The Peeking Continues....

Thank you all so much for your sweet comments about our home.  I really do appreciate all of your kind feedback!

As most of you know, it was a rough ordeal to get here.  Now that we are here and mostly settled, we have really been enjoying our new home.


This is the very first brand new home either of us has ever owned, so it was a big deal for us.  My mother always told me that at least once in her life she wanted to buy a house that no one had ever lived in before.  Fortunately, she has been able to do that twice.


I never thought it would make a difference because once you move in and start painting and renovating a few things, you've put your own stamp on the house anyway.  But it does make a difference.  We have been a little more cautious about banging nails into the walls and a little more careful when moving furniture around.  The other day, one of my vintage cameras fell over and put a nick on the wall.  I was almost in tears.  Dramatic, I know, but like I said, it is our first brand new home.  I know that in a couple of months, we won't think anything about a little mark on the wall and I will take the magic eraser and let it work it's "magic", but for right now, we are trying not to muck it all up.


There were a few details that really attracted us to this house, one being those dark hardwood floors.  I've always liked the darker colors on the hardwood floors, but lighter colors in furniture.  I think it makes a great contrast.  Since we only have one kid at home don't have any kids living at home, I felt it was safe to have white furniture.  After all, it is Ikea...it's all slip-covered and all washable.


Another thing that we loved was the custom trim above the windows in the living and dining areas.  While the neighbors insist we get blinds, the thought of anything taking away from that beautiful trim is killing me....well, that and the thought of having to drill holes on the inside of the window frames.  I will get over it and think nothing of it in a few months when the "new" wears off.  I suppose it is comparable to the first "ding" in your new car.


Something else that we looked for was high ceilings in the living area.  We have one of those tall skinny-style (not to be confused with skinny jeans) Christmas trees and wanted to make sure it would fit (as I do not fit into skinny jeans).  Because of the exorbitant cost of Christmas trees, we needed to work with what we had.  Makes sense, right?!  To buy a house that your Christmas tree will fit in??!!


While the house isn't large by most standards, we  have found that it is the perfect size for us.  We no longer have a "bogus" room upstairs and it is a good layout.


I hope to have some kitchen photos ready for you in the next couple of days.  With no blinds, light floods the house, which is a good thing, but it does make most of the photos look a little fuzzy or over-exposed, which is not a good thing.   The kitchen seems to be the most difficult area to photograph because of the light and colors....but I'm working on it! :-)






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49 comments

  1. Have fun!! It's a tiring but awesome process.

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    1. Thank you and yes ma'am it is. But I can see light at the end of the tunnel, so it's getting better! :-)

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  2. Oh Benita , each vignette you've created is more gorgeous than the next !! You have your "own" style and it is just stunning paired up with the rich dark wood floor's.
    I'm still loving that antelope !!! ( Pier 1 by chance ?) Also your copper !! It is coming back into style in a major way. I got rid of all of mine (ton's) at my divorce sale 12 year's ago. Beautiful, beautiful home !!
    I'm off to have a tomato sandwich with a glass of milk for breakfast, then I'm going to make some small chalk board's. LMHO !!!!!
    Can't wait to see more !!!!!! Love and big hug's, TT xo

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    1. *each vignette you've created is more gorgeous than the last. ( sorry, lacking sleep and need mass quantities of caffeine !!!!)

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    2. Thank you so much Tammy, you are just too sweet!! I really like that antelope also, even though I've never been a fan of animal heads on the wall, this one has just been one of my most favorite things. I found him half price at Hobby Lobby. The copper pitcher I found at a yard sale in Texas and I picked up the mugs earlier this year. They are the perfect color for fall! :-) I'm so glad to know you are gagging over that tomato sandwich and milk as much as I am.....LOL. Hope you are having a fantastic day! Love and hugs to you!!

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  3. Oh that custom trim is amazing! I've never seen anything like it. Can certainly see why you would not want to cover it up!

    Dark floors and white everything else. Lovely contrast.

