Red Door Home Tour
I know, I know. How can I call myself a home blogger without having a home tour on my blog?
{hanging head in shame}
Well that’s all being fixed today because I’m super excited to be part of the 2013 Summer Showcase of Homes. You can see the full schedule at the bottom of the post to see the other 25 bloggers who are joining me in sharing our homes with you all!
My husband and I built our home last year and in the 14 months since we moved in we have slowly but surely been taking it from builder grade blah to our perfect space. {Disclaimer before we get started: these pictures are from various times throughout the past year-with three little boys under 7 my house is never clean all at once so I had to work with what I had!)
Let’s get started, we built our home and were lucky enough to be able to choose many of the colors and finishes of the house. I knew I wanted a red front door-I picked Sherwin Williams Pompeii Red and I love it so much!
Let’s step on inside, y’all…
One thing I love about our home is that we have a very generous mud room off the garage door. With three little boys we have a lot of “stuff” and it’s the perfect place for keeping things organized. I made a no-sew bench cushion for the built in bench and made numbered baskets for the cubbies to hold everyone’s shoes.
The first actual room see walking in the house is our sitting room. It used to be our formal dining room but it was never used so we recently transformed into a sitting room/bar area. The boys call this the “grown up room.” It’s a place where my husband and I can sit and have a cup of coffee and listen to music on the weekends while the boys watch tv in the living room. The room itself isn’t quite finished yet, we’re still working on decor for the walls and accessorizing it but it’s coming along!
The living room is open to the kitchen and it is a comfortable space, with lots of neutrals and small pops of colors. We recently made over a thrifted buffet to turn into a media stand so that I could move the tv from over the mantle. I love being able to decorate my mantle now without working around the television!
Directly behind our monstrous sectional is the kitchen, which might just be my favorite room. We had a lot of leeway to customize the space so we picked dark cabinetry with no handles/pulls, a white subway tile backsplash, and a lighter granite.
The home plans had an island with a raised breakfast bar but the builder allowed me to have a larger one level slab installed instead which I love because it gives me more room to bake all the goodies I post here on the blog! We also had the entire island moved out towards the living room about a foot and a half to make the kitchen larger and take better advantage of the open floor plan.
We have an eat in area in the kitchen that looks out over the backyard. This is the part of the house that was flooded when my youngest decided to flush an entire roll of toilet paper down the toilet last November!
Upstairs I have my office, which used to be my middle son’s room until he decided to bunk with his older brother. This room is my happy place-a place decorated just for me (that I’m sitting in right now typing this!) I painted some IKEA curtains with gray stripes, gave a desk a regency makeover, and lots of other DIY projects.
 My youngest son’s room is Montessori inspired and very colorful. We recently moved his floor bed higher as he is old enough to climb up but I don’t have pictures of that yet…I’m thinking I’ll need to build him a little bed now for his “big” bed! (I’ll add that to my never-ending list of things to do!)
The master bedroom is another area that seems to be a constant evolution. I’m craving a change in here but haven’t quite narrowed down what I want yet. Last year I painted the entire room Benjamin Moore Alaskan Husky and then did a tone on tone stenciled focal wall. We also build our own headboard way back when this was a tiny baby blog.
Probably my favorite part of the house, at least for the past few months, has been our backyard. We put in a pool last summer and have spent a lot of time getting our yard and patio in order this year.
What was brush and scrub and trees is now tamed and we love spending time out there. We built our own Pottery Barn inspired dining table, painted and updated thrifted chairs, and did lots of DIY pillow covers to create a comfortable and colorful space.
I hope you enjoyed my home tour! Thanks so much for stopping by…if you’re new here I’d love it if you followed along with my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I also tend to be a bit of a Pinterest addict so you can find me over there as well!
Yay home tours! Yours came together so nicely! I just love how calm and neutral your whole house looks, in pictures at least!
Thank you Courtenay! It’s not so calm when you factor in the three little boys but at least the pics look it!
