(Be sure to go all the way to the end of this post for a fabulous Giveaway from bHome and Painted Fox Treasures!)
You know what? I don’t live in a farmhouse. Or a cottage. I live in a traditional style stucco house.
And I like it. Really I do. Actually, I like it a WHOLE lot and I’m incredibly, incredibly grateful for it. But, lately, I’ve noticed that you never really see my kind of house on Instagram or Pinterest or Facebook or…anywhere, really.
And sometimes that makes me feel a bit left out. Just a bit.
You see, I 100% believe that you should decorate your home the way YOU want no matter what. YOU live there and you need to feel comfortable and surrounded by what makes you happy.
But that being said, I think there is something wonderful that happens when you honor the architecture of a home. When you pay attention to its lines, its nuances, its inherent style. It can be almost magical when a flow is created between the outside of a home and the inside. Where you are able to get a feel for what the home will look like on the inside before you ever cross the threshold.
So, what you will find inside my home won’t really come as a surprise.
There are traditional pieces of furniture. Like an antique chest of drawers in the entry and other pieces which will never see a paint brush.
But, if you look closely, you might begin to notice that those traditional lines provide the perfect backdrop for adding in touches of other styles here and there.
A hint of cottage style here. A touch of farmhouse there. And healthy dash of French country for good measure.
Over the weekend my daughter and I went shopping for some summer clothes. While at H&M (seriously LOVE that store!) I came across a truly fabulous skirt.
It was fitted where it needed to be fitted and flowy where it needed to be flowy. And when I tried it on and looked at my reflection in the mirror I couldn’t help but think about how perfect it was.
Because it could be dressed way down or dressed way up.
I could envision it with stiletto heels, a fabulous blouse and the perfect clutch in my hands.
But, then again, I could also see it with a tank top, flip flops and my hair in a ponytail.
And I guess that’s kind of how I want my home to be.
I want it to be like that skirt.
I want to be able to dress it up or dress it down.
I want to know that a bucket filled with lavender will look right at home on the buffet table in the dining room.
Or that simply by putting metal lanterns on the sofa table I’ve added a touch of summer casual to the family room.
Metal lanterns with candles surrounded by seashells of course.
I want the way I decorate my home to rise to the style occasion.
I want to be able to add a trend here or there.
But I also want it to be true to itself.
And mostly, what I want more than anything…
…more than how it’s decorated…
…or whether it’s ‘on trend’…
I want all who walk through the doors of this traditional stucco home to feel warmly welcomed. To know that they can take their shoes off or leave them on.
And that those shoes can be stiletto heels or flip-flops or that they can just pad around the house barefoot with a warning about the possible stray Lego here and there.
What I really want is for them to feel…well…at home.
So, welcome to my home sweet friends. My door is always open! 🙂
I’m so thrilled to be joining these amazing ladies as part of our fantastic bHome Summer Open House!
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Edith & Evelyn
And we have a totally awesome giveaway for you too!! In thanks for being part of the bHome family already, or to welcome you today, we are giving away a $200 gift certificate to Painted Fox Treasures. PFt has the summer time & any time home decor we all love. It is simple to enter, just download bHome ~ the app for free and leave me a comment with your bHome Username. Winner will be chosen at random on June 20th & notified with a message on bHome.” (Android Users don’t worry! We will offer this again when you can download too!)
My user name is asoppe.
You have definitely achieved your goal.
It all looks so very welcoming and comfy! : )
My first thought after reading your post is amen! I live in a house very similar to yours except it is one story. (Better for old retired people!) The inside is decorated with things I love from our parents and grandparents. That’s what makes it home.
Vanessa, I so love your home…so filled with warmth and love and decorated with the things that you love, the things that make you and your family happy….the things that when you look at them, they remind you of good times, treasured family memories….and those things you place so lovingly for you and your family to enjoy. Those things are “you” and I give you a standing ovation for being true to yourself and loving what surrounds you.
