PROJECTS

HAVERFORD MANOR: THE LIGHTS

 

I don’t think I realized how crucial light fixtures would be in a flip before I built Haverford Manor. The character and details have to appeal to a large demographic so while I’d like to do trim and wallpaper all over the house, that’s not exactly the best route. So the light fixtures not only have to stand out in regards to design but also the ability to envision the furnishings and complete picture. And every single light fixture selection in Haverford Manor was intentional and thought out, so I thought we’d take a closer look.

 

THE KITCHEN FEATURING THE MORRIS LANTERN

 

The overall designs of the house was warm and neutral and we accomplished that with warm finishes like brass and gilded iron. There are several different finishes in bathrooms like polished nickel and some iron accents but in general stayed with brass.

And I wanted to make sure that even the small areas were taken care of. I didn’t want a whole wall of cabinets when you looked back from the living room, so instead of inserting the hood between those cabinets, I opened it up and added more lighting with these sconces. Kitchens are a naturally colder place because of the appliances and countertops so I wanted to make sure the lighting counteracted that, creating a warm place to gather as a family.

 

THE MUDROOM FEATURING THE BOSTON LIBRARY LIGHT

 

Then there were other areas like the mudroom (or as we called it the Boot Room) where I got to have a little fun. Sure we could have thrown a ton of recessed lights in here and been done with it, but that’s too boring. And since this area was a nice size, I was able to incorporate several different styles, including the library light pictured above. And when we hung the flush mount (in size grande) my GC said “now that’s a statement”. Add that with the vintage artwork and portrait light above the sink and you have a glorious mudroom!

 

SHOP THE MUDROOM

 

I spent so much time designing the bathrooms, mostly because it was an amazing opportunity to show off some style! And lighting was a huge component of that. Once I had the tile selected, next was the lighting. While every bathroom is a little different, there is a consistent transitional and classic style to each of them. I brought the same fixture from the kitchen as a focal point in the primary bathroom, but with frosted glass. It paired so beautifully with the custom shades we had installed and we were so pleased with the end result.

 

PRIMARY BATHROOM FEATURING THE CAMILLE SCONCE

 

SHOP THE BATHROOMS

 

And last, but certainly not least, are the exterior lights! I certainly hope people don’t think of these last because it can be such an easy way to elevate your curbside appeal. I wanted a focal point above the front door, and matched them with the wall lanterns above the garage doors as well as the ones above the patio doors. Fun wall sconces or even gas lanterns are an amazing way to instantly elevate your exterior game, and it illuminates the beautiful exterior of your home! Making everything pop. I mean, just look at that lantern/house number combo!

 

FRONT PORCH FEATURING THE FREMONT LANTERN

 

SHOP THE EXTERIOR

 

So if you’re wanting to redo something in your home, but not looking to do any big construction, start with your light fixtures. A room that relies solely on recessed lights is going to feel builder grade and colder than one with a beautiful light fixture. It can be a focal point in your room and bring together all of your beautiful furnishings and decor.

LIFESTYLE

A GUIDE: WHY YOU SHOULD SHOP VINTAGE

 

I mean, there are so many reasons to love and shop vintage, but I’ll try not to write a novel about it.

 

THE DINING ROOM IN HAVERFORD MANOR FEATURING LOADS OF VINTAGE/REPURPOSED PIECES

 

People have been catching on to the love of strolling through an antique store and finding a unique piece that no one else has. And to be honest, I resisted it at first! My own sister will tell you that when I was in my early 20’s I used to make fun of her for shopping for antiques. Chalk that up to another time she knew more than me. But vintage shops picked up in popularity a ton in the last few years as well when the cottage core aesthetic gained in popularity. And the resourceful folks out there realized it was a much better way to shop than waiting for 2 years for something to make its way through the supply chain.

