Sunday, April 21, 2013

How I Found My Style Sundays- StoneGable


Hi, I'm Yvonne from StoneGable and I am so happy to be here at From My Front Porch To Yours for... 

HOW I FOUND MY STYLE SUNDAYS.



Pamela, thank you so much for asking me over... I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful series!!
StoneGable

StoneGable is the name of our home and it is also the name of my blog. StoneGable, the house, is a farmhouse inspired home in the beautiful bucolic farmland of Lancaster Pa.  I always say that StoneGable is a place that wraps itself around your heart. It is often more like a hotel than a house, as we fill it with family, friends and guest!


StoneGable


Outside our back door


After living large in our home for 18 years my husband Bobby and I find ourselves in the process of refurbishing, remodeling, repainting, redecorating and redoing StoneGable. We are real DYI'ers... or at least I am. Bobby is one mostly under duress!



Kitchen makeover 2011


Breakfast Room Makeover 2011


Spring in the kitchen


As we slowly craft new life into StoneGable I have a chance to decorate our home as my style has evolved. Gone are all traces of  the reds and gold Tuscan style I just adored when we first moved in. They have been replaced with classic comfortable pieces with a modern farmhouse edge. The colors I prefer now are neutrals and whites with a splash of color (usually blue) thrown in.



J&J Guest Room Makeover 2012


DYI Chalkboard between breakfast room and family room 2013


Gable Guest Bedroom Makeover 2011


I say that my style is "CLASSIC FARMHOUSE CASUALLY ELEGANT". I don't think that is really a style, but it perfectly describes me.  I like to think of my style as refined country living... I like the sound of that! But let's be honest, the only way to live refined in the country is to have staff! Tragically, I have no staff!

I love classic home dressings because they are timeless and will look fresh for years and years! I am  very leery of trends. I don't like to sink $$ into decor that will be tired and on it's way out in a couple of years. I prefer accenting with trends... sparingly.


New Living Room Chairs... classic styling ~ Current Makeover


Dining Room Makeover And Painted & Reupholstered Chairs~ Current Project


My style is ever evolving. As a "mature" woman I've had many years to make decorating mistakes and learn from them. I now have pretty definite opinions about what I can and can't live with. Although I appreciate most decor styles... I only want to live with what I love. It's sorta like growing up and being comfortable in your own skin... it takes time to have decorating confidence.  I say embrace your current style... make mistakes... try new things! It's all a part of growing into your style!


One of my passions~ Tablescaping


Jars on the kitchen counter


Because I have been homekeeping for almost four decades, I have collected many precious-to-me finds.
I really am the luckiest treasure hunter! Beautiful things just seem to befall me... honestly! And I can sniff out a bargain like no other!


Finds: potting bench, oil can watering can, BIG blue an white bowl, ironstone


While StoneGable was being built... many years ago... I found a beautiful life-size swan soup tureen in a little shop in Alexandria Va.  At that time I thought it was way too expensive to buy. Have you ever found that one wonderful piece that was begging you to take it home? After much consultation with my Mom and sister (very practical and wise women) I decided to buy it. And to my great joy it was on sale for half price!




That swan has graced my dining room table all these years. He is classic and stunning and makes such a statement!  To see a post on my swan soup tureen click HERE





Recently a blogging friend saw an identical swan on ebay... the asking price $3,775.00! I almost fell off of my chair! I paid less than 1/10 of that for my swan... and I still have the ladle!  Here is the e-bay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Large-Life-Size-Vintage-Ceramic-SWAN-Serving-Tureen-Gorgeous-/251259451693?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a803af92d






I think our homes are our havens... real and tangible blessing from God! Whether humble or palatial they need to be loved and nurtured and seen for the treasure they are! Making a beautiful home is more about intentional attitude than  decorating it with things!





If your home is filled with love, encouragement, laughter and joy, it will be beautiful.  If it's doors are shut to strife and the baseness of life, it will be full!


favorite dinner spot~ back porch


I know I may sound like a  Pollyanna, but I am speaking from experience. When we sold our first of three homes... a very small old townhouse in the city... my husband and I stood outside on the uneven brick sidewalk hugging each other crying and sobbing our eyes out!!! We loved that home! It was so beautiful to us... 

 In reality it was small and old and drafty and not very well furnished. 

 But, it was so full of newlywed love and it was the home we brought our newborn babies to. It was full of toys and strollers and mismatched furniture and a little old red painted hand-me-down table. It had no air conditioning in the hot and humid summer and the heat swirled around the high ceilings in the winter! It was a real fixer-upper starter home... It was the most beautiful home we have ever owned!


Feathering my nest


Here is my best style advice... love your home and be thankful for it. And above all don't fall into the trap of comparing it to any others! Your home is one-of-a-kind!

It's YOUR home!





I would like to invite you to visit StoneGable...

my door is always open to friends old and new!




I hope that y'all have enjoyed visiting with Yvonne as much as I do! Her home is so warm and inviting. Thank you Yvonne for sharing your home with us today and all your wonderful tips!













