We’ve been in our home {a 1976 full gut out with multiple additions, fondly known as The Money Pit} for almost six years. It now feels like, with zero plans to leave after all our efforts, that we might be finally settled. The floors are done, the addition is “finished”, and it’s a slow burn from here on all the fun details while we focus on our kiddos and growing business. With the elements we’ve lived with for a while, it’s given us pause to consider what we really love. There have been big changes, and there have been simple ones that don’t require an entire overhaul.
Betsy wrote in and asked: “…can you name some things about your home you’d definitely do again?…” And we thought that since we’re literally in the middle of moving back into this home that we love, it just felt appropriate. Here are 8 simple home features that we love! {And we’d do again.}
1. 8 simple home features that we love: Pocket {and barn} Doors
Two words: space savers.
People often don’t consider the way that doors swing into a room, and take up valuable wall space. A fellow designer and I were discussing things when he said doors are powerful when it comes to design. That’s so important to remember. I think that they do deserve their place, but also pocket ones can be invaluable. We added pocket doors + barn doors basically wherever we could, to make way for the good stuff: valuable real estate. The entry to our primary suite even has one. It made the room feel bigger.
Yes, I have a million examples of these doors in our home! I wish I could show my stained glass ones {we’re making them!} here, but SOON. We have some awesome wood coming our way and I can’t wait to share.
So clever use of doors in amazing ways are an element we don’t regret!
2. 8 simple home features that we love: Built-Ins
We’re big believers in books. While we have smaller built ins in other areas, we adore the ones in the basement. They’ve made a huge difference storage in our home, and it’s a great way for our kids to access those shelves with awesome color and character.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… hurray for “home libraries” wherever you can make them happen.
3. 8 simple home features that we love: Wallpaper
Yes, it’s “in style” but it’s also a great solution for some fun character that doesn’t have to stay there forever. In the meantime, it adds so much color and fun! It’s definitely something we’d do again. We love wallpaper. And I guess the point with this one is as much personality as you can on those walls!
4. 8 simple home features that we love: Thoughtful Tile
I went for striped in the boys’ hallway bathroom, and I’m still not sorry about it. We always encourage our clients to do what they love when it comes to choosing those accents.
I even went for blue, in my own primary bath. I fall more in love with it every day, and it’s oh so fun! For what it’s worth, I still drool over this fireplace on a regular basis, too. It’s a great opportunity to bring in that one of a kind look that sometimes, people shy away from.
5. 8 simple home features that we love: The Front Door
Yes, we did a complete overhaul with Window World, but changing that front door added major character in simple ways. We’re kind of back to doors again. It doesn’t have to be grandiose or super over the top expensive, but just a simple upgrade. It’s something small that people can do for their home, and it doesn’t have to cost an absolute fortune. Hello, curb appeal.
6. 8 simple home features that we love: Hidden TVs.
People ask us all the time where our TVS are. I love the fact that we have real art in our home that I can switch out in three main spaces now, and there’s a TV hidden behind it.
Because why not?
Someone also asked why we don’t do the TVs with screensaver art. Again, I like real art. Also, the extra storage is kinda nice.
7. 8 simple home features that we love: Walk-Through Closet
We knocked down these walls in between two smaller spaces, in our first renovation go round, to make way for a bigger closet. Our old home had a version of this and it was so handy with all things kids.
One particular worker, told us we were wrong to do this. {I love it when people get opinionated on your own house.} Then when they saw what we were talking about, they realized they were wrong. And even told us as much. Knocking down these walls offered so much more on the storage front… and it’s a pretty cool feature. Good times.
8. 8 simple home features that we love: Hall tree
This is probably under the category of built ins, but we wouldn’t survive without it. I love a good before and after, and this is one of my all time faves. It works hard for our family and holds all the things. With back to school on the horizon, its our tried and true ultimate go-to. Gotta love a good space saver that works hard for you!
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