Perfectly stated. I’m in the middle of figuring out exactly what style I want this new home to be, and sometimes you have to live in a space and wrestle with different ideas before you find the perfect solution for a house. I don’t want it to be a duplicate of my old house because it’s not the same home. I want to figure out what this house needs and make it happen. But, so far, I haven’t figured that out so I’m in a nice, comfortable holding pattern that is not very blog worthy. LOL And that’s ok! I’m happy being normal for a minute. You’ve expressed my feelings perfectly, though. Love you!
Your home is lovely!! It is fully of wonderful welcoming things. I would feel right at home there! I’m just beginning to work on a home I’ve “re-purchased” that I built 31 years ago and it’s sometimes a struggle to mix the old with the “what I want now!”..
Welcoming and inviting are always “on trend!” Love your beautiful home! Hope you are enjoying an amazing summer! Life to the full! Melissa
Vanessa, I love your gorgeous home and always enjoy visiting.
We are still unpacking and rediscovering treasures for our new home. We moved from our story and a half in March. We are now living in a smaller one story home and I’m furnishing it with things we love and memories, just as I did our larger home. I call my style traditional, transitional, rustic refined, eclectic.:-) It is rich colors and new mixed with old. I rarely see that style represented on Pinterest or Instagram, so I tend to play it by ear.
I felt very welcomed as I “walked thru” your front door this morning.
Oh my word, I could hug you! This so resonates with me and our home. I, too, firmly believe insides and outsides should speak the same language while still leaving room for the occasional, country, English and/or French accent . I was so caught up up in the writing that I forgot to look at the pictures! Will do that now. Thank you.
Vanessa,
Your home is everything you have strived to achieve and I am absolutely sure that everyone who enters your front door feels both welcomed and inspired. I know you have inspired me today! 😉
I am so glad to be part of the amazing bHome tour on Thursday!
Cynthia
Your home is gorgeous inside and out. You deffinately know how to decorate! I keep going back for inspiration!
Love your house! I would like to see a few more seashells under the cloche!!!
Vanessa, Kudos to you for decorating your home the way you want. It’s so so beautiful… just like you! Your style is timeless and I see you fitting so many other wonderful details that are farmhouse, and industrial and cottage here and there in your home. That is the best way to decorate and you, my friend, have nailed it! LOVE your welcoming home… and you!!!!!
Lovely, and very well said.
Vanessa, I love your house! And I know how you feel. I live in South Carolina, and here in the upstate, Georgian homes, ranchers and Victorian clapboards are everywhere. So, my 1970’s house that was built by a family who transferred here from Southern California is REALLY different with it’s stucco and white brick. It definitely has a Spanish influence. We have been there for over 20 years, though, and I have come to love this house so much. I celebrate the difference, even though I sometimes long for a farmhouse. 🙂
You’ve certainly achieved your goal. Your home is lovely. Warm and inviting. Thank you for opening your doors to give us a tour of your beautiful home. fondly ~lynne~
Vanessa-
Your home and your heart are simply beautiful! I would not paint that gorgeous antique dresser either! I firmly believe our homes should feel like a warm hug. Some of us hug strong and reassuring and some hug softly with a little pat on the back You just KNOW the way the people you love hug you….and you wouldn’t want it any other way. Thank you for being yourself and letting us in on the way you hug! It is just perfect in every way!
Blessings!
Wendy
Your home is fabulous, inside and out! Speaks my language. Can you share your exterior paint colors? Makes for stunning curb appeal!!!
Did you ever get an answer to your question on the exterior paint color — was it shared with you?
Enjoyed the tour, Vanessa and you can be proud of your beautiful home.
I love that you made this home your own. I know exactly how you feel…my house is not what’s popular either…but I am working with what I have and somehow it’s ended up to be a true reflection of our family. I hope you have a perfect rest of the summer. <3
I love your home with everything from shells to cloches.
Vanessa your house for summer is gorgeous! I love all your elements, they are so pretty and each so special.
Beautiful job.
Have a happy summer enjoying by that inviting deck.