    Why do the neighbors want you to cover your windows? they don't want to be able to see in???? Are they aliens? All humans want to be able to see in! It's in our genes, isn't it?????? ,-))))

    And your photos are fine and lovely and not wonky in whatever way you said. So there!!! :-)

    Tessa

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    1. Thank you so much…the trim was definitely a bonus on the house and seems to be the builder’s “signature”….to add custom touches to his regular floor plans. We are glad he does these things, because they do add a little something special. I too like the contrast of the dark and the light...it adds some dimension for me.

      LOL…you are just so sweet Tessa!! I guess they have determined we are just too boring for them to want to see…LOL :-) And thank you so much about the photos…it’s just one of those things for me! :-)

      Thank you for all of your kind words my sweet friend…love and hugs to you!!

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  4. Benita,
    Soooooo beautiful. Love the sneak peeks. That wainscoting on the walls is so wonderful. I love the dark wood floors with the slipcovered white furniture too. Just so beautiful.
    Love your style girl. So wonderful.
    Kris

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    1. Kris, you are too sweet and thank you so much! We were thrilled with all of the little extras with the trim package and the wainscoting…saved us some work adding these extra touches. Thank you again so very much! Hugs my sweet friend!!

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  5. Sounds like you're settling in nicely. And I do love those floors!
    Brenda

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    1. Thank you ma'am...I do too, until it comes time to clean them..LOL. We are finally getting settled in all areas and AT&T is working to get internet in the neighborhood. Hopefully it won't be too much longer! Hope you are having a great day!!

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  6. Everything looks lovely, Benita! I especially love that copper pitcher, and that custom moulding, is very striking! =) Thanks for the 'peek' show! hugs, Christine

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    1. Thank you so much Christine! Copper is really great for fall decorating and adds those little pops of color! We were pleased with the molding they added in the house…it really was a big draw to this house. You are welcome and thank you for your sweet comments!! Hugs!!

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  7. Just beautiful Benita! When I moved into my home, it was my first new house and I know exactly what you mean. You have done a fabulous job with the decor! LOVE it!

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    1. Cecilia, thank you so much!! It does make a difference and you don't want to mess anything up. I'm constantly walking around picking up fuzz off the floors...I never did that before...well, okay, yes I did, but you know what I mean...LOL Thank you again...I appreciate it! Just so you know, I'm singing that song in my head...LOL I try hard not to, but I just can't help it!! Maybe if I put it as one of my ringtones for someone, it will break me...LOL I think it's pretty dang cool to have a name that has a specific song title....the closet mine has ever gotten was "The Name Game"...benita, nita, fo fita....anyway....:-) Hugs!!

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  8. love that trim! I'm going to have to pin it to my Pinterest board called Love That Trim (how original, right?) Hoping to see your kitchen soon.

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    1. Thank you so much…we did too and it was a definite perk for the house..sort of balanced out the “no internet” issue we are having…LOL. I think it is quite original! :-) Thank you again so much!!

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  9. Oh, how lovely to have a home where you can actually have white furniture! That may never happen for me now since I have two very mischievous kitties around on top of two kinda careless boys! I agree with the dark wood floors and light furniture...gorgeous! And those moldings above the windows are beautiful. Just hang sheers inside the windows with pressure rods and leave all the trim showing. That is what I did in my living room. It does keep the neighbors from spying in at night and lets good light in during the day.

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    1. Thank you so much AnnMarie, we definitely had to wait until the kiddos were not living at home. We travel so much that pets are out of the question for us right now also. And thank you for that wonderful suggestion!! That would solve the high expense and my anxiety of drilling into the window casings. I will talk to the hubster about it and get his thoughts. Maybe some little roman shades would work also….sheer and only cover half the window….thank you so much for that idea!!!

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  10. I love it! The first thing I noticed was those gorgeous floors, which look fantastic with the white. I know how you feel about keeping everything pristine. We built a house years ago, and my husband finally said to me one day, "Are we going to LIVE in this house, or do we need to build another one that we can live in and keep this one as a museum?" However, he still goes ballistic when I get dings on my car...go figure.
    I'm glad you're enjoying your new home, Benita!

