Hello everyone, and a very Happy Wednesday to you!
I’m thrilled to welcome you back to my little bungalow today, as I’m participating in the much-anticipated Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours, graciously hosted by the incredibly talented Lindsay of The White Buffalo Styling Co. We’re now on day three of these fabulous tours, and the past couple of days have been absolutely bursting with inspiration, featuring gorgeous homes all dressed up and ready for Spring. If you’re joining me from Avery Street Design, a warm hello and welcome to my humble abode!
My family and I embarked on a rather exciting, some might say ‘crazy,’ adventure not too long ago. We traded in our spacious, builder-basic house for the charm and intimacy of downsized living within a delightful 1940s cottage bungalow – a true fixer-upper, bursting with potential. Our downsizing journey is still very much in its nascent stages, which means our home is a constant hub of projects and renovations. However, as this marks our very first Spring in this ‘new old home,’ I felt compelled to usher in the season with a few simple yet impactful refreshed spaces. It’s a joy to finally begin imprinting our personality onto these walls, celebrating the blend of vintage character with our contemporary style.
For those of you who have been following my journey for a while, you’ll already know that I have a profound affection for plants, vibrant colors, and intriguing patterns – among many other design elements! These aren’t just decorative choices for me; they are fundamental to creating a home that feels alive, joyful, and truly ours. Incorporating these elements into our interior spaces is absolutely essential for my happiness and contributes significantly to the unique atmosphere we’re cultivating here. Just this past week, my incredibly sweet next-door neighbor gifted me a beautiful violet plant. Its delicate beauty and vibrant green leaves were precisely the inspiration I needed to infuse even more much-needed greenery throughout our entire home, marking the true arrival of Spring.
I chose to place the newly acquired violets in our entryway, creating an immediate sense of welcome and natural beauty. This space, being the first impression of our home, benefits immensely from fresh touches. I’ve made a few subtle but significant changes here since our more extensive entryway refresh just a short while ago. The goal was to build upon the existing foundation, adding layers of seasonal charm without overhauling what was already working. The simple addition of a new plant, thoughtfully placed, can truly transform the mood of a space, making it feel more current and inviting for the new season. It’s a testament to how small updates can make a big difference in a vintage bungalow, maintaining its character while infusing it with renewed life.
Moving into the living room, the heart of our home, I focused on sprucing up the mantle. This area always serves as a focal point, and for Spring, I wanted to create a display that felt both fresh and personal. I carefully arranged my cherished vintage glass bottle collection, allowing the varying shapes and subtle hues of the glass to catch the light beautifully. But perhaps the most dramatic change in the living room was transitioning our fireplace from its cold-weather functionality to a warm-weather ready state. During the colder months, a roaring fire is essential, but as Spring arrives, I love to ditch the heavy screen. In its place, I fill the firebox with an array of flickering candles. This creates the most enchanting, soft glow, perfect for intimate evenings or when entertaining guests. It’s not just about aesthetics; this simple trick allows me to get a full twelve months of decorative and functional use out of my fireplace, making it a dynamic feature year-round, regardless of the season outside. This transformation truly exemplifies how a space can adapt and evolve with the changing seasons, maintaining its beauty and utility.
Beyond the mantle and fireplace, I further enhanced the living room’s ambiance by bringing in a few more plants and carefully selected pieces of art. Plants, to me, are living sculptures that breathe life into any room. A beautiful bird’s nest fern, with its unique textured leaves, adds an organic touch and a pop of vibrant green, while a resilient ZZ plant contributes to a sense of lushness and depth without demanding too much fuss. These greenery additions not only purify the air but also create a calming, natural atmosphere that perfectly complements the bungalow’s cozy feel. The new art pieces, chosen for their complementary colors and patterns, are strategically placed to draw the eye and add personality, ensuring that every corner of the living room feels curated and intentional. This careful layering of natural elements and artistic expression transforms the living room into a true sanctuary, reflecting our personal style and embracing the rejuvenating spirit of Spring.
In the dining room, a space that is currently undergoing a significant makeover, I’ve opted for a simple yet elegant solution to keep it feeling fresh and inviting. A beautiful ginger jar, filled with lush greens, takes center stage. This arrangement provides a burst of natural vibrancy that is particularly welcome during this transitional period. While I absolutely adore using fresh flowers from our neighborhood gardens to brighten up our home, at this very moment, nothing is quite in bloom yet. So, greens it is! They offer a sophisticated and enduring touch of nature that doesn’t rely on transient blooms, perfectly complementing the ongoing transformation of the room. This temporary styling allows the space to retain its elegance and connection to the outdoors, even as we meticulously plan and execute its larger revitalization. It’s a prime example of how thoughtful, minimal decor can sustain the beauty of a room through various stages of renovation, proving that even a work-in-progress can radiate charm.
Our master bedroom holds a unique position in our home; it’s currently the most neutral room we have. As someone who absolutely adores color, this presents both a challenge and an exciting opportunity. My approach is to pack as much vibrant color and engaging pattern into this space as possible, transforming it into a personal sanctuary that truly reflects my joyful spirit. To kick off this Spring refresh, I introduced a stunning floral pillow, its intricate design and rich hues instantly brightening the bed and adding a focal point. Next, I brought in some fun, vibrantly colored baskets. These aren’t just for aesthetics; they serve a dual purpose, offering stylish storage while injecting playful pops of color into the room. Perhaps my favorite personal touch is the pair of stools I recently reupholstered myself. I chose a bright, citrusy shade for the fabric, a bold move that has dramatically amped up the color quotient in the room, creating an energizing yet serene atmosphere. This DIY project allowed me to infuse a unique, handcrafted element, making the space feel even more personal and bespoke. The combination of these elements ensures that even with a neutral base, our master bedroom is anything but bland, instead blossoming with personality and welcoming the lively essence of Spring.
Thank you all so incredibly much for stopping by and taking this Spring home tour with me! It’s always a pleasure to share our journey in transforming this bungalow into our dream home. The Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours are far from over, so make sure you continue the inspiration tour by heading over to Sarah’s house next. I can tell you with absolute certainty that you won’t want to miss it. Sarah is truly a rock star when it comes to styling and creating breathtaking beauty throughout her home, and her insights are always invaluable. If you haven’t had a chance to do so yet, please take some time to explore the other phenomenal tours from today, including:
The Nester
Simple Stylings Blog
Cuckoo 4 Design
Avery Street Design
A special and heartfelt thank you goes out to Lindsay for including me in this wonderful Spring event. It’s an honor to be part of such a talented community of bloggers. Until next time, loves, happy decorating and enjoy the beautiful Spring season!
Xo-Shavonda