FABBY
Hi Vannessa- always love seeing your home, but I have to say I am absolutely smitten (madly in love, actually) with the cute floral teacup filled with toothpicks on the old scale!!! Sweetest thing ever. Jane
You have done so much to make your house a home through the years Vanessa. It looks absolutely beautiful!
Omigosh, I feel like I JUST went “back home” for a little visit… Your beautiful house looks nothing like the homes I lived in, but the FEELING is exactly the same… So warm and friendly and comfortable besides being so beautiful. Yes I think I could walk in barefoot, or with high heels on and feel just as much at ease either way. What a wonderful post! Thank you Vanessa, I sure did enjoy my visit~~~
Your home is perfect. What you wrote in your post is what I constantly tell my clients, it doesn’t matter what the “trends” are, or how much you spend on your interiors, what matters most is that your home reflects YOU and your family, and that all who enter it feel loved and welcomed. Perfect post, thank you for sharing your lovely home too.
Honestly I get it and know how you feel. My home is decorated in my style, with the things that I love and I don’t follow trends. I’ve been around the block enough times to know that trends come and go and although it may give one higher follower numbers on some of the social media at the end of the day it’s not as important as staying true to yourself. Your home is lovely and reflects your style…great post!
Thank you so much Janet! 🙂
Beautiful decor! I love the mixture of all those styles! That’s the way I decorate, also. I felt very welcomed in your home! 🙂 Wish I could have pinned some pics, it was so pretty! 🙂
Thank you so much Cindy! Were you not able to pin the photos you wanted because of a problem on our end? Want to make sure nothing is wrong. 🙂
Normally, a “pin” button will automatically pop up on the pic when I move the cursor over it, but no pin buttons appear. I’ve not had that situation before. : ) Thank you for your reply.
Your home is lovely and I agree with what you said. I love it when people think my house is pretty, but in the end I need to be happy with it, since I live here.
Absolutely Anita! So fun to be part of the tour with you! 🙂
Cblackwell
Love your philosophy of home decorating. Great advice for all !
Thank you Cheryl!
Vanessa,
Your home is lovely and so warm and comfortable! And it is, as it should be, a reflection of you. It tells your story. That’s what makes a home beautiful! Enjoyed visiting!
Cheers,
Cindy
Edith & Evelyn Vintage
Thank you so much Cindy!
Yes, ma’am! Your home is beautiful, just like you. And that skirt analogy is spot-on! You’re brilliant. And I’m glad I know you!
Awwww….back atcha my friend!! So blessed by your friendship!
LOVE your home and your spirit & couldn’t agree more! Honor the house – make it comfortable – make it welcoming – make it your own!
Thanks friend!
Your home is a reflection of your warm, beautiful spirit and personality! I love how you’ve decorated simply for summer, which I have not even done because right now I’m enjoying some sparseness! I have a wonderful friend who moved to Seattle and the two of you have a lot of common. Wish I could get the two of you together!
Oh thank you so much Jane!! I’m sure that any friend of yours would definitely be a friend of mine! 🙂
oh vanessa- you could live in a tee-pee and make others feel so welcomed and loved in your home. Happy summer to you.
Laura you seriously brought tears to my eyes! Thanks so much my friend. Hope your summer is off to a fantabulous start!
Truely stunning! The perfect example of a “real” home. Not too over the top with any one design fad. I think the reason we don’t see too many homes like yours, is because yours is like so many of ours…..Pintrest and the like are dreams, fantasies, what if’s, if that quick pick ever pays off…… and maybe some day…
You make it all seem more obtainable., without uprooting our families, moving to the mountains, beachside, or overseas!……..Brilliant!
bHome username Mardi
Heidi I can’t thank you enough for your lovely comment!! Truly warms my heart and I just so appreciate it! 🙂
So well said, Vanessa! Sometimes I feel a little left out or bummed that my house isn’t all farmhouse or cottage when I’m browsing around the blog world, but I truly like the style of my home and it feels just like “us” — my family. I love that. Thanks for the awesome reminder — you are always so good at getting to the heart of things. And, of course, your home is beautiful, welcoming and full of love!!
Awww…Julie thank you so much!! Hope your summer is off to a great start!
