Victorian Charm

 

I’ve always been smitten with Victorian Homes and their grandeur.  From the high ceilings, wide verandas, to the ornate details, these homes always seem to capture my attention.  It was after watching Gone with the Wind for the first time, is when I encountered my first fantasy of living in an old Victorian home.  South Carolina has many quaint towns and  in them is where you’ll find some of the Victorian-era homes nestled in the neighborhoods.  As you travel through them, you tend to get mesmerized by the charming looks of these southern comfort homes.  Such is the historic town of Chester.  Chester is where my dear friend Elizabeth, Inn Keeper of the Inn Upon Moon River Bed&Breakfast resides and it is through Elizabeth that I was fortunate enough to meet another wonderful new friend name Jan, and she and her husband Terry are added to my list of the sweetest people I’ve met since living in the south.  Their friendly personalities blended with their zest for life really makes being in their presence so pleasurable. They welcomed me into their lovely Victorian home with open arms and a glass of Prosecco.  After having a few glasses, talking and laughing – it was like we were long time friends.  After several visits to their lovely home, I decided to ask “can I share your home with my readers” and when she said “Sure” I got excited, grabbed my camera and began my story.  So, grab your tea and croissant, and come join me because I’d like to invite you into their exquisite “painted Lady” Victorian Home.

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As you enter through the grand foyer you’re stunned with this beautifully designed Living Room

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Jan is the master-crafter behind the lovely decor and she reupholstered every item in this room and created all the custom draperies

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Each piece she placed in the home adds to the victorian charm of the beautiful home

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The border trimming the walls was all hand-painted using a stencil.  Adorning the fireplace is her collection of USA Roseville Pottery and the most gorgeous tiffany firescreen

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As your eyes wander the room you’ll find all the details and everything is meticulously place.

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The antique light fixture is another attention grabber.

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Opposite the Living Room is where you enter the grand Dining Room with vibrant cherry red walls.

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The first stunning  sight is the most beautiful crystal laden chandelier mounted against her metallic gold ceiling.  This is her crown jewel of the home – which has been with her in every home she’s lived (and I see why!!!)

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The way it glistens in the light and the faceted colors that are reflected makes it so glamorous.  Reminds me of something you’d see in “Gone With the Wind”

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The custom gold drapery adds to the charm of the room blending the gold, red and blue decor

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And here again – is her hand painted stencil.  (it’s all in the details)

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Victorian brass wall sconces adorn the fireplace

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while crystal lanterns and decanter drink set adorns the buffet

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As you see, this lovely home was decorated to reflect the natural charm and keeping with the grandeur of the home.  I’m sure this is making you want to see more, and there is plenty more to see.

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So to give you an eye candy break from this overdose of sweetness, I’ll be sharing the rest of the tour in three different posts.  I can’t wait to show you more of the details and love they put into restoring and decorating their home.   They scoured several thrift stores, antique shops, estate sales and auctions to find the right pieces to accent the home.   Looking at all the beautiful furniture, art work, collectibles and accent pieces, one would think it’s been handed down to them in the family.

Next up will be the kitchen, parlor and study… so tune in for the next episode of the charming Victorian treat.

Until next time – enjoy thrifting your house into a home.

Jamala

 

Like New Again

Every Spring I get excited about sitting in my “She-Rest Haven” and love finding little items to decorate with.  I try to change a few items every year just for a bit of a new look.  This year instead of focusing on the small items to place around – I became inspired by a shower curtain I picked up from HomeGoods a few months back.  It was in the clearance aisle marked down to $10.00.  The beautiful bold print caught my eye and I thought it would be great in the gazebo with the nice subtle tones of the greens and blues.

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I figured the bold paisley fabric would make perfect pillow cushions for the Better Homes & Garden outdoor set I purchased a few years ago on sale at Walmart.  The set is still in great condition, however, the seat cushions show wear and are not firm anymore, not to mention the fabric has seen better days.  Two years ago I recovered the back cushions made some floral throw pillows from scrap fabric.

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It held up pretty well, but the seat cushions just bothered me.  I saw how another blogger buddy, Brandi, painted  her cushions because the color had faded and they looked really good.  I thought about doing the same, but mine were just a bit too flimsy and needed stiffening.

