Erin Hardy Interiors

Old House Love

2014-12-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

This weekend, we had some family business to tend to in Brenham, TX. Brenham is a charming little town northwest of Houston. It's home to all sorts of wonderful things - great little shopping destinations, lots of antiques, a sweet town square, historical sites, and it's where Blue Bell Ice Cream is lovingly made. Oh my goodness...Blue Bell. But this post isn't at all about ice cream, it's about a particular home. A sweet one at that. The charm might be hard to see for some. But there's something about old, dilapidated homes that stop me in my tracks.

For the love of screen doors: The shabbier the better!

This Texas home is well over 100 years old. The house has major termite damage and word is it will be demolished in the near future. It's kind of sad to see something so sweet have to go away.

Everything about this house is old. Most of it is still in it's original state. And all of it is enchantingly beautiful in it's own way. Although it's just an old country house, I was in awe of the extremely tall ceilings and the generous room sizes. This next photo shows the foyer just past the front door. Look at the bead-board! The pink pastel walls! The light fixture! This room was as big as my living room. The door you see here opens up to a screened porch, and beyond that is another bedroom that was added at some point.

Here's a peek of the front door from the foyer. The hardware...oh my. This front door was spectacular from the exterior. I wish I could have gotten a better photo but the threat of a large wasp nest kept me away.

This was a main room off of the foyer. Used as a living area - an old player piano was left behind. Even with the shades drawn, this room was full of light. So spacious and airy feeling. These big-bellied rooms and tall windows make you feel tiny .

Another shot from the same room: An old window looks glorious with light

pouring through the shutter.

I stared at this wall for quite some time. This is the kitchen, and the door opens up to the screened in side porch. Can't you just imagine the breakfast table in front of the window? The room is enveloped in a shade of pale mint. The old lace curtain in the window, filtering the light just so...

This is SO "Anthropologie", don't you think?!

Here's a different area of the home, but I believe it's the same wall color as the kitchen. And another piano. Isn't she beautiful?

Here's that screened in side porch. This was one of the first spaces I saw of this home and it kind of took my breath away. The green chair against the old white paint. The faded curtains. Like someone was just here.

This barn is original to the house. Look at that old barn wood! Even rotted, it's beautiful. The land is covered in pecan trees. The boys gathered them by the handfuls and we ate them out of the shell. Funny how that was their first time to do that. I want to find more experiences like that to share with my boys.

So often, old houses just get passed up and overlooked. This one will be gone soon. But I'm so glad we had the chance to enjoy her beauty today.

Whatever it may be, I hope you're drawn into the majestic beauty of something special today. Even if nobody else can see it. :)

Our Home: The Dining Room

2014-11-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving is here and naturally we've all got entertaining on the brain. Either we're hosting and making last minute preparations, or we've accepted invitations to celebrate elsewhere and thinking of a favorite dish to bring and share. This year, we'll be giving thanks around my mom's dining room table, so I'm off the hook for hosting. While I don't have table setting or recipe ideas to share with you today, I thought this is the ideal time to share photos of our recently completed dining room.

All of our main areas (foyer, living, kitchen, breakfast, and dining) are all open to one another - basically like one big room which is fantastic for entertaining. It gives me a lot of flexibility when setting up for larger gatherings. Our dining room actually gets used a lot, which I love. There's nothing formal about our family - we keep it real and we keep it simple, and I think that allows us to use this space more. We use the large round table for dinners (not on spaghetti night I admit!) and for family game nights too. It functions as a great project table too!

I took my time decorating this room. I waited for really good deals on each and every piece and I'm happy with the final look. It suits us well and doesn't feel overly formal. The chairs are the most recent additions to the room. I wanted to layer the wood tones instead of matching them to add visual interest and a layered look.

Restoration Hardware Chairs

West Elm Table

This soup tureen centerpiece was a lovely gift from a client. It was from her own collection and it's so special to me. I added the brass candelabra (that was a $10 antique store find!) and the hydrangeas, which I love to buy fresh when I want to add something special to the tabletop.

