A Before and After Home Tour (Two Years On)

The other day I shared the HGTV Dream Home Tour in Martha’s Vineyard. Today I have another home tour for you.  My home.

It is my dream home.

I grew up in an antique Cape in Andover and my parents owned an historic restaurant in a colonial mansion.  I always, always wanted an old home of my own.

Can you believe Saturday marks our 2 year anniversary in this house?  I can’t! It feels like we just moved in. Do you remember?  The excitement? The worries the days leading up the move as I packed our old house up?  I remember my boys running from room to room so excited about our new home and their secret passage way.

I took this photo on that day. Sweet Conor sitting on the back steps taking in his new yard.

A LOT has happened in two years – a skunk incident, a few antique shows and open studios, room makeovers, blizzards, magazine features and so many wonderful memories.  So I thought today, we’d take a look back two years and now so you can see how each room has changed and transformed with the needs of our family.

I’m so inspired by my home.  The antique details, the coastal charm.  My home has become my canvas and a way of showcasing my style.

Our first change was on the exterior.  Our friend Andy Lane painted the exterior for us, including the door and the shutters:

Exterior Paint – Trim Super White Benjamin Moore, Shutters and Door Buxton Blue in High Gloss.

Come on in and see what we’ve done:

Our Entry

This is what it was looking like when we moved in:

A view of the entry in the fall:

 We lightened the walls and added some new lighting and antiques!

Entry Source List

• Wall Color – Muslin by Benjamin Moore in Flat
• Antique Bench – Consignment Shop
• Antique Marble Topped Dresser – Gentleman & Daughter Antiques
• Antique Brass Light – Bent Nail Farm Antiques
• Oriental Rug – Yard Sale
• Ceiling Pendant – Lowes
• Cardinal and Pumpkin Pillow – Craftberry Bush on Society 6
• English Cottage Bird House – I made click here for tutorial

The Kitchen

The entry leads right into our kitchen.  I don’t often show this room as we haven’t done a huge makeover in here.  We’ve hung some stuff and got a some furniture, but I really want to paint in here and do new counters and a subway backsplash.  We are also thinking about maybe expanding our kitchen slightly so HUGE makeover on hold until we have the funds to do it.

Here’s a look at before and after:

I know not a huge change but it gives you an idea what a few decorative elements can do to a space.

Another view of the kitchen:

Kitchen Source List

• Pendant Light – Ikea
• Flush Mount Light – Restore
• Stools – Ballard Design
• Wall Clock – Decor Steals
• Fruit Bowl – Ralph Lauren, Consignment Shop
• Fish Pitcher – Christmas Tree Shoppes
• Antique Framed Butterflies – Yard Sale
• Wire Baskets – Target Dollar Section
• Jars – Ikea / Target
• Island – Ikea
• Oriental Rug – Grillo, antique
• Kettle – Home Goods
• Wooden Spoons, Polders Old World
• Wall Color – Chestertown Buff Benjamin Moore
• Cabinet Color – Bone White by Benjamin Moore in Semi Gloss

Half Bathroom

This is the world’s tiniest bathroom!  It used to be a pantry for the kitchen and the previous owner converted it to a 1/2 bath and laundry room. We invested in a new washer and dryer. The color is still the same as the previous owner.

Half Bath Source List

• Wall Color – Bone White by Benjamin Moore in Eggshell
• Towel – HomeGoods
• Air Plants – Etsy
• Shells local store
• Print of Bristol, wedding gift
• WC sign on the door – Farmhouse Wares

The Dining Room

The kitchen leads directly into the dining room.  We did a lot of work to this room from replacing lights, lightening the walls and refinishing all the furniture.  You can see a whole post on this room here.  It was our first makeover in this house. The most expensive thing in the whole room is the chandelier, I think we spent $350 for it. This is the dining room I was dreaming about.

Here’s a before and after image:

A few other images that I love from this room:

Free Printable – click here

Ready for brunch – stenciled tablescape tutorial here.

Using Target Wallpaper inside the china cabinet.  Click here.