34 comments:

  1. Oh I so love Yvonne, and her home is absolutely stunning, just like her. Hugs, Marty

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  2. I only recently found Yvonne's blog and became her most eager follower. She is a beautiful and gracious woman just like the home she lives in. I would love to head over to PA and take the full tour! Thank you so much for highlighting her today. Blessings, Patti

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  3. Pamela, Thank you so much for letting me visit at your beautiful blog today! I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful series!!!
    Have a blessed day!!
    xo

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  4. Yvonne is the epitome of style in my book. I always love to see what she's up to. She's gracious and warm and it shows thru in her lovely home. thanks for sharing her with us!

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  5. I have not done much blog visiting lately but I always enjoy visiting here and coming here I was directed to another favorite, Yvonne. Her home tour was wonderful, I am inspired.

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  6. Thanks so much for featuring Yvonne and StoneGable. Stunningly beautiful. Luv Yvonne's effortless elegance. Timeless and beautiful.
    Thanks for sharing ladies.
    Hugs, Gee

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  7. Pamela, this was a great feature! I love seeing Yvonne's beautiful home and tablescapes. She just exudes warmth and beauty!

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  8. This was really a fun post. I loved seeing the changes and I learned that it is more pleasurable to surround yourself with the things that you love and build from there...

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  9. Yvonne, I follow so many beautiful decorating blogs, but your decorating style is the one that reflects the look I'm going for. Your home truly inspires me. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

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  10. Yvonne's home is gorgeous and her blog is so beautiful too. I love her style so comfy and pretty. Thanks Pamela for sharing Yvonne's home and blog with us.
    Kris

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  11. What an interesting post. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Funnily enough I was just thinking 'wish we'd done this when we built our house...or made this bigger....or thought about doing that' when I read one of her last paragraphs and she said about not comparing and being content so I just had to laugh!! Thanks a lot....it was good. Joan

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  12. Yvonne's advice is so uplifting! The beauty of her home is only matched by her warm heart and personality. I so look forward to visiting her blog for inspiration. Thanks so much for featuring her, Pamela!

    XO,
    Jane

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  13. Pamela,
    thank You for Featuring Stone Gable
    she is One of My favorites and I think Everyone's. You have a Beautiful Blog Yourself to be Proud of Just Love getting your posts
    Thank You
    Lisa

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  14. Wonderful to learn more of Yvonne's Stone Gable and lovely of you to share her with your readers.

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  15. Beautiful home......love, love, love the kitchen! Great name for both home and blog:-)

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  16. Yvnonne has beautiful style!I love her beautiful home.What a treat to read all about her!
    xx
    Anne

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  17. I recently came across Yvonne's blog StoneGable and just adore it. She has such a beautiful warm & cozy sense of style and it certainly comes across in everything she posts. Thank you Pamela for highlighting her today.
    Blessings,
    Raylene

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  18. I adore Yvonne and her style! She is a talented and beautiful lady, inside and out. Thank you, Yvonne for sharing your home with us.

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  19. Well done asking Yvonne to be featured - she is one of the best bloggers out there - and her heart is as beautiful as her home.

    I would love to meet her one day, I just can't believe how sweet and humble she is.

    Love YOUR blog too and this is a super awesome feature you host, I look so forward to reading it.

    Have a blessed and wonderful week!

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  20. :D I enjoyed your feature on Yvonne. I love her home (especially her kitchen) and her posts are always so lovely.

    I hope you have a great week!

    xo,
    RJ

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  21. What a beautiful home, thanks for sharing.

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  22. I love your home too! Thx for sharing this Pamela and Yvonne.

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  23. When I first discovered Yvonne's blog, it was obvious she is a very gracious lady and it reflects in her home and blog! A beautiful feature, Pamela. Thank you for sharing!~~Angela

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  24. Yvonne's home is absolutely gorgeous! I adore her back porch.What a lovely place to sit and relax.

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  25. Pamela,
    Yvonne is the dearest, sweetest, truest blog friend in this Land of Blog!!! Each time I read a feature on her blog, her home and way of life, I discover new and inspirational things about her! Thank you for featuring Yvonne of StoneGable in your series!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  26. I am so, so blessed to call Yvonne a personal friend as well as fellow blogger. Having BEEN to Stone Gable several times I can attest that it is MORE beautiful then pictures can convey. And Yvonne is the BEST; friend, hostess, wife and Mother. Thanks for featuring her and her beautiful blog. XO, Pinky

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  27. Oh, Stone Gable is one of my very favorite blogs to visit and read. Yvonne is such an inspiration to so many of us. Thanks so much for having her as your guest.

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  28. I love the thoughtful and heartfelt way Yvonne describes creating a home and developing your style. Thanks so much for sharing her lovely home!

    Jeanette @ Creating a Life

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  29. I enjoyed that very much Yvonne

    I love her house and decor

    thanks for the advice to love our homes and not compare to our friends homes, good advice I catch myself doing that a lot

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  30. I love Yvonne's home. So classic and inviting. Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing her home!

    Jody

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  31. I am truly touched by this post. There is so much wisdom here about what makes a house a home. I'll return to it often for reminders.

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  32. Great, great feature today Pamela....Yvonne is an extraordinary person...she cooks, she decorates, she gardens....the total package...her home is gorgeous and I am with her..I love to use classic styling and accent wit the trends...She has done that so beautifully!!..I just swoon over her home!!...Thanks Pamela and have a great weekend....and Yvonne, you know how much I am in love with your home!!

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  33. Isn't she something special! Her home and her blog reflect the gracious, talented lady she is.
    I must read this again and again. Congratulations, Yvonne.

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