The chalkboard was an old mirror from Bombay Co. that I spray painted (Rustoleum Hammered Bronze) and painted the mirror with chalkboard paint. The plates belonged to my grandmother. They are white with a scalloped edge and dove gray accents. I have enough for 12 so I used a few on the wall and still have enough for dining. They mean a lot to me because they belonged to her, but I actually think I would choose this pattern on my own if I were shopping today. How did she know gray and white would be popular!? ;)

The accessories were added over time. This chandelier was a recent purchase - it's the Lourdes chandelier from Ballard Designs. I liked the round shape and the empire style top, and it's at a great price point for this large of a chandelier. These shapes are actually mimicked in the base of the dining table. While matching things is never important to me, finding similar lines between items is something I do focus on - it always works to bring a room together!

Ballard Designs Chandelier

Our house is "cozy" in size, so I use mirrors where I can to make the rooms appear larger and bring in more light. This mirror was at a glass shop just around the corner from me. They had two of them and told me to make an offer - I made a ridiculously low offer and they accepted, so I grabbed both before they could change their mind. :) The other hangs in our living room. Mirrors are one of my very favorite decorative items. They instantly transform rooms, and it's a great way of adding something to the wall that won't clash with art or photographs.

...and another tray. They are my weakness! I think this is my favorite one!

You hear it all the time..."design is in the details" and that is the absolute truth! Choose things that are special to you and your family. And collect these items over time - enjoy the process!

If you find you aren't using your dining room because you think it's only for formal occasions - think again! Fancy is so overrated anyway! This can be a really special area in your home that gets just as much use as the family room. It shouldn't just be for "show". And if you still don't think you'd use it for family dining - turn the room into something completely different. It's your house and it should work for you!

I hope you have a beautiful & blessed Thanksgiving! Thanks for reading today!

Our Home: The Hardy Boys Room

2014-11-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

Somehow, in my heart, I always knew I would have two little boys one day. Our first son, Collin was born 9 years ago, and our second son, Kyle, arrived three years later. Since that time I have had a lot of fun creating special spaces for them in our home. I've probably created too many sweet spaces to be honest...we've been through SO many room combinations for the Hardy boys. From nurseries to toddler rooms to "big boy" rooms of their own. We've rearranged furniture and rooms more times than I can count!

Two years ago we decided the boys could share a room and use the other bedroom as a play room. This has been a great arrangement for so many reasons. It simplified our bedtime routine a bit - just one room to say prayers and give goodnight hugs in. And it's fun to listen in on their whispers and laughter after we've turned out the lights. Sweet brothers :)

These ammunition containers (it's only fitting we start with something "weapon related"!) were a gift from my dad. He purchased them from the army surplus store and the boys keep little treasures in them.

The curtains are from RH Baby & Child (link here)

I love the grommet top style for this room, and they are lined which is a plus! I plan to get another set of these for the play room - they are a great deal so check them out!

The bedding is mostly Pottery Barn Kids and PB Teen. I got all of it at different times when they were on sale or clearance. We've had the quilts the longest, probably close to 5 years now and I can say they have really held up. So if you have your eye on a PB kids quilt - go for it! I can say the same for their sheets - these get washed very often and the color stays bright. Also, they are super soft! I've been really happy with all of these purchases.

I like to split sheets sets up between the two beds for a "mix and match" look. It's more fun and layered that way.

Link for quilt and euro sham

Link for star sheets

Link for plaid sheets

Because the toys are kept in the playroom, it helps to keep this room clutter free. Even still, by the end of the week the top of the dresser is covered in Legos and Pokémon cards, and dirty laundry has been stashed under the beds.

The dresser was a craigslist purchase. It's Cargo brand. Who remembers that store?! It went out of business years ago, but before there was Pottery Barn Kids there was Cargo! The Cargo store was all simple, solid wood furniture - bunk beds, day beds and dressers. I remember how cozy the showroom was - I begged for a daybed with a clamp-on-lamp! :)

I painted this dresser with Benjamin More Wolf Gray. I used an egg shell finish and the result looks a lot like chalk paint, smooth and matte. The knobs are wood, but I used Rustoleum Dark Bronze to give them a metal look.

The rug was purchased at Target years ago. Here's a similar option.

The little antlers used to hang in my husbands childhood room. They were from his own first hunt with his father, so they are special to us.

