Monday, December 16, 2013

Welcome home...


We truly love this old home we have had the opportunity to live in the last 2+ years.  Military quarters vary GREATLY from installation to installation.  When we found out we were moving to Fort Riley the first thing I did was check out the housing situation.  I was thrilled to learn that our new home would in fact be over 120 years old.
This year our home was on the 30th Annual Historic Fort Riley Tour of Homes.  It was a treat to share our home with the community.  I created this virtual tour of the first and second floors for family and friends who won’t be able to make it to Kansas for Christmas.   
 
Welcome to our porch.
 
 
 
 
 
 Costco has the best live wreaths. 
 
 

A plaque in our vestibule lists all previous residents of our home and facts about the construction, including the original cost of $4,721. 
 
 
Through the vestibule you enter into the parlor. 
 
 
 
 Who doesn't need a leopard print ottoman?!  I know my mom and bestie do! 
Ballard Designs gets it so right sometimes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 


A current Soldier dressed as a Civil War Soldier shared facts about our home with those on the
Tour of Homes.
 




 
 
A few of my favorite things fill the bookcase...family photos, wedding china, books special to our family, an anniversary clock, and Sid Dickens tiles.




Formal Dining Room.

 
 
Sid Dickens tiles. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The postcard in the lantern is a picture of our street, postmarked 1910.  I found it on Ebay before we even signed for our quarters.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Each of the three fireplaces have different mantels and original tile surround. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I always think about redoing our Americana powder room but I like the bright, vintage look of it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Before we moved in, housing (sort of) renovated the kitchen.  Unfortunately the questionable cabinets stayed put. 
 
 
 
Love this happy little snowman.
 
 
 
 This framed nightlight is one of my most treasured items.  It is my favorite photo of the kids etched onto resin so it glows when the light behind it is illuminated.  Such a special gift from my bestie!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 




 
 
Samantha added a touch of Christmas to her fairy garden.
 
 
 
Family Room--While I love so many of the neutral Christmas decorations I am seeing these days, for me Christmas calls for red, gold, and lots of sparkle.  It's a birthday party!
 
 
 
I love a wrapped gift!  No bags under this tree.
 
 
 
We hang the homemade ornaments on the tree too. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
He's got his eye on you!
 
 
 
Let's head upstairs.
 
 
 
 
An original telephone nook.
 
 
 
Maxwell's Room.
 
 
 
 
I love a big monogram.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The blanket on Max's chair was Tony's bedspread at West Point.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baseball chandelier handcrafted by Tony.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tony's favorite--Chevrolet.
 
 
 
And my favorites--baseball and gifts from Tiffany! 
In every house we live in we always have a couple of strategically placed little green Army Soldiers.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
I am crazy about this gallery wall between the kids' rooms.  The wall isn't yellow, there just isn't any natural light in this hallway. 
 
 
 
Words of wisdom.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oh, pink monogram...
 



 
 
The "tablecloth" is a quilt made for Samantha by one of my very best friends, Kelly.

 
 
Bed crown made by Tony.



Love Sarah and Abraham.  







Every girl needs a chandelier.
 





 
My Roots Lie Here.  A fun, pretty way for Samantha to note all of the places she has and will live.  Kind of like those "Home is Where the Army Sends You" plaques but without the cheese.  


 
 Our room.  The only space with carpet in the whole house. 
 
 
 
 I had my eye on this plaque for probably 8 years.  Tony surprised me with it for Mother's Day a couple of years ago. 
 
 
 
The hand statue is made from a mold of our hands.  It was a wedding gift from a family friend.
 
 
 



 Thanks for stopping by!  Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

 





41 comments:

  1. I want to crawl into the screen and live here! You are SO incredibly talented! Love every single picture!

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  2. Looks absolutely "FABULOUS".....Love you all so much D

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  3. Holy Smokes! I felt like I was looking through a magazine. Your house is AMAZING. I love all your amazing touches. You truly have a gift.

    Heather Larsen

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  4. Absolutely amazing! It's only time before you get featured in a magazine spread. The house is beautiful!

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  5. What an absolutely gorgeous home! Thank you for sharing! I had a question about the nursery- what is the name of the wall color? I am expecting a little boy in April and love that color!

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  6. Hi Nicole,

    It is Oyster Shell by Olympic. Enjoy your baby boy!

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  7. We are expecting in June. You husband doesn't have directions for the baseball bat light by chance??

