18 July 2013

Magnolia Manor: The Parlor Reveal

We're still in the honeymoon phase of our move-in, I suppose.  Once in a while I catch Ryan just wandering around and when he sees that I'm watching him, he'll give me a sly smile and say, I really like our house.
We've put so much work and time and money into it, yet there are still projects that need to be finished and more projects that I want to start.  Like this room.  I already have new plans for it.
The floors held the secret that this was part of the original house.  We could hear them give soft creaks under the pastel aqua carpet, they were ready to show off once again.  
There were no major changes done to this room, which we call The Parlor, but the kids have started calling it The Lighthouse Room, for obvious reasons.  
The floors and fireplace were pretty much given a facelift and walls slapped with paint.  The fireplace was tiled in a biege tile half-way up with a mantel.  That was one of the sticky issues when deciding what to do with the fireplace.  I voted mantel.  Ryan voted no.  Then where will we put stockings?  Which is kind of a lame argument, but I didn't take debate in high school, so I can't be faulted.  We both gave in to each other throughout this process, and I came around to the idea of a simple, solid facade.  And, who knows. I just might hang the stockings from the ceiling. ;)
It comes off the left of the entrance with the half bath down the hall and the kitchen on the other side, in case you were wondering layout details.
This old metal chest was left by the previous owner and the wooden (magazine?) stand I bought at his estate sale and painted a flat black.
And those cars?! Those are from Ryan's boyhood collection!  We sat down one day and I think told me the history and detail on almost all of them.  I am just fascinated how Drummer is drawn to them.  We've had them around, of course, but none of the girls cared.  It's just so amazing how different he is.
I also wanted to help remind us to read scriptures together as a family, but they needed to match, of course!  I covered each book in contact paper and then put a strip of washi tape on the spine with another strip of packing tape to keep it in place.  It would also be fun to let each child decorate their own.  Maybe my next project.
We used to have a record player, which made more sense to have a record collection.  The baby dills broke the speakers and so we got rid of it and this is one where Ryan gave in.  But, why do you want all those records if you can't play them?  And we all know the answer to that.  Rainbowtize.
I inherited them from my parents and used to study about the lives of the composers.  Well, I got through about 7 of them at least.  I hope they're not offended that they're a side table now.
Ryan says this is his favorite room.  I try not to play favorites, but it is well utilized and comfortable, and I love the triptych windows.
We have been couchless since we moved in until last week an early birthday gift came.  It smelled like hotdogs for a couple of days, but it is everything I wanted.  
I know I kept our contractor guessing because, while I would be so persnickety about one thing, I didn't want the creaks or cracks of the floors fixed. He stopped trying to persuade me otherwise.  
When my heart is set on something, good luck to the man who tries to pry it from my metaphorical grasp.
The ceilings?  They may have played a major role in the wooing process of buying this house.
Some details: The paintings and lamp were done by my dad and the wool, hooked rug on the wall was done by my mom. We bought the giant hibiscus at a traveling art show.
Have a happy Thursday!


30 comments:

  1. what a beautiful, calm space. It's just wonderful! I wish you many happy years in it!

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  2. Beautiful, Katy!! I can't wait to see it in real life someday! xo

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  3. Hurray! I found your blog about the time you moved in, and have been perusing archives for weeks. I've also been more ready to dust off the sewing machine. I'm excited to see the whole house!

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  4. For some reason, I'm unable to see the photos on this post - just some lines. Does anyone else have this issue?

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    1. Is it just this post, or are there other posts on my blog doing the same thing?

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. I've seen it on multiple posts on your blog- but not everyone- when viewing in Internet Explorer. But clicking on the line brings up the photo strip.

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    4. I can't see any on this post either. I scrolled down and there are two missing (the one in the middle is showing) from the Coconut pancakes post. I did click the line and it brought up a gallery, but then that takes you out of the post window...Hope that helps!

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    5. Yes, thank you for your help, you guys! I'll look into it.

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  5. Yes I have the same issue and I'm dying to see how marvellous it is!

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  6. Heather, I do too...no pics... :(
    Just this post...

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  7. I clicked on a line (just out of curiosity) and up popped a photo gallery! Wow. That's an awesome room and the mantel-less fireplace is swell! What happens if you need to look up "The Girl With the Flaxen Hair" in your encyclopaedia collection? Good work : )

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  8. Thanks for the advice Pip, yes it worked! AMAZING KATY!!!!!! Wow what a fabulous interior designer you are. I love the stack of rainbow albums and the cars. But the fireplace with the candles is amazing! I think a bare timber mantle would still work well, I'm with you on that one. Love them for the stockings. It's all so clean and clear looking, so relaxing. Well done you guys, it's wonderful and so inspiring. Love the ceilings and windows too.

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  9. Sigh. What a perfect space!! :) Glad to see the wear on Chopin. He's my favorite.

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  10. Love the space and white walls ...

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  11. This is so fun! I've been wondering where you take the photos of the kids with the white background. Now I know! The parlor. Love it. We have an open hallway in our new house called "the gallery"...and the fancy names make me laugh.
    Lovely home!
    Can't wait to see more!

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  12. I so love your style! Beautiful space for some wonderful times. Keep on
    enjoying your beautiful Magnolia Manor.

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  13. its beautiful!
    how do you keep it so white with 6 children?
    if i had white floors they'd be covered in muddy footprints.
    and discarded fruit snacks.

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  14. A beautiful, beautiful room! Love your style. Can you tell me where your sofa came from?

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  15. It looks gorgeous! I'm loving all the black and white. My husband installed maple flooring in the middle floor of our house, and he thinks it's bizarre that I enjoy the creaks that are appearing as the seasons change and the floor ages. Creaks mean wood planks, and wood means pretty, so I like the creaks. Just one of those things

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  16. Hello, what an amazing space. I live in a teeny tiny cottage on the Scottish coast and although I love it, I do have large room envy from time to time lol. It looks very relaxing in there (and I LOVE your Dad's art).
    Valerie @ A Mormon Mama's Blog

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  17. It's just gorgeous, Katy! I love the black and white contrast and all the art. Where does your father show? What a gift to have those creations from your parents in your home.

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  18. have you posted what color you use? i need a good white and yours looks lovely.

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  19. I am so in love with your home and your sense of style! We recently ripped the flooring out of our house and installed a beautiful wood floor! It is most definitely a bit of work but so beautiful when you finish! I love that your house has so much natural charm!

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  20. Such a beautiful space! I fell in love with your photos on IG and now am here on your blog loving everything you share here too! I am contemplating painting the concrete subfloors in our home white and was curious if you did that in any of your home and how it's worked out? Also, are the floors as dreamy as they look ... or do you feel like you always need to sweep them? ;)

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    1. Dawn! Welcome, welcome! We did paint some concrete floors and was told to use a semi-epoxy paint, but I think I'm going to repaint using a regular epoxy paint as soon as the weather is warm enough to leave all windows and doors open due to fumes. I really like the look of it. I had lots of people question the white floors + six kids equation, but I'd rather clean something I really love more often than clean something I don't like less frequently. On the wood floors we used patio paint which has held up nicely. I use a magic eraser sponge mop on it and it cleans really well. I probably sweep more often than if I had darker colored floors, but it also feels good to know my floors are really clean ;)

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    2. Katy, Thanks so much for the quick and helpful response! I will definitely look into epoxy paint :) And, yes, I agree - I would rather clean something I love too! Hoping to say goodbye to lots of tan carpet here very soon!

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