And as I have slowly developed my own style and dream of our own forever home, I’ve realized how these unique one of a kind pieces really do set my home apart from the rest. I was watching one of my absolute favorite Instagram accounts the other week and their stories of adventures through their local antique stores and a few recent finds they got for their new house. And the last few slides were a light fixture that they made, and a chair they are getting reupholstered with the captions “if you can’t find it, design it yourself”, and that really hit me! Why would I just settle for what retailers are offering?

 

THE SHELVES IN OUR SITTING ROOM FITTED WITH VINTAGE BOOKS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ARTWORK BY JOSH YOUNG

 

THE CHARACTER

Which leads me to my first point about why everyone should shop vintage; the character. To find a piece of furniture with that perfect amount of patina, or maybe that set of Harvard Classic books to decorate a bookshelf, or a set of vintage glasses for your bar cart are the perfect ways to bring timeless character into your home. There is a depth to vintage that you can’t get by buying new. It’s a depth to its story and its wear that will expand across your home. Our sitting room shelves are full of almost all vintage items, as well as a sideboard from Chairish and a soon-t0-be-received Louis XVI Buffet turned bar cart as well! By layering these pieces with neutral upholstery and new items brings that balance of old and new but enhances the timelessness of these older pieces as well.

 

THE POSSIBILITY

This is one aspect that I don’t think I have ever talked about on here, but have recently been loving! I first experimented with this with a 6 foot camelback sofa that I got reupholstered for the dining room settee in Haverford Manor, and let me tell you, the transformation was lovely! So it got me thinking about all of these vintage chairs that I see on Chairish and 1stDibs and how amazing they would be with new upholstery or maybe even a new finish. This is exactly what Josh Young was talking about in his stories, ‘if you can’t find it, design it yourself’, and I think I’m going to take his advice. I’ve got my eye on two vintage Martha Washington chairs that would look just lovely in our sitting room with new striped upholstery.

 

 

THE SUSTAINABILITY

Unfortunately cheap + fast furniture is just as damaging to the environment as fast fashion, and unfortunately loads of it ends up in the dump anyway! So instead, shop local with something that has already been made! Use a beautiful piece that has already been handcrafted and sitting down the road instead of trying to get something cheap that you’ll end up throwing out in a few years anyway because it will likely break after two seconds.

 

THE SPEED

Again, no need to wait 2 years for a custom piece of furniture when you could get something with just as much character that is ready to go! Now, I still advocate for refreshing a piece when it needs it, but I waited for our coffee table for almost 10 months! And while I love custom pieces because I think that they also can elevate your home, I also know that they are pricey, and take a very long time. So you can get something that also elevates your home and style, but without the long lead times.

 

THE GUEST ROOM IN HAVERFORD MANOR FEATURING A VINTAGE SIDE TABLE, MIRROR AND ARTWORK

 

So if you’re looking for a special piece for your home, start at some local vintage shops. And if you don’t have any great ones around you, be sure to follow Chairish and 1stDibs which are both amazing online vintage retailers.

WEEKLY EDIT

Weekly Edit III

 

A new season, a time for change, sunshine, and new beginnings.

Spring in particular feels like such a fresh start at the beginning of the season. Especially here in Nashville where it does actually feel like Spring this time of year 🙂 and we can get outside and start to come to life again. The trees filled in last week and the grass is looking so green giving me this fresh new feeling of life.

With closing on Haverford the beginning of March it feels like a whole chapter of my life and business came to an end. I’ve honestly found myself confused, having lost my daily trips to the house to check on the progress of things. It was such a habit, and with a few signatures, that’s all gone! But now that I’ve had a few weeks to settle back into the new routine I feel like I’ve embraced the change and ready for new growth as well. On to new projects!