Melissa your home is beautiful, and have I ever told you our sectionals look identical!! And girl I am loving your stenciled wall and headboard! How much longer before you move on?
Thanks Wanda! We have at least another year and there’s small possibility we could stay here until retirement which is insane to me, I’m so used to moving!!
Your home is beautiful! I love your color choices – very cool and calming. Always good with three kids running around. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Karen!!! 🙂
I love your home and all the personal touches and projects. You’ve done an amazing job. I can’t believe all you’ve accomplished in 14 months and with 3 little boys. You must DIY like a mad woman during nap time and at night!
Live your paint and fixture choices too.
Thanks Amy! I’ve been known to paint walls with a baby on my hip! 😉
Your home is just so beautiful! The exterior of your new home has the charm of an older historic home! You have done such a wonderful job of creating a warm and inviting space for family and friends! Thanks for inviting us into your home! ~Christy
Thank you Christy! We really fell in love with the model home and style of the house and that’s what prompted us to buy even though we’re military and may have to move away soon. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love the farmhouse style of your home! Absolutely beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your home for the tour.
Thank you so much for stopping by Pat!
Such a gorgeous home….loved it….and thanks for sharing your thoughts on moving the TV from over the mantle…I never would have thought THAT would have been an issue, but you’re so right. It would be an issue with me.
XO,
Christine
Thanks for stopping by Christine! Our builder had the area over the tv wired for cable and electric so we just automatically put our tv there but it irritated me to no end and I think my hubby finally realized moving it would make everyone a lot happier!!
Melissa, it’s beautiful! I’m so glad you joined us for our showcase. I love the way you can “walk” from one room to the other and get a feel for it entirely put together. Your backyard is to die for and I love the kitchen island. I’m coveting, actually, because our kitchen is so small, but that’s okay. I love how you’ve made your home a reflection of you.
Look forward to meeting you at Haven!
Thanks so much for stopping by Marty, SOOOOO excited for Haven-we have to be sure to make sure we find each other, it’s going to be a blast!!!
Oh, your home is so beautiful! I’m surprised you could get all of this together, must less blog with 3 little boys! 🙂 You’re amazing and so is your lovely home.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 🙂
Oh thank you Sheila! I’m a busybody, always doing three things at once but honestly I have no idea how it all gets done, but I’m thankful it does!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Looks really good, love the doggie and cat photo bombs…..LOL Thanks for sharing 🙂
lol Debra, with the three kiddos I’m just thankful there’s no photo-bombing little boys streaking through the pics!
Luvly home Melissa. Thanks for allowing us to peek in.
Cheers, Gee
Thanks so much for stopping by Gee!
Love your home, it is beautiful. I love that red door and your patio and pool look so inviting. Hugs, Marty
Thanks so much Marty!! I really appreciate you stopping by!
Your home is lovely, Melissa! I’m totally, totally jealous of your pool! You’ve completed lots of great projects, but I know what you mean about the never ending to-do list. I really enjoyed the tour!
Thank you Suzy! Slowly but surely it’s coming along…for months now we’ve been primarily focusing on the outdoors and it’s totally paid off! Thanks for stopping by!
What a beautiful home. I love the back porch, those lights look so inviting. I just want to grab a good book and hang out for hours back there. 3 boys under 7(!)…how long did your house stay clean after your photo shoot 🙂
Ha! I took most of the living area pics in the five minutes before company came while my hubby corralled the kids out in the yard!
Hi Melissa,
Your home has so much curb appeal, the bright red door was the perfect addition to an already lovely home. I can tell you love to make your home a cozy place for your family to live. I also can see why your family room and kitchen area are favorites of your family, warm and welcoming. I too have 3 sons, 2 years apart, sometimes it can be a 3 ring circus but never a dull moment. So much activity when they are young, but oh what I would give to have my little boys back at a younger age. Enjoy each moment with your sweet family in your home that you have decorated in such a loving way,
Kathysue
Aw, thank you Kathysue! I love my little guys but I always LOVE hearing from others who have three boys and managed to survive, they definitely teach me things about life-always something happening!! I so appreciate you coming by and taking the time to leave a comment!
