So I’ve been getting a lot of requests for a home tour. Here’s the deal…my home is never ready for a tour. Every room usually has something going on that I haven’t finished. About twice a year I am overwhelmed by the number of little unfinished projects that I knock them all out in a weekend. Then the next week I get antsy and start new projects. It is ridiculous. I love it and hate it. It takes a special man to be married to someone with a creative bent.
This week I got 2 boxes of goodies from Elizabeth St.. When I did sponsor introductions last month, I saw these amazing globes in her store…and knew I ‘needed’ some for my house. I had no idea what I was going to do with them, but they just seemed perfect. When I opened them I started walking around the house trying to figure out where to hang them….cupcake liners came down and globes got hung on my branch. Her 11 year old son makes these – how awesome is that.
So here is part of your tour today…my living room wall. I drew the frames with a pencil, made the paint-by-number painting, and hung a random branch. You can see the whole wall here…before I moved the painting to my bedroom and hung the branch.
Next there is my craft corner & kitchen …which needs new pictures because it is already so different. Then there is my bedroom.
And now let’s return to reality. When you walk up the stairs it looks like this:
I began painting the stairs a month ago. I realized they would be in the background of a photo shoot we did in the kitchen (for a top secret project to be announced next week..eeekkk!). Well, when I realized they would be in the photo…that morning I got up early and began painting over the wood. I’ve always wanted them to be all white. Don’t leave me mean comments about painting wood…I get that is riles people up. So, I only got one coat on, but it was enough for the picture. Now, it is still waiting to be finished. Next weekend. Yes, I will do it next weekend.
Now let’s consider the playroom. I changed it to a playroom a year ago, but have never been thrilled with it. Yellow & gray is just not me. So I redid it again. Smile Chris, you know you love me. Here is where it stands right now…
To someone else it might look finished, but I have yet to do a room tour. When I look at it, this is what I see:
So that is a glimpse of old room tours and the reality of what my house is like. The rooms do not always look like they do when I post “room tours”. The boy’s room has been taken over by pillows and forts. FireCracker’s room has a massive dollhouse waiting for a makeover to make it fit in. I’ll probably never do a home tour all at once…I will never have every room in my house ‘done’. I’ve learned to accept it…not that I don’t wish I could overcome my obsessive compulsive addiction to projects!
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Resources for this post (old room tours have resources on those posts)
Origami Globes – Elizabeth St.
Lockers – $25.00 for 6 at a school auction!
Teal Frame – The Lollywood Shop
White Playroom bookcase – my dad built, inspired by one from PotteryBarn Kids
Alphabet Cards – House8810
Teal floral pillow – made fr0m Amy Butler Love Bliss Bouquet Teal fabric
lindsey - Gorgeous. Thank you for posting this. It’s exactly what I wish my house looked like. beautiful light & colors, furniture and accessories with a history and story, and loads of pictures. my mac is loaded down with photos just waiting to be printed. I hope you realize every day what a gift you are to others who desire to be inspired and create!
Sarah Pratt - Is there a club I can join too with the obsessive compulsive addiction to projects? I know my husband would appreciate a rapid recovery soon.
Erin - Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
I think everyone looks around their house and sees the unfinished things, but your house has so much beauty in it that we can appreciate, whether it’s finished to you or not. I really don’t think a room can ever be finished… a concept that my hubby doesn’t quite get yet
But thank you so much for showing us more of your home (and for providing links to the rooms in one place!)!!!
andy - love your style so seeing new pics for room or stuff you are working on is super fun. Thanks
Katherine Bach - I LOVE your home! I think you have inspired many projects around my house too. But I agree, my house is never all done at the same time either. I am constantly changing things around and have a list of unfinished projects as well.
Angela - I can’t wait to hear about your top secret announcement! YEAH! My house is never “done” either. It’s always something. I laughed out loud about you painting wood… I get the same thing all the time.
Lisa Johnson - love the glimpses of reality! I made myself make a list of everything I need to do to “finish” my house and I am trying to slowly check it off. Will it ever be done? What would I do if it was?
Sarah - i can’t to see what your special project is! my house is never finished either-and why would we want it that way? it would be so boring!
amanda torres - You make me feel normal! I have a good picture of what I want my house to look like, it’s just finding the time to get all the pieces at the price I want to pay. Thank you for putting all the ‘waiting for…’
Anna Joy - you know what the best thing about your home is? it is so comforting and inviting. those are my favorite types of homes!
mandi@herbanhomestead - I’ve been looking all over for a hanging chair like that for my daughter! Used, I mean (of course).
