Hey guys! Like I mentioned last week, we’re probably frolicking in Fantasyland right now…about to do the voms on the teacups. GO US! So, as promised, I have some pretty fantastic people lined up for you this week. So stay tuned because you aren’t going to want to miss out on any of this eye candy. You’re in for a real treat today.
My friend Jenn, from Wanting What I Have is here to share her home with you today. And you are going to die. DIE, I tell you!
Jenn and I actually went to high school together. {I may or may not be a year older than her.} We lost touch after what I like to refer to as my awkward days, and around last fall reconnected, of all places {through the inter-webs and indirectly} through the ever fabulous Nester of all people. I’m pretty sure The Nester certainly didn’t know she had the super power to reconnect old friends, now did she? Crazy, right?
Jenn is married to her high school sweetheart. {AWE!} Whom she fondly refers to as The Engineer. They have three amazingly beautiful children.
She does awesome projects like… this:
Throws beautiful parties like this:
I think any of us with children can relate. And that is what makes her so great.
So, without further ado…Take it away, Jenn!
I am really excited about being here today! Thank y’all for taking the time to read! And a special thank you to Ashley for her kind invitation. The Handmade Home is one of my very favorites! In fact, I typically read blogs early in the morning while I exercise and I am PUMPED when I see Ashley has posted. Her blog rocks and always helps the time fly!
When she contacted me about doing a guest post, she wrote, “I’d love some shots of your home, and what you do every day in it. How you live, etc.” And so that, along with a peek at some of our projects, is exactly what I aim to do.
Before I dive in, I want to share a few things…
1. There’s a Sam’s cup in the top right of this picture.
2. We bought our house as a “fixer-upper.” We redo on a cash basis…which means we live with lots of things in an undone or unfinished state – sometimes for years. (This has been a means of sanctification.)
3. If we can make it or do it ourselves, we’re probably not going to buy it/hire it out. I like to dream big and God has blessed me with a husband, “The Engineer,” who champions those dreams. He dreams pretty big, too.
4. In this process of “redoing” (and living in the midst of it) we have seen again and again that God is in the seemingly unimportant details. I can’t begin to tell you how often we have seen God provide above and beyond. And I have to share that with you before I go on because it is only by His gracious provision that we’ve had this privilege – of home ownership, of creating and redoing as we make this house a haven for our family. We love to live beautifully and creatively – to use and enjoy the things we have.
With that said, welcome to our living room! We do a lot of living in our living room. We homeschool our two oldest children, and so most mornings you’ll find me and the children curled up on this sofa while our oldest reads aloud. We pile on, and even in the midst of extreme southern heat, my kids will snuggle down under that throw. We keep a bowl (it was my grandmothers) full of matchbox cars on the tabletop to occupy little hands. The tray (also my grandmothers) houses current reads. Tucked into a buffet off to the left are two more baskets full of toys, again, for lots of play. Because, we play a lot in here.
The view from the sofa… The wingback chair is my favorite spot for reading. Many early mornings I’m there with my coffee and the dogs curled up on the floor beside me. Often our oldest joins me with her very own cup of coffee. Lots of afternoons I’m in that same spot. There’s just something about being enveloped in a wingback. If we have guests, we typically sit in here. We put our feet up on the coffee table. Lots of drinks and food have been spilled on the cow hide…that’s life, especially with children…messes clean up and in the process, we’re enjoying. (Or trying to – I have my moments.)
This little lamp was The Engineer’s when he was a boy. Now it sits on the buffet in the living room and provides a sweet glow in the evenings. The children are fascinated with it.
They love to sprawl out on the cow hide. The dogs like it, too. As soon as the temperature drops below fifty degrees, we’ll have a fire burning non-stop in the fireplace. When that happens, we crowd around the coffee table for dinner and the children often make pallets on the floor. The sofa is slipped, so it’s easy to keep clean. This room takes a beating…and it’s held up beautifully.
And here is our dining room. This is also a room that’s used frequently. The children and I eat breakfast here. (The homeschool room is just through that door.) Some nights we eat dinner here, too.We entertain a lot and nine times out of ten, we enjoy meals with guests at this table. One of the leaves in the table isn’t secure…it isn’t unusual for someone to rest an elbow on the table, only to have the leaf flip up on the other end. It keeps life exciting.
We are also big fans of art. We love having art out, where our children can see it and where we can all enjoy it. The charcoal piece is a favorite and has prompted lots of discussion.
The living room is a fun spot for crafts and sewing projects…and the table makes a great matchbox car race track.
We purchased the table from the family of a dear friend who passed away. It had been in their family for generations and has special meaning to us. You can’t see the underneath portion very well. It has and continues to provide wonderful hiding spots and structure for hideouts and forts as well as hidden messages and notes. It isn’t uncommon to find the chairs pushed out against the walls and two, if not three children piled beneath the table, typically hiding from “bad guys.”
This is the view from the homeschool room. We’ve had so many wonderful conversations around the table, so many memories are made here.