Dining Room Source List

• Wall Color – Mascarpone – Benjamin Moore in Flat
• MMS Milk Paint and Chalk Paint® on Furniture
• Linen Curtains – Ikea ($49.99 a pair)
• Curtain Rods / Hardware – Lowes
• Dining Room Set – Freecycle, Old White Chalk Paint® and Dark Walnut Stain by Minwax
• Chair Fabric – Canvas Spa by Sunbrella from Online Fabric Store ($21.95 a yard)
• Chandelier – 3A Antiques ($350)
• Lady Grey Hutch – ($50), Consignment Store, Old White, Paris Grey and Old Violet Chalk Paint®
• “Simone” Antique Dresser – ($20) Yard Sale, painted in MMS Milk Paint in Eulalie’s Sky with Old         White Chalk Paint® accents and drawers
• French Chair in top photo, World Market
• Silhouettes created with the Silhouette Machine, click here for tutorial.
• Indigo Placemats – World Market and stenciled with Chalk Paint®
• Oriental Rug – Yard Sale

The Living Room

The living room is probably the hardest room in the house to decorate due to the length – it is so long!  This room is still a work in progress but we’re getting there.  I’m trying to fit an antique French day bed in here in front of the fireplace, but I’ll share more if I make it work.  My idea for this room was to combined my love for the sea with my love for England.  I wanted this room to feel very clubby.  The Chesterfield was an amazing Craigslist find!  The room is painted in the same color as the dining room and has the same window treatments.

You can glimpse the day bed in the picture above!!!

I’ve added some of my grandfather’s things over by our white chair.  I never met him so it is nice to have mementos of his life.

A look at the mantel from the fall:

and some fall decorating in the other part of the living area:

Living Room Source List

• Wall Color – Mascarpone by Benjamin Moore
• Curtains – Linen by Ikea
• Curtain Rods and Hardware – Lowes and Home Depot
• White Chair – Ikea
• French Chair – Consignment Shop
• Chesterfield – Craigslist
• Oriental Rug – Yard Sale
• Orchid – HomeGoods
• Light on Black Table – Home Goods
• Coffee Table – Consignment Shop – painted tutorial here.
• Black Gateleg Table painted in General Finishes Lamp Black
• Ship Photographs – Crate and Barrel
• Standing Lamps – Target
• Black Rocking Chair – My childhood rocking chair
• Fireplace Bricks – weathered with Chalk Paint tutorial here.

Playroom

To be honest, we haven’t painted this room but we have added a lot of kid artwork and antiques.  Yes, my son has a Stickley desk and you may remember the old school house desk I refinished for Conor. The printer’s tray holds legos.

Playroom Source List

• Wall Color – Navajo White by Benjamin Moore
• Black and White Rug – Ikea
• Day Bed – Ikea
• Striped Duvet Cover – Ikea
• Small Rug – Target
• Stickley Desk – Salvage Chic Antiques (it used to be my desk)
• School House Desk, Antique Chair – Yard Sales
• Frames – Ikea
•  Desk Light – Ikea
• Globes – Antique Stores / Yard Sales
• Pillows – all different shops
• Wooden Rocking Chair – my mom’s chair when she was little
• School House Desk Makeover click here
• Printers Tray – Goodies II

The Sun Room

I think my favorite room in the house is our sunroom.  We did a complete overhaul on this room mostly because Poppy got sprayed by a skunk in the face and the smell and blood was all over the rug.  Sigh.  All has a happy ending though.  This room is used for breakfast, dinner, relaxing and playing.

Oh, wait, here’s how it looked before we refinished the floors after ripping the rug out:

A few other photos of this room:

Two photos from the shoot from Matthew Mead’s Magazine Upcycled Style

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Sun Room Source List

• Ceiling Paint – Color – Ocean Air by Benjamin Moore, MooreGlo Exterior, Soft Gloss
• Wall Paint – Color – Simply White by Benjamin Moore, Moorlife, Flat Finish
• Trim Paint – Color – Super White by Benjamin Moore, MooreGlo, Exterior, Soft Gloss
• Floor Stain – Color – Silver Gray by Benjamin Moore Oil Based Exterior Finish, Translucent
• Galvanized Ceiling Light – Lamps Plus
• Vintage Chairs – Goodies II and I refinished them with Paris Grey Chalk Paint®
• Empire Style Table – Bent Nail Farm Antiques, we refinished painted with Chalk Paint®
• Enamel Pitcher – Consignment Shop
• English China and Pitcher – Goodies II and yard sale find
• Wicker Chairs – Ikea
• Woven Mat – Ikea
• Indoor Outdoor Rug and jute rug – Ikea
• Ticking stripe pillows on wicker chairs – Pier One
• Oars – Freecycle find, painted them in our old house
• Baseboard – Home Depot
• Pulleys and rope, to hang oars – Lowe’s
• White Pendant Light – Ikea
• Pine chest between wicker chairs – yard sale find and refinished, painted in MMS Milk Paint in Grainsack
• Rock lamp – hand-crafted by local artist – Saltwater Stones

