Tag Archives: home renovation

holiday farm house tour

I love the holidays, and the most favorite part of it all (aside from the blatantly obvious family and eating part) is decorating.   In the spirit of the Season, I wanted to preset the Farmhouse Holiday House Tour at least, what’s been completed thus far. These last few months have been crazy, the holiday rush…

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  • OMG!!! This is incredible. Can you please come over and decorate my house, too? 🙂

    I think a steel grey/blue would work really well in the living room. Something with a little bit of a cool tone. It will work so well with that fab rug.

    p.s. I did hear the angels when I saw that light fixture. Stunning!

    — Laura S.ReplyCancel

  • You’ve done such a great job decorating. Want to come over to do my house? I have a mental block when it comes to Christmas decorating. I never get it to look “full” if you know what I mean.ReplyCancel

  • Uncle Toby

    You suck !! Are there three of you? When the hell do you have time to do all this . Does someone needs to call the authorities! Are those kids tied up in the barn ? Awesome job Jimmy !!! Oh yeah you too Laura !! xoxoReplyCancel

  • Michelle

    Check into Sparrow (it’s a shade of taupe/gray). It’s regular Benjamin Moore but we had it made into Aura paint and it’s on our kitchen cabinets. I LOVE it, goes well with every color and silver accents. I’ll send you a cell phone shot!
    House – Beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • Michele Genovese

    Everything looks amazing- it really does!
    Love the dining room and the wainscoting…can not wait to see it in person.ReplyCancel

  • I want to spend Christmas at YOUR house. Wow. It’s all so beautiful, and so beautifully photographed.

    What a clever idea to wrap gifts with old magazines. Love the results!

    I’m so glad you joined my blog party. Thanks for inviting us into your home! -Julia 🙂

    P.S. I added your post for you. Just so you know, in the future, you can put your address into that box on my blog that says, “This site is using auto linkies” toward the bottom of my page.ReplyCancel

  • Oh my word. The amount of work that these photos portray absolutely boggles my mind – not just the decorating, but the remodel and the photography itself. And the magazine wrapped gifts…and that chandelier…I’m speechless. Take a break! You and your husband deserve it.ReplyCancel

  • Ok, this is just amazing! Why are you not an interior decorator?ReplyCancel

  • Totally impressed.
    Nice & cozy….
    Where is the Mistle Toe, so Mommy can kiss Santa Clause?? LOLReplyCancel

  • Dang Laura, you out did yourself on this one. Everything looks so beautiful! The magazine wrapped gifts blew me away. And your house puts the White House to shame. Thanks for sharing this as I am now in the Christmas spirit.ReplyCancel

  • Thank you! Josh, because I can’t decorate for anyone else!! Most people wouldn’t appreciate going through 4 different paint colors to get the “right” one.ReplyCancel

  • Christine

    Laura,
    I am speechless…you my friend ARE AN ARTIST!
    I am truely amazed at how well you can bring the beauty of everyday life into the eyes of others. Art beautifull art. Job well done GF you rock!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Rosalie

    Laura: the house looks amazing and beautiful. I lvoe the chandeleir. I love all the details. Please come to my house and help me!!! that’s a great idea for wrapping presents. This year- I am recycling paper fromlast year.ReplyCancel

  • Laura! I would PAY to spend Christmas at your house. 🙂
    You are Martha Stewart, Nate Berkus, Ina Garten and Annie Leibowitz all in one!!!!
    Great job … I’d also buy holiday cards of nearly any one of your images!! You are a cottage industry all in one:-) Congratulations and thank you for sharing the warmth and beauty of your creation. Very cool.ReplyCancel

  • aunt poppy

    hello sweetie…what a wonderland you two have created! wow Emma and Gwen must feel totally enchanted with all the magic around them! Beautiful job…lots of love! enjoy the holiday (relax! already!!) xoxo poppyReplyCancel

  • GREAT TOUR! I think I would like to book a room… looks like a perfect Inn! ADORE the fashion wrapping! ENJOY the season! FifiReplyCancel

  • Mom

    This looks so beautiful and festive!ReplyCancel

  • You have a beautiful home…so glad I found your blog through another one I was checking out!ReplyCancel