And the chandelier…is one of those stories. The Engineer and I walked into a friend’s house and the first thing I said was, “I love your chandelier!” His immediate reply, “I can’t stand that thing. I’ve already bought a replacement. You can have it.” SAY WHAT!!!???
We love our dining room! We use our fine china lots – holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, anytime I can break it out, I do. The children love to have “balls” and “feasts” where they’ll don their finest play “dress-up” clothes and we’ll dine in style, usually by candlelight.
If you come visit and stay the night, we’ll invite you to stay in our guest room. This room has been such a fun process! It connects to the nursery, so we walk through this room many times each day. Though this isn’t a room we use daily, I enjoy it’s beauty nearly every time I am in it.
We’ve been really blessed to have a room we can use solely as a guest room. Years ago I stayed in a guest room where the dresser drawers were empty, as was the closet. It was such a luxury to have that space. We love having company. All our family lives out of town and we are thankful to have a dedicated place they can stay when they visit.
When we found out we were pregnant with our third child, we decided to gut my closet and turn it into a nursery, thereby freeing up what was the nursery, to be what is now, the guest room. By the way, the fabric used on the headboard, duvet, and curtains was all an unexpected gift from a friend. Again, God’s gracious provision.
The “stick chandelier” has been a fun addition to the space and usually generates some interesting conversation.
We refer to this room as the “breakfast room,” which is kind of funny since we rarely eat breakfast in here. This table was another example of God’s generous provision. It was a garage sale find. We eat lunch and dinner, most nights, here. It also doubles as a craft/project table for the kids.
This is a spot where we have made a lot of fun memories…birthday parties, painting, etc. Lots of good times.
The children often sprawl out on the bench, which doubles as table seating when we have a crowd. The floor in this room also makes an excellent race track for cars, trucks, and trains…on a fairly regular basis.
If you stood here and turned around you’d see built in cabinets. A year or so ago, I wised up and moved the children’s plastic plates, cups, and bowls here. I also moved all their snacks and breakfast items so they’d be eye level for a four year old. This has brought SUCH freedom as they can reach what they need on their own! (They can also reach to put it away!)
This and the kitchen floor get swept at least twice, if not more, each day. Despite my best efforts, we live here. Crumbs happen. (So do grocery store feet.) I’m still trying to make peace with that.
And here is the “library.” This room is a longtime dream coming true! It’s very much a work in progress and has been for almost two years. We still have lots to “trim out” and then paint, but while we work, we are enjoying the room! The Engineer recently added the lights, making it a current favorite spot! I do a lot of reading aloud to the children and they always want to come in here for that time! Often they’ll snuggle in beside me on the couch, other times, they occupy themselvesat the table with play-doh or coloring.
That chandelier in this room was another steal…found it in the corner of an antique-ish furniture store. The owner wanted $25 for it. Score. (I think this is the only chandelier in the house The Engineer hasn’t rewired.)
We spend a lot of time in this room. Reading, playing board games, watching movies, listening to music…I love piling into this room and just being together. And I love that we’ve designed it and The Engineer has built it himself. (I’m his extra hands when he needs me.)
The table in the library has become the perfect spot for writing and studying…drawing and sculpting, etc.
We love to read and hope our children will grow to love reading, too. The Engineer and I have dedicated Thursday nights to “reading in the library.” This has been such unexpected fun!
We keep a magnifying glass out so the children can explore and study their surroundings. I love finding them with their eyes smushed up to the glass, studying the pages of books or sometimes a treasure they’ve pocketed from outdoors. This table also provides a dedicated space for our children to store their library books…which makes life easier on me.
The price we pay for doing things ourselves and doing them as we can pay cash…lots of living with stuff like this.
And this. (All visible from the library.) We go up and down these steps 20x a day…and it’s been like this for almost two years. Little by little…
And last on today’s tour is our kitchen. I bet I spend half of my day in this room. I love this room.
We recently created and hung this bee skep light fixture. Totally unexpectedly, it has served as an ideal “spot light.” The space you see above is grand central station for “rock out parties!”Most nights, after dinner, we crank up the music while the children clear the table and wipe it down, and once that is done, we “rock out.” Translation: turn up the tunes, lots of air guitar, sometimes brooms become guitars, lots of standing on top of that bench singing at the top of their lungs (it helps that there’s a mirror they can see themselves in from that spot). I can’t tell you how many nights we’ve jammed and giggled and laughed! That bench is also an excellent hideout!
I love to cook and our two oldest like to help cook. Our youngest has a basket of play kitchen foods, etc. on the lower shelf of the island, so she cooks with us, too.
There’s usually something on the stove top, bread being sliced on the cutting board, lots of crumbs and spills underfoot, dishes in the sink, and a pup hoping expectantly (and often vainly) to be thrown a treat.