The Landing

This is the spot at the top of the stairs.  I’ve created a little seating area.  This is the white wall you see in many of the furniture before and after photos.

Landing Source List

• Wall Color – Muslin by Benjamin Moore in Flat
• Chair – Ikea
• Lamp – Crate and Barrel
• Pillow – Online Fabric Store
• Union Flag Table – I painted click here for tutorial

Upstairs Hall

We have quite a long hallway upstairs and it was feeling very long and dark when we first moved in.  We created a family gallery wall and opened it up with lighter paint and soft wool runners.

Hall Source List

• Wall Color – Benjamin Moore Muslin in Flat
• Frames – Ikea
• Runners – Moroccan Trellis Rugs in Tan by Rugs USA
• School House Lights – Lowes

John’s Bedroom

John is our oldest and I haven’t shown his room much on the blog.

I promise to share more of John’s room on the blog!!!

John’s Room Source List

• Wall Color – Color Matched Pale Powder by Farrow and Ball with Benjamin Moore Paint
•  Striped Bedding – Ikea
• Pillows and Nautical Banner – Land of Nod
• Boat Hook as curtain rod from Bent Nail Farm Antiques
• Curtain from Target

Conor’s Room

Conor is my little beach boy.  I decorated this room with this in mind.  He loves days at the beach, adventures and most importantly he hated that his room had pink walls when we moved in and he thought they’d be painted by the time he got up. Sigh.

Conor’s Bedroom Source List

• Wall Color – A color match of Farrow and Ball’s Pale Powder using Benjamin Moore
• Duvet – Pottery Barn Kids
• Small Pillow – Handmade in Hingham
• Height Chart – I made, click here for tutorial.
• Ticking Stripe Curtains – Country Curtains

Guest Room

As many of you know this has become Poppy’s room!  It started off a vibrant blue but now is soft, serene and ready for guests if Poppy gets off the bed.

Guest Room Source List

• Wall Color – Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore in Matte, Stencil Color – Simply White by Benjamin Moore in Aura in Satin
• Parlor Lace Stencil – Royal Design, click here for tutorial
• Wood Stain – General Finishes, click here for tutorial
• Oil Painting – Goodies II
• Bedding – Ikea and Target
• Blanket – Home Depot
• Oriental Rugs, Side Table, Pitcher – Antiques
• Books – Gentleman & Daughter, Consignment Shops and Library Book Sales
• Curtains – Ikea

Master Bedroom

I don’t often share our bedroom.  I’ll try and do better with that from now and share some updates soon.  This image was by Matthew Mead for the Upcycled Style Feature:

• Wall Color – Benjamin Moore Silver Cloud, Trim White Dove, Semi Gloss (by previous owner)
• Chippy Dresser painted in MMS Milk Paint in Ironstone with Ebony Stain by Minwax
• Duck Egg Blue and White Chair in Chalk Paint®
• Wood Headboard – we made it.  Click here for tutorial
• Linen Curtains – Ikea
• Armoire – in French Linen and Old White Chalk Paint®. Click here for tutorial.
• Shell Mirror – Brimfield
• Bedding – Simply Shabby Chic for Target

Woo hoo!  I think this is the longest blog post I’ve ever written.  Please let me know via email or in the comments if you have any questions about sources or tutorials.  You’ll notice that I didn’t include our bathroom, office  or deck in this post.  Nothing has happened in our office since I posted my inspiration post.  Sorry about that. But soon there will be progress.  Luke is actually building me deck furniture and fingers crossed it will all be done for this weekend.  If it is I’ll be sharing a deck refresh post early next week and a build tutorial.

Thank you for taking this stroll down memory lane with me.  Sometimes it feels like you haven’t made much progress until you look at some before photos….

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