~Melissa
what a great home Melissa!! I love that kitchen and all the space you have with that island. You are alike like me with the dining room. I never use it but maybe a couple of times a year. See you in a couple of weeks!
Thanks Laura, SO looking forward to seeing you again-I won’t have the kiddos this time so I can actually hang out after the sessions!
Your home is fabulous Melissa. SO much LOVE!~ The backyard is wonderful for your boys too.
Yay! Thanks so much Debbie!!
More than anything else in the world of blogging I love home tours. Thank you for sharing your home with us. I love how you have a “grown up” room for you and your husband to enjoy. Isn’t it wonderful to have your own office space, love those drapes and the desk. I miss many things about my last home, and one of the things I miss the most is my outdoor space with my pool and spa, yours looks wonderful and relaxing. Enjoy!
Thanks, Patty
Thanks so much for stopping by Patty! You named my three favorite places in the house-those areas I can look more to aesthetics than materials tough enough to brave the kids!!!
What a beautiful home! I love your outdoor sitting area. It’s so romantic! And your kitchen is gorgeous! Love black cabinets! Your home is warm and inviting. ~Delores
Thanks so much Delores!!!
Thanks so much for opening up your new and darling home to us!!!! I can’t believe that you have lived in it for such a short time and yet have done sooooo much!!!!!
We have something in common. I had toilet water raining in my breakfast room too!!!! BOYS!!! Very similar scenario. You will laugh about it someday… and it will give you a very embarrassing story to tell his girlfriends!!
Your grown up room… well, actually your whole home is delightful. I adore black… and you have incorporated it wonderfully!!!!
Where did you get your chandy above the table. It’s so unique!!!
A fabulous tour!!!
Thanks so much Yvonne!! The edison bulb chandy is actually from Lowe’s, I love it but I get the sense my husband is plotting to replace it!
your home is beautiful, I love how you have styled it and everything you’ve chosen! your family room and kitchen are gorgeous!
Ingrid
Thank you so much Ingrid, I so appreciate you taking the time to stop by!!
Thanks for the tour, Melissa! I love that your home has so many personal, DIY touches!
Thanks so much for pooping by to take the tour Keri!!
lol I’m so happy it’s you and not some stranger that I accidentally wrote “pooping” by to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your home is absolutely beautiful! Loved this tour!
Vanessa
Thank you SOOOO much Vanessa! Looking forward to meeting you at Haven!
Your house is so charming, I especially love the outdoor colors! Swoon for the red door 🙂 and your back patio – LOVE!
Thanks so much Kelly! I appreciate you taking the time to come by and visit!!!
You had me with the red door! Everything is lovely. Very soothing and pretty. Your backyard is wonderful, too.
Thanks so much Patti! if only the mosquitoes would leave us alone we’d be in paradise!!
So pretty!! Your home is beautiful and I am loving that backyard!! Looks soo inviting!! Wonderful tour!! 🙂
Thank you Courtenay! I so appreciate you coming by!!!!
so many beautiful touches. LOVE that wonderful settee!!
Thanks so much Debra, I was on the hunt for that settee for months, I ended up buying that one from Pier 1!
I loved your tour! That red door says come on in and the rest of the home follows with the same welcoming coziness! You have some beautiful spaces and it looks like you also have a golden retriever…(my fav) so precious!
-Shelley
Thanks do much Shelley! The dog (Bear) is seriously the best dog ever!!! Thanks for stopping by!!
Wow, what a beautiful home you have! I’m posting it on my FB page today. So excited to be a part of this amazing summer tour!!
Hugs,
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Thanks so much! I’m so excited to start browsing the rest of the homes on the tour!
Enjoyed your home tour. Thanks for having us………Sarah
Thank you so much for stopping by Sarah!