Bethany - Oh man! I realized it’s not just me… thank you! By the way, I think your house looks beautiful as is!
Tracie - I very much admire the level of “doneness” of your home. I have no decorating sense at all and HATE painting, so mine will never be done. I figure, if people like me, they’ll come visit and won’t care what my house looks like! We moved a year ago and the new house was painted in colors we really like. I do need to paint my daughter’s room and change it from a former baby room to fit her needs as a 7 year old. I’m waiting for fall when I can open the windows and not breathe the fumes!
Vénusia - I’m so happy to see I am not the only neverstopcreating kind of person with so many things going on. Sometimes I would so like to shut down my brain an put my to-do list in the trash can. But I just can’t, I would be so unhappy without all those things. Thanks it helps me feel “normal” !!!
meg duerksen - do you not have a tray? if i see one i am going to snatch it up for you.
or give you mine.
because my project never got done….and it may never.
so you will have one soon.
unless you just haven’t finished yours yet……
you are too hard on yourself.
nobody sees that stuff but you!
it’s all beautiful!!1
Amnah - I absolutely adore your style. You really are an inspiration to me.
JaimeB. - Ashley, your house is so warm and beautiful. It’s one of those things where we always see the imperfections in our lives while no one else does.
Alice H - I wish my dad could build things!! How much does your dad charge to be someone else’s dad for special projects? I’d rent him from you!
cailan - Well this completely Made my morning – thank you! I so appreciate all the links in one place – your home is so wonderful, lovely, homey. And I agree that it’s nearly impossible to have the whole house “done” and picture-ready at the same time, but please don’t ever get rid of your project addiction.
Jennifer B - I just received September’s edition of Martha Stewart Living and she has some ideas on how to use lockers!
Love your house!
jennifer j - It’s only been in the last year or so that I realized fixing and changing my house is a hobby. Knowing that has improved the stress that often comes with living through the messy projects. I love your style, though so different from my own. I love the idea of a printer box for the logo men. I’m totally stealin
g that one
Ashlee Bischel - I see nothing wrong with painting wood! I do it too!
mariagiovanna - LOVE it all! Love your house & really love the line about how it takes a special guy to be married to someone with a creative bent. Your style is so authentic/sincere/genius. Hope my house can be equally adorable someday soon!
Stephanie - I absolutely LOVE looking at pics of your home! So cute & creative. I’m not very creative at all & I wish I was!! Your home makes me really wish I was. I just happened to stumble on your blog the other day & I love reading it.
giozi - Ha ha ha In my home everything is waiting too. Your home looks charm. Love it.
Emmy Lou - Where did you get your couch? I have been looking for a bench/daybed type couch so I could just wash the covers when the kids get sticky/ muddy hand smudges on the furniture.
Nori R - Love this post. It gives me hope. I am NOT the only one. Woohoo!
Emily - love it. and I know what you mean – if any room were ever finished here, i think my husband would faint!
Becky Rosin - I just saw you on mpix.com! How awesome!
Lindsay - I used to come to your page and get anxiety because i was so envious that my house didn’t look like it was in a magazine. I felt like the worst wife in the world.. not being able to cook, clean, fulfill my creative endeavours and still be HAPPy.. seeing this makes me feeeel better….
haha not that your house isn’t amazing.. but alas, …you are a regular gal like the rest of us. Phewf! 
Kingsley - So here is a ?, How do you keep from focusing on what is left to do? How do you stay satisfied and content with your progress? I struggle BIG time with this issue. How do I enjoy what I’ve done and not focus on what I haven’t…. Any words of wisdom
Thank you for sharing
Tiah - I know what its like to look at a “finished” room and in my head see all the things I still need to do. I love it and it frustrates me at the same time.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - I love that Lollywood frame!
MJ - LOVE it!
Are you actively looking for a printer’s tray? I just spied one at a local antique mall (junk mall, most of the time! Ha!) for a steal. I tried to think of a place in my home for it, but can’t….if you’re needing one, I can pick it up for you!
Heather - You mentioned you were waiting to replace the doorknob. Where do you usually find them? The ones in Hobby Lobby do not fit my door well? I love old knobs!