  • Wowee, your house is beautiful!! I love the photos of it all lit up. Its definitely my favourite on the Holiday House Tour so far. Thanks for the tour!! And thanks for dropping by my blog.ReplyCancel

  • Mrs. Simms ;o)

    Your house is absolutely GORGEOUS! Can Mike and I move in??? ;o)

    Seriously though, I love everything!!ReplyCancel

  • Wow, your home is stunning, and the work you did exquisite. My husband and I have been remodeling our old Dutch Colonial built in 1930, so I know what it takes to redo, restore, repair….The porch is just awesome and you made it all so festive. Great photographs too. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the great work you’ve done.ReplyCancel

  • Your home is absolutely gorgeous!!!ReplyCancel

  • ::SPEECHLESS::

    You have the most beautiful home, you should be so proud of what you have achieved. I love everything about your Christmas decorations!.

    Happy Christmas!
    LizReplyCancel

  • I think I have got lost, and wandered into the set of a Homes and Gardens photo shoot.

    Wonderful house, decor, decorations, light fittings and last but by no means least wonderful photography.

    A real feast for the eyes.

    Thanks for visiting my Northern Ireland blog.ReplyCancel

  • Wow, what a gorgeous place you have and beautiful holiday decorating. Love, love all the pics. Thank you SO much for stopping by my home tour too! Glad I found your blog, I’ll have to come back & read more when I have some time. I’m just blown away by your photos & i’m not always easily impressed. Great job!! Hope you’ll drop by to see me again.ReplyCancel

  • Oh MY Heavens…. I’m in love – with your photography, with your home, with your decor…. Love, I tell you. This is my first visit, but not my last. Oh my ~ WOW!ReplyCancel

  • Beautiful! Perfection!ReplyCancel

  • Good Lord in Heaven! Your home is spectacular! I would trade my double doors for your home in a minute! Interested? :o)

    Your photography is fabulous, too – so glad to know about you! Thanks for opening your home and for visiting mine!

    Merry Christmas,
    MelindaReplyCancel

  • Mindy

    wow! wow!! wow!!! You have a magnificent house! (and photo skills)ReplyCancel

  • WOW! What a gorgeous house you have. Can I come celebrate the holidays with you? I love your style and your photographs. Thanks for the tour.ReplyCancel

  • Iris B

    just like a story book … awesome job … now come do my house 😉 … is that a Schonbek chandelier?ReplyCancel

  • Wow! Your house is beautiful…so warm and inviting and full of light. It’s apparent that you took great care in decorating your house inside and out.
    Happy holidays!
    And thanks for stopping by my blog…ReplyCancel

  • Wow, thanks everyone, what lovely comments. Yay! I love comments.

    Iris, thanks, yes it is. It’s a Schonbek, a Christmas Miracle!ReplyCancel

  • Oh…my…word. Your home is Truly Stunning! My favorite? The dining room. Just knowing how much effort and creativity went into it only adds to its beauty. And my vote is definitely for the color from the magazine article, I think it will look gorgeous. Oh, to have such a home of our own to decorate one day….I’ll keep hoping 🙂 Thanks for the kind remarks on my blog!ReplyCancel

  • Wow! Your house is absolutely stunning — for Christmas and beyond. I love everything. Thanks for the tour.ReplyCancel

  • I am in love with your home! I love love the porch! Have an extra room for a woman that loves to clean and cook? 😉 Thank you for the tour!ReplyCancel

  • Jackie S.