I’m on my way! haha – thank you for welcoming us into your home, it does feel welcoming. I don’t care what is popular, your home is personal and inviting. I love it!
Your home is so lovely! I love all the cream,white,green, yellow touches!
Happy Summer, Vanessa!
Paige.Rose
from
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
Thank you so much Paige!
How neat! I just joined bHome and am enrapt. User name is mamamia. Your summer home touches are perfect and practical.
Stunning home..love it
bHome Username; ginette4
Thank you so much!
I think your home is beautiful inside and out. You have impeccable taste !
Thank you so much Marijean!
I love that you made your home your own. I live in a old home, and we have done a bit of remodeling, so I understand staying true to the homes arcitecture. Thank you for opening your home and taking me on the tour, it is lovely.
Vanessa, I think you home is absolutely beautiful and a true reflection of your taste. We all have totally different homes and decorating styles, but I love seeing how everyone chooses to decorate their own home. I think as bloggers we appreciate the love and time that others put into finding their treasures, styling and making their home their own… or at least I know I do. I live in a beach house that is far from special, but for me it is perfect!
What a lovely home! Being originally from the high desert of Southern California I can appreciate your beautiful stucco exterior! That is the style of all the homes in that area! 🙂
Your home is lovely and you have done a great job honouring the traditional lines and making it stylish and yours at the same time. I am especially loving the outdoor space today, must be all the sunshine we are getting today after lots of rain. Thanks for the tour!
I just love your home and I love that you embraced IT’S style. I just talked about that on IBC too. It’s so important to pay attention to what works with the style of your house but still make it your own. You’re spaces are the perfect example of that. Bravo!!
xo Michael
Loved the tour Vanessa! Your home always looks beautiful and you have it filled with so many beautiful pieces!! Happy summer my friend!
Trust me, ALLLL who enter your gorgeous home WILL feel warmly welcomed, although, admittedly, you won’t see me walking through your door with stilettos on! lol It all looks beautiful, Vanessa … love the coastal accents and all of your awesome vignettes! Happy Summer, friend!
Your home is the exact reflection of you Vanessa – it’s warm, inviting, graceful and relaxed! You’ve made such a gorgeous home for your family – it’s full of soul and beauty! Happy summer my friend! xo Heather
Oh, Vanessa! You made me chuckle…your home is so a pinterest home…it would be my dream home. I live in a split entry from the 1970’s that’s stuck in a time warp ~ I’m ready for Greg Brady to welcome me home one day but that being said, I am very, very thankful to God for it! Everything about your space is beautiful, warm and loving just like you.
Lovely! But I can’t stop wondering about your perfect skirt……..
Your home is simply lovely! Thank you for sharing.
Do you know what the exterior colors are? Lovely!
My home is very similar to yours….down to the big picture window. I love your decor style! Do you mind sharing the paint color of your front door?
Doesn’t seem like she likes sharing to help… only to receive compliments 🙁
Hello, would you happen to have the names of your exterior stucco and trim colors? Also, are the roof shingle colors black?
Thank you.
I love your stucco color! Do you mind me asking what color it is?
Has anyone gotten a reply on the stucco color? I am curious also. Thanks!!
Oops, typed the wrong letter in my email address. Interested in the stucco colors. thank you!!
Hi Tracie!! Oh my goodness I’m SO sorry that I haven’t gotten back to you! I must have missed your other comments. Let me go find the names of the paint and I will get back to you!
I would also like to know the stucco colors please.
Hi there! The main body of the house is painted in Sherwin Williams Cobblestone and the trim is called Alley Gravel.
Thank you so much!!
Your exterior pain colors are beautiful. I’m actually picking out exterior colors today and my head is spinning! What colors did you use (primary, trim, door)?
Hi Rachel! We used Sherwin Williams paint and the main body of the house is painted in a color called Cobblestones and the trim is painted in Alley Gravel. Hope that helps!
What are the colors of your home?? Love them!
Hi, can you please let me know what paint colors you painted your exterior? Thanks! Love it!