The iron beds were purchased from Restoration Hardware (link for similar style) but this style has been discontinued. This was the best clearance deal I've ever come across and I couldn't pass it up! I love twin beds, not only for kids rooms, but for guest rooms as well. I know I'll use these later on down the road in our guest room when we're empty nesters.

Kid rooms seem to be ever-evolving areas in our homes. These little people are growing up fast, and their needs and tastes change with it. I know my boys won't always share a room, but for now it's just right - and I love to think of the memories they will have from this experience. :)

Oh, and this sweet girl - she loves those Hardy boys! She spends a lot of time in this room so it was only right to include her photo as well!

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

-Robert Brault

I hope you enjoy all the little things today!

Southern Living Showcase Home, Willowcreek Ranch

2014-11-11T14:58:00.001-06:00

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Southern Living showcase home in Willowcreek Ranch, a beautiful new acreage community in Tomball, TX. This estate home was large and lovely! Come take a peek with me!

Oh, circular driveways....and fountains...you instantly let us know we are about to enter something grand and fabulous. I kind of feel like Cinderella's carriage should be parked right here.

The rustic front doors are perfect fit with the grandeur of this home.

Kind of an "old world southern" feel. This look is alive and well here in Texas!

Once inside, the study is located just off of the entry. I think it is the coziest room in the house. The crackling fire, the leather, the dark wood tones. There is a masculine feel to this space, but it is also beautiful. The views of the pasture were nice too!

The living room is located in the middle of the house. I love the light linen slipped furnishings, and the glass front cabinets flanking the fireplace. So many times you'll see built-ins in these spaces, but I love using furniture instead. There are so many more options than just built-ins, and you can take your furniture with you, should you ever move. The TV is hidden behind the custom screen. Decorator side note: I'm not bothered by exposed TV screens in the family room, after all they belong in this space! But, this is a great solution for hiding the TV when it's not in use.

This house has such amazing details - the Douglas fir beams were a favorite of mine!

Open to the living area, is the stunning kitchen and dining area. It's all perfect, the more you look around the more you fall in love with everything this space has to offer! I have island envy, for sure! A large island looks finished with properly scaled lighting - in this case, two large lantern style fixtures. You could also go with three pendants if they were a bit smaller in size. As long as the scale is appropriate for the room, bigger is better when it comes to lighting - let it make a statement

From this view, you wouldn't think there is enough cabinet storage, but this layout has lots of surprises and doesn't disappoint! Notice the doors on the back wall? We'll look inside in just a moment...

Love the hardware on the custom refrigerator doors!

This home has one dining space for casual and formal dining. I've always loved this concept! I see too many dining rooms going to waste. I love to find ways to make these special areas function for families. Square footage shouldn't just go to waste. By having one dining room, you're sure to get a lot of use out of it! I love round dining tables, and have one in my own home. But if I lived here I think I'd prefer a large farmhouse dining table with seating for ten. There's definitely enough room for it. :)

Okay, now to see what's behind those doors...

Yup! That's a fully stocked kitchen in the form of a butlers pantry! I died! The owner of this beautiful home was actually present during the tour. She told me that she loves to entertain, but doesn't want to keep the kitchen mess out while her company is over. This hidden, but convenient butlers pantry is the perfect solution!

Cabinets for days! Don't you feel like one kitchen just isn't enough anymore? :)

Just off of the kitchen are these functional spaces which are sure to get a lot of use. The house is undeniably big, but there isn't any wasted space, it's all thoughtfully laid out. There are two of these convenient spaces for bags, shoes and sweaters.

This amazing desk area could take the place of dedicating an entire room to a "study".

Just the perfect spot for staying organized.

The laundry room has durable stone flooring and dove gray cabinets.

And there's even a shower space for the pups!

The secondary bedrooms felt more like mini-master bedrooms - so beautiful!

I missed getting a photo of the other bedroom, probably because I was distracted by this gorgeous bathroom!

On the other side of the house is the master bedroom. This beautiful vignette at the bedroom door is the perfect transition into this stunning suite.

AMAZING shower with a sky light! Seriously, this thing is bigger than my closet!