Your home is gorgeous! I love that light fixture in the eat-in kitchen…so unusual! Also love that your kitty photo bombed your post. I get that every time! lol Hugs…Debbie
Thanks Debbie! Between the dog, cat, and three boys its amazing I ever get a picture that isn’t photo bombed! Thanks do much for stopping by!!
I am so glad you allowed us to tour your home! It is so lovely and I love the kitchen combo {even the white items on the shelf!}
It was great to visit you!
Hugs
Sandra
The Adored Home
Thank you so much Sandra!!! I’m so glad you stopped by!
Your sitting room is picture perfect. Love the settee in there!
Thanks Jennifer, I hunted for that settee for a long time and finally found the perfect one at Pier 1. Thanks for stopping by!
Love your home. My kitchen has the same color cabinets, same shaped island, similar counter tops, and similar paint color. I almost thought I was looking at pictures of my kitchen. 🙂 LOL
Great minds think alike!! Thanks for stopping by!
So gorgeous, Melissa! It was so fun seeing it all in one post. I
love that huge island! That was a great decision you guys made!
Wow! Your home is beautiful! I love the blue exterior and red door and that stenciled wall is gorgeous! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
You have a lovely home!
I definately need to revisit often to catch up and read all your DYI crafts- wow, you and your hubs are amazingly talented!
I looooove your backyard pool – this summer has been so horribly hot, sure could use one of those right now!
And your covered patio is absoluly to DIE FOR!
Beautiful home!!! I love your kitchen!! That’s exactly what I want. Also, love your desk!! Backyard is absolutely amazing!!
I so enjoyed getting to see your gorgeous home!! I love the red front door. So glad to be on the tour too!!
Thanks so much Anita!! I had no idea how much I would enjoy this tour, so happy to be a part!
I am late to the party, but your home tour was great! I want your dining room table…sigh. It is just what I am looking for. And I am jealous of your new pool..although I don’t think we would have used it much this summer since it has RAINED EVERY SINGLE DAY here in Georgia. Enjoy your three boys! They don’t stay little long.
Hi i featured your awesome home tour on my blog today! check it out: https://www.handmadeintheheartland.com/2013/07/whats-out-there-wednesday_24.html
Happy Wednesday!
You have a very lovely home, I enjoyed touring it! Your stenciled wall is sooo pretty! Thansk for sharing!
Beautiful tour, starting with its lovely architecture and perfect red front door! Your office is so calming, and I’d love to party on your back patio! Your kiddo’s room is precious, too (doesn’t IKEA have the coolest things for kids?) Thanks for the awesome tour!
I love your grown up room! We are working on a sitting room right now and a bar/buffet is just what’s missing.
You have a beautiful home. Found you via the Homestories A to Z linky party. We have so much in common. I’m a neutral queen too, the tone one tone stencil, even the kitchen. Your subway tile back splash looks so good. I wasn’t sure of what I wanted when we built the home so we opted not to put a back splash. Now the subway tile is strong contender.
I loved your home tour, you have a beautiful home! Could you tell me where you got your light over your sink?
Thanks!
Are you talking about the light in our eat in kitchen area? It is Allen & Roth from Lowes.
Love your home! Thank you for the tour!
I’m your newest follower. Please stop by when you have a moment! I love company & new friends are always welcome!
Your home is marvelous – LOVE the red door – perfect shade of red – I would love to have a mudroom – or even a garage! Our old house just doesn’t have those things – very necessary – Your home is beautifully light with all of the windows. I have enjoyed my tour.
Kathy
Thanks so much for stopping by Kathy!!
Found you by chance through Lily Pad Cottage after spending a night looking online for blueish/grayish wall colors. Would you mind sharing what color paint your Grown Up/Sitting Room is? It’s lovely! Thanks!
No problem-it’s Benjamin Moore Shaker Gray, I love it!!
Wow..
What a beautiful house. Very nice and warm.
Please let me in, hehe..
Thanks Claudia-unfortunately we’re moving away from this house in two weeks so I’ll hopefully have a new home tour of our next house in a few weeks!