 

DIY PINBOARD FRAME, DETAILS COMING SOON

 

One big thing that I changed this month was my office. Originally in the formal sitting room right off the front door in our home, I felt like I needed a more dedicated space without distractions. We have a small guest room upstairs that we barely use (to be honest we have almost never used all of our guest rooms at one time…) that I thought would be the perfect spot. It’s the smallest of the guest rooms, has some built-in shelves and is right next to a large closet that I can use, which means our entryway will no longer be cluttered with all my stuff.

While I would love to “finish” this space into a perfect office, but as I’ve been brainstorming I realized that I wanted to finish it to be able to photograph it and share it instead of intentionally completing the space for my needs and aesthetic. So, I took a step back and decided to wait. Not only do we not know how long we’re going to be in this house but I’m hoping to always need an office/dedicated space, and I want the pieces that I put in here to be the ones that stay there. So, this space may feel empty and undone for a while now, and I’m okay with that if that means designing it intentionally and meaningfully.

 

 

I feel like all I have been talking about lately is porch and patio furniture, and I love it! We absolutely love our porch and spend so much time out here but the one thing that I felt like was missing was a little coffee area. There have been so many times I have wanted to sit under the covered area at a little table with my coffee or laptop to start the day but I didn’t want to make it a huge investment. Inspired by the RH Courtyard restaurants I got a cheaper version of their bistro tables and used two chairs from our outdoor dining set up to have here on a regular basis. I’ve already used it a ton and know that this table will be an easy one to fold in if we ever changed the arrangement.

 

SHOP THE LOOK

 

I felt like I hadn’t given a ton of information about the designs at Haverford Manor, so I started doing posts along with the social media reveals. Obviously everything has been revealed on the portfolio, but the videos and photos on social are more in depth and give you a better look at each space. So I decided to go even further with a post detailing the room: the floor plan, the design elements, and even links to shop similar items. So far this month we’ve done the guest room, the dining room, and the living room. I’m hoping posts like this will be informational as well as interesting when looking deeper into the flip.

But now for the fun stuff! I’ve been dedicating more time and posts to fashion lately because I felt like I had neglected that area for a while. I’m still not promoting hauls or overbuying but I am sharing more of my staples and the many ways that I wear them. I did take spring cleaning to heart this year and cleaned out a ton of my closet that I felt I had been hanging on to for a while. You know those pieces, “well, I haven’t worn it in a while, but I might!”. I feel like my wardrobe is finally down to my essentials that I can and do consistently wear, and I have to say it feels so much better that way. Check out some essential Spring finds below as well as one of my new favorite Coastal Grandmother outfits!

 

SHOP SPRING FINDS

 

LINEN PANTS  |  LARGE VASE  |  CANDLE  |  SWEATER
PROJECTS

5 MUDROOM ESSENTIALS

 

I cannot tell you how much fun I had with this space. I know I’ve said it a million times already but I love designing utility areas. There is so much character you can get from the finishes, cabinetry, and flooring and it is so much fun putting it together. But beyond it looking nice, these rooms in particular have to be functional, so this post is going to cover the five essentials you need when designing a great mudroom.

I know from personal experience how annoying these spaces can be when they aren’t designed well. Ours for example? Just a drop zone, not any closed storage, and completely visible from the living room! So when you hang up your coat, put down your bag, or throw off your shoes, you can see it all. The laundry room? The door opens inward covering up over half of the cabinetry. It’s so annoying.

 

 

We had plenty of space to work with at Haverford Manor so I was lucky enough to have plenty of room to get creative as well as to fit all the essentials

1. SHOE STORAGE

I don’t think having open storage below the lockers is an awful idea, that’s what we have and I fit large baskets but it is a little messier. Having closed drawer storage for shoes keeps things much tidier.

2. COAT HOOKS

Having a spot to hang your bags and your everyday coats is a no brained and the easiest thing to incorporate. But one thing that people don’t think about is tall coat storage. If you can’t put it in the mudroom itself, try and put it close by. If you’re anything like me you have coats of all kinds of lengths and you don’t want to have to walk all around your house to get them every time you want to wear them.

