Sunday, November 9, 2014

How I Found My Style Sundays- Golden Boys & Me

How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours

Hi there! I am Courtney from Golden Boys and Me and I am so happy to be here today! A huge thank you to Pamela for including me in this wonderful series. I feel honored that Pamela asked me here because I am pretty much an accidental blogger. About a year and a half ago, I shared some pictures of our master bathroom renovation on my tiny scrapbook of a blog where I journal about my life with my husband, Billy, our 3 boys (ages 16, 13, & 9) and 2 golden retrievers.  I have learned so much through our journey of remodeling 3 homes in NJ and today I am going to talk a bit about how I found my style.
Golden Boys & Me How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours

If I had to put a label on my style, it would be eclectic. My style has definitely evolved over the years as my confidence has grown. Early on, in our first apartment, I loved country everything. However, I began to feel like country was "cutesy" and I started decorating with styles that were more on trend, even if they were things I didn't necessarily love.  We live in a split level house in suburban NJ and I didn't think it was "okay" to decorate in the farmhouse style that I was drawn to. Only recently have I realized that it is okay to decorate with the things you love. And you don't have to limit yourself to just one style. There are no rules!  It is your home and you should fill it with things that feel like home to you.
Golden Boys & Me How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
The above picture is our master bedroom and that window seat is the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning. I love this space because it is filled with things that feel the most like "us". Comfortable, with a mix of lots of different patterns and fabrics, and lots of books. Also, my mother made the stained glass lamp and there are pictures of my family and other meaningful things on the shelves. I count the stained glass lamps that my mom makes as the most treasured items in our home.  
Golden Boys & Me  Master Bedroom How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
Our master bathroom is just off the bedroom.
Golden Boys & Me Master Bathroom How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
The rest of our home is designed with the rugged lifestyle that my 3 boys provide in mind. However, this bathroom is my own place of "pretty" where I can go to escape. I designed this space after years of dreaming my way through home design magazines and blogs.  
Golden Boys & Me Master Bathroom How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
We had a limited budget ($7,000), so we had to get very creative and DIY'ed the entire thing ourselves. Every item used to create this space was either purchased in a big box store or online. Downstairs in the family spaces, I only choose items that I have learned over time will be durable with kids and dogs.
Golden Boys & Me How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
Our family room has leather furniture and lots of storage in baskets and bookshelves. I wanted this room to feel warm and inviting and the fireplace definitely helps with that. We chose stone with a wood mantel for the fireplace to add a rustic touch to the space.
Golden Boys & Me How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
We designed our kitchen around the farm sink and the windows, two of my favorite elements in any kitchen. We lost some upper cabinets in order to add the 3 windows, but added storage space elsewhere.
Golden Boys & Me Kitchen How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
On the other side of the kitchen, we used some Ikea bookshelves to create kitchen storage and a divider between our kitchen and living room.
Golden Boys & Me Kitchen How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
Our living room is a more neutral space, but the striped window treatments give it some interest. I actually purchased these drapes for my son's room but brought them home and tried them here first. I love them! Another piece of advice I have is to try moving things around your house from different rooms to keep from getting bored. I liked to mix things up, especially with inexpensive items like window treatments and throw pillows that I purchase at HomeGoods and H&M.
Golden Boys & Me How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
In our entryway, a bookcase from Target adds a nice pop of color to the otherwise neutral space. I change the artwork on our DIY chalkboard hanging above with the seasons.
Golden Boys & Me How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
I am always changing things around, decorating with the seasons and on the hunt for pieces to add interest and meaning to our home. My tip for you is to create a home that is perfectly you. Enjoy the process. There is tons of inspiration out there in blogs and magazines, but only you know what speaks home to you. I would love it if you stopped by Golden Boys and Me so we can connect and inspire each other. Thanks again, Pamela, for having me here today!!
How I Found My Style Sundays From My Front Porch To Yours
Courtney I just love your home! Your master bath and kitchen are just dreamy to me. Thank you for stopping by today to visit with us!


16 comments:

  1. I love her home and her style, always something nice to see.

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  2. Oh that bath room is just gorgeous.

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  3. Love Courtney. Her blog and her style is so beautiful. Swoon over that gorgeous bathroom of hers. Great Choice Pamela. Courtney is one of the sweetest bloggers out there. Happy Sunday.
    Kris

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  4. Great house! I love the bathroom-swoon!

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  5. I drool over her house/blog on a regular basis - one of my favorite bloggers. Love her style!
    Shelley

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  6. Such Andretti home... a blend of styles that flow wonderfully throughout. Will be popping over to see more.
    Hugs, Gee

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  7. Such fabulous style...love everything! The bathroom is totally swoon worthy!
    XO Barbara

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  8. I love her home! Everything is gorgeous but so livable too. Isn't that what we all really want? Yes!

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  9. What a beautiful home she has created! I love it all. Great feature!!!!

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  10. Courtney, you have a beautiful home!...I love all the beautiful details...love, love your bathroom!...and the entire house for that matter!!!...Great feature today Pamela!!

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  11. The guy there took his time explaining the process, walked me around the storage area, and showed me couple of units, asked me what I have, and gave me a good estimate of unit size most appropriate.
    Storage in Ringwood

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  12. Courtney's home is so beautiful. I am a big fan of hers. I think I could live in her beautiful bathroom! Thanks for sharing this with us!

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  13. Just found your blog and I love it!! Great makeover feature. I will be back. Lynn

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  14. Beautiful home, Courtney!
    So happy you shared with us!
    Have a wonderful week,
    Suzanne

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  15. Your home is quite beautiful! I especially love that bathroom...definitely a place for relaxing

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I love when ya stop by so leave me a comment if ya have some time! I always try and respond but sadly enough sometimes I am unable to return the love due to noreply blogger status.