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    1. Thank you so much Julie…the floors hooked us also. HA HA HA…my husband has said the exact same thing to me!!! I just want things to look nice all the time and my OCD sort of kicks that into overdrive! Oh my gosh…don’t they though!!! They just go ape nuts over every little ding in the car, but could care less about the trash running over in the floor…sheesh..MEN…LOL Thank you again so much!! Hugs!!

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  11. Love Love Love! Knowing how OCD you are and being the good "secretary" that I am, you missed a mess up -- you put "get it over" instead of "get over it". I only tell you because I really want to be as OCD as you! Your home is gorgeous and I wish you would come back home and practice on mine! PLEASE!!! I'll proofread all your work if you will!!! :)

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    1. I just love you!!! Edward and I both proofread this thing 2 different times and missed it...guess our brains "auto-corrected" it...thank you for catching it!! :-) And thank you so much for your sweet compliments on the house! I don't know what I could possibly add to your home because I've seen it, been to girlfriend parties there, had dinner there and shared so many wonderful memories there that I know it is gorgeous also!! You are too modest when it comes to your home...it is beautiful!! I love the new color you painted...it looks great! But I don't mind letting you proofread for me at all!! :-) Love and miss you!!!

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  12. "Since we (only have one kid at home) don't have any kids living at home..."

    Hey, I'm taking it from you and Satchel Paige: How old would I be? Whatever age the height of precociousness-mischievousness-____________ is. And I think I speak for all the hubsters out there. It's what makes us so darned endearing.

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    1. "Endearing" is NOT the word I would use....LOL

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  13. Excited for you that you have a new home-I love all the moving around the windows too! I think you should do exactly what you want and who cares what other think.

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    1. :-D I like the way you think Darrielle!! And thank you so very much!!

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  14. Hi Benita! :)
    I did a bit of tweaking, so want to see if I am still showing up as a 'no reply blogger' ... ;)
    But I also want to say OHmyGOSH so, so pretty! Everything looks amazing Benita! I can see why you don't want to cover up that window trim...and I know screwing into the inside of the windows is scary, and you don't want to void your window warranty!
    I see the top of your hall table is white now! ;) It looks so good!
    I love all of your fall touches and love how the white slipcovers contrast the floors. Just make sure your 'big kid' isn't eating your famous salsa on that couch! ;)
    I see we have the same little skeleton crow! Did you get the wiener dog too?
    Have a wonderful Friday! Hugs!

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    1. I hope you made progress today with the "no reply blogger" deal...I know it is terribly frustrating! I hate when I have to reset the blasted thing about once a month! :-)

      Thank you so very much! I was so glad you brought up the window warranty and I did mention that to the hubster so he could follow up on it for us. And yes, I did finish the table and have got to get my post written and posted for it! :-) It's been a crazy week...LOL The big kid has been threatened about food on those slipcovers...LOL. He's afraid of me...of course, now I have NO room to talk as I almost caught the kitchen on fire last night...soooooo ~looking around innocently~....LOL LOL @ the skeleton crow! How do you and I end up with the exact same things...oh wait, I know...LOL (KS)..No, the store didn't have him, but I will keep an eye out for him.....these are all so very Tim Burton-ish...LOL Hope you are having a fabulous Friday! Hugs!!!

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  15. Congratulations on your brand new home. I've done new and old, and it is harder to put a nail in the wall. Everything looks beautiful. xoox Su

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    1. Thank you so much Su, I appreciate it so much! I am struggling with the walls, but since I’m about to do this One Room Challenge, there will be lots of nails in the wall when we put up the board and batten, so I suppose I need to get over it…LOL. Thank you again! Hugs!!

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  16. Hey, benita, nita, fo fita,

    Beautiful woodwork! Great photos... Love the French chair frame...

    Judith

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    1. LOL...Judith, you are so funny!! :-) Thank you so much! I love that chair and I thought about having it completed, but I can't bring myself to do it. It is unusual the way it is and wouldn't be if I had it upholstered. Hope you are looking forward to a great weekend!

