My friend Aimee has a great house. Do you have those friends who, whenever you visit them, you end up staring at things in their house, wondering how you can copy them? Yep, that's Aimee. And to top if off, she lives three doors down from me and has a three-year-old daughter named Lulu who Nina loves to play with. She also feeds me coffee and cinnamon toast when I go over to her house for play dates. What's not to like?
Anyway, I've been wanting to show you some of her ideas. This one below is my absolute favorite! Aimee and her husband used to live in a 200 year old house in Connecticut, and when they renovated part of it, they kept this old window. Now that she lives in a new house, she still wanted that "old" feel. So she took this window and filled each panel with...you're not going to believe this...scrapbook paper!
Doesn't it look like an old patchwork quilt? The colors in the window tie the whole room together, which was her point. I just love this idea because it could work in any room in your house where you need a "big" piece of artwork but don't want to spend tons of money.
Some other pretty touches that Aimee has used in her house: This wreath hangs on her pantry door, a colorful way to warm up the kitchen and break up all the cabinetry.
Aimee has a pretty stack of vintage linens in her kitchen too. She thinks they look like a big old mess, I think they look charming!
Don't you love this barn star? The candles next to it are the perfect height, too.
Aimee just has pretty touches like this throughout her house. I love the fake greenery that looks natural but doesn't require maintenance and watering!
She covered this builder's grade chandelier with some fun and funky material. Even added the trim on the top and bottom of the shades. Doesn't look like a builder's grade chandelier now, does it?
I just love it when I find ideas that make a big difference in decorating, but don't force you to max out your credit card. I hope some of these ideas in Aimee's house can work for you! Have a great weekend!
P.S. Thank you so much for all of you who gave me links to sewing blogs, websites and tutorials. Now I can safely say I will spend my weekend looking through them all, getting ideas for things that I may someday have the skill to complete!
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66 comments:
Wow! I LOVE the window!!! I have a friend who has a very country house, and I had her wedding flowers preserved and put into a window like that, but it was way too country for my taste. But this I adore!!! I have been trying to think of something big to put on a large, empty wall in my guest room, and this may be the ticket! I live down the street from several antique shops that always have old windows and doors outside. I may have to stop by today or tomorrow and have a look! Thanks for the inspiration!
PS - I found you through TCB. Love your site! Way to go!
PS - I would love some advice on directing traffic to my site. I've been blogging for years, but I've only started to get truly addicted in the last month. It's hard to get people to check out the site, especially since it was stagnant for a long time. Suggestions??
Great inspiration and so close to home! Love all of her little touches, that is the kind of place I would want to visit over and over. I love going to a house that makes me feel as warm and cozy (or even more so) than my own house!
She has a great touch. Love the light. I've seen a lot of beautiful things come from scrapbook paper. It's amazing what people can do.
Have a great weekend.
Aimee's house is adorable. Show us more!
Have a great weekend. :)
What fun ideas...thanks for sharing (and thanks to Aimee too!)
Cute house. And she makes you cinnamon toast...that's a friend. Any update on the house next door?
First of all, you need to know it is 15 degrees her w/the station reporting feels like 8. Don't you think we should get snow!!!
Hey, we just had cinnamon toast yesterday with the kids. :) They l.o.v.e it ! ;)
Yeaaa, Aimee!
The window is so charming. What a lovely home and I bet she was so thrilled to have you take pictures of her wonderful ideas for your blog... great friend you are! Have a great Friday.
LuLu
Oh my -- your friend Aimee has so many beautiful things!! What fun and how great that her daughter and Nina are friends!
Have a fun weekend working on that sewing machine! Take care.
Janet
Oh, wow...that window is AMAZING! I would never in a million trillion years think of doing anything like that! I LOVE it! Everything else is gorgeous, too! She definitely has a real talent for decorating!
Happy Friday!!!
That window is amazing and sounds so easy to duplicate. What a great friend to have so close!
Have a great weekend and happy sewing!
