Today I am super thrilled to be able to Show Off and Brag about Des @ Peeking Thru The Sunflowers. If you don’t know her you are totally going to be blown away by her fabulous home and how she has transformed and decorated it. I love every single detail. She is such a wonderful and warm person also, you are in for a major treat.
Hi, I’m Des from Peeking Thru The Sunflowers, a blog about the adventures of renovating our 1870’s schoolhouse and home décor. A big thank you to Marty for inviting me to participate in her Show Off and Inspire Series. I am so flattered that she has chosen me to share with all of you!
It all started with a Sunday drive…….
Our current home had sold and we had to be out for the afternoon while the new owners did a walk thru. My husband asked if I wanted to go for a drive and see a house 40 miles away in a nearby town. He pointed out that we had nothing better to do that afternoon and I reluctantly agreed to go along for the ride. The minute we drove over the bridge I was in love. The house was so charming and looked like something you would see in the English countryside.
As we walked up to the front door I could tell it was no ordinary house. As it turns out the house was originally built in 1870 and was a schoolhouse that served as sort of a town hall. During the week it served as a school and on the weekends three different churches took turns holding services…..and community dances were also held here.
In the 1880’s a new school was built and the school was then purchased by a family with ten children and turned into a private residence. Several families have lived in the home over the years. One family lived here for over 50 years and had a small farm.After the family sold the home it was rented out for many years before falling into disrepair. In 1985 two couples bought the house and it underwent major renovations to turn it into a B&B. Ten years ago my husband and I bought the house and turned it back into a private residence and have been doing renovations ever since.
The floors on the main floor are reclaimed maple and were salvaged from an old gymnasium that was torn down in a nearby town. The groove in each board was cleaned by hand and recut before being laid.
The armoire was a Craig’s List find and is a reproduction….it is made of teak wood. Originally it was stained a medium color but I knew it would look stunning in a soft grey color. So, out came the paint brush and the transformation began.
I have been collecting white ironstone for about twenty years. I really have reached maximum capacity for wall space but somehow I can never seem to resist just one more piece!
The color pallet of our home is done mostly in greys and whites. I like the light and airy feeling it gives with the tall ceilings. Most people are surprised to learn that I decorated with bold colors for many years. However after living in the house for a few years I knew a softer pallet would really open the space up and would be the perfect choice.
My husband made the coffee table for me after I showed him one in the Restoration Hardware catalog that I had fallen in love with. The top is made out of old concrete forms.
As many of you know, I love my sparkly and have a chandelier in pretty much every room of the house! A girl can never have too much sparkle!
My husband also made the dining room table and then I painted and distressed the apron and legs. I searched for months for big chunky table legs and found the perfect hand turned set on eBay. The top of the table is protected with three coats of wax.
The kitchen cabinets were also found on Craig’s List. They are custom made solid oak cabinets that were originally stained. We reworked them to fit our kitchen layout and added moldings, bead board, hardware, and seeded glass.
To see more of our home renovations or for inspiration in decorating your own home please visit my blog Peeking Thru The Sunflowers.
Thank you Marty for inviting me to share our home with all of your wonderful readers!
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Isn’t this place absolutely amazing. The house is fabulous and her style is exquisite in every detail. Thanks so much Des for allowing me to feature you. Be sure to go over and follow her if you don’t already, all of her posts and pictures are totally magazine worthy. Peeking Thru The Sunflowrs.
If you would like to be featured, just send me an email to astrollthrulife@live.com.
Don’t forget the Kitchen Tours are still going on here. You don’t want to miss any of them, some beautiful kitchens and fabulous inspiration and eye candy.
I am linking to the following parties:
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Alison at Stuff and Nonsense for Friday’s Unfolded
Courtney at
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Kate at Chic On A Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday
Jane at Finding Fabulous for Frugalicious Friday
Jennifer at Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Linky Party
Jen at Tatertots and Jello for Weekend Wrap Up Party Friday
Karen at Redoux Interiors Friday Party
Classy Clutter for Spotlight Saturday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks Linky
Aimee at It’s Overflowing for Overflowing with Creativity Sat.
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