Speaking of closets...don't you love the pale robins egg blue color on the custom shelves??

And the outdoor living spaces were just as lovely...

I could live happily in this beautiful barn!

All of the proceeds from this tour were donated to HomeAid Houston, and Operation Finally Home, who provides homes to veterans and veteran's widows. Such an honorable cause, and I thought it was very generous of the homeowner to open her home in support of it. I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did!

And, my sincere thanks, especially today, to all of the veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country! God bless you!

For more information on the builder of this home:

www.homesbymorningstar.com

Beautifully designed and decorated by:

www.houston-staging.com

Shop Local Series: The Blue Finch

2014-11-04T14:14:00.001-06:00

I'm a huge supporter of "shopping local" and supporting small business whenever you possibly can. Our little area just outside of Houston has been experiencing a development boom of sorts. While I can do without the traffic it brings, I'm pretty excited to see the new boutiques and shops that are moving into the neighborhood. Introducing: The Blue Finch!

How sweet is their storefront?!? That front porch is so welcoming!

Inside you'll find beautiful home décor, gifts and so much more. The shop keeper was so friendly and excited for their grand opening that they are preparing for in just a few weeks. They just opened their doors but the store is already beautiful, and they are displaying new items daily.

The Blue Finch has their own floral designer for fresh and silk arrangements.

Gift shopping will be a breeze with their selection. Such pretty things to give to those special teachers and friends!

So fun - a colorful candy bar! And cute packaging to put it all in too! They have an incredible gift wrap station...it's all about the presentation :)

One of their many specialty services is holiday decorating in your home. We all know how much work it is to prepare our home for the holidays. They can design your mantle, tree, entry and more for that special time of year.

I loved their selection of linens - bedding and table, it was all lovely!

The Blue Finch is located at 5428 FM 1488, Magnolia TX 77354.

If you call them (936-321-0062) they will put you on the invite list for the Grand Opening and make sure you stay updated with their latest info.

Or visit them online at www.thebluefinch.com

Happy Local Shopping Everyone!

Shared Spaces: Elegant Guest Bath + Functional Kids Bath

2014-10-28T14:53:00.001-05:00

I'm short on the number of bathrooms in my house. How about you? In my home we have 4 bedrooms, a study, a living area, a formal dining area, kitchen, breakfast nook, a grown man, 2 loud boys, little 'ol me, and a grand total of 2 bathrooms. I don't get it. I'm certain the builder just forgot to plan for that beautiful powder bath that has always been on my wish list....but it is what it is, so I made it work. For now. Until one day when I knock out a wall for that third bathroom.

Our master bathroom is on one side of the house, and on the other, at the end of a long hallway, is our second bathroom. This is where our two boys brush their teeth, throw their laundry on the floor, bathe, and fill water balloons when I'm not looking. It gets a lot of use. It's also the bathroom that guests use - so at all times I want it looking at it's best and smelling nice. It has to sparkle with cleanliness. That's just what you want in a nice bathroom.

If you're looking for a way to pretty up the bathroom that guests use, but also keep it functional for kids every day use, here's what I recommend:

Begin with eliminating the room of anything juvenile. It's time to ditch the monkey/pirate/Dora shower curtain. And the matching toothbrush holder. And the matching rug. I promise, my kids have never had anything resembling a cartoon character in their bathroom and they are still smiling when they step out of the shower.

Select shower curtains that are neutral and light. Not only does it look beautiful, but it keeps the shower from feeling so dark and cramped when your kids or a guest is in it.

West Elm

Pottery Barn

I always keep a separate set of towels on hand for guests. (my boys have their own towels that we hang on behind-the-door hooks.) At the sink I like simple, fluffy white hand towels for drying hands. I keep pure white bath towels and wash cloths in the cabinets for overnight guests. White towels are synonymous with luxurious hotels and they add that little touch of simple luxury. My favorite hand towels are white or ivory with a tone-on-tone pattern, or finished with a monogram. Always so nice!

