Summer Home Tour 2015

Byljanning@dukemanorfarm.com

Welcome to the bHome Summer Open House. Happy to see you! Today I am sharing the most well used space in the house, the kitchen, along with some snippets of the family room, master bedroom and our outdoor spaces.

I am joining 30 other bloggers this week from the bHome app to share lovely summer inspiration with you. I have all the links at the bottom of my tour as well as some details on how you can enter to win a $200 gift card from bHome and Painted Fox Treasures.

 

I think my house is starting to act a lot like me since summer break started a month ago. Just kicking back, going with the flow, all with a smile and a carefree spirit.  I act like this for two reasons. Most important, is because I really want to enjoy the little people of this house.  Those little people, that before I know it, will be grown, out of the house and entirely too big and to cool for the slippy slide with mom. insert cry and a sigh

My other reason……less to clean each week. An’t nobody got time for that!
I am not a big fan of clutter and I tend to be a minimalist by nature anyways, but during the summer months decor is left to a minimum, like throwing some blue glass, a starfish on a white platter and some curly ques in a lantern as a centerpiece on the table and calling it a day.

 

 

 

 

As much as we love our kitchen table, that sits in the room that was once upon a time our family room, we tend to eat more meals right here at the counter. Although every time we do eat at the table, my Lily always wants to set the table with pretty napkins, flowers and ‘real’ plates, we are also big on anything that doesn’t require washing in the summer, aka paper plates. 

The whole backside of the house is windows, so typically natural light in most rooms is never an issue….unless you are in my kitchen. Hard to believe when I have between 75-95 windows, depending on how you count them.  Gotta love my window cleaner.
The white cabinets really help to brighten up the space. It’s hard to get one good shot of my kitchen cause of it’s shape, so here’s a few shots from around the room. Pretend you are making a circle around the room.

If this is the first time here, you can see what the cabinets looked like before we painted them here and more pictures of the kitchen. Other then trying to keep them clean from dirty little hands, I love the white cabinets.

To help the natural lighting issue in the kitchen, last year we took out the upper cabinet on the butlers pantry and put in some windows and planked the wall. Love this decision…and the outcome. I would show you the whole thing but  I am still working on sanding doors down and some trim work. Sometimes projects go entirely too slow around here….kinda like summer.

 

This lovely little space was originally designed to be where our kitchen table was going to go. Move in day….opps, the table didn’t quite fit, so I changed things up and created a sitting area that you can see more of here…keeping room if you are from the south. It’s a perfect little reading nook. That’s the backyard behind the chair. 

The second most used spaces (not including the family room)  are the outdoor spaces. Our front porch which you can see more here, gets a lot of morning time and evening time in the summer, since it is west facing exposure….and its hot.  We are outdoor people, and built our patios and decks with that in mind when we built our home.

We love, love, love to entertain in our backyard. We are currently undergoing a few projects back here. We are building a free standing pergola and screening in a patio. Shade from the sun and shelter from the mosquitos are two critical needs….especially in Northeast Georgia.

Family Room

 
Another area that recently got a refresh is our outdoor terrace level right off the kitchen, that I just finished last weekend.  The space feels entirely different to us since we put that awning up. Can you say SHADE!
 I will share this space soon too.
In the spirit of being carefree, I  just happened to make the bed the other day, no…. not really. It’s actually the first thing I do when I get out of bed every morning, but I was taking pictures and wanted to share my master bedroom.  Since you saw this space last year, I got a new duvet, throws and pillow covers. Everything is from Pottery Barn except for the Euro’s, they are from IKEA.
 

Well, that’s it for my carefree summer tour besides it’s hot and I need a popsicle. The last few days heat index in Georgia has been 100+.

I sure am glad that you came by and that you enjoy your summer.
 
 
 

 

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Just a gal that loves to share my family, home decor, design and life around here in the country.... on my real life funny farm at Duke Manor

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29 Comments

  2. Your home is absolutely beautiful!
    I just downloaded the Bhome app…my username is jenvieau. Oh boy, another reason for me to sit down and suddenly realize that an hour (or more!) has gone by! đŸ˜‰ have a great summer!

  3. Carefree and beautiful beyond beautiful….Your home reflects the essence of you. The kitchen is so bright, fresh and looking forward to the window reveal along with the family room…you have created a gorgeous oasis for your family both inside and out!!…Have fun with the kiddos!!!…

  4. Love it all, Laura — so gorgeous! Your home is always beautiful no matter what the season!
    I am also trying to enjoy my kiddos this summer. Now that my son is 13 I'm feeling like time is of the essence to enjoy being with him while he still likes me! lol

  5. Laura, your home is beautiful no matter what time of year you are showing it to us. But I think summer suits your home!!! LOVE your dining room table and chairs… so casual and chic! You are so right to drink up times with your "babies" .. they will be grown up in no time! Make those memories in your gorgeous, and inviting home! Can't wait to see you!

  9. I am literally blown away…your home is beautiful! Each room flows into the next and they are all so cozy and bright. The love you have for your family shines through too…clearly your home is a labor of love. Enjoy your kids and the rest of the summer…relax!

  10. You look all set for summer entertaining Laura with those amazing outdoor spaces. What a treat your summer home tour was. Make sure you slow down and enjoy those 'little people' because before you know it, they'll be all grown up and moving out.
    hugs, Kerryanne

  14. How can't you kick back and enjoy, relax and simply have fun with the little ones while they are home. It is so true Laura, time flies and you never get those moments back. We have one going off to College now and I would do anything to go back to those carefree days. Your home is simply gorgeous!

  22. Laura, I always enjoy seeing your beautiful home and I still can't get over the difference that painting your kitchen cabinets made! I just love your casual, elegant summer decorating. In this heat, a popsicle and the slippy-slide sound inviting!

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