I love the star! It is awesome! I love friends like Aimee...Your my Aimee! Speaking of cinnamon...how is our bun in the oven...Any action? And any names? Im so excited to hear what it is! Love ya,girl, Meme
I love all of those ideas, especially the window wit the paper. I have an old window with photos of my kids. I think I'll post it this week. Thaks for sharing all of those ideas!
Aimee's home looks so beautiful. She has so many cozy touches that make it look inviting! LOVE that window....it does remind me of a quilt!
Cute ideas! :) I really like her chandelier shades. Right now the ones on my chandelier are ones I made seven years ago...I'm ready for a change!
~ Sarah
PS Now you have me craving cinnamon toast. Mmmm!
I love when you can find a friend that you mesh with "style" wise, so you can inspire eachother and swap ideas, etc...thanks for sharing - stay warm and can't wait to "meet" your new one. PS- How is the nursery coming?
What a beautiful home. Looks so warm and inviting.
Aimee's home sure does look great, you're right! And she gives you yummy snacks and has an awesome daughter to play with Nina, too?
That is one rockin' neighbor!
I know she feels the same about you, too, hun! Win win for both of ya'll!!! TGIF to you!!!
xo
My sisters are the same way as your friend ~ they take yard sales finds and turn them into true treasures. Your friend is very talented! He house is gorgeous!
What a cute home!
Love the window idea and I just happen to have a old window pane for that. Good luck with your sewing adventure.
I love Aimee's house TOO! That window gives me an idea. My mom and dad just renovated and old farm house and they saved a couple of the old doors, one of them has a huge window at the top and it's sectioned off into 4 or 6 panes (I can't remember), but it would look cool to just lean it against a wall and put some vintage scrabooking paper in the panes. I'm liking the sound of this! Thanks for blogging about her house, it's beautiful...tell her I said so!☺
Happy Friday!!
Love Aimee's decor! Thanks for sharing. I wonder how CLOSE we live to each other. Would be neat to see your house and have a playdate with you and Nina. I could teach you how to sew. If you are interested email me, if not because you don't have time (who does!) I understand. Either way, I just love reading your blog and getting inspiration.
-Desiree
Okay...I have wanted to do put little shades on my chandelier in my living room but just have not done it...this has put some spark in me!!!
Thanks..have a blessed weekend!
-sandy toe
I love all of her ideas! Does she know she needs to start her own blog now? It's mandatory! :)
Love the ideas Aimee has. I wish I could walk through her house to get ideas. But, I thank you for the virtal tour. That window and the chandelier are my favorites!
Missy
Happy New Year!
That window is adorable! I know I'm going to have to find a way to copy that one! Please tell your friend her house is wonderful - it's so welcoming, bright, and cozy - thanks for sharing it with us! :)
Those are great pictures! I'm glad you shared her work. I think I just got inspired for a project with scrapbook paper. I once went to a someone's house that was SO cute and tried so hard to take mental pictures of everything. Then I was mad that I forgot almost everything I wanted to remember! I need to get myself invited back over soon! All I remember though is that it was warm, inviting, beautiful, and comfortable. Those are my main house goals, I just need specific direction on how to get there...the kind of direction these pictures of your friend's house provides. Thanks!
Love what Aimee did with the window and those lamp shades. I have an old window just waiting for something to be done with it. I had planned on blowing up some black & white pics of the girls to put in it. Just haven't gotten around to it. Love the quilt look. I'm going to steal her idea for the shades. I've been contemplating throwing mine out!
I have a friend like that, too. Her name is Charlene; and unfortunately she doesn't live close to me anymore. If she did, I would constantly be bugging her to come over and tell me what to do with my house! :)
Thanks for sharing these pics and ideas from Aimee; tell her we're all very grateful!
What great ideas...I love the window idea. I am staring at a big wall that needs some art work...I may have to find me an old window!