Mine are from TJ Maxx. I love these selections too:

Restoration Hardware

Anthropologie

Pottery Barn

I keep the counters clear of all personal items so that I can maximize counter space for the prettier things. Nice soap, a candle, a small lamp, tissue, and some greenery. Sometimes I'll set out a hand scrub or lotion for anyone who wants a little pampering while they are in there. I used this silver footed bowl for a pretty soap tray. I added the pebbles for a little interest and it feels so spa like. TJ Maxx has a great selection of high end soaps with beautiful packaging that will instantly turn up the glamour on your bath counter.

We have a drawer on each side of the sink. Right now the boys share one drawer to store toothpaste, toothbrushes and a comb. The other side holds their set of washcloths - which I like to buy in fun colors for them so they aren't completely deprived of a fun bath time experience! :)

Do you have a clothes hamper that has to stay out in the open? We do, so I ditched the plastic hamper and went with this one: It looks nice and functions great too! I love that it added a metallic element to the small area, and the casters make it fun for the boys to wheel it down the hallway on laundry day.

One of my favorite hampers at the moment is this one from The Container Store. It comes in two sizes and is the perfect style!

The Container Store

I'm fortunate to have a cabinet above the toilet, in addition to the cabinet under the sink. I keep extra toilet paper, and kids bath toys under the sink so it's easy for them to get what they need on their own. I save the cabinet space for guest towels and guest toiletries: I keep new toothbrushes and soaps on hand for any overnight guest who may have forgotten their own. Basically, everything stays hidden and organized behind cabinet doors. Baskets and trays keep those items tidy and within reach.

Bath rugs: This is an important one. A nice rug underfoot at the sink is necessary. The plushy/fuzzy bath rug with rubber backing...don't do it. Instead, look for a rug that is a bit unexpected. Jute or seagrass is neutral enough to work with anything, but it adds so much texture to the room. Low pile, cotton rugs are an excellent choice too!

Nate Berkus

Dash and Albert

Ballard Design

At the bath/shower, it's necessary to have something absorbent to step on after bathing. I like sticking with the hotel theme and keep a small stack of these cotton tub mats available in the linen cabinet. We keep ours folded over the tub between baths. After a few uses, it can be thrown into the laundry and replaced with a fresh mat.

Restoration Hardware

Here's a great deal on a three pack of terry cloth tub mats. Just enough: one to use, one to keep in the linen cabinet, and one in the laundry.

Wayfair

If you're looking to make bigger changes to your extra bathroom and plan on replacing counter tops, mirrors or light fixtures - pick the nice stuff! Don't think that you have to skimp because this is a "kids bathroom". You'll get a lot of bang for your buck in this area because it requires less...smaller counter, one sink, one light, etc.

Sarah Richardson

Elements like these can take your "kids bathroom" into an area you'll be happy to share with guests. And your little ones will appreciate the beauty of it too!

A New Home, A New Look

2014-10-21T12:30:00.000-05:00

Getting a phone call from a new client is always exciting, but I was especially excited to learn about the design needs of this sweet family! The homeowners had just moved to Texas from the Northeast (welcome, y'all!) and they purchased a house and wanted to redo the entire house, top to bottom. We had to move quickly, as they were expecting baby #2 in a matter of a few short months. But with the help of an excellent general contractor, we were able to make that happen!

When the homeowners purchased the house, it was obvious that it had been lovingly kept by the previous owners. The house had "great bones", but it was ready to be personalized for it's new owners. The homeowners had done their homework and really knew the look they wanted. It was important to bring as much light as possible into the house because their lot is heavily wooded. We also wanted to add more architectural interest to the interior of the home, so we used moldings and wainscotings throughout.

Here's what the home looked like before we started construction. All before photos are quick screen shots from the MLS listing (HAR.com) when the house was on the market.

The staircase was already beautiful, but we wanted to make it really special. Also, you'll see how small the doorway under the stairs looks compared to the larger opening to the formal living. Same for the other doorway in the dining room.

Visually it didn't look right, and it made these openings feel cramped.

The study is located off of the foyer. I loved the transom window above the French doors, but the interior "window" with shutters looked awkward and out of place. We decided it was best to close it up to add more privacy to the study and the formal living room.

Here's another shot of the study. It has a huge front window that is almost two stories tall and allows beautiful light into the room.

The dining room is on the opposite side of the foyer and also has beautiful windows. The wallpaper drapes and chandelier were dated and ready for something new.