    Absolutely Stunning!!!! You have done a wonderful job!!!ReplyCancel

  • Beautiful home, decorations, and also photography. Thank you so much for sharing. I loved the tour!ReplyCancel

  • So many amazing details! This is just beautiful, and you should be proud. Thank you for sharing. (And thanks for stopping by my place today too)ReplyCancel

  • Beautiful home! Your porch is wonderful, especially at night! Great idea your friend had with the magazines. How fun is that?ReplyCancel

  • Gorgeous home and photos. Thanks so much for letting us get a peek inside.ReplyCancel

  • What a festive home!!! I was going to try and choose one thing that I liked…but I like EVERYTHING!! Just beautiful 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Girl, you are living in my dream house. You must go now so I can move in. Really, your home is amazing. I love that you have taken a farm house look and made it so elegant and sophisticated. I always struggle with this. We built a little white farm house and I always feel I have to keep it casual but I really love the gold leaf aged finish type of opulence. You have mixed both perfectly. Being a photographer shows in your eye for detail. Mind if I link to your post? Everyone deserves a peak at this eye candy! PamReplyCancel

  • I enjoyed the tour of your beautiful home, and your photography is amazing! I would be honored if you would visit my nest sometime soon at robinsblessednest.blogspot.com! Blessings!ReplyCancel

  • I love your home, and these pictures are fabulous! Warm and inviting. I like the color you picked, too!ReplyCancel

  • I don’t even know where to begin. Your home is amazingly beautiful. You’ve done a lovely job!

    (And the magazine wrapping tip is really going to come in handy when I run out of gift wrap in the next day or two.)ReplyCancel

  • Oh. My. Word. I love your house!! I love your porch, I love the foyer, i love the fireplace. The Christmas decor is fabulous! Lucky, lucky, you!ReplyCancel

  • You’re house is stunningly gorgeous. And please share where you got the light fixture in your dining room, I’m in love! :o)

    Happy partying!ReplyCancel

  • Thanks everyone. I love reading all of these!

    Kathleen, the chandelier is made by Schonbek. (Check that website for a retailer near you!)ReplyCancel

  • Wow your house is AMAZING! How long does it take you to decorate each year for Christmas? I hope you have an army of people to help!
    Your chandelier is GORGEOUS!!!! I am saving your blog to show my husband the chandelier.ReplyCancel

  • Maridith

    Stunning! This is how I envision my home to look like one day just need time and money. Your home is so welcoming and comfortable. Thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

  • Your decorations are so pretty.
    I hope you’ll visit my blog soon. I’ve had giveaway’s every Friday in December.ReplyCancel

  • OMG!!! You truly have my dream home! I could only dream of having that house…and decorating it that way for Christmas! You did such an amazing job!!! :o) BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Ashley
    Owner of Treehouse Stamps
    http://www.Treehousestamps.comReplyCancel

  • Your house is absolutely amazing. Gorgeous Christmas decorations everywhere! And your photos are wonderful. Well, duh, you are a photographer. But why in the world can I not get a good photo of lights on a tree. With the flash you can’t tell there are any lights on. Without the flash you can tell there are lights, but it is just all too dark. Every one of your photos is perfect! Thanks for sharing.

    Merry ChristmasReplyCancel

  • Hi Laura. Thanks so much for visiting my blog, and for your kind comment. You have an absolutely gorgeous home. I’ve bookmarked you for future visits! Merry Christmas to you and yours!ReplyCancel

  • Stunningly gorgeous! Your pictures are wonderful and love the ideas of wrapping the presents with magazine paper. Also, love the stockings which are my latest project.ReplyCancel

  • WOW! I’m at a loss for words! Just breathtaking! S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G!!!!!!!! Your photography is perfection! Okay, I’m going to have to go sleep this off for two hours before I can even begin to look at my house again…ReplyCancel

  • Thanks for your kind comment on my home! I am really flattered now that I’ve seen yours!!!! You have amazing taste! The metallic paint is like magic in your dining room! And just my two cents…I LUVVVV the blue color on the magazine ad. It would be stunning in there! And I love (among other things) your stockings! You have talent running out your ears girlfriend!ReplyCancel

  • Oh. My. Word! You are the queen of pictures! I LOVE them. I want your game/piano room. I’m gonna swipe that gorgeous chair when your not looking if it’s not nailed down… Your lights are amazing and yes, the chandelier did evoke angelic voices from above when I saw it. A perfect choice. Now, I’m trying hard not to covet your amazing abode! Fabulous job girl. You must have been decorating for Christmas starting in July! Beautiful!

