How to turn a standard house into a custom home.

June 14, 2012 by · 10 Comments

Hey ya’ll! It’s Kristi and oh my goodness, can I just mention much I miss late night blogging in my skivvies?  Did I just write that for perfect strangers to read?  Yes.  But is it true?  Yes.  Oh, and you do it, too?  I know you do!  Right?  Right?  ….Bueller?  Ha ha.  You see, for weeks I’ve been in the transition of moving from here to there and visiting in between and FINALLY put the ‘ol Samsonite away.  Phew!  I don’t want to pack/unpack another suitcase, box or anything else for a long time!  (Except I got 2 packages in the mail this week that I can’t wait to dive into… and you won’t want to miss the giveaway come Monday that is in one of those boxes! #worththesuspense) I’m just sayin’, it’s convenient to have private internet access on your laptop ;)

So anyway!  During one of my in-between Yuma/Joe City trips to my hometown, my sisters and I got to see our super creative decorator friend, Cara, from Gardenview Cottage.  She is known for transforming her standard grade builders house into a custom looking home.  I warned her I was bringing my camera to show off her pretty space:

I love Love LOVE this fabric!  It is the perfect shade of yellow.  Want to see something neat?

Yep, she made her ottoman!  Brilliant!

Cara loves “all things unique and different that make a house your home”…  and, transforming your standard metal door to a gorgeous Dutch door does just that:

(Click here for her tutorial.)

Here is another way to dress up a boring texture pony wall.  She framed it with molding, so smart.

Even her simple island looks like a custom piece of furniture by adding corbels and trim. Love.

And she has some great tips & tricks for decorating, like using wallpaper bead board for the space between painting stripes.  Again, brilliant!  Yep, Kelli & I surround ourselves with creative people to make us look good… and sometimes steal their ideas!  Hee hee :)

See in more detail how amazing that dutch door is?  How fun to be able to greet your neighbors [or our sis Sandee!] by opening the top of the door only, great spot to rest your elbows right? (;

Cara is super adorable and her blog is fun to read so be sure to pop in and say hello from her Lolly Janers!  We will see you tomorrow at our weekend link party- come share how you have transformed your standard space into something unique and yours!
Filed under: Featured Blogger, Home décor · 10 Comments

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Discussion

  1. 1


    Lindsay

    I love these ideas! With us moving into a new (old) home, we need to do lots of updates, so this is perfect!

    Reply
  2. 2


    Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe

    Oooooh!! Loving everything I see here!! I’m in awe of that ottoman. And the door? Off to check her out! :)
    Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe recently posted..Mini Patriotic Wreath PinMy Profile

    Reply
  3. 3


    Carolyn

    Hi there, LOVE Cara’s home. SO pretty. I’m going to look into that ottoman. How brilliant!
    Carolyn recently posted..What I wore WednesdayMy Profile

    Reply
  4. 4


    Shannon Staker

    I have followed your blog for a while now and LOVE it! I’m reaching out to my fellow bloggers to try and raise some awareness for and also to ask for some donations to help a fellow blogger out who is in need of our help! You can find more information here! I would appreciate anything you could do to help! Thanks, Shannon

    http://shannonmakesstuff.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-husbands-cousins-wife-were-in-need.html

    Reply
  5. 5


    Cara

    Amazing! You made it look better than real life! HA! So fun to have you girls over. You are such talented, fun sisters so glad I can call you my friends. Now when are we going to Carol F’s house and so you can do a tour of THAT!?
    P.S. love the new look of the blog♥
    Cara recently posted..100 ThingsMy Profile

    Reply
    • 6


      lollyjane

      Oh Cara you’re SO darling!! Thank you for letting us show off you house, it’s simply gorgeous. LOVE it!!!

      You’re the best! XOXOX, the twins :)

      Reply
  6. 7


    Liz

    i looooove miss cara! cara i love you lol! :) That was soooo funny when kris was taking pics of talking by the door. too fun!

    yes lets get over to carol’s soon wanna? kel…. set it up already!

    Reply
  7. 8


    Steph @ The Silly Pearl

    What a beautiful home! So inspiring!
    Steph @ The Silly Pearl recently posted..Craft Tutorial: Patriotic Bottle Centerpiece with Shrink PlasticMy Profile

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  8. 9


    Paul Orange

    I love the molding and trim that’s been added to an otherwise normal standard wall – I’ll definitely be pinching that idea! :-)

    Reply
  9. 10


    Ashley

    Cara is my friend, and I have to say I’m SO GLAD that you featured her. Her home is gorgeous, but more importantly, she’s an incredible friend and just beautiful inside and out. I love all the cute things you featured about her house. <3
    Ashley recently posted..dreams.My Profile

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