The formal living room is just beyond the study. The homeowners wanted to use this space as a quiet place to unwind in the evenings with a good book. The carpet was in good shape, but new wide plank, dark hardwoods were on the list for the entire first floor.

The family room is open to the kitchen and breakfast room. I love this concept so much because it's so "family friendly". We knew this was a really important space because it's where the family would spend most of their time together.

The existing family room windows were set to the corner of the room. We wanted to balance out the wall and bring in more light, so these windows were removed. We installed new ones and added a third window to the wall.

This iPhone photo shows the same view once the room was emptied. That wall just didn't look right for the room.

And this photo shows the family room side wall, with long and narrow windows. Great for privacy from neighbors, but awkwardly placed. They just seem to get lost on that wall. This was important to me, because from the kitchen, this wall is the main view so I knew we had to dress it up.

Amazing what a little masking tape can do for a room :)

The kitchen already had beautiful solid wood cabinets. But we wanted to make the space brighter, lighter, and updated. The walls were covered in a venetian plaster finish which we weren't to crazy about so that needed to go. The granite was recently added by the previous homeowners, and although it wasn't what the new homeowners would have picked, we needed to keep it in our design plan. I actually love working with elements like this. Things you wouldn't necessarily pick for yourself, but making them work with your home. It doesn't have to compromise the other selections, and It's always a nice surprise to see how well it can all come together!

And now for the after...Come on in!

The walls were painted in a soft cream. I often recommend interior paint with a flat finish because it looks so velvety to the eye. It also does a great job making wall texture and imperfections less noticeable. And if you go with a good quality base paint - it's durable enough for spot cleaning. Don't let anyone tell you different, flat paint is

kid friendly and I prefer it to all other finishes!

Everything got an upgrade! Wainscoting and crown molding was added to the staircase, landing and dining room. We updated the light fixtures (love this lantern in the foyer!), and the contractor added a solar tube light in the upstairs landing. Such an incredible feature. The once dark landing is now flooded with natural light during the day. You'll also see how we enlarged the doorway under the stairs making it more inviting and open.

The stairs were updated with iron spindles and a coat of dark stain.

The study was painted in the homeowners favorite sunny shade. She will really enjoy the view from that beautiful window while she works. And we added custom built-ins for added function. They were designed to hide clutter behind the doors, but display sweet things from her little ones on the lighted glass shelves. We also installed outlets above the counter space to minimize the mess that cords can create.

We added trim to the windows throughout the home. This is such a cost effective way of adding architectural interest, and is something you can do as a DIY project. Our contractor really tied it all in nicely with the crown molding and wainscoting. This dining room was ready to shed all of that wallpaper and received a soft green paint with just a hint of gray.

We debated on what to do with the old hardwoods and considered having them refurbished, but in the end going with new hardwoods was the right choice and it really transformed the entire first floor. The living room received a full makeover as well, with those beautiful wide plank floors, paint, tons of molding, and recessed lighting. I love that the homeowners chose this room as their own "kid free" space to enjoy in the evenings.

And remember the dark and drab family room? No more! I loved that the homeowners were ready for color. I tend to lean towards neutrals, but after this project I was ready for a little more color in my own house! This color is actually a deep paprika, and isn't as orange as it appears in this photo. It's such a warm and cozy color. We could be bold with color because we had so much white in the moldings to balance it all out. I especially love the wall of wainscoting. Now the transom windows look like they belonged there all along.

You can see the difference that installing the third window made. We had to remove brick from the exterior of the house, but the room looks twice as big now.

And here's the kitchen! Those counters belonged here all along and I'm so glad we didn't replace them. This granite has undertones of clay and slate blue. I used that as inspiration for the wall color and the new travertine and glass tile backsplash.

The cabinets were beautifully painted in a soft white with an espresso glaze. New appliances were installed - there was even room to add a double oven. We removed the track lighting and replaced it with decorative pendant lights and additional recessed lights. I love the breakfast nook with the bead board wainscoting and window casing. This is definitely the perfect spot for morning coffee!

I hope this sweet family is enjoying their new home

as much as I enjoyed helping them create it!