    Good to meet you!
    Pretty OrganizerReplyCancel

  • I want a farm house! I love your front proch! Bravo is you TOO!
    Merry Christmas!
    ReplyCancel

  • so very cozy and amazingly beautiful… thank you for the wonderful tour!ReplyCancel

  • Your house is exquisite! Wow. It is just absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • There’s no way to say what everybody else has said, any differently. Your home is absolutely beautiful. I’m curious as to what part of the country you live in? I’m guessing in the East somewhere. I’m getting ready to add beams to my new house and I love yours. Also, thanks for the sparkly paint tip, I may use that too. I also have stacks of magazines under the bed. Great ideas for recycling! Have a Merry Christmas and thanks for inviting us into your beautiful home.ReplyCancel

  • amazing!! I love it. It’s a house right out of a magazine!ReplyCancel

  • Wow! Such eye candy on your site! Seriously beautiful photography. That is such a talent that I wish I had.ReplyCancel

  • I am seriously so jealous of your holiday decor.

    And I still maintain you should keep the wall color. It’s perfect.ReplyCancel

  • Wow. I mean w.o.w! Your house is just amazing. I have no other words. I am in awe of the beauty of it all! You must be very proud. You sure put a ton of hard work into it!!
    Blessings this Christmas,
    MeganReplyCancel

  • WOW. just wow.ReplyCancel

  • (toby's)Lisa

    what Toby said…what the f*&?? Kidding, you are truly amazing and i so admire your talents, creativity, and especially ENERGY! We hope to see you over the holidays! xoxo to you, Jimmy, and the girlsReplyCancel

  • Nicole A. Wetzel

    Are you kidding me!!!!!! I should have gotten married at your house or had you decorate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Oh…my…GAWD! Your house is just amazing! Lovely, really!

    Thanks so much for stopping by my home tour!!

    Merry Christmas!ReplyCancel

  • Kris Santoro

    Laura, your keen sense of style, color and textures really brought the inside of your house together. It is absolutely beautiful, inside and out and it makes me feel even worse that I missed “Porch Night”. Hopefully there will be another one and I will come this time, promise!ReplyCancel

  • Thanks everyone :-), next year I’ll be getting some outdoor trees for the porch that look nicer during the day. Waiting for Frontgate to start posting their sales!
    ReplyCancel

  • Charla

    I am awed by this. What a wonderful feeling of Christmas you have provided all of us. THANK YOU!ReplyCancel

  • Robyn

    WOW- Just found you blog tonight, your house is AMAZING, I love it. Viewed your holiday tour, everything is just beautiful. As for your fmaily room, have you checked out Restoration Hardwares Silver Sage paint, I had to laugh because I had paint samples on all of my family room walls for months, Silver Sage is so beautiful. Depending on the light it appears Grey, or Blue, Or Sagey green.
    I think it is delicious, I love it!
    Good luck.ReplyCancel

  • Dana Battaglia

    I LOVE EVERY BIT OF YOUR HOUSE AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE!! I FEEL LIKE I JUST CLOSED A MAGAZINE AND RIPPED OUT EVERY PAGE TO PUT IN MY WISH LIST!!!!ReplyCancel

  • yas

    hi. first off…beautiful house, pictures everything!! gorgeous!!! second…what is the name of the ralph lauren metallic paint you finally decided on?!?! i know you went through a ton and finally chose an amazing color…but what was the name?!?!! all the build up…i was waiting for the name to come any second! lol. so, please let me know the color of both the dining room and the living room. thank you.ReplyCancel

  • SUSAN

    Laura,

    I am so amazed at what you have done with your home!! and the artwork you have done. I have never had the chance to go on this site. I just happened to have seen Emma on Kates F/B. All I can say is that your work and everything you have created has just exploded into a wonderful world and I am happy that your where you are sweetheart!! Much love to you all and sorry I never had enough time to come down.
    Happy Thanksgiving
    Love to you
    Susan and GregReplyCancel

  • Wow. This is amazing. Just read a comment from Debbie Phillips. Nate Berkus is the favorite. He has a son now, Oskar Brent Berkus. He is elegant just like Nate’s design. As for this post, Laura the house looks simply amazing.ReplyCancel

the farm: the bathroom, take one

This blog post has been a long time coming, well, not this one, but the one that will follow it (with all the nitty gritty details for which you have to request the password). For this post, I’ll attempt to satisfy the blog readers that are just happy with basic before and afters. For everything…

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  • Great job. The ceilling looks amazing! Did you uncover that?

