When Stephanie from Casa Watkins first put the word out to fellow bloggers that she wanted to create this tour, I was all in! It’s been so much fun to join forces with 19 other talented bloggers who are sharing their style.
If you haven’t visited any other blogs yet, the links are all located at the end of this post. Hop on over and enjoy!
Home for us is currently a 107ish-year old house in a historic community.
Over the past 11 years, we’ve restored it inside and out. It’s been a true labor of love.
The charm of a home built in the early 1900s is tough to beat.
All this hands-on DIY has helped me refine my own design style. Which will soon come in handy…
Next spring we will be packing up and moving north near Ann Arbor Michigan.
And building a new house.
Knowing what I like —and what I don’t like– is helping me create the plan for building a new house that looks old!
Are you ready? Here’s what I consider to be my design style.
My Three Words: Blended, Colorful, Nature-Inspired
The three word challenge to describe my design style was… just that. A challenge!
I finally landed on Blended…Colorful…and Nature-Inspired.
Here are a few photos to describe what each of those means to me!
Design Element #1: Blended
As the name of my blog (Roots North & South) implies, my style is a combination of influences. My family is from the North (Michigan) and the South. I’ve lived in and am passionate about both!
I love taking old family pieces like the captain’s chair below and combining it with a more contemporary table.
Old silver with a new hand-blown glass flower
Or blending patterns on a tablescape like the one below.
I usually stick with a rule of threes when it comes to patterns
There are six different but coordinating patterns on this tablescape.
And combining and blending textures like here in my living room
Burlap curtains, a linen sofa and a soft, cable-knit throw.
And because I consider leopard to be a neutral that blends with everything, you see a lot of it in my house…
From the tassel on the door our living room entertainment piece…
to my leopard boot “vases”
to the fabric on our dining room and sunroom chairs…
Design Element #2: Colorful
Anyone who knows me, understands that I mean more than just the colors on the color wheel on this one.
I love unique furnishings and accents that have personality and character.
That’s what I consider to be the definition of colorful!
Maybe its why I’m so happy living in a historic home – charm and character abound!
I visit other bloggers beautiful home tours full of neutral decor and feel a little like Fran in an old re-run of The Nanny.
Remember this line from The Nanny theme song?
Old House Doors
I love taking something old and filled with character and giving it a new life
Even my favorite summertime beverage (Raspberry-Basil Lemonade) is colorful!
I’m always playing with clay and pottery or messing about with watercolors.
While I’m no Degas, I love the personality it gives our house when I display things I’ve made.
(Often with the help of my three favorite little peeps!)
Design Element #3: Nature-Inspired
I am so inspired by nature!
I love to be outside doing just about anything, but especially digging in the dirt.
Blurring the lines between indoors and out is one of my signature design elements.
Taking an old teapot and turning it in to a container for growing Lemon Thyme
Surrounding my all-time favorite dining room border with the sky above it and the sand below it…
Creating a view we enjoy just as much from inside our sunroom
As we do from outside on the patio
Let’s Keep in Touch!
XO
Shelley
Shelley, your home is beautiful! I’ve always wanted to purchase an older home and restore it. Something about that history draws me to them and makes me want to preserve it for generations to enjoy. You’ve done a gorgeous job showcasing the beautiful elements in your home. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Iris! I agree. Historic homes have such s great story to tell! Glad you stopped by.
Your home is so lovely and inviting, Shelley! Love getting to learn more about your style!
Thanks, Erin! I have pottery after work tonight and then I’ll be making the rounds to everyone’s blog on the tour! Glad you stopped by.
Your home is beautiful! I especially love your outdoor areas. I love a picket fence and old bike surrounded by flowers. Good luck on the new home build. We just finished ours and it was quite the adventure! 🙂
Thanks, Sheila! I’m going to be documenting the journey on my blog. So I may contact you for pointers!
Shelley, your home is GORGEOUS and you cannot beat a house with that much charm. I love, LOVE, LOVE your garden and I am so happy you incorporated it into your post. I also love how you like to mix old with new. Everything is so beautiful!
Thank you Jessica! I’m glad you liked the garden. I debated whether or not to include it but it is such a big influence for me. Appreciate your stopping by…
I enjoyed seeing your home and style, Shelley! I love how you paired the vintage chair with the lucite table–very cool. I also need a “Hey, y’all” pillow. Your garden is gorgeous! So nice to have met you on the blog hop.
Thanks, Sharon! The table is a new addition this summer after a long time looking… I’m enjoying make the rounds on the blog hop too!
Thanks for sharing your colorful style! I was really struck by how beautiful all of your flowers are! I would love to build a new ‘old’ house one day – the best of both worlds!
Thanks, Carrie! Hoping I can pull off a new version of old. Guess we’ll see here very soon! Glad you stopped by.
What a lovely old home! I love what you’ve done, especially the blends. Amazing, I always have a hard time with that. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks April! Glad you stopped by…
Shelley, your home is wonderful! I love that you have filled it with things that mean something to you. Love the nature inspired items and the gallery wall in your entry. So pretty!
Thanks Stacey! Took me a few years to work up to a gallery wall of my own work but I’m glad I finally did it!
Shelley!! I love love love all the color you bring into your home. The outdoor space is divine. I love the nature elements outside and those you bring indoors! So happy you joined the blog hop! Pinned and shared on my Facebook Page!
Thanks Stephanie! You know I feel the same about your beautiful home. I appreciate the invitation to be a part of the tour. It’s been fun!
Wow, you have some great pieces and I love how you mix the styles. Your house and garden is beautiful. That’s really neat in live in such an old, lovely home.
Thanks, Kathy! Happy to have you stop in for a visit.