day 163: the abode




My friend Wendy posted some photos recently of her home in rural, rugged, beautiful Alberta, Canada.  It was fun to see where she lives and HOW she lives.  So I thought it would be fun to post a few photos of the inside of my own home here in suburban Springville, UT.  But don't think I am taking you downstairs to the man/boy section of the house.  I only really go down there to do laundry and tuck kids in.  



This is our living room, which is the first room you see when you come in the front door.  We are more into a modern look, but weren't able to really do what we wanted until The Great Flood of 2008, when we got some insurance money and pitched in some of our own.  We like this room a lot.



Just a shot of the comfy IKEA leather chair the kids always fight over.  The orange ottoman and the big graphic curtain panels are fun.  The curtains are on rollers.  I LOVE them!



 These are the things we keep on top of the cabinet above the TV.  The giraffe and the small statues at the end of the shelf are souvenirs from Africa.  I like colored glass too.



This is the wall/corner between the living room, dining room, and kitchen.  The embroidery on the left was purchased in England, and the photos on the right are fun shots of the last time we had a great extended family gathering on the North Carolina shore.  I like some color on the walls too.  The living room is a gold color, the hall a light yellow, and the dining room green.



A strategic shot of our bedroom, because if you saw the other side of the bed you would wonder why the fire marshall hasn't shut us down yet.  Hey, the husband can't limit the number of books he snuggles up to.  I hand-painted the om symbol and marriage symbol on the wall.  We like a flare of India here and there.



Here is the dining room.  We bought this table and benches around 15 years ago.  We have restained it and loved it over the years.  It is pine, so with the wood being so soft there are numerous marks all over the top, numbers and names scratched in from kids doing homework, playing games, etc.  How could I ever get rid of it?  We may replace the benches at some point, but the table is staying.  And staying.



We have repainted these cupboards and tiled the counters and backsplash.  We have some repair work to do sometimes, but we like the funky effect.  And this gas stove is sooooo awesome. 



Because of an addition put on the house years ago, the kitchen sits right in the middle of the house.  So, to the right, over the sink, you look into a back little room and the stairs that lead downstairs.  I like my pot rack too.



One of the best kitchen decisions we made was to buy this stainless steel monolith.  It is a stand alone fridge with no space for a freezer (we have a big top-loader freezer in the laundry room downstairs).  It is huge inside and can hold all the food that a houseload of guys need.



Plants and candles add a little mood.



This is the room behind the kitchen.  It is where the door from the driveway leads in and where the kids drop off their stuff after school.  It steps down to some bookshelves and then the sliding doors that lead out to the hot tub.



Books are our friends.



Off the deck is the hot tub and our grand cottonwood tree that we love.  At noon in Summer, this tree shades the entire backyard.

We live in a 68-year old house that needs tlc, but we love our neighborhood and our home. 


10 comments

Marianne | January 28, 2010 at 12:42 PM

LOVE IT!! I may do a house post, too. Shall I clean it up first, maybe wipe the dog footprints off the kitchen floor? Remove the puzzles from the coffee table? Wash the dishes? Now I want to come see you!!

Emma | January 28, 2010 at 4:04 PM

Wow I love your style.. If I get around to posting my house there are a few places that wont be shown either.

Kimberly Vanderhorst | January 28, 2010 at 4:05 PM

Your home is beautiful - therefore, a true reflection of you!

Connie | January 28, 2010 at 4:44 PM

You really do have a nice, comfortable home.

Luann | January 29, 2010 at 6:40 AM

This is a cool little photo tour, and I love your decor.

If I were to do a series like this, it would have to be spread out over a period of time. Days, at least. I don't think I can get my whole house clean at the same time. My little cherubs are masters at providing constant reminders of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. My house is an entropy lab.

Lara Neves | January 29, 2010 at 9:47 AM

I love your style. Very cool. Those curtains are to die for.

I have been looking for bookshelves just like those in your room behind the kitchen...where did you find them, and was it recently? I am struggling...

Melanie Jacobson | January 29, 2010 at 5:46 PM

I think we have a very similar style. I'm looking forward to buying a bigger home this summer (the 2 bedroom condo is getting tight with #3 on the way) and making a permanent mark. Husband goes house shopping a lot on the weekends and I always cringe when he shows me the rustic style ones because I realize how much work I would have to do. I appreciate the aesthetic but I like very clean, calm lines so...we'll see. It's all an adventure!

wendy | January 29, 2010 at 8:04 PM

fun fun FUN. See how great it is to have a visit at other peoples homes. Now I got to see THAT side of you. Your personal style.
I love the very modern style of your house. The organish odoman was awesome.
Books should be everywhere.
The India painting you did on your wall in the bedroom was Amazing.
love the pot hangers in the kitchen
Didn't know you had a hot tub --SO DO WE, love love love it.

thanks Kazzy, but hey, I didn't see the treats??

Jenny | January 29, 2010 at 10:46 PM

We lived in Springville for about 7 years. Moved away then moved back for 18 months then moved up to AF.

I loved Springville.

You have great taste. I wanted to Thank you for hooking up Connie with a monitor!

I love the IKEA!!!

Heather | January 31, 2010 at 9:38 PM

You are a cool decorator. I am jealous. I love the mirror in the dining room.