my home. part 1

This is my entry way and part of my front room, but this view is from my dining room. The front door is up by the coat closet. Confusing enough? :)

Some cool old suitcases...I know two of them have been to Miami and to the Bahamas, but man would I love to know all their travels! :)

I have to admit styling hair every week is awesome because I get to be creative and expressive... But I also LOVE styling my home! I may even find myself rearranging and redecorating more often than some people do their hair.  I have only lived here since April 2010, so there is LOTS of projects I want to do---but I am pretty good at making the best of things---and if I would just watch less of the DIY Network and HGTV, I might actually do them!  In the meantime, like I said, I make the best of the place.  The paint colors were here, and thankfully, the paint job was decent.  So instead of painting, we went straight to refinishing the maple floors, staining them a dark walnut, which made a world of a difference!  It was like taking a client, who should have never been blonde, and transforming her into a beautiful brunette!  After the floors cured,  with the help of some strong friends, we were able to fill the place with my one-of-a-kind vintage finds, and of course, over the last year, more and more pieces have been added.  I am so thankful that I was a bit of a "collector"---as opposed to the more scary term "hoarder" :) while I lived in our apartment, because my place looked like home the day after we moved in!  And I must add, as I always do, that I bought everything for practically nothing!!!  Okay, so it wasn't all free, but I was pretty excited about a lot of the price tags!  My days digging in the corners of resale shops and people's basements have paid off--in my eyes anyway. ;)

Our front room. The view out the window is woods. Wish it was a beach :)

LOVE this coffee table! It was only $25 on Craigslist! The vintage orange chair & ottoman, as well as this amazing orange lamp, were anniversary gifts from my husband.

The matching couch and chair were another steal for a mere $75. They were even reupholstered! I love their square shape, wooden legs, and button detail. And this vintage lamp was a recent find for just $12.50.  I didn't really NEED another lamp, but who can say no at that point???