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  17. you know how i feel about light and space.
    so i love these rooms!
    and the dark floors and white... simply lovely.
    i had that once. and i used tartans on the sofa as throws... with the dark floors and some forest green pillows... i felt like i was in a cool pristine forest in scotland. LOL.
    yes.
    i live in my head. LOL.
    seriously. you have a winner there. love it.
    and it's fun seeing YOU having so much fun finally.
    you deserve this. xoxoxo♥

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    1. Thank you so very much! I do love the contrast also!

      Oh, I bet the tartans were simply beautiful…I too live in my head. I bit into a special flavored Oreo today and imagined I was sitting firmly planted in the middle of all things Autumn….pumpkins, scarecrows, cornstalks, bonfires, colorful leaves, drinking apple cider and snuggled up with a blanket and good book.

      Thank you again so much…you are so sweet! Much love and hugs!!

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  18. I'm glad you're comfortable in your new house. I myself am very surprised how much I like our new apartment. I hated the idea of moving here. hated every minute of the moving process. but now I quite like it. funny how this works sometimes...

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    1. Thank so much Petra...I was the exact same way! Hated all of the moving process....the packing and unpacking. But now that it is all over, I am really enjoying the house and looking forward to getting on to the projects at hand! Looking forward to seeing pics of your new place also! Hugs!!

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  19. There's nothing better than a blank slate. You are doing a wonderful job feathering your brand new nest. I love those sweet little lettered pumpkins. Sweet!

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    1. Thanks so much Kim! It is a slow process, but finally coming together. Once that half-bath is finished, I think I will be able to relax for a bit and enjoy it more! Hugs!!

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  20. I like it.
    I love the bar area, with the deer head.
    My very favorite are the boots!!
    Carla

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    1. Thank you so much Carla! I am just loving the little deer head also…I don’t know why but it has become my favorite thing in the house…next to the boots of course…best thrift store find! Hugs!!

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  21. Does look very nice, and those lettered pumpkins are perfect!

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you so much Jan. I found those a few years ago at Kirkland's. Do you guys have any of those stores over there? Hope you are having a great day! Hugs!!

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  22. Your home is gorgeous! And I love every vignette you've pictured! You have a great eye for detail and putting unique, interesting, and beautiful things together! The Fall Pumpkins in the basket are too cute! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your home... I know it will be lovely and inspiring! ~Rhonda

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    1. Rhonda, you are so sweet and thank you so much! It is still a work in progress...two steps forward and three back some days...LOL. Thank you again and I hope you have a wonderful evening! Hugs!!

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  23. So fresh and clean and nic free...the first ones are painful. I was like that, now I have big dog babies and had to let that go. haha You have done a fantastic job in the house in such a short time. Fabulous, dahling. I know very well the issue of buying a house for some monstrosity that you own! Ours is the table in the kitchen. I will never give it up! Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thank you so much Tina! After the egg catastrophe, I’m sort of getting over it now…LOL. I mean, once you put eggs on the ceiling, a nail hole is just so insignificant...LOL. Yep, love that Christmas tree and we needed a house to go around it! Hope you are having a great week also!! Hugs!!

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  24. It is so beautiful, Benita! Those dark floors and the wonderful big windows with their bonnets atop really please the eye. And girl, you've nailed the look you were after--it all works! Of course I know you will be tweaking it because you are you and you'll be in bed flipping through a magazine and see something that gives you an idea and you'll be jumping out of bed to move something or making a note to look for something that surely belongs in one room and not the other. And then Christmas is coming and you're probably full of ideas of a completely new look you're going for at this new house......

    And isn't it the most fun ever?
    Thank you for the glimpses, dear Benita!
    Dewena

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    1. Awww, Dewena, thank you so very much! It is coming together, but you do already know me so well. There will be lots of tweaking and moving things around until everything has found it’s perfect spot. And yes, it is the most fun…to decorate and continue to make small changes! Thank you again my sweet friend…love and hugs to you!!

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