Our house, built in 1926, could be described as quirky. In my opinion, it’s full of charm and character. We bought the house as an estate. When we took the walk-through, we closed our eyes to the boring beige walls, 70s decor complete with orange ceilings, two-toned kitchen cupboards, and ugly carpeting–even in the kitchen. We had a vision of what the house could look like. While we waited to hear if the sellers accepted our offer, we dreamed about changes we could make.
Fast forward fifteen years later. Some of those dreams are still captured in our heads as our budgets didn’t match what we’d still like to do. While we made immediate changes with blue paint, new window treatments and tearing up carpeting to reveal gorgeous wooden floors, some of the other higher-end projects needed to wait.
One of my least favorite rooms is the kitchen. It lacks counter space, cabinet space, and the dark wood closed in the room. Paint is my best friend. I’ve been spending the last couple of months working on my kitchen by repainting cabinets, walls, trim, and the window. I’ve been reading thrifty decor blogs to do room makeovers on a budget. The blue walls with white trim and green and yellow accents have really brightened my kitchen with it’s updated shabby chic decor. I’m not finished yet, but it’s finally coming together.
Yesterday my very talented friend Kathy painted a gorgeous mural on my wall. While visiting the thrifty decor blogs, I continued to come across birds sitting on branches used in many ways–baby shower invitations, headboards, greeting cards. Since my kitchen has a few butterfly and bird accents, I wanted a bird on a branch on my wall, but with personality.
Kathy captured exactly what I had envisioned.
The quote under the tree limb reads, “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” The quote has been attributed to both Lou Holtz and Maya Angelou. In the heart, I “carved” Pat + Lisa 4 ever. We have two sons. DS1 talks a lot and DS2 ignores a lot, so Kathy captured their essence unexpectedly when she made the little birds. Here are some close ups:
Your turn: How do you add personality to your home? What’s your style?
The mural is beautiful!!!
We moved to a higher cost of living and had all kinds of plans for the house we live in. The economy tanked and we've had to put off finishing the basement, fixing the kitchen and adding on upstairs. I'm getting good at waiting. 😉
I couldn't stand the cabinets in our kitchen so I pulled off all the doors and painted the entire cabinets a sage color. Still love it.
Enjoy that mural & Happy 4th!
~ Wendy
Wendy, I totally hear you on the economy tanking. When Hubby lost his job 2 years ago due to the economy, many of our plans, including remodeling our kitchen, were put on hold. I took off my cabinet doors too and painted everything white. I love the freshness it adds to my kitchen.
Have a terrific Independence celebration!
I love the mural! I hope you enjoy many happy hours in your kitchen pondering your next story.
I, too, have painted cabinets when money didn't allow for any other kitchen remodeling. Now, I have a fabulous new kitchen–with no personality–yet. (But I have pink flamingos on my patio.)
Roxanne, if I spend more time in my kitchen cooking, I'll consider that a success! You just moved in so your house will gain personality. Love the pink flamingos. Margaret Daley loves them too and used to have them as her blog background.
Ahhh, what a pretty mural. I love it! Love the quote and especially the heart on the tree. (It also reminds me of a song my mom wrote when she was a teenager called Two Leaves…it's about when my dad, her high school sweetheart, moved away with his family…seriously, they need a mural like this!)
As for my home, I'm limited on space, but I like to think it reflects my personality…attempted style amidst un-hide-able quirkiness. 🙂
I LOVE those pictures! Beautiful!
I'm horrible about putting personal touches on my home. I finally just ordered pictures and hung some. I'm not decorator, that's for sure.
Beautiful post Lisa. It matches your beautiful kitchen. I love that saying. It's so true. As far as how I decorate… ummm… what's that? *wink*
How wonderful!! I love the quote. Great idea. I bet all your little ones love it too.
When I would create new wall pics at the daycare, they would ooh and aah over it. May be the only times they stood still for more than a minute. LOL
I love the shabby chic look, so I've redone cabinets, armoires, etc…to make it look old. I like warm colors. Browns,golds, and reds. I use a lot of rustic decor and bring it out.
Looks great, Lisa. 🙂
Love the mural, Lisa!!
I add personality to my house by putting a lot of family photos all around … and lots of words on my walls. By words I mean sayings: quotes or Scripture verses . . . I had a friend visit one day and she said, "You have a lot of words on your walls."
LOL
What would you expect from a writer?
My artistic son also painted a Scripture verse over one archway between my living room and dining room: Peace be within your walls. Peace be within you.
I love that saying.
Oh my goodness, I love, love, love this. I feed songbirds in my yard and I've always loved this quote. Thank you for sharing this beautiful gift of a wall with us.
I show my personality with words on my walls too, usually on wood signs though. I have painted a verse on my wall once, however I tried to freehand it without a ruler and it went a little lopsided. 🙂
Love how the two little birds captured your kids' personalities!! I have so many styles (formal to casual) and it's a good thing I've got several rooms to express them. But my least fav room in the house (the overflow box room) is now my fav with one wall of built in book shelves. A desk set from Walmart and a Craig's list RED L shapped couch. My Rosie the Riveter poster hangs a little off the right (or left depending if I'm sitting on it.)There's still boxes cluttered in the corner, but for now it's my space!
I looks wonderful!