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  8. Sorry, he doesn't. He makes this stuff up as he goes!

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  9. Thank you so very much for sharing, you should be really proud of your self...what talent!!! Thank you very much for serving our country. We always thank the solders but not so much the family...may God bless & keep you. Could you share with us just where you get your monograms?

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  10. Hi Marcia,

    The monograms are from The Spotted Zebras on Etsy. They are great to work with!

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  11. I absolutely LOVE the nursery! Would you mind sharing where you found the crib bedding? I have been looking everywhere with no luck finding anything that I like!

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  12. Thank you, Jennifer! The nursery bedding came from Restoration Hardware Baby and Child. Good luck!

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  13. I'm in the process of decorating my second son's nursery in a vintage baseball them. Where did you find the art over the bookcase? Thanks!

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  14. The vintage looking canvases came from Hobby Lobby. We also found some neat baseball decor (not shown) at Restoration Hardware. Good luck!

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  15. Great! Thanks so much!

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  16. Love the room! Can you tell me where the adorable Mr Peanut came from? Thanks!

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  17. Hi Ashley,

    Mr. Peanut was a gift. Thanks!

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  18. Great job! Where is your son's crib from?

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  19. It's the Sheffield Collection by Bonavita. Their website has a list of retailers. Thanks!

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  20. Love Max's room. Can you tell me what color paint you used for the walls?

    Thanks so much!

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  21. Hi Carolyn,

    Maxwell's room is painted in Oyster Shell by Olympic.

    Thanks for reaching out!
    Jessica

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  22. Thank you so much Jessica.

    I hope you don't mind if I list some links below for those interested....

    Wooden Monogram Art - https://www.etsy.com/listing/119195716/wooden-monogram-circle-30-inches-3?ref=shop_home_feat_1
    Crib/Furniture - Dark Walnut - http://www.hayneedle.com/product/bonavitasheffieldlifestylecribcollection.cfm
    Bedding - http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=rhbc_prod374283&categoryId=rhbc_cat353098

    Where did you score the rug and the baskets in the black book shelf? You are making my life so much easier you know. I'm sticking with this room inspiration. I love that it is sports in such a subtle way! I also love the burlap behind the frames. Did you do that yourself? What talent.

    Thanks again.
    Carlyn

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  23. Yes, I would also love to know where you purchased the rug. Absolutely love your nursery!

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  25. Hi. I was wondering where the baskets on your sons shelf is from

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  26. Hi ladies! The rug was from Target and the baskets are from Hobby Lobby. Thanks!

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  27. Hi Jessica,

    I love the large monogram in the babies' room. What are the dimensions of it?

    Thanks!

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  28. Hi Caroline,

    It's the 30" circle monogram by The Spotted Zebras on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/119195716/wooden-monogram-circle-30-inches-3?ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ref=sr_gallery_1

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  29. What size rug did you put in the nursery?
    Thanks!

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  30. Hi Carolyn,

    I believe it is a 5x7. It also comes in 8x10. Thanks!

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  31. Hi! Any chance your going to sell your sons crib bedding?

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  32. No, we aren't selling it yet. Good luck finding something you love!

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  33. Jessica... Your house is beautiful! And of course like everyone... Love your nursery! I have been searching everywhere (including Hobby Lobby) for those vintage baseball canvases. And can't find them. :( The #8 baseball jersey has lots of meaning for our family. So I'd... Love to find them. If anyone sees them.. Please let me know! I would greatly appreciate it!! :) Stacie

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  34. Are you selling any items from your nursery? It's perfect!

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  35. Wonderful tour! I particularly enjoyed the vignettes/grouped items. It is how I do Christmas also. Things that wouldn't seem to "go" together work great is assembled well. Thank you. My best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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  36. I was so inspired with your sons nursery I decided to do the same for my son! But I was curious where you bought the book shelf?

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  37. Thank you! It's from Pottery Barn Kids but I'm not sure that they make the navy version anymore. Good luck!

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  38. Hi Jessica, I would love to feature your son's nursery on my blog. http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/ I don't see your contact info here so could you please email me, Jan, at uniquebabygear "at" bellsouth "dot" net ?

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  39. Hi, Jessica. I have looked at your blog so many times. What are your sayings under your son's Brave / Valiant / Swift / Fast wall hangings. I thoroughly enjoyed this post.

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