Show Us Where You Live Friday - Kitchen Photopalooza!!

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner started a new feature this week called "Show Us Where You Live" Friday. This week is Kitchen photo week.


We moved to a new state last summer, and decided to rent for 2 reasons. One being the current market conditions, because as a licensed real estate agent (but in referral due to disability), I have to know that there is equity and we won't lose money in 3 months. And (because like the Nester) we took this opportunity to get our finances in top top shape! I'm sure many of you can relate to that.

We were so lucky to run across this home. The owners had just purchased a new home and had trouble selling in this market (another reason that led us to happily rent!) We are the first renters in this home, and I think it made a huge difference. The first thing I noticed was the color! Color speaks to me, cheers me up, brings my personality to life. I honestly get down and brood when I am forced to reside in a colorless home. No kidding. Once we figured this out, we've had color in our lives ever since and have been very thrilled. With paint especially, you can always change the color. So be brave and take a chance!


I think the gold color is nice and warm, and we love how the kitchen is open to the living room and eating areas.



The breakfast area is right next to the kitchen. I love our black and oak table - just perfect for the space. I am debating what I want to do for window treatments and wish I could decide.

I LOVE iron decor for the walls, as you can see from the various photos. This photo was taken during Christmas, when I had large red bows on the lamps. That iron piece is one of my favorites.


The formal dining room was this lovely shade of green, and I think it sets off the table perfectly. One of my favorite rooms.


And here is the view from the dining room to the kitchen. The floral arrangement in the corner is my all-time favorite arrangement I have made. We have allergies and asthma in our family, and all flowers must be silk. No live flowers and greenery allowed.

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One of the last homes I was able to put my personal touch in to:

Prior to moving back south, we lived up north and my all-time favorite home had even more color than this one. Here are the kitchen and dining photos from that home - I MISS it!! (And as you can tell, we change furniture and accessories often!) As an active real estate agent at the time, I used my staging certification in my business, and would stage any home I listed. I truly think staging is a key to selling for top dollar in any market, particularly a buyer's market as we are experiencing now in most parts of the country.


I loved the cherry cabinets, granite island and this table - it was perfect for the space. We had to sell it when we moved as our next house had no place for it.





The view into the main living area. Loved the white trim, columns, French doors into the sun room and the open floor plan.



This was the formal dining room, just as you entered the home. You can see that floral arrangement again in the corner and the iron work on the walls.

This color was my absolute favorite of all time. Granted it was a risk, but I say - if you have white trim, go for it!! This color was called Carob Chip by Pittsburgh Paints. The chip looks brown, but as you can see on the walls, it has the PERFECT eggplant tone without being too purple or too brown. The next time I have an opportunity, this color will be seen again in one of my homes! (I suspect we have a few more moves in us!)



When we first moved into the home, I used the front room as my office, and look at this beautiful desk we found. I changed it to a formal dining room for staging purposes - more people have the need for a dining room than an open office. The wall color originally was navy blue when we moved in, and that did not do it for me. Nor did the hunter green carpet. Given a little time, I tried, and let me stress tried to go with a neutral color, but I just wasn't happy. When I found the Carob Chip, I was thrilled. (And yes, I paint a lot 'cause I'm crazy like that! lol) This color tan just dulled my senses and I couldn't work to my potential (that was my story, anyway!!).

If you really look at these photos, you will see almost all the wall paint change colors, the carpet changes, the furniture changes and we lived in this home for 2 years. Can you believe it!! One word to describe me is HYPER. And no, crazy is not another one. lol Just hyper, full of fun, love change. And love to decorate. But on a budget - almost everything you see came from TJ Maxx or Marshall's in the way of accessories.


Here is a view from the sun room and you can see the dining room to the upper left.


View into the sun room, yet another color that was already there!


View from the front door. As you can see, we neutralized the carpet eventually! I suppose you can tell that I loved this home. I was so sad to leave it. I look forward to owning another home in the future that I can put my personal touch on again!

Sigh......so fun to look at past homes. We have moved many times in our marriage (and as a child, I lived in over 20 places before I was in the 8th grade). I'm pretty sure I have some gypsy in me! lol Always happy to move and explore new opportunities with my husband and his career.

Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!



Cheri