 

 

3. DURABLE FLOORING

And no, durable tile doesn’t have to be boring! These herringbone brick panels were a huge hit and to be honest they looked even more beautiful when they were installed + grouted. We went with an over grouted look to really play up the rustic vibe. But most importantly, we sealed them first. You want to make sure that they are styles that are easy to clean but also can handle when you are stomping around in your boots, or when your kids drop their bag of sport equipment.

4. A SLOP SINK

For me, this is an essential. I think that to have a spot to clean gardening equipment, shoes, or maybe even your kids craft stuff!

5. COUNTER SPACE

This one is definitely a luxury, but I do find it helpful. It can serve as a drop zone to store your keys or drop your mail even if it’s just a little extra space next to your sink. We were also lucky enough to have the space for an entire separate drop zone right at the back door of Haverford Manor so that’s where they will drop their keys. But I would kill for the separate counter space in the mudroom to go through the mail, or maybe store all the returns that we constantly pack up.

 

 

If you’re looking for a design consultation on your own mudroom design, book a consultation or a discovery call to chat through your space! Our virtual design services can put all of the room finishes together and help plan out your cabinetry design with your cabinet vendor. We’re here to help!

LIVING ROOM

HAVERFORD MANOR: THE LIVING ROOM

 

I think this is my favorite transformation of the entire house, let me explain.

This room stayed the exact same in size and location. Seriously! We knew the size of the room was plenty for a great living area and that the flow into the covered porch would work beautifully with French doors. Sure we could have had more square footage by continuing the second floor above this room, but come on, those vaulted ceilings? That’s a dramatic moment I didn’t want to miss. But let’s just do a quick side by side shall we?

 

 

Ya, loads better. And that’s not even to mention the horrible smell of dog from the carpet.

What you can’t see from the before picture is that the photo was taken from the old dining area, now the kitchen. And while that flow worked well for us, it was closed in a bit with walls and a large cased opening going into the living room. It was amazing how much bigger the whole space was when we simple opened up the entire opening to the room, taking down that drywall and cased opening. It completely opened up the space to what is now the kitchen making it flow much better and an open concept floor plan.

Because we added on the attached garage we lost the a set of windows, therefore a good amount of natural light. But by adding the French doors we kept that natural light and even enhanced it a bit. Plus with the vaulted ceilings everything feels lighter.

 

 

While I love wooden beams, I know they aren’t for everyone. And I felt like this house was a bit more on the traditional side to stylistically fit wood beams. So, as a compromise we ceiling beams in the same paint and finish as the ceiling. So there was still some dimension to accentuate the tall ceilings. I love how they turn out and think they really add a design element to the room, even when it’s empty.

And one of my favorite parts about this area? Is the view from the kitchen. I worked really hard to get the range and sink centered on the fireplace so that when you are washing the dishes, you have a direct line into the living room. And while I would have loved to have done a cast limestone fireplace surround, we went with Taj Mahal Quartzite. Definitely on the expensive end of materials but it was neutral enough to fit the space but nice enough to be a real accent in the living room. I added the 3 inch ledge around the outside to again, add dimension but to also give a little big of a ledge.

 

 

I absolutely love this transformation. It proves that you don’t need to completely change a floor plan to get a big new house. I’m so glad we were able to accomplish what we wanted to out of this space and so thrilled with the result.

Sofa + Chairs

Coffee Table

Jute Rug

Mirror vintage c/o Gaslamp Too

Chandelier c/o Visual Comfort & Co.

Floor Lamp c/o Visual Comfort & Co.

Ottomans c/o Canterbury Antiques

 

BEDROOMS

HAVERFORD MANOR: THE GUEST ROOM

 

Formerly the primary bedroom, I decided to make this first-floor guest room special. And step one? The paint color.

