Name: Margo
Location: Rockford, IL
Size: 600 sq. ft.
Years lived in: A year and a half
My inspiration for my home is kind of a casual elegance. It's not really very upscale, I have some decent pieces, a pretty nice couch from Room & Board, some pretty accessories, but it's very livable.
I would say my style is sort of a warm modern paired with traditional pieces.
My favorite room is the living room. I have a painting my boyfriend did for me, mixed with some photos he took of a sculpture installation I did, and several knick knacks.
The most talked about element in my house would probably be my painting at the moment.
My most embarrasing element in my house is the flowery linoleum in the bathroom. I didn't put it in, and I rent, so I can't be too embarrassed, but still, it's not great.
My proudest DIY moment was when I found a pedestal table for $25 and repainted it and fixed it.
I don't have a dream source when it comes to decorating/home furnishings. There are so many I like, but it would probably be something like Tucker Robbins, or something similar.
My reality source is Room & Board. Eventually, I think we'll buy our bed from there and probably some more chairs and a table.
The best advice I've gotten from reading and from others is to take your time when furnishing and decorating your home. This certainly isn't the only place I'm going to live and I want everything I own to truly work for me, not just for this place.
My found treasure is a set of three handmade ceramic jars in white that I found at a student art sale. They are so simple but so elegant and pretty to display.
I've had my TV table forever. It's an old school desk that I used as a child. I remember I started designing at that desk, making books of flowers for my mother. Now my TV and my TiVo sit on top of it.
My most recent purchase is a new basket/tray for my wall of baskets in my kitchen and an outdoor table for my porch.
I haven't done any remodeling , so I don't have any bathroom or kitchen sources. I do love Kohler's fixtures and sinks/bathtubs though. Just gorgeous.
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I like your place. It seems very calming and life-friendly.
I really like the kitchen cabinets. Did you do the insets yourself?
There's a quiet simplicity about your home that I just love!
i never thought white walls could look so nice!
I like this place very much! The quiet colors and interesting textures do make it seem very livable.
i like the wainscoting in the kitchen. the sink area is very cute and countryish. i say countryish as in an old, splintered barn in the snow kind of way, not in a puffy-painted kleenex box cozies kind of way. side note, a friend of mine once sent me an email and referred to wainscoting as "wayne's coating." ha! who is wayne and why do we have his coat?! love that.
Your walls have a heavenly soft glow to them. Love that! I also like how you have your mail in a vase, a small detail, but oh so beautiful!!!
Jessica your "wayne's coating" comment made me snort coffee through my nose. Too funny!
Margo, I love the simplicity of it. White is so very nice when it's well done, and you've done it! It seems very tranquil.
Is it just me or is there zero color in your house!? The taupe and tan reminds me of my cubicle in my office building. Now, I'm all about neutrals and especially bright whites but I think I'd have trouble staying awake there.
But that's what's great about home decorating. To each his own!
You're right Amanda about the almost no color. Sometimes I think it bothers my bf even that there isn't any bright color. But I'm a graphic artist, so I think I really like no color when I come home because I'm constantly having color and thinking about design, and so my house is kind of the opposite, but still pleasant and pretty. :)
MP
Where was the twin bed frame purchased from (I believe as seen in photo 6)? I'm looking for an inexpensive frame with clean lines. The color of the wood would go well with the floors in my apartment.
It was actually designed and made by my dad. It was originally a loft bed but later I had him cut it down so I could have a regular bed, and now a guest bed in my office. The wood is just regular pine from the hardware store, rubbed with tung oil to give it a nice warm color. Glad you like it, sorry I can't help you get one like it!
MP
I really like it... I think the white is serene.
I love it too. I really like all the white, and this is a refreshing change from all the mid-century modern we see a lot on this site. My only suggestion (not asked for, but given anyway) would be to disguise the cords around the desk and tv area. It's just me, but cords give me the heeby-jeebies. Otherwise, beautiful.
I just said to my husband this morning that the new thing is white with light brown woods...I think you're on to something, this look is cropping up everywhere.
Your tub and shower curtain are so lovely, I'm sure no one but you ever noticed the floral linoleum. If I were you I would print and frame the bathroom picture that you've posted and hang it in the bathroom, as a reminder that feeling bad about the floor is just silly in such a nice room.
what a lovely home! i feel like i took a vacation just browsing through your slideshow...i would love to cook in that kitchen with the windows open and those long white curtains blowing in the breeze. really nice, thanks for sharing.
Margo,
You have created a very serene home. I would agree, though about the lack of color. To continue with the quiet scheme but without falling into blandness, I would do a bit more boldly what you have already done; that is, pick up the accents of soft gold from the ceramic pear on the mantel, the soft aqua in the ceramic tray ( you have one pillow , how about a couple more? Maybe a wallpaper or a few framed prints...
One note: rein in those cords behind the TV and the Mac: it's cheap and easy with cord comverings or even a few strategically placed twist ties!
I also like the white walls. The decor is soothing, artistic -- all good.
Where can you find Wayne's Coating and is it hard to install?
It is a very peaceful and serene environment, but I agree with the posters who noted that it needed some color. It's nice, but just a bit bland. I like color around me, as it seems to fuel my energy......each to his own.....
I've since added some more golds and a little bit of punch with a bright orange pillow in the bedroom and some colored knickknacks. I still don't like color too much, see my blog (marbargarbo.blogspot.com) if you don't believe me, but I guess it's just a phase thing.
MP
Margo,
I love your home. It has that combination of simplisity and warmth that is SO hard to acheive. The milky tranquility of your color scheme is very inviting.
I love when people post a picture of themselves on AT. Sometimes you think, "Oh Yeah, that makes sense that he/she lives there." But with yours I was a bit surprised. Your style seems so refined, so mature. As if it had been developed over a lifetime. But you look so young! An old soul perhaps?
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