A Reader’s House

 

Many times in the emails I receive, there will be pictures of readers houses – usually fresh from moving in, or a recent remodeling.   Rather than keep the pictures all to myself, I have decided to share them with you in an ongoing series called Readers Houses.   Some of the houses are small and full of wonderful DIY projects and others are larger and look more professionally decorated – both are wonderful in their own way.   Today – the reader’s house  comes from Deerfield, Illinois –  just north of Chicago.   The owners are a builder and his wife who is an interior designer.  The couple sometimes collaborate on projects and their own house is the result of one such partnership.  Their house was a true labor of love  that they both enjoyed creating from the very first blueprint.  The result of all their hard work is truly amazing.    The photography itself is gorgeous which makes the house sing!     I think you will thoroughly enjoy this newest Readers Houses installment!   To see the pictures in their entirety – be sure to open your browser on maximum view – they are B-I-G!

 

 

The entry hall:  from this paneled space – with its beautiful herringbone wood floors – you can see straight into the living area and on the right, into the dining room.  The house is transitional – slightly contemporary and slightly traditional with a muted, quiet color scheme throughout (except for the children's rooms!)   In the mirror on the right – you can see the banister of the staircase with its glass topped newel post leading upstairs.  Unfortunately, there is no other picture of the stairs.    Let’s take a right first – into the dining room.

 

 

 

The dining room has beautiful wallpaper – all in soft taupe's and whites.  A large mirrored cabinet between the two windows reflects the        crystal chandelier.  Remember – mirrors should always reflect something beautiful!   Notice the ceiling, a soft metallic taupe, the same color as the wallpaper.     The owner used a combination of chairs  - tufted velvet mixed with host Chippendale styled painted wood chairs.   The curtains are a loose weaved fabric that continue the shimmering quality of the room.  What a beautiful dining room – so soothing!

 

 

 

 

Straight off the foyer is the living room.   The mood from the dining room continues here with the soft taupes and accents of black.  Here there is more velvet tufting, with the only pattern found in the silky pillows.   The large seagrass area rug helps to tone the room down from being too dressy – but the overall atmosphere is one of tastefulness and sophistication.    To the right of this room, through the black double doors is the computer room (see pictures below.)   The wall next to the doors is mirrored which makes the entire living area appear larger. 

 

 

 

The view of the living room that faces the left side of the house – here you can see the built in painted black cabinets and the pretty chaise lounge.  The kitchen is through the opening here.  

 

 

 

The kitchen is a large area with an adjoining breakfast area, dominated by a gorgeous built-in cabinet, painted black.  Again, the same soothing feel is found here, but the taupe color is now replaced with white.  Isn’t that built-in gorgeous?   I love the mirrored doors with the faux arches.     The contemporary styled chairs are on one side of the long wood table and a banquette is on the other.   And I love the series of light fixtures over the island – so effective!!!! 

 

 

 

In the kitchen, the right side has no overhead cabinets – instead there is one long series of windows overlooking the back yard.  The sink is incredible – so large it has two faucets!  Amazing!  And I love the open shelving filled with white dishes.   The dark wood flooring helps to warm up the space which could have been too cold looking without it.  

 

 

 

The range is another incredible part of the kitchen.   Whoa.   Pure lust – it’s like a piece of jewelry in the kitchen!!   The countertops are white marble.   This kitchen is truly beautiful!!!

 

 

To the right of the living room, there’s a wonderful computer room for the couple and their two daughters.  Beautiful chairs!   Notice how the children's art work has been framed and is placed around the countertop.  Must make the girls so proud!   All the boxes stored with crafts and paperwork are neatly labeled.  Someone who lives here is seriously organized!!!  And extremely neat - the house is spotless.   This room is painted in the same soft taupe of the living room.

 

 

The computer room has a beautiful bay window, overlooking the back yard, which is fitted out with a cushion and pillows.   Very pretty fabric shades at the windows.  Such a nice tranquil space for homework and computer surfing.   Wall to wall carpet helps cut down the noise level.

 

 

In the library, the color scheme changes and gets deeper with a dark blue velvet sofa and dark wood paneling.  But the show stopper here is the fireplace!   What a screen!   It looks like a piece of art itself!!! 

 

 

 

In the library two chairs face the velvet sofa.   You may think the blanket is H for Hermes, but it is really H for Hunter, the adorable dog!  Of course there would be an adorable dog in this house, everything else is!

 

    

Upstairs, the oldest daughter’s room has a large scaled blue and green wall paper.   I love the chaise in here – perfect for when friends spend the night.   All the upstairs bedrooms have vaulted ceilings. 

 

 

 

Daughter #1’s adjoining bathroom has seafoam colored tiles and a charming little make up chair.

 

 

 

Daughter #2’s room is more traditional – pink and green with a beautiful French caned headboard and side tables.   She gets a window seat in her room for friends.