 

 

While this room didn’t change in size at all, it feels sooooo much better in this layout. Originally, the closet was a build-out as soon as you walked into the door, so instead of the room you immediately saw a wall. We moved the closet to both sides of the window and a storage bench in between to keep that natural light. Plus, when we took the roof off we added a foot of ceiling height to the whole first floor making the clearance nine feet instead of eight. Big difference!

One of the struggles I had with the concept of flipping was the design portion. You’ve got to appeal to as many prospective buyers as possible while also making a name for your style. So this room I felt like needed to stand out a bit from the rest. So I made sure to pick a bold paint color, unique hardware and also pay homage to the original home with the medallion around the chandelier (we tried to keep the original but was too warped).

 

 

I think the final product was a great blend of standing out, but blending with the style of the rest of the house. And it made me fall in love with this paint color even more! Plus, it gave me a space to use this vintage accent table that I found as a nightstand like I always imagined it. So many vintage elements blended with new to make this room feel like it’s been here for a minute.

But one piece that I love about this room and the whole house is the number of storage benches. We had three throughout the house to include as much storage as possible and to keep the windows open natural light. The first is in here on the first floor, and the other two are upstairs in the primary closet and the rec room. All great places for storage and all complete with custom Schumacher bench cushions.

 

 

Not a bad place to stay for a visitor. Actually, maybe so nice they’ll want to stay longer… whoops. Below we’re listing all of the good stuff!! All of the sources that I can, as well as the before picture. What do you think? A pretty good upgrade, huh?

 

 

Paint c/o Farrow & Ball Pigeon

Medallion around chandelier

ChandelierBench Pendant, Nightstand Table Lamp c/o Visual Comfort & Co

Baroque Mirror c/o Chairish

Vintage nightstand c/o Patina & Co

Vintage Artwork c/o Winchester Antiques

Crystal Vase c/o Tuesday Made (use code MANOR10 for 10% off your order)

Velvet Throw Pillows c/o Jenn Stoffer Home

Drapery Hardware & Ivory Drapes

Door Hardware c/o Emtek

LIFESTYLE

ADD TO CART: SPRING FASHION

 

There is something about Spring fashion that is just so much better than the other seasons. Fall is fun because you get to wear sweaters and feel cozy, but Spring fashion brings you back to life! No more layering, no more coats, no more boots that ruin an outfit and look super clunky that you’re so tired of…

Need I say more?

 

 

I’ve been linking a ton of neutral staples lately that I have worn year after year, and to be honest they are still some of my favorites. And one things about having a great neutral line up of classics is that you can easily interchange for countless new looks and layering options. I also recently did a huge closet purge of those items that I kept keeping year after year thinking “I haven’t worn them yet, but I will”. So now my closet has nothing that I haven’t worn at least a few times.

 

A FEW OF MY NEUTRAL FAVORITES

 

I think this is also a season where denim really starts to make a comeback: lighter wash jeans, jean jackets, denim shorts, etc. There are so many more options this time of year to style with your outfit. I even got a new pair of light wash jeans and I am only mildly obsessed. They are ultra high rise (duh) and just soft enough to be super comfortable. I’ve had a hard time with length lately because I don’t think the 90’s cut + length is super flattering on me, but I haven’t been able to find an ankle length pair that actually hit at my ankle. They’re always too short leaving a super unflattering fit. So I actually got these same jeans just in the short length and they’re kinda perfect! About two inches longer than the ankle cut and about two inches shorter than the regular length.

I also refuse to even look at a pair of jeans that isn’t ultra high rise, or a pair of jean shorts that doesn’t have extra length. That’s what getting old and not working out gets you :-/ But I’ve found this pair from Agolde that is both! Here are a few other new denim styles that I’ve found lately.

