Summer Home Tour-DC Townhouse

summer home tour 2014

Hey y’all! Let me tell you-signing up to participate in a big blogger tour of homes 3 weeks after moving is no joke but I’m honored to share my home with you! If you are new here, first welcome, I’m so excited to have you visit! You can see more about our move and some of the “before” pics or check out my old home tour as well, but first, lets see the new townhouse!

home tour summer front porch

After holding back on buying plants all spring before the move I was able to get up my monogram wreath and get some plants on the porch at long last!

flowerbox front porch

Some of our old window boxes from our patio in Italy made their way to the front porch filled with geraniums, petunias, and bacopa.  We had a late start planting but I know they’ll be overflowing in a few weeks!

flower front porch

My boys gave me some flowers for mothers day and those are gracing the front steps as well, they love this colorful little combination, and I love the welcoming look of flowers on the steps…but enough of that, let’s go inside!

flower pot front porch

Speaking of color, in contrast to the neutrals of our living room at the old house, we went colorful in our new living room! I’m so in love with the rug!

summer home tour living room

Aren’t those windows amazing? I’m working on some window treatments to accent them!

The framed print on the wall behind the couch is of the basilica in the town in Italy we lived in when we were first married.

My husband insisted on putting up two of my paintings on either side of the basilica print but I’m not convinced I like the dose of pink…what do you all think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

roses summer home tour

Of course, some pink roses balance them out a bit! I love having fresh flowers in the house but in the spring and summer, I go a little overboard with multiple arrangements around the house thanks to the farmers market flower stands!

A white side table next to blue sofa

Did I tell you that our new house (just outside of DC) is 2 miles from World Market, Homegoods, Target, and TJ Maxx? Yeah, I’ve been going a little crazy shopping-this garden stool from World Market is one of my recent finds and makes a cute little side table!

succulent close up summer home tour

And of course, my plant obsession continues with these succulents…

fiddle leaf fig summer home tour

…and my new “baby” fiddle leaf fig! I was so excited to order this online from Home Depot-who knew? (Oh, and imaginary grand prize for you if you noticed that I forgot to take the price tag off my  planter-I never said I was the most observant person in the world!!)

dining room summer home tour

On to the dining room which is open to the living room and connects with the kitchen.  Many of the pictures from the gallery wall in the old living room made their way here to this new gallery combination.

hydrangeas centerpiece summer

Our old dining area was in the eat-in area of the kitchen so this room isn’t very full right now…and I think I prefer it that way.

summer home tour dining room

You can see the kitchen just beyond the dining room, but I’m not quite ready to share it yet-I’m actually working on a pretty fun design in the family room area adjoining it so you’re going to have to be patient for that reveal-it’ll probably be ready by next week! Just off the kitchen we do have my new favorite space though-the balcony! First, remember it before?

balcony

Such a nice blank slate! Here it is now!

summer home tour balcony

Can I even begin to explain how much I love this space??? Everything about it makes me smile! Our old patio set was far too big for this space but we were able to sell it and buy this new compact set from World Market, which is also where we purchased the wicker lanterns and hooks.

wicker lantern

The rug and orange pillows are from Target and proving to be very durable so far with the boys. I like the navy and orange combination for this year (I’ve posted before how fickle I am changing colors on my outdoor pillows!)

mint on balcony

Of course I’ve gathered some planters out here as well-the largest is my salsa planter with tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro (last year I built a raised garden bed for my salsa garden but this year there just isn’t the space, although we did just upcycle our headboard into a potting bench!) I also have a planter with oregano and two types of basil as well as my mosquito repelling plants I shared last week.

plants balcony summer home tour

I love sitting out here for tea in the morning or grilling out for dinner. It’s shaded in the mornings which is perfect for summer!

summer hometour balcony

Well that about wraps it up, I look forward to sharing the rest of the house as it progresses so please be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram where I’ve been giving lots of sneak peeks! You can also subscribe to receive my posts right to your inbox all the way back up at the top of the blog-it’s worth the scrolling, I promise!

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58 Comments

  1. I am amazed at how much you’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time! Your new home looks wonderful. Loving every single thing that you’ve done. Can’t wait to see more!

    1. Thanks Suzy!! I was excited to try some new things in this house so the decorating came quickly!

  2. Your home is gorgeous. You’ve done an amazing job for only 3 weeks. Love that dining room wall and I adore your living room rug too. So pretty. I think I would be on the deck most of the time, it turned out so inviting.

    1. Thanks Marty! I’m actually sitting out on the deck right now! It’s shaded through the early afternoon so I try to spend as much morning time as possible out on it!

    1. Thanks Angela! There are definitely some areas that we’re still working on but I’m very excited with what we’ve managed to get together so far!

  3. 3 Weeks and you did all that! You are a super woman! And I do like the pink paintings in the room. You made them? Wow! Do you have a tutorial for those? Special Hi fi for the couch too.

