home – and so much room! Congratulations and hope all works out so you do purchase it. Can’t wait to see all your projects (including that Bama rooom!). (BTW, I’m not allowed to say IKEA in our house!) Have a super weekend!
Beautiful Heather! It really does look a lot like your sister’s home. Interesting! Can hardly wait to see it in a few weeks. Love, Mom
Beautiful home and I love your blues, greens and BRASS!!! Can’t wait to see what you’re up to!
Blessings,
Cindy
Heather, I know your home will be amazing once you’re done! What fun and how scary! That much space would overwhelm me!
Looks like soo much fun. However, its probably my lack of techno savvy,
But the pop up ads are so big it’s hard to enjoy looking at the pics,
Hi Annette! I am so sorry you are getting pop up ads! You shouldn’t be at all! Could you tell me how you were viewing the post. Was it on a computer or on an ipad or phone? We want to get that taken care of ASAP!
Heather
Heather, I was on my iPhone. The pop up once again occurred when I came back to the site to replly.
Would you like to know who the ads are from? There are two of them,
But I hesitate to mention them by name.
Blessings,
Annette
This is beautiful and you have a great blank canvas to work with. It has great lighting that streams through all the windows. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Kris
Heather the new house is great! Lease or buy, it’s really gorgeous!!! So much smarter to not rush into a purchase like a home anyhow. This way, you can see how it grows on you. Which I am sure it will as it’s awesome. Sounds like you are getting everything you need with it. Space for everyone, an office and a dedicated craft/photo/prop room. Now that is sweet!! I bet all the decorating is just heaven!! Enjoy.
Yay!! Welcome to ATL, Heather! Loving your new home and soooo much space to play with and put your stamp on! Exciting stuff… 🙂
xo Heidi
HUMONGO! Beautiful & light filled which is wonderful – can’t believe something that big & beautiful was for lease! It will 3x the magnificant with all of your ideas.
Oh Heather!! How exciting!!! I LOVE IT!! Congratulations! I hope you savor every moment!!
Oh my gosh I LOVE it!!!!! I have to say though I’m a little jealous that you have a beautiful blank slate because the house we are moving into is hideously stuck in the late 80’s!!! I can’t wait to see the progress on you new house, and all the things you do to make it look like a home. 🙂
Anna
Can’t wait to sit out on the front porch with Mom. I envision her sitting in a rocking chair with her brogans up on the railing, sipping her “shine” from a Mason jar, and shooting her chew over the railing. I AM DEAD MEAT!!! Dad
Oh Dad. You are a riot. 😉
Heather
Thanks for the tour Heather..really enjoyed it and I am so loving the great chairs and rug..and the table is fantastic!…Even though you are renting, I know that you will truly make this house your home beautifully and believe me, I am sure that the owners will welcome all the beautiful changes you will make!…So excited for you!!
Oh. My. Gosh. I die. Heather…. it is perfectly beautiful. Yes, a am a very slight bit green w/ envy! lol
I cannot WAIT to see what you do with each and every space, I love it!
xoxo
{PS: we are renting too as we wanted to wait until Oldest gets settled in at College – wait you mean they come back home??? haha – so I can’t wait to see what our next space will be but now I will settle for NO LESS than my own office AND craft room!! hehe}
Could you tell me what is around the plants (instead of mulch) at the lower level patio? Lovely!
Hi Teresa! It’s pine straw. A very southern thing. I’ve only ever seen it used in the South. In fact, we just had some fresh straw added yesterday.
Heather
wow, aNDI THOUGHT OUR RENTAL was great!Your house is fabulous! Id love to live here.And to decorate,Id be in heaven:)
That’s a whole lot of house!!!! And a fabulous floor plan. Sounds like you have a plan for filling all this gorgeous space. I have an office… it’s the best!!!!
I’ll be looking for all the wonderful things you will be doing with your new home!!!!
An empty slate is so fun Heather!! Congrats – Gorgeous home with beautiful bones!! You are going to have so much fun decorating it bit by bit! Love your blue chairs and carpet too! Can’t wait to see you at Haven! Follow the zumba music to par-tay in my room! LOL!! xo Heather
what a beautiful new house
you get to turn into a home
so thrilled for you
and excited to see what it becomes
{alison}
Wow. I can’t wait to see what you do with that wonderful place!
Oh, girl, how exciting!! A blank slate for you! Looks like an awesome floor plan for your family; I’m so happy for you.
Question: Is it just me, or does the front stairway remind anyone of Vanessa’s house??
And by the way, I’m with you on the brass! Loving bringing a bit of that look back!
WOW Heather! I LOVE your new home! I did not realize your husband was from Alabama. Please tell him ROLL TIDE from me! It was SO GOOD to see you at Haven! I enjoyed talking with you and also learned a lot in your session! I can’t wait to see you again!
Gorgeous spacious home! Love the wrap-around porch and I love your little Shih Tzu (my favorite breed I have 2) Just a suggestion, since so many of us who love home tours (along with DIY projects) It would be great to have a link for your home tour, and a link for Vanessa’s home tour. I know I’m like many of your readers, we love home tours! Belated congrats on your new home.
Hi Sandy! Thank you so much! We are working on redoing some elements of our blog and I love your suggestions. Will definitely implement that. Thanks for stopping by!
Heather
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Wow! You definitely have a beautiful and spacious home. I can feel how excited you are about decorating and placing numerous pieces of elegant furniture in there. It’s good that you decided to work on the family room first. That carpet is lovely! I can’t wait to see photos of the completed project.