 

SPRING DENIM FINDS

 

Now, we can’t forget the most fun part! Spring dresses!! I have been dreaming of this day when I get to put on my favorite maxi dresses and layer with sweaters. It is so refreshing after Winter to be able to wear these styles again. I’ve posted a ton about needing a staple white maxi dress, but let’s be real, you need several colors. I got this one from Amazon at least three years ago and have loved it so much that I got it in one new color last year, then another this year! It’s the perfect length to wear with sneakers or sandals, and so fun to pair with sweaters. Plus, you can’t beat the price. It’s an amazing alternative to this Jenni Kayne style.

Casual travel look? Pair with white sneakers and a white sweater draped over your shoulders. Patio brunch? Sandals and a denim jacket! I mean, you can’t beat it. But if you aren’t convinced here are more styles to check out that would be great additions to your wardrobe.

 

 

MAXI DRESSES

 

Now for my personal favorite, sweaters. No, not those heavy ones you’ve been wearing since the Fall, but light and airy sweaters. Ones that you can throw on with jean shorts when it gets warm out during the day. Or a sweater that you throw over your shoulders for that chic, mature look and to keep yourself just a bit warmer than without it. A sweater you can pair with a summer hat and feel like you are immediately transported to the Hamptons. Okay, I need a vacation…

 

LIGHT + LAYERING SWEATERS

 

Don’t miss tons of outfit ideas and looks on my LTK page. I’ve been much better about documenting my outfits lately, and now that it’s nice out and I can’t hide my ugly outfit under a winter coat, I’m actually getting dressed 😀

KITCHEN + DINING

HAVERFORD MANOR: THE DINING ROOM

 

We had many discussions over this space with our architect during the floor plan stages. While he would have preferred to change the footprint to fit the stairs somewhere else to make the entryway a formal dining area, we knew it wasn’t in the budget and we didn’t want to spend that much money. And I knew that we could get a large enough dining space to fit a large table and sitting area, but it wouldn’t give you that formal feel that some people like.

This is where the great debate begins: formal dining rooms, or kitchen nooks?

 

 

Now this isn’t exactly a ‘nook’ in my opinion. The table pictured above is extended to 6 ft with room to spare so you could easily fit an 8-person table in here. But, it isn’t a separate dining space and is instead, right off the kitchen so not exactly a formal dining room either. I guess we built a sort of hybrid at Haverford Manor. We have had formal dining rooms in both of our homes that we have lived in, and you want to know how many times we used both of them? Less than 10 times in 8 years. Now, I understand the appeal if you have family visit a lot or if you host a lot, but us? I’d love a ‘nook’ area.

 

I wanted this space to be an extension of the living room, and started gathering pieces over a year before this photo was taken. But, there were moments I panicked and didn’t think it would work out. The hard part about flipping is that I’m not exactly styling and furnishing the house in the ideal way that I’d like to, or would with a client. I have to get pieces that I can resell or store easily, or maybe even borrow a few pieces from my own house.

 

CHAIRS: OAK NASHVILLE  |  TABLE: FB MARKETPLACE  |  PEDESTAL: CHAIRISH  |  VASE: GASLAMP TOO  |  SETTEE: FB MARKETPLACE  |  LIGHT: VISUAL COMFORT & CO.  |  ARTWORK: CUSTOM FRAMED PIECE BY HANNAH WINTERS

 

How would you feel if I told you almost every single pieces seen here was vintage, or repurposed? Aside from the light fixture and framed artwork, I got everything else either from a local vintage store, or revamped from Facebook Marketplace. The vase in particular was a last minute find from Gaslamp Too that I was thrilled (and relieved) to have to complete the space. Is this setup everyone’s cup of tea? Probably not, but I wanted it to tell a story and have some character as well as show prospective buyers what a space like this could do!

 

In the last year or so pedestals have come into style as home accessories again, and there are some beautiful ones out there. I love it as an option to fill an empty corner or to bring in some height. This is just a standard white one you might have found in an art studio in the 90’s, but I’m thinking about doing a DIY project soon to make it look a little more like a natural material like what is so popular today. You’ll see burl, travertine, or maybe a natural wood that would be beautiful to add texture to a space. In this room with the trim and chairs, I went with plain white as not to add too many elements.

