From the Design Book: A Home Tour Fit for a Sister

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“The ache for home lives in all of us. 

The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

~ Maya Angelou 

All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes 

Yesterday, I went on a home tour through this house. 

As soon as I walked in the door, my heart began to ache because my sister Miriam (and blog partner) wasn't with me to see it. And this is why: If you took Miriam's heart and shaped it into a 10,000 square-foot residence, I'm pretty sure this would be it.

The house had a gentle and feminine soul.  It was a place where old things were treasured and somehow felt new again.

I loved the antique portraits of the home owner's great-great grandparents in the front room.  And that sofa--also the great-great grandmother's.  Seriously.

I spied these framed family recipes in the kitchen next to Grandma's china.

And anyone who has a teacup chandelier hanging over the sink is definitely a friend of mine!

As if this kitchen needed anything to make it prettier . . .

Tile backsplash?  Cabinet details?  Milk glass?  I can't decide which I love more!

The owner of the home said she wanted a home that combined the "old" and the "new."  I think her buffet and dining area are the perfect melding of these two ideas.

But perhaps the stairway is the best example of blending the old and the new with its Victorian spindles mounted on the outside of the steps juxtaposed with a fun frame collage on the wall.

Each of the stair treads has a fun quote on it.  Do you recognize any of these?  Disney lovers unite!

The great room is a soothing kind of lovely with its robin egg blue, cream, and coral palette.

The adjoining craft room is a fun and fresh compliment to the aged doors that separate the two areas.  And who said you had to commit to just ONE type of wallpaper? I would have never thought to put a strip of each on the wall.  Brave, but beautiful.

 The master bedroom is a simple and soothing space anchored by a two way fireplace and softened with ruched bedding.  Drool.

And just take a look at these gorgeous sliding doors that mark the entrance to the master bath.  I think I'm in love.

And while the ENTIRE house was incredible--all 10,000 square-feet of it--I had to share this teen girl suite from the upper floor.  I knew Miriam would love it with its feminine lighting, Tiffany blue walls, and painted piano!

As hard as it was to walk through this house without Miriam, I think it's going to be harder to convince the owners to hand it over to her so she can live there.

Here's to all of our dream homes . . . even if we aren't the ones living in them.