    1. Thanks Vidya! I don’t have a tutorial, I actually used to oil paint quite a bit but haven’t made much time for it lately…I’m hoping once we’re settled I’ll be inspired to start up again!

  4. oh what a pretty home! i think the doses of pink look great. Maybe hubby can get his way …if just for a bit. Best of luck in your new home and community.

    1. Thanks so much Laura! I was very surprised he was welcoming in pink of all colors! Thanks for stopping by!

  5. Your new home looks lovely and all ready for summer! Can I come over for some of that lemonade on your deck – looks so inviting!

    1. Thank you so much Doreen! After such a long winter we were definitely ready to welcome in summer!

  6. I am so impressed by what you’ve accomplished in three weeks and can’t wait to see more updates. I hope you and your family are enjoying that pretty balcony. I can imagine how relaxing it is to sit out there.

  7. I can’t believe how much you’ve done in 3 weeks. Good grief. I feel like such a slacker! It’s beautiful! Thanks for joining us on another tour.

  8. I can’t believe you pulled that off in 3 weeks! I love your yellow rug and your patio area is so pretty! Great job!

  9. Oh my goodness! You’ve been busy! It all looks so wonderful Melissa! 🙂

    Nancy

  10. I’m so amazed at how quickly you’ve pulled your house together! Loving all the color and the rugs and that back porch area … now, that sings to me. I’m a lover of navy & white & orange!

    🙂 Linda

  11. Melissa, You have a beautiful home. Thanks for the tour. Your balcony makes me smile too!

  12. Melissa, I am simply amazed at what you’ve done in just a few weeks! Your new home is beautiful and I love those windows, too! The pink paintings and flowers are perfect in your living room along with your new rug! What an exciting time for you and your family and I’m just a little jealous that you are so close to such good shopping areas! 🙂

    1. I was wondering the exact same thing! I am definitely interested in purchasing that yellow rug!!

      1. Hi Kristie! It’s from Target…we’ve on had it a couple weeks so far and I will say it need daily vacuuming-it shows dirt really easily but luckily I don’t mind that!

    2. It’s from Target Kim! It comes in a few different colors, it’s called the Maples Fretwork Rug.

  13. I am shocked that you just moved in! You have been one busy girl! You home already looks so “done” and very inviting!!! My daughter lives in dc and my sister lives in Vienna. What a great area! You will have lots and lots of shopping opportunities there! LOVE you house tour… especially your back deck! AMAZING!

  14. You have a lovely home. The patio is a the perfect place to make summer memories. Hugs P.S. I invite you to share at my hop tomorrow.

  15. Melissa you are amazing girl!! Your home looks absolutely beautiful and I cannot believe all you’ve gotten done already!

  16. Melissa you’ve worked your magic! Your new home is lovely and your deck is amazing.

  17. Your new home is so pretty. I can’t believe you’ve only been there 3 weeks! You’ve been a busy lady!!

  18. Melissa, I cannot BELIEVE you just moved in three weeks ago! Kudos to you–you’ve done a marvelous job!! We moved at Christmastime once, and I scheduled a tree trimming party for the weekend after the move–there’s something to be said for having a particular incentive to get things cleaned up, isn’t there?

    Looks like your townhouse is going to be a great place for your family. My husband and I just spent a few days in D.C. He goes there fairly often for client meetings, and this week I got to go with him to attend a fundraising gala for the Hillwood museum. It really is such a vibrant city, and I admire those of you who are able to make such inviting, relaxing homes in such a busy metro area. Thanks for giving us a peek!

    1. Thanks so much Richella! I’m so excited to explore the area over the next couple of years, especially allowing our 3 boys to experience so much history in person!

  19. Your house is beautiful! I love all the summer-y touches! And what a cute story about waving at the webcam! That’s so fun! 🙂

  20. Your new home is beautiful, Melissa! I agree with your husband…keep your lovely pink paintings where they are. They are a perfect accent to the room and the fact that your husband wants them there is so very wonderful and sweet (Yay to the Mr.!). You are an amazing woman….3 weeks after your move and it looks as though you’ve been there for quite a while…very, very homey.

    1. Thanks so much Mary Beth! The rest of the house isn’t quite as finished but it’s nice to have some areas “done” for the most part to relax in!

  21. Your new home is wonderful. It’s welcoming from the front porch with your perfect monogram out there. I do love the pink in your paintings. Keep them. 🙂

    1. lol Carrie…it’s been a long road since Rudder!! Luckily with all the PCS moves we get to “tweak” our style quite a bit!

  22. Your new space is looking great, Melissa! I would spend my whole summer on that beautiful balcony! I’m with your husband – I like the pops of pink in your family room space; your art is a lovely touch to the walls!

  23. Your house is beautiful. Do you remember the color on your living room walls? It’s such a pretty shade of yellow.

    1. Hi Annette-this house is a rental and I have no idea what the paint color is…it’s a pretty neutral ivory and I know it’s Sherwin Williams but not the exact shade, sorry!

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