    If I may add my 2 cents, I think you need something that takes up more space on the yellow wall. The picture you have hanging is totally throwing the room off balance for me.ReplyCancel

  • I agree completely. Add more things or remove completely??? I’m at a standstill here.ReplyCancel

  • If you have something larger (or a collection of smaller things) to hang, then definitely. There is a lot going on the one side and the blank space looks odd to me. Maybe add a rug too? (And this is totally the kettle caling the pot b/c I don’t have a single thing hung in my bathroom nor am I making any strides to getting that task done!)ReplyCancel

  • Ceiling!! WOW! And that mirror…I *love* it. We just looked at that faucet (or something similar) last week at Lowe’s in Eatontown — I’ll have to show your picture off so the man can see it “in action.” What make is yours? (and did you get locally?)

    And I love the prints…both of them. I wonder if you add a rug only if that would help you feel more at one with the wall? I would pull one in from another room just to see.ReplyCancel

  • Yes! I think the faucet was Pfister? Not sure exactly sorry! I got it locally 😉

    I have no rug that will FIT in this room right now!

    Mrs. Limestone – I have to say, I could use an ottoman similar in size to the ones you were looking at for this room. Good place to put a bag down or something.ReplyCancel

  • hi Laura,
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us. We recently purchased a home that is in need of major updo’s. I’ve spent all summer peeling wallpaper and getting walls painted, switching out hardware, etc. but i see a long road ahead. It is comforting to see bloggers that don’t just move in and make it perfect in a month. I look forward to seeing your ideas. Have an outstanding day.

    BTW, enjoy your snow! We are going to reach 78 degrees tomorrow in San Antonio, Texas. Most annoying…ReplyCancel

the farm: my office update

Finally! I’ve made some progress on decorating my home office. Still much left to do but I think I’ve come to a point where I can at least post a notice to myself on what needs to change in here. I’ll post two before images and for those that want to see in better detail…

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  • Looking lovely. I especially like the chandelier 🙂ReplyCancel

  • That looks SO great. I’m going to buck convention and say that you need something totally minimalist for your desk. But yet something with weight and an organic presence. Something like these:

    http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11155/index.cfm?pkey=cfurhofdsk

    or a laquered white parsons desk.ReplyCancel

  • LOL…I was going to recommend Mrs. Limestone’s desk in her recent post. And here she is! 🙂

    I can NOT believe how great your office looks, and wow those shears open the room up so much. It almost makes me want to work! I also like the idea of something minimal since you have some fancy pieces already — I just checked and the “Spotlight” desk is on sale and Crate & Barrel…I like the “crossed legs” design but just not sure this particular desk will work with those very regal chairs! When we closed on our house, our lawyer had very similar — and said he found them IN THE TRASH at a Mason’s Temple outside of Red Bank (Fair Haven) several years ago.ReplyCancel

  • Mrs. Limestone – Nothing like a little bit of sparkle in your day 😉 I want to hang chandeliers in every room lately.

    Becky – I’m surprised. Clean lines, open. I’m surprised because I like it – it probably does need something like that.

    Shore-Chic Laura – Ah, Mrs. Limestone has indeed fabulous taste 😉 ! You know, I think I’m just now getting used to the main elements in the room, I’m not particularly sold on any of the furniture in this room right now. The chairs need to be painted *something* – and since I have such a play on whites (3 whites, 3 finishes), I need to have something cheery. The finish of these chairs is too dark for my taste. If they are to work in here they must be changed. I need to start doing some fabric research but based on my current work/life schedule that won’t be happening anytime soon. Another great recommendation in the Spotlight Desk.

    I really appreciate everyone’s input, this place can become a bit overwhelming to say the least.ReplyCancel

  • Um, ok. This might be the most fantastic office I’ve ever seen. To say that I’m jealous would be an understatement! You’ve got fantastic taste.ReplyCancel