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So I bit the bullet and made the decision that it was time to really kick it up and get the cushions reupholstered professionally.   I found the perfect outdoor fabric that complimented the shower curtain fabric and headed to the upholsterer’s home to get started.  A few days later I was picking them up and they look fantastic!

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In fact – I think they look even better than when I first purchased them (especially as for the color scheme of them), here’s the original fabric (booooooring)

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I know…..not that exciting… but hey – I got the set at a fantastic price and it was sturdy.

You feel me?..  besides…. the fun part is always changing it to reflect your style.

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The two colors were blended perfect and I love the new look.   It actually looks and feel like I have a new set.  Ta-daaaahhhhh!!!

 

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So much prettier …..  I wanted to add another twist of color and saw a delicious orange/pink fabic (with these little fish pattern) and thought that would be a fun pop of color.  A bit of tropical blue mixed with some orange crush made a nice contrast for the pillows and kinda reminds me of rainbow sherbert.

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I’m so thrilled about the new look.

Found these dainty tealight chandys at Ross’s Dress for Less for &6.99 ea

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I couldn’t resist the yoga cat I found at AtHome store

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This flower pot was a thrifted item for $1.50

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The little vintage tin I picked up from Goodwill for $1.00 holds decorative napkins.  Mixing old and new items gives a space a bit more character

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I kinda have a secret fettish for collecting these type tins.  They’re so useful in so many different ways and they add a decorative touch around your space.   Here are more of my At Home goodies… (I think I’m about to get hooked on that store)

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and at night it looks even more enchanting..

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Recovering the cushions saved money and I’ll have this set a few more years.  I can’t wait to hang out in here with my besties – just us girls listening to some music, having some sips and dips and simply “chillaxing”.  How’s your  “get ready for Summer” going?  You’ll see me post more about my “Rest Haven” this summer, but in the meantime – as always – “Happy hunting while Thrifting your house into a home!”

Smooches!!

Jamala

 

 

 

YardSale Fun

This past weekend was our town’s big I2I Yard Sale.  I must say planning it is very time consuming, but I have to admit, it’s also very rewarding.  Not just because I sell to make a few bucks for my pockets, but … Continue reading

Freshened Foyer

I’m on my minimizing kick and next up was the foyer.  I’m taking my time going room by room and completing this task.  I had hoped to have it completed by the time the i2i YardSale happened, but I couldn’t accomplish it.  One thing for sure is I’m happy that I’ve at least began making every attempt to do this.  Letting go is always the hardest part and I’m realizing  that once I’ve gone through a space redecorate, starting with a clean slate was easier for me to weed out what I no longer wanted.  Such is the case with the foyer, living room and dining room.  I wanted the color of the foyer to flow into both those rooms so I chose Sherwin Williams “Morning Fog”.  It’s a bit of a grayish/bluish/lavenderish color..

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When I saw it in this picture, I thought it was a bit too gray,

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Contrare to my thought, it was actually what I was looking for.  I finished painting the rococco console table/mirror and it looks a thousand times better.  If you recall it was shabby black which did nothing for it.

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Initially I thought about metallic gold, but then I loved the Rose Gold I used for the living room mirror, and decided to go with that color again because the console table has a mauve marble top.

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This mirror was a royal pain in the toosh to paint.  All the swirly edges made the task of painting it was even harder.  (as much as I papered and taped, I still got overspray on it, but nail polish remover took it right off.

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This is a closer view of the details that were on the console legs.  Here is how it looks inside with the new wall color

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Major difference right!  Looks a lot more elegant!  I also changed the light fixture and decided on the Jamee chandelier at Joss & Main

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I loved the chandelier, but I didn’t care for the crystals it came with because – 1) I had to assemble them and 2) they weren’t real crystal.  I had a bag of antique crystal prisms I had been saving and decided to switch them.  The longer crystals did a bit more justice to the beauty of the fixture.

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This small space has 5 doorways, and i felt it’s best not to put a bunch of items in here.  I’m satisfied (for now)

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I haven’t decided on an area rug yet, and I’m not rushing it either.. I’ll take my time and enjoy looking at the openness of the space.  By not having a lot of items the area actually feels bigger.

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I’m so glad I chose to keep it because now I’m forced to not keep a bunch of “stuff” that was filled in the drawers of the table.