 

 

The master bedroom also has a large scaled wallpaper, but it is, of course, much more sophisticated than the daughters paper.     A sitting area fills up the space in the large taupe and seafoam colored suite.   Notice the scale of the upholstered headboard – brought up higher than usual so that it can be seen over the euro sized shams.   A beautiful crystal chandelier lights the room, along with sconces instead of lamps.  

 

 

 

 

The master bathroom is filled with white marble -  and, as in the kitchen, there is beautiful cabinetry and very gorgeous hardware. 

 

 

 

And finally – a view of the dormer window on the second floor.  What an interesting vignette and what a beautiful house!  It’s so interesting to see what readers houses look like - they are all so different, yet share one quality – the owners all have a deep love of interior design.  

 

Thank you so much to the homeowner who shared her beautiful house with us today!   If you live in the Deerfield area and are interested in hiring her for interior design work, email me and I’ll pass on your information to her.   And remember – if you have a house you want to share with us online, send me the pictures!  

Readers Houses!

 

 

 

As you know – because I tell you all the time  - every day I get emails from readers.  Sometimes the emails are accompanied by pictures of their houses.    I love getting those emails – it’s fun for me to see readers houses and even to offer a few design tips, but ONLY if I am asked to.   Otherwise, I take off my interior decorator hat and just admire their house as any friend would.    Although some emails are from readers wanting advice, most just send in pictures to share with me.   Many times the houses are decorated in a way that the reader knows I will admire and  just wants me to see it.    Some  homeowners don’t send pictures of their entire house, rather they send snapshots of just one special room recently redecorated.    I have no idea why I love looking at other peoples houses, but I do.   And, I suspect if you are reading this blog, you are the same way too.  So today, I am going to show you a few houses and special rooms from readers so you can enjoy them as much as I have.    Most interesting of all is that most of these houses were not professionally decorated, rather the homeowner put it together herself.    If you have sent me pictures of your house and it’s not included here, do not take it personally!    I have so many images stored on my computer, it’s impossible for me to look through all of them to find every house sent to me these past two years!    These that I am showing today just happened to have been easily found on the hard drive.     Also, if you think you do want to  share your house with other readers – don’t be shy!    I’m hoping to make Readers Houses a regular feature of the blog from here on out. 

 

 

Kim from somewhere in the midwest sent me pictures of her beautiful house.    First up is her entry hall with a vignette designed around a silver mirror and lamps.  Right past the entry is an office behind French doors.   I wish there was a picture of this room – it looks so interesting with its patterned rug and pillow!  

 

 

Facing the entry hall is the living area on the left and the family room and kitchen on the right.   Here you can really get a feel for the house – the colors, the whites and light blues mixed with black accents.  Which room tugs at you to see first – the living room or the family room?   For me – even though Kim’s husband and the cat look so cozy in the family room - the living room is calling.

 

 

 

With the pretty staircase overlooking it, the living room is bright, light, and beautiful!   The room is double height with lots of windows that really add to the ambiance here.  The curtains are a wonderful silk stripe in blue and white and notice the pattern is railroaded, meaning the stripes run horizontal instead of the more usual vertical direction.      The large pattern is perfect in this size room.   The sofa matches wonderfully in white with the blue trim and the zebra pillows pop against all the more pastel colors in the room.    In fact, black is an important accent color  - besides the pillows, it is found in the piano and the lampshades.   I love the large trendy chandelier – it’s the right size exactly for this high ceilinged room.   Kim adds a large mink throw for texture.   What a pretty room – I love it!

 

                         

  A close up shot of the sofa with all the pillows and the luxurious throw.    Let’s go see the nearby dining room.

 

 

 

 

The dining room is a bright, sunny space.   With its glass topped table, surrounded by casually slipcovered chairs- the painting really sets the mood in this room.     The pillows that are placed on the chairs all pick up the bright colors found in the painting.    Further bursts of colors come from the glassware found on the tablescape.   I wish we could see the lighting fixture!    Very cute room!!!

 

 

 

Heading back into the central hall,  the family room and kitchen are on the right side of the house.    Here you can see part of the family room with the animal print rug and two white chairs and ottoman.  Notice the breakfast room is off to the very back right of this room.

 

 

The family room connects to the large white kitchen.   There is another back staircase in this room.  

 

 

 

 

Off to the side in a large bay window is the breakfast room – so charming!  I love the way Kim has accessorized the table with a runner and candlesticks.   The light fixture is so pretty too.   I adore this room!    Notice what an important role all the green from outside plays in all the different rooms.     The foliage really adds so much color to the house. 

 

 

The kitchen has beautiful Carrara marble counter tops and great cabinetry.   In every room, Kim has used a wonderful chandelier which really adds an important design element.   I love how the pantry has a French door! 

 

 

 

 

The backsplash is subway tiles, also in marble.   This is really a pretty kitchen with the glass front cabinets and the wood hood.  

 

 

 

The master bedroom is a serene place, with a chandelier and two large mirrors that make the entire room sparkle. 

 

 

 

And finally the verdant back yard with its wonderful swimming pool!    Thank you Kim for sharing your beautiful house with us!!!!!