SHOP PEDESTALS

 

And don’t get me started on this settee, which I currently have in my own home now! I actually had no intention for this when I first bought it off of FB Marketplace, but it was in amaaaaaazing shape and only $150… a six foot couch! So I got it reupholstered and now she belongs in a beautiful English sitting room. Or maybe a setup like this in a guest suite one day. And while I’m currently designing a proper kitchen nook, you unfortunately won’t be able to see the finished product for another year or so. So in the meantime here are some pieces I found to fancy up your own eating area, whether it be a formal dining room for hosting holidays, or a small area for you and your partner to have coffee in the morning. I love both!

 

 

DECOR

ADD TO CART: LUXURY OUTDOOR

 

Nashville has had touches of Spring (and even Summer) the last month and it has me so excited for patio season. That time of year when you want to open the windows and doors and let the smell of fresh air into your house, when you get to sit outside and bask in the sun after hibernating for months. It’s the best!

And ever since we moved into our home here in Nashville I have come to appreciate the important of a well styled porch or patio. And not just that it looks good, which is obviously of utmost importance, but that it is also functional and can withstand the elements. For us, those elements tend to be heat and sun, as our porch and patio get direct sunlight until about 3-4:00 in the afternoon. So I knew we needed something that wouldn’t get hot to the touch, that it came with covers, and a dining table that had an umbrella spot. My husband wasn’t as keen on that last part but, shocker, it’s been the most essential part to that dining area.

So before you pull the trigger on any furniture, make sure you think about the elements, the use and the flow you want for your porch or patio.

 

CHAIR  |  SECTIONAL  |  COFFEE TABLE  |  PILLOWS  |  VASE

 

If you have a fireplace, centering the furniture around that area is a good place to start. Whether it’s a fire pit or a built-in fireplace, you can find a great seating arrangement to enjoy your company and the fire on a chilly Spring evening. But I’ve included some great fire pits below if you’re not of a mind to build a structure and want to be able to move it in and out as well. That’s what we did at our home in Minneapolis where we had a small 10 x 10 sitting area but wanted to enjoy a fire occasionally.

But the one thing that I will always preach when it comes to making your porch and patio feel like an extension of your home is to focus on the finishing touches. I’m talking the color of the cushions, the pillows, and even adding a side table with planters or lanterns for an added touch. You put so much work and money into the interior of your home, you don’t want the style to go downhill the second you step outside! So let that style flow out to your patio with some of the great finds below.

 

 

WEEKLY EDIT

The Weekly Edit II

 

I’m still in a little bit of shock.

12 hours after Haverford Manor was officially listed on MLS, we got an offer. A great offer. And less than 24 hours later, we were under contract. And now that we are officially closed I can take a sigh of relief, for so many reasons. There was quite a bit of drama during the last 30 days and to be honest I was 90% sure that it was going to go back on the market. Luckily we worked through it and I have a bomb realtor, and the papers have been signed!

 

 

You guys, this was my first baby! And I took care of her and raised her for 18 long months to get her to the point where I set her free, but it is so bittersweet. I love this house and the journey that I’ve been on with it and the lessons that it has taught me, so seeing it empty again and walking out for the last time was more difficult than I thought it would be. Sure I’m thrilled (and a little proud) to know that this project has come to a successful end, but it’s hard not to become emotionally attached to something like this.

I’ve been so caught up in producing the final imagery and videography that sometimes I have to go back and look at the old images of the house to remember how far we have come. But I’ve been trying to provide as much progress content on social throughout the reveals as possible, so we can go on that journey together.

Last week we revealed a whole lot of bts footage of the progress of this area. The mudroom + drop zone + powder room area is one of my favorite parts of the house and full of functional goodies.But to be honest I think I’m more excited about what’s to come… the kitchen reveal!!