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I styled it simple with a set of Ikea Blomster candleholders that I picked up at Goodwill for $3.00, another one of my favorite female busts (which was a yardsale find $1.00), a bit of greenery and my favorite pic of hubby and I.

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When the chandelier is on at night, there’s a soft glow of the reflection

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and the rose gold changes the hue

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On the other side of the wall, I brought in the bench from the bedroom.  I needed a space to drop my handbag and workbag and thought that would be great place for it.  I finally hung the birthday painting.

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Another vintage swan (which I use as a planter) is perched right next to it

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I’m definitely sure I appreciate the new space.

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Although the sale of the console didn’t go through, sometimes things happen for a reason, because I truly am happy I have it and I love the new look.  The foyer has been freshened up and I’m patting myself on the back because I was able downsize a few items.

To take the look of the foyer from this …

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to this look

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It’s a winner for me.  The total cost of my new look was $150.00 ( with the bulk of it being the cost of the chandelier).
As always, it’s not how much it costs, but its’s how you style it.  Happy hunting while you thrift your house into a home.

Smooches!!

Jamala

 

 

Awesome Auction

A few weeks ago me and my two musketeers (mom and god-aunt) went to an auction.  My aunt had just re-located here and had not been to one, and since she’s shopping for things for her home, we decided to go.  I use to go to them all the time (it was the start of my “hoarder” sydrome)  getting stuff “just in case”.  While there I could feel the excitement building up in me and seeing all those fantastic items, my mind was racing 50 mph, and my mouth was salivating over all the goodies I could bring home with me.  I could have really done some purse damage if I hadn’t stopped myself, and mind you.. my mom kept saying.. “Kim, where are you going to put anything..” but yet I was listening like Charlie Brown to his teacher “womp womp”

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This was just a tip of the iceberg.. there were lots and lots of good stuff inside and outside.  It’s so funny, I always joke about  this scenario, but while I’m sitting there, I clearly envision my sons telling them to “SELL IT ALL!!!”.. lol.. all my worldly posessions.. gone to the highest bidder… I only hope they’ll get sentimental and keep a few items.   But moving along and enough of that thought…. You know I have a chair fettish, and the white chair you see below almost made it home with me.  I did give a bid at 25 but I wasn’t going higher…. (I know what you’re thinking.. foolish me.. and yes I regret not getting it.. but I had no space and had to let it be the “OTGA”  mind you .. it sold for $35.00

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I wish I had taken more pictures to share with you, but I was just too enthralled with watching the auction.  But ….I’d like to share with you exactly what came home with us.  My eyes zeroed in on this brass chinoiserie lamp and I snagged it for $10.00! (shade included but I want to change it)  You know I was excited..

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I also got this lamp for $10.00 too.. I said “shucks”  for ten bucks its got to go somewhere..

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I got a box of shades and vintage belts  and evening purses all for $20.00

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This rolling utility cart guess how much –    $10.00  (yes, that’s my clutter behind here.. and I’m embarrassed.. so glad the yard sale is this week, because it’s all coming out and major cleaning is about to happen).  I promised my sons I won’t let this pile up happen again.. (insert eyes rolling) yea right…

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My aunt was the big winner – she got this outdoor sofa set for $120.00

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The set included the sofa, chair, coffee table, side table and cushions and it was like new.  The colors were perfect for her porch  and not to mention, how comfortable it sits.

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She found the cute mosaic candle holders at “At Home”  – (we’ve found our new addiction..lol)

and last but not least she bought two of the Victorian green chairs you see in the back drop for $35.00 each..  I’ll be showing you a closer look later on when they’re all set in the house.  auction5

This was by far one of the best auctions I’ve attended in a long time.   High five to my buddies Johnathan & James of Ammons Auction for coercing me to come.  I’m so glad we decided to go, but really wish I had taken more pictures.. but next time, I’ll have more pics to show.  Have you ever gone to an auction?  Auctions and estate sales are just other venues to shop for home items and they’re really fun to go to.  If you had never been to an auction, get there early, and be prepared to be there a long time, so pack a lunch or snack and something to drink and enjoy the show.  You never know what you’ll find and as always – Happy Hunting – thrifting your house into a home.

Until next  – smooches!

Jamala