Stephanie May* - So inspiring! I have many projects to finish in my house, and I feel like none of the rooms are ever 100% complete. *sigh* I am painting my stairs (ripping off the carpet too) hopefully next week. Hopefully:)
Love,
Stephanie May*
http://www.maydae.com
Christina - Such a great reality check for me
I am the same with my project cycles.. I have 11841312 projects, each of which I love, but then I get overwhelmed by the number. Homes and the stuff we fill them with always change. Thanks for this 
Your house looks lovely, even without the things you think it needs.
Mindy Harris - i love everything you do!! all so so so cute! i want to copy everything.
Mara - Thank you so much for indulging us readers and putting together room tours of your home. They are pure inspiration. Just this week I followed suit and did the same:
http://web.me.com/marawolff/Adoring_Audrey/Blog/Entries/2011/8/8_Audrey’s_Room_Tour_%7BPart_One%7D.html
Our daughter’s room was inspired by your daughter’s nursery. I hope you don’t mind I linked to your post. Thanks for sharing. Your blog and photos help to make us all a little better!
Megan - I love the stairs painted white!! No complaints about that!!
Melissa Kaiserman - It’s taking some willpower to be 100% happy for you and 0% jealous that you found six lockers for $25!!!
I love your home, partially-painted stairs and all. It has the perfect amount of vintage touches without looking staged for Country Living. So beautiful and welcoming.
Alison - I love the color of the trim! Can you tell me what paint color that is?
Maloree - Love your style. If you ever need a small space/apartment to decorate you are more than welcome to provide advice…
Beautifl!
mosey - I’m LOVING this post, I’m thankful to know I’m not the only one who’s home is in a constant state of “almost done” projects!
Janice - I have walked around my house many times trying to figure out where I want something to go! My husband gave up on me this week and started with a new phrase…”You let me know when you’re ready and I’ll hang it!” Not quite sure how I feel about that response yet!
Thanks for sharing your “un-finished projects”…makes me feel a little better and not so alone! Your home is BEAUTIFUL!
Alicia @ La Famille - oh girl, i soooo hear what you’re sayin! my hubby is slightly crazy with all my moving/changing/projecting…but ya, they love us
i don’t feel motivated about anything if i don’t have 10 things going on at once.
OH! and ps: i’m working on a pallet bed like you did in your nursery…was SO inspired by that thing!
holly - I found your blog a month or so ago and LOVE IT!! It has quickly become a favorite of mine. And I love this post because not only do I love your home and find all your personal touches to be so lovely and delicious and inspiring, I REALLY REALLY love that you pointed out all the works in progress and things you have vision for but haven’t gotten around to doing!!! That is my life. I go back and forth between the excitement of the vision I have and the discouragement of how long it actually takes me to get things done. Sometimes all I see are the pots waiting for plants and frames waiting for photos. So it was so refreshing this morning to see your lovely and be reminded that real life is always a work in progress. AND…I am visiting family soon in Broken Arrow, OK so I was thrilled to see the shops there where you found some great treasures for your crafting corner. I can’t wait to shop there when I am in your neck of the woods! Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents and walk with Christ.
Good Girl Gone Green - I move the old lockers. They are awesome, and I really enjoy the look of your home!
heather - i love every peak into your home.
and just so you know, you’re not alone. i suffer from the same affliction. i cannot stop doing things to my house. there…maybe now that i said it out loud i’ll be able to stop. ya, probably not.
Shannon(8foot6) - AHHHHHH your house is tooo cute!
gkey - dear, WE arn’t finished so how could our homes be?
I have thought of this a lot lately, and have decided that if EVERY room was actually finished with EVERY little thing done and in place….I would be bored to death.
We LIVE in our home. It changes just like we do. Little (and sometimes BIG) things continually need makeovers or at least tweaked. I love this part of living. I did it even when we didn’t own our own home. Every place we lived was a HOME, therefore worthy of constant loving, which, like you, translates into: constant creative ideas carried out here and there.
Our 120 year old house has constant plumbing and other issues….those are NOT the fun projects, that is for sure. But all in all, we love our home because it helps define who we are.
I so enjoy your blog. It feels like I almost know you! (*smile*)
love,
from up here on the
Nebraska Prairie
Jennifer Allwood - I love the picture of your kiddo’s feet!!!!! So adorable. I need to dig around on your blog more. We have 3 little ones and are waiting to adopt for the first time. I also run a painting company and have a paint blog….stop over and see me sometime!!!!
sarah - How will you hang your ABC cards. I have some similar ones, and can’t decide if I should clip them to twine, or stick them right on the wall.
Love every cute thing in your house.
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