Oh my gosh! I LOVE the old door. SO creative and cool. I want to go to an antique store right now to find one. Right this very second : ). Too bad I have to pick Kaish up from school in 15 minutes. I don't think he would mind standing in the 10 degree weather for a few extra minutes, do you? : )
PS I LOVE great friends. Love them so much I can't stand it.
I'm with you...let's all copy Aimee and her great ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I got my Etsy up and running but I have no idea how to make a banner for it. I googled and it said something about photo shop that I don't have. Could you help us? Thanks.
I love the wreath - maybe I'll do that to my basement door! I also love her shades - so cute. Thanks
Laurel
Beautiful ideas!!! Thanks to Aimee for sharing. I especially love the window.
Ok! I can see why we should all copy your friend Aimee! Those little touches are just amazing!
I especially love the old window. WOW!
So...how did she feel about you snapping all these shots? LOL
I would stare at everything in her house too! She is so creative and her house looks so cute! I love that window idea!
Love the windoow idea:-)
I just found your blog and love it! I have been reading back through older posts and saw you were trying to buy the house next door, and sell yours too. We are going through the same thing, and I am on pins and needles hoping things go our way.
How did it go for you?
I will definitely be a frequent visitor here, enjoying your creative ideas.
Great idea. I would never guess it was paper. Love that idea. All I need now is a window. You live in a very crafty neighborhood.
Have a great weekend
:) Heather
i love the barn star. it is the perfect degree of weathered. gorgeous!
I love that window....what a great idea!!
How are you feeling? You are almost there!! Enjoy your weekend:)
Lisa
WoW! Aimee's house look beautiful. I love the window frame. I might have to try it. Thank you for sharing with us.
Absolutely charming! Your friend Aimee is quite inspired. What a beautiful home she has created for her family.
What a great house! I love the window too!
What a great home Aimee has. So many wonderful touches! I have an old window that I am dying to do something great with. This post gave me yet another great idea.
Hope you're feeling good and well rested!
That window is a great idea. Love all her touches. You're lucky to have a fun neighbor. Mimi
Love that window! I too have an old window that needs a little face lift! So glad you shared that one!
really cool stuff!
love those names, nina and lulu!
Oh Carrie, I want to be Aimee's friend too! I love every single one, that girl's got talent. I bet she makes some mean cinnamon toast too.
Fabulous touches ~ I think I need to update my shades in the near future!
It's great to have friends that inspire you. I'm sure you do the same for her as well.
Have a great weekend!
Jo
Aimee's house is beautiful!! That window, to die for! :) Does glass cover each piece or was some of the glass broken out? I have an old window but half of the glass is missing.
You have a fun blog!!
There's an award for you on my blog! :)
Wow how cool is that? I love old window- I took one years back and placed my childrens pictures in it. The barnwood star is gorgous- very cute stuff!
That is such a great idea to do an article on a friend's homes!!
She has done such a nice job!
I love old windows, too. Especially the stained glass ones! I have several. A friend bought one like your friend's window and she put fabric in it. Similar look to the scrapbook paper...very cute!!
Does Aimee make housecalls? I love the window idea. I have some windows from my parents old house. I think I might just have to find some scrapbook paper to make it pretty.
Good ideas!For me, it's my friend Kim's house. I get house envy every time I go visit her cute lettle house!
cute ideas!
love what she did with her light fixture! it goes to show that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a big impact. sounds like to have a dear friend, those are hard to come my. so glad when God blesses up with special people!
~nicole
Her window is BEAUTIFUL! I love it! I was looking at scrapbook paper recently, thinking...hmmm, what could I do with it? I love the wreath on the pantry door, too. It's beautiful.
I fell apon your BLOG through Lisa. I love your posts. Do you mind me adding you to my sidebar?
Lea
How you see your friends home is how I see your home. When I come to your blog I think..."Hmmmm, how can I copy this?" Thanks for all of your wonderful ideas.
Thank you.
My sister just did the same thing with the chandelier in her apartment. I think it looks great! Also keeps the light from blinding you when you first turn it on. I adore that wreath too. xxoo
I love the window! I'm going to have to try that.
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