Making my childhood home, MY home

I was recently inspired by Compass, an excellent site that offers a neighborhood guide for NYC and DC. You can view houses to buy or rent, list your own home or check out different neighborhoods to see which would be a good fit for you. I love this. I lucked out and bought a house in the neighborhood I grew up in. There were no surprises, and I knew what to expect. If I had to buy elsewhere I would definitely want a little insight into the neighborhoods around to choose the perfect fit for me.

So how did I end up in the neighborhood I was raised in? It's a sweet story actually...

My grandfather always told me that if he were alive and able he would build a house for me when I grew up. As a little girl, I admired the houses and buildings he built and dreamed about my own. I thought about sweeping front porches, big oak trees and a cozy fireplace all crafted by my talented grandfather. Sadly, he passed away before I was ready for my own home.

Two years later, Chris and I were married and shopping for our first home. I was drawn to the sweeping front porches, big oak trees and cozy fireplaces. There were very few that fit my wants and needs and I started to get frustrated. It seemed impossible. 

Then one day my dad called and said he had found a lovely horse farm that was gorgeous and way out of my price range. I looked at it and it was amazing but there was no way I could afford it. Dad revealed that he wanted to buy it for mom and wanted to offer me my childhood home. The one my grandfather built. The one with a large front porch, two oak trees overlooking my horse's pasture and a fireplace that my grandfather laid brick by brick. 

I cried. Chris and I talked about it and prayed about it and ended up buying the house. The day we closed Chris looked at me and said, " He built a house for you."

My challenge started when we moved in. I had to make a house I had lived in for 23 years with my parents, my own. All of their stuff left and I was left with big empty rooms. I began moving my stuff in and arranged it the old familiar way. It felt like I was a visitor in my parents home. So I rearranged my stuff and started buying new things that made the space feel like mine.

My childhood bedroom would be the guest bedroom. I wanted it to be elegant and have a vintage feel. I took an antique dresser that my mother left behind and moved it to the room. I added a furry rug, my antique twin bed, and some equestrian props. The room really came together and felt like my space. I loved it.

Next, I turned my attention to my baby sister's room. It is a very large room and I didn't have a need for another bedroom so I turned it into my office. Bright colors and contrasting furniture set the mood. I added a wall of bookshelves and centered my desk. The space is bright and open and I love working there. 

The living room was the hardest room to make feel like my own. There are only so many ways that the furniture works because of the floor plan. I decided to go super simple and cozy in this room. Warm colors that glow when there is a fire in the fire place, ceiling to floor drapes and polished wood. I added the bench my other grandfather built me against the stairs and some cute throw pillows. The living room ended up being very cozy. 

I am very happy with our home. It truly feels like our place now and I am excited about all of our future plans for it. 

The other day my mom was talking to me about the house and she said, "The four most important men in your life are apart of that house. Your dad has worked on it, my dad and his dad built it from the staircase to the fireplace to the walls and now your husband is patching and renovating it." 

It was a "wow" moment for sure. I am blessed. 

A look at the guest room

Do ya'll remember when I showed you guys the blogging/craft room? It was a work in progress at the time but its almost done now and I thought I would share another room in my house with you.

Today I chose the guestroom. I decided to go with a vintage, old sophisticated equestrian (but girly!) theme. Did you just go "huh?"

Here, look at the pictures...

: :    The rocking chair was my great-grandfathers and he sat in it every evening after taking care of the      horses. We always gathered around for story time or crawled into his lap. After his death it was left outside to rot. My husband (then boyfriend) went and got it out of the yard and restored it for me for Christmas. It made it perfect down to the crooked diamond on the back I traced as a kid. I knew then I had to marry this man. 

: :    The horse in the back ground was painted white for contrast.

: :    The bed is an old antique that came from Grady Hospital in Atlanta. At first I thought that was creepy, but now I appreciate the history and think it's pretty cool.

: : The lace curtains have been in my room since I was a child.

: : Those stirrups were the ones I rode in when I won my state championship with Casper. Now that he is retired those stirrups mean a lot. 

: : The vase is an antique my mama bought me as a housewarming gift when I first moved out. 

: : The candle is my unity candle from our wedding. It has 1 Corrinthians 13 on it.

: :The helmet was an old show helmet I wore as a child.

: : The dresser is older that the hills and needs to be redone, but I love it. I love the curve of the top drawers and the details on the tilt mirror. It was a gift from my sister (she couldn't fit it in her new room.) and one of my favorite pieces.

: : You can't see it in the picture but there is an old dressage whip in the corner that was the one I used the whole time I rode Casper. Again, I am a sentimental freak.

: : I wish you could see the girly chandelier but the light is on. It is adorable and I told Chris even if we have a boy and he moves into the room, the chandelier stays. 

: : The roses on the ground have been in my room since the day I came home from the hospital. 

: : That white shag rug is so soft, that I may or may not lay on it and read. Thanks mama and daddy! It was the best Christmas gift of the year. 

So that's the guestroom. It is definitely my favorite room of the house. It's so girly and equestrian-ish all at the same time.

What do y'all think?