 

 

 

Homeowner Two:   our next reader’s house is owned by a woman who wanted to share her love of accessories and collecting with me.   Like she said – we have many of the same collections – and she is so right!  I see right away we both love zebra rugs and blue and white porcelains!

 

 

This is so charming – an antique round bookcase filled with design books, of course!  I love the screen behind it, made of book faces.  She loves books as much, if not more, than I do!

 

 

I adore this – around a game table – four blue and white garden seats!   She has me beat - I only have three garden seats.

 

 

Another thing we both collect is bronze dog figures  AND design books.  I’m not sure who has more books, she or I, but it’s a tight race.   I see we own many of the same books.   But more important – I spy a picture of the owner hugging a English Springer Spaniel, very much like my own Georgie.    Is this my house or hers??????   I’m getting a little confused here!

 

 

 

Another view of the same tablescape – Living With Dogs is one of my favorite design books!  

 

 

 

In this beautiful antique secretary is a collection I don’t have – but it’s so charming I may start one – vintage dog bowls!   I love this!!!   The entire cabinet is an expression of her love of dogs – she must be the sweetest woman in the world!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

More blue and white and calligraphy brushes.   We both share a love of orchids.  I only own one calligraphy brush. 

 

 

 

Her collection of cooking books fills the bookcase in the dining room.  OK  - here we part ways.   I don’t have a love of cooking.  Whew!  I thought we were the same person until now!

 

 

 

 

 

A view of the vignette atop the console in the dining room.   This homeowner collect religious santos and art work that celebrates the Hispanic woman.   AND she loves orange roses – me too!!!!!

 

 

 

At the homeowner’s 60th birthday party, her family collected all the things from her house that she loves and decorated the party room with her favorites.  What a great idea – I have to remember this for my 60th birthday, in five years!    Here, her love of quilts, santos, blue and white, and orange roses is evident.

 

 

A view of the party table – I see “Antiques At Home” another favorite book of mine.    The fudge looks slightly delicious.

 

 

She’ll probably kill me for this – but the beautiful homeowner at her 60th birthday party- thank you for sharing your wonderful house and all your  collections with us!!!!

 

 

 

Homeowner Three:  Our third homeowner sent in this picture of her bedroom – telling me how much I would love it!  I wonder why?  Could it be the checked upholstered headboard, or the beautiful Scalamandre Oriental toile wallpaper?   Or would it be the vintage sunburst mirror?    Thank you Ms. MDC for sharing your beautiful bedroom with us !!!

 

 

 

 

Homeowner  Four:     Our Fourth homeowner today sent in pictures of her house – and I want to show you how darling her kitchen is – all in black and white, with subway tiles and black granite.    The floor tiles are perfect, and I love the white linen curtains along with the white ironstone too.  But the chandelier is the perfect touch!!!  Thanks for sharing!!  You’ve done a great job with your house.

 

 

 

Homeowner Five:   This homeowner today writes from South Africa!    Her house is built around a courtyard where there is a large swimming pool.  Notice the lions on top of the roof!  This is Africa, after all.

 

 

Her living room is so pretty with its stone fireplace.

 

 

 

I especially love the French inspired bedroom with its trumeau mirror.

 

 

 

But what really caught my eye was this bathroom with its crystal chandelier, twin Venetian mirrors and luxurious silk window shade – all just so beautiful!  Thank you for sharing!

 

 

 

Homeowner Six:   This young homeowner wanted to share her dining room which she had just finished decorating.  She thought I would like it – wonder why?   Well, the slipped chairs are adorable – I like how she put tops on only two of the chairs – it creates a visual interest.  Cute ballet ties too!   And I love the dark wall color with the white slipcovers – it makes them pop.  The plates are the perfect addition too – love that!   You did a great job!!!! 

 

 

 

Homeowner Seven:     This reader told me – you are going to love my living room –we share so many things.  Yes we do!  Let me count the ways:  Bennison Roses fabric, seagrass, zebra, white slips, French settee, blue and white, orchid, sconces -  yes, you are so right!!  We do share a love of so many of the same things!! 

 

 

And finally, I really want to show you this house, but I don’t have the homeowner’s email anymore.  If this is your dog, email me!   This homeowner sent in professional pictures of her beautiful house and I want to make sure it’s not being published before I share it.

 

Thank you again to all the homeowners today who have shared their houses and their special rooms with me and you!   What is most interesting, is I don’t think many were professional designed – just homeowners with style and taste who put together their house with the things they love.  If you have designed your house and want to show it off, let me know!  I hope to continue to show “real houses” not just all the more professionally designed houses we see in the magazines. 

 

 

And one bit of blog business, this week The Skirted Roundtable was thrilled to welcome internationally acclaimed interior designer AND blogger Vicente Wolf.    Wolf   was extremely interesting, talking about everything from his childhood in Cuba to his present day design service, working  hard to maintain a profitable business in this terrible economy.   If you haven’t had a chance to listen – please go HERE to do so.   ENJOY!!!!