Tuesday, March 9, 2010

other people's homes: Karen

Recently a longtime customer-turned-friend, Karen, innocently sent me a couple of photos of her kitchen to show me how she was using some pillows I made for her. Little did she know her kind gesture would turn into an epic photography project for her, complete with homework (fill-in-the-blank and essay questions about her home) as "May I show your vintage-inspired kitchen on my blog?" quickly turned into more. So much more. I'm sorry Karen! But thank you for sharing!

I might mention that Karen and I have never met in person and she lives on the opposite side of the country from me so I was especially excited to have this virtual glimpse into her kitchen (ahem) entire house. Today we'll start our tour with the master bedroom and bath.

Warning: While viewing these beautiful rooms with their vintage details, you may become disoriented and perhaps even feel that you are leafing through the pages of Country Living magazine. This is perfectly normal. 

the master bedroom (all photos can be clicked to enlarge)

Karen told me this room was specifically designed with the idea that the bed would 'float' in the center of the room to take advantage of the mountain views. 
"...of course I envisioned myself waking up each morning, sitting up while stretching my arms and gazing out at the beautiful mountain view...that's not usually how it happens, but it was a good idea anyway." A girl can dream...

The ladies on the vintage mantel are Karen's mother-in-law when she was class valedictorian and Karen's late Granny.

This entertainment center used to be a cabinet for a vintage radio/record player. Karen removed the speakers and record player, added a shelf inside (where the DVD player goes now), painted it and dressed it up with vintage fabric panels.

This piece was also a vintage radio cabinet that was gutted and painted and now stores some of Karen's vintage linens.

See the window framed by the blue vintage shutters? It overlooks the Great Room downstairs. Karen has a daughter who will one day be a teenager. Karen thinks ahead. 

the master bath

A pretty corner of the master bath with Charlotte Becker prints in vintage tin ceiling frames.

 'His' side is dark wood and masculine. See the peek of Jennifer Paganelli's fabric for curtains? Karen occasionally sells vintage fabric on ebay and one of her buyers turned out to be Jennifer Paganelli! It's a small world for vintage-fabric-people.

'Her' side is light and feminine. I love the little splashes of soft aqua.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Here's some additional info about the resources Karen used for her master bedroom and bath along with a sneak peek of more of her home tour to come. Thanks for stopping in.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
All photos were taken by our industrious homeowner, furniture painter and vintage collector, Karen. She has been into vintage for about 5 years and also collects vintage linens.
Her ebay seller i.d. is PIESAFE.

Paint color for the entertainment center is "South Pacific" by Olympic. Available at Lowes

Vintage tin ceiling frames are from ebay stores Fragment Freaks and Vintage Home Accents.

Links for information about artist Charlotte Becker and fabric designer Jennifer Paganelli. 


20 comments:

  1. What a delight, I sure love the way she used the buffet behind the head of the bed just charming very Cottage chic I will have to preview the photos one more maybe 2 more times. Thanks, Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much for this peek at Karen's home! I just love it - and I am nuts about aqua!

    xo
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think my new favorite color is blue! How utterly beautiful. Does this girl have a blog? If not, you need to talk her into starting one! Because I want to see more, more more!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The turquoise painted furniture pieces, grouped with creamy white and natural wood colors looks divine!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I want to move in, tell her I am on my way. The master bedroom is absolutely wonderful. For someone who loves color,(me)this is a treasure!! Can't wait to see the red room. Thank you for showing us and thank her for the peeks.
    Annette

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love home tours....thanks for sharing! Great use of the color aqua and looking forward to the next color tour...I know it will be red. Great job Karen!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my...the aqua is gorgeous...and I (like my Sister Diane, above) love the way she has placed the dresser...awesome...can't wait to see more! Thanks for all the resources...

    ReplyDelete
  8. what an awesome bedroom!!! ideas are just swimming in my head now! I love all the chenille and the beautiful aqua color, what a gorgeous room! :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have that exact same buffet that I purchased from a thrift store. I've been contemplating painting mine white and seeing her's just made sure that's what I want to do.

    Gloria
    Roanoke, Virginia

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is beautiful. Plus, I'm really impressed how you got somebody else to take photos for your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, Amy...Into Vintage Magazine (online version) is born! You've got it all including sources. Her home is beautiful and I can't wait to see more. Fun post!

    ReplyDelete
  12. LOVE the bed in the middle of the room like that and the colors are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful home. VEry inspiring. MAny blessings, tAmmy

    ReplyDelete
  13. How bright and colorful and I love it! Glad you convinced her to share with us!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely, clean colors and style. What a beautiful home. I could live there!

    ReplyDelete
  15. So very pretty!! Every detail carefully planned. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

    xo
    becky

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow! Her home is so full of great color and vintage goodness!! I love all that pretty aqua! It really pops with the white. My favorite was that amazing mantle and the vintage family photos in the tin frames!
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the tours, Amy!!
    Talk about small world -- I don't sew but I know Jennifer Paganelli. She has bought postcards from my Ruby Lane shop.....:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is so perfect!!!!I brought my husband into the room to see the photos and he even liked it!!!! So bright and airy.....she needs a blog!!!!!!!!! I can just about imagine what the rest of the house looks like....love the red int he kitchen!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A dream home to be sure and all that turquoise, my favourite colour. I think I'm in love!

    ReplyDelete

I love this part! Thanks for your comment.