Someone recently heard that we have three children and two dogs and she smiled and said, “your house must be such a fun place!” And I was convicted…um…I want our home to be a fun and happy place. It’s hard (for me) to strike that balance in the midst of construction and projects everywhere and the climate of the house is largely dependent on my attitude. Our house is still very much “in process” and by God’s grace, I am learning to enjoy the journey.
Thank you for taking the time to read! I feel like I’ve jumped and rambled, but it’s been such a treat to have you peek into our home! Thank you!
jessica says
wow! your house is amazing. I love that there are cars and projects everywhere. we’re expecting our first and i pray that our house will be as full and fun as your one day. beautiful!!
jessica says
Wow, absolutely gorgeous! I love how you have incorporated a little of everything , cornice boards, paneling on the walls & a mix of family heirlooms throughout! What a warm and inviting home! LOVE it! Thanks Jenn & Ashley for sharing….Jen I’m heading over to your site now đ
Ashley says
Hey there! I just started reading your blog recently, and I am SO excited to see Jenn’s house on the tour! I read her blog and keep up with her via blogs/emails – such a sweet, sweet bloggin’ friend! And, I LOVE this home tour – she’s an awesome decorator, and I am dying to know where she found some of these things…the art? Jenn, the art?? I need your source đ Beautiful home.
Anna says
Love this house! The paint treatments on the ceiling and walls are a great touch and I love the use of black without making things seem dark or gothic. Thanks for sharing!
Erin says
I love this post. We bought a house four years ago and have been renovating little by little ever since…doing most of the work ourselves (or with friends or family members) when we have the time and/or money. We also have an unfinished library…nice to know I’m not alone! lol
Debbie says
What gorgeous spaces, I love this house and I want what she has! A Happy Lived In Home With So Many Memories being Created Daily!
Thanks for sharing,
Debbie
Brittany says
Thank you for opening up your home for us today. Your story is a blessing to me as it is a real manifestation of what I hope to achieve in our home. A happy home filled with laughter, hard work, gentle hands, and the love of the Father is a magical space!
{hooked on hickory} says
looks like a magazine but still so lived in at the same time. the colors used are just amazing! what a beautiful home for you and your family! we need all the details, of course!
ashley
hookedonhickory.blogspot.com
joyfulmomofmany says
Jenn, *love* your home tour! I think I have seen bits and pieces of your house on your blog, but I love feeling like I was given a guided tour! You have a house that elegantly strikes the balance between beautiful and practical. Lived-in luxury! Thanks for inviting me in!
paige says
i love her already
a grand home that is as played in as it is glorious!
what a rare balance đ
Beth Miller says
Jenn,
You are a beautiful person inside and out! I so appreciate your dedication to the Lord and to your family! It’s so refreshing to read your humble post about your gorgeous home! You sound like a fun, grounded mom and wife who has her priorities straight! You’ve got a new blog follower for sure!
Beth
P.S. I am in love with that stick chandelier! I hope you have a tutorial on your blog!
Darby says
Jenn, I love all your pictures, I love your house, I love your creativity…. and I love your heart!!! To God be the glory! xoxo
Lindsay N. Strickland says
I love your home! It’s gorgeous, lived in and homey. I think those three attributes are the best of both worlds. Gorgeous and authentic! Love your home and your Godly attitude!
Jenn says
Ashley, This has been SO MUCH FUN! Thank you for having me! I loved “Hello From the Nato’s” post today and can’t wait for all the others! Hope y’all are having an awesome time away!
Lisa says
This really is a home with a warm, lived-in feel which I love! So much of interest and so much that is meaningful to the family. Amazing home! Thx for sharing!
Lynne says
What a beautiful home! I have been in the process of redoing our home and giving it a more relaxed feel. Now that I have grandkids I definitely want them to feel comfortable. I have pretty things but nothing more precious than them! I love hearing people say they feel so comfortable in my home! The ultimate compliment! Headed over to your blog now!
amelia says
oh my GOLLY! that ceiling is definitely to DIE FOR! i’m crushing over jenn’s home BIG time! thanks for sharing!
Jami Nato says
toats obsessed with your house. seriously. and seriously. and yes, i said toats. your eyes do not deceive you.
Camille says
I *love* your home Jenn. It is so warm and welcoming and *real* and classy. It has been fun to take a concentrated tour here. I have enjoyed watching some of these things unfold over the last two years (yes, it’s coming up for two!!)…it is a joy to know you my friend.
Much Love,
Camille
Linda from Heartfire At Home says
What a beautiful, beautiful home… not only because it looks simply stunning and lived in at the same time, but because it has such heart and soul. This really is an inspiring post, and such a tribute to how important a home can be in the nurturing and support of a life well lived. Homes like these play such a part in the tapestry of our lives… they weave themselves amongst the threads of our day to day existence in a way that helps hold everything together. Homes imbued with love, happiness, laughter and wonderful memories become almost living entities themselves I think.
Linda. x
Brooke Orr says
I love the gold stripe paint color!!! Could you please tell me what that is???
Paul says
I seriously cannot believe how much you got done, and every single space looks amazing! Love it ALL!!!