 

 

I know I know, it’s already out on the portfolio but there is something special about seeing it come to life in video. We’ll have the full video and then a progression video as well which reminds me just how far we came with this house. But I’m going to share a few of my favorite parts of the kitchen

1. I hounded the team to make sure that the sink + oven/range were centered on the fireplace. My dream was to have someone standing at the sink washing the dishes and being able to enjoy the fire at the same time.

2. I love a ledge in a kitchen, and I chose to blend this into the line of the cabinetry and incorporated in the slab backsplash.

3. I also love a double knob drawer front 🙂

But let’s all be honest about what we’re really excited about… Spring!! It’s been feeling so nice here and really starting to warm up and I am here for it. We live on our patio when it’s nice out so hopefully we’ll get a chance to power wash and clean her up really well so we can enjoy the seasons outside. And speaking of patio’s…

 

HAVERFORD MANOR’S PATIO STYLED WITH STOREHOUSE NO.9

 

Another part of Haverford Manor that I absolutely love! And it was actually a late add to the construction plans. I love how it flows within the floor plan as well. Enjoy the fireplace in your living room, then step through these French doors to enjoy your outdoor fireplace and patio area. I mean, I actually hope the buyers invite me over some time. As I was staging this area in January I was dreaming of putting planters out and fresh plants on our patio. So, needless to say I have been on the hunt for good additions to our outdoor area. Here are a few

 

 

And please, please can we have a moment for dress season. I have three or four that I wear aaalll the time that I cannot wait to dust off. There’s something about having a single piece of clothing to choose from and pairing it with a cozy sweater? Nothing gets better than that. I’ve been very particular and selective about buying any new clothes so if I do add another dress to my closet this season you’ll know it’s because I plan on wearing it for years to come. Here are a few finds that caught my eye so far.

 

WEEKLY EDIT

The Weekly Edit I

It’s been quite a few weeks! I knew that it was going to be busy, and overwhelming but I think I underestimated all of it.

The Open House for Haverford Manor was amazing. To be honest, I had thoughts several times that week that nobody would show up, but so many people did and showed their support and I was so pleased with the evening. It was so much fun showing people the project that I had been working on for the last 18 months, but even more exciting was sharing the reveal on social! I felt at times like the progress was moving at a snail’s pace but being able to share the portfolio and finished video’s calmed all of those frustrations.

This past week we shared the before + after of the entryway which looks very different! Adding the stairs, and a two-story ceiling height, the former formal sitting room is a grand entrance.

 

 

I also started to share what we did with their old second sitting room. What we think this was their old single car garage that they closed in years ago and turned into a laundry closet, powder room and sitting area. However, they didn’t do anything to the floors so it wasn’t exactly the homiest of rooms. So we leveled this room with the rest of the first floor, and built a drop-zone, mudroom and powder room as well as access to the pantry and kitchen as well as the entryway. And to be honest, I think that this is one of my favorite areas of the house!

The drop zone is so insanely functional and I have to say I’m pretty jealous. To have a spot right at the back door to drop your keys, as well as an easy and quick flow to the pantry to drop off your groceries from the garage? A dream! Here’s a sneak peak at some of the reveals that will come this week.

 

THE BEFORE

 

AFTER

 

And the reveals are just going to keep on coming! I have loads more before + after stuff planned for social media along with videos and details of the house.

I’m also beyond ready for Spring and we’ve had a few previews of warmer weather here in Nashville, so I’m starting to think about shifting my wardrobe. Here are a few finds that I’ve added to my wardrobe as well as staples that I wear season after season.

 

 

So what’s next? The full reveal of the mudroom as well as starting to get a look at the kitchen! Everyone’s favorite. Don’t miss those reveals on Instagram but also exclusive info in the newsletter. There is still so much to share about Haverford Manor

HOLIDAY

ADD TO CART: THE HOLIDAY SHOP

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