Sunday, September 23, 2007

What Do You Love About Your Home?

One of my very favorite blog friends, Karla Nathan of Karla's Cottage (gosh - doesn't she have a great name?!) is hosting a What Do You Love About Your Home day. I think this is a great idea and I can't wait to see what fun things everyone is posting about. Above are two of my favorite things - two handmade plates that Jeff and I purchased while in Florence on our honeymoon.




One of my very favorite things about our home - the espresso machine! I chipped in with my family and Jeff's family to purchase this for Jeff for his birthday back in January. We both love it and use it pretty much daily. I can make espresso, cappuccino, and many other wonderful combinations of coffee drinks. Next to the espresso machine is a wine opener that was one of the first things I gave to Jeff when we started dating.




This is a weather vane outside our home. We purchased this while in Cape Cod for our first anniversary. This weather vane was our anniversary gift to each other.




This is a small peek at my purple powder room! This half bath is off of our kitchen. Jeff actually agreed to the lavender color!




This is a salvaged window turned mirror. I wish I could say I made it but I purchased it. This hangs in our front entry.


This is our guest room bed. I especially like the paisley pillows because I made them. I am not much of a sewer but I found a no sew method that worked beautifully. Our master bedroom is still a work in progress - along with many other areas of our home! I figured I would save our bedroom for one of the last projects as no one really sees it but then I read a magazine article saying how the master bedroom should be one of the first projects as we need to treat ourselves and gives ourselves a restful retreat. I hadn't thought of it that way so now our room has moved up on the to do list!




This is a wall of photographs in our dining room. The photos above are all old photos of my grandparents. Special moments from when they first starting dating. Precious times caught on film. The opposite wall of the dining room contains a similar display of Jeff's grandparents.




I lost my maternal grandfather when I was 8. I am the oldest grandchild and the only one that has clear memories of him. I miss him so much 21 years later and wonder what kind of impact he would have had on my life had he lived longer. I think I get a lot of my creativity from him. He loved to make furniture in his spare time (he was a tool maker by trade). He died before passing on his craft - if he had lived I know I would have wanted to learn. The photo above is a painting that he did and now hangs in my kitchen.



The photo above is one of the most important things to me. It is a desk that my grandfather made for me. He planned to make all of his grandchildren a desk, but I am the only one that received one before his untimely passing. On top of the desk is a music box my mother-in-law gave me when I had a work milestone. The teddy bear is mine from childhood. I actually purchased the bear myself when I was a pre-teen. I never had a teddy bear (I had many, many other toys though!) and decided that I wanted one. He is a little worn but he is a wonderful mint green color. The doll is Molly from the American Girls Collection. This collection came about when I was an older child. I wanted a doll so badly but my mother thought they were porcelain and wouldn't buy me one. Years later, my sister received many American Girls dolls as they are cloth and plastic! A few years ago I made this observation to my mother and mentioned I never got a Molly doll - guess what she gave me for Christmas! Now of course, American Girls have gone out of control with all the dolls and accessories. I liked it better when there were only three: Molly, Samantha, and Kirstin.
Last but not least, I love that my dog Margot is waiting for me with a wag, a lick, and unconditional love! (Of course, I hope it goes without saying that I also love that Jeff is there too!).


30 comments:

Sue said...

Just came over from Karla's. Love your post and lovely home. Thanks for sharing

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Espresso and homemade bread?? I'm coming over.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

What a BEAUTIFUL home!!! And I noticed right off the bat your awesome Seaco espresso machine (hmmm... wonder why that is?) heehee! Hope I can meet you again and do lunch on your next visit here! =)

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Love the espresso machine and a place to put it even! Everything looks nice...love the Grandfather chat :) He sounds like my dad.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful spaces and wall decor in your house! I love the framed pics of your grandparents, and Margot is so sweet! We grew up with schnauzers, so they definately pull at my heart strings! I can't wait to see finished bedroom pics! My whole house needs help!!

Betty said...

I would love an espresso machine. I love your weather vane too!

Natasha Burns said...

Karla your home is so lovely. I'd stay in that lovely guestroom any day!!! Your pieces that your granfather made are so special, how lucky you have those, especially the only desk he got to make

Merci-Notes said...

hehe, I was wondering if you forgot him!...not really for i read and sway the memories that the two of you are creating!
Cailtin has Kirsten! I like the originals and then the next two that they added!
Your home is filled with loving things! Thank you very much for sharing it all with us!
Hugs,
mary

Retroboutiques said...

Love your home, especially your walls of grandparents!

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

What a gorgeous weather vane!
I also like your lavender powder room!!
:)

Anonymous said...

Oh I loved seeing more of your precious home! Wonderful spaces AND I have that same wine opener! I gave it to my hubby for Christmas one year! Now I'll think of you each time we use ours!

xo,
Kim

Anonymous said...

I always wanted Molly, too. Now I want Kit. In a bad way. Since I have a little girl its on! Mommy and daughter will be going to town on the dolls!

Artifax said...

What a lovely home you have! And I noticed the espresso machine right away ... love it!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing so many delightful personal treasures and touches around your home. It looks very inviting.

tamy
www.simplymein.typepad.com

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Hoe lovely!!!!! The blue guest room is so soothing and an ESPRESSO machine. I am sooooooo jealous of you!!!!!! You better have an extra cup just for me!

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

What a gorgeous home Karla...each thing you have shown has its own special meaning... love that! I am on my way over for some cappuccino!

Heather

Anonymous said...

Your home is lovely, so many sentiments. Thank you for sharing your photos! I love the mirror, even if you didn't make it, I know you could have! Your weather vane is marvelous, too! How fun to have a memory to go with it!

Dena said...

I just love that window turned mirror and it looks beautiful on the yellow wall :)

Dena

Vicki Chrisman said...

Oh everything is GORGEOUS!!! Your home is beautiful and your pup... is CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Love the lavender powder room! I would love to do a lavender and soft yellow room one day! I love garden accents, so you know I love the angel weather vane! Thank you for sharing your home!
Barbara

Anonymous said...

Hey, is that espresso machine in your mud room??? :-) Yum! I want one!..Miss Mari~

Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm said...

fabulous pictures!! so pretty!!

bluemuf said...

I enjoyed my visit to your home and your weather vane is lovely

Karen

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Oh, and espresso and some yummy homemade bread sound delicious!
Lovely things you've shared with us all ~ you have a beautiful home!
Hope you are having a great week.
Blessings,
Sandy :)

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

I love your home, Karla. The colors are lovely. But mostly, I love your dog Margot. She's a sweetie. Sophie says hi.

Anonymous said...

I love the lavender!! Our bedroom is in lavender (it came that way with the house. At first I wasn't surre about it; but now I love it!

Jenn said...

Karla,
I enjoyed the tour of your fave things! Those plates are really neat. And the expresso machine looks dangerous!! hehe
YUM!

Jenn

Anonymous said...

Love your purple powder room! And that window frame mirror is really sweet. So nice that you have a desk made by your grandfather.

Susie Q said...

I love your home...so many delicious things! Like espresso and homemade bread! And treasures from your travels...and your art and, well, it is all wonderful!

Grace was quite impressed with your Molly!! : ) And yes, they are running amuck at AG. It is BIG business now...

Hugs,
Sue

Unknown said...

Karla, your home is so pretty and put together. I really like all of the pictures - the photographs you displayed are really nice, and such a great reminder of the past. Love the mirrored window with hooks. Also love the kitchen with the espresso maker and wine opener. I love kitchen tools/machines. Margot is so cute too, and I love her sweater in the prior post - so cute. Everything is so pretty Karla - I'd love to see more!

allie
www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

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