Bigger Isn't Always Better

I'm reminded of how easy and relaxing it can be to live in a small space every time we go on vacation. Before we left on vacation I was trying to decide whether to continue to remodel our home or to move to something larger. I realized after spending a week in a two bedroom condo that I definitely do not want a bigger home. I loved being a few steps from every room and every item I needed. There are so many times I hear my phone ring in the office, but let it go to voicemail because I know there's no way I can make it down the stairs and to the front of the house without breaking my neck. If I moved at all it would be to something smaller and without stairs! It would also be nice to concentrate on making each room extra special with more attention to detail. I do love my home and neighborhood so we've decided to stay put (again) and continue to make our home, our home.

Here are some beautiful smaller homes with details usually reserved for estate homes. Just imagine what we could be living in if we put our money into amazing details instead of square footage.

Traditional Exterior by Weston Architect Oak Hill Architects


 

Modern Living Room by Beverly Architect Siemasko + Verbridge


 

Traditional Family Room by Sausalito Architect Heydt Designs


 

Traditional Exterior by Greer General Contractor Gabriel Builders Inc.


 

Traditional Exterior by Beaufort Architect Allison Ramsey Architects


 

Traditional Landscape by Chicago Landscape Architect Van Zelst Inc


 

Traditional Exterior by Lindon Building Supplies Trestlewood


 

Traditional Porch by Buffalo Architect Murphy & Co. Design

 

Traditional Exterior by Minneapolis Architect TEA2 Architects


 

Traditional Exterior by Saratoga Springs Design-build Witt Construction


 

Traditional Exterior by Other Metro Architect a+b kasha designs


 

Traditional Garage And Shed by Seattle Architect David Vandervort Architects


 

Contemporary Living Room by Blue Hill Architect Knight Associates

 

Traditional Exterior by Bethesda Design-build Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.


 

Traditional Exterior by Silver Spring Architect Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc.


 

Contemporary Family Room by Charlotte Interior Designer Lucy and Company

 

 

 

 

I absolutely adore the first image of the English stone cottage and the French style home with the gravel driveway. I would feel like I was on vacation every single day if I lived there. Which is your favorite?

 

 

 

Friday Favorites

Here are a few things I've had on my mind this week...


Yoga_girl on Instagram



I'm the type of girl more likely to laugh through yoga class, but I love yoga girl's poses. They look extremely difficult, but I'm determined to try some of the easier ones. If that doesn't work out, I'll just live vicariously through her images.


On the subject of yoga, I'm living in this tank top from Lululemon lately.



It's a great tank by itself or as a layering piece. I'm wearing it under cardigans, jackets, long sleeved tops, etc. The best part is you don't need a bra. Just make sure you ask for the free bra inserts.


Ballard Designs Indoor/Outdoor Rugs



I just ordered this one for my front entryway. It's a great design and great price. The 5'3 x 7'7 is only $99.

I've seen this one in quite a few bloggers' homes, too. This might be perfect for my stairs.




Speaking of stairs, I'm finally getting around to painting them. It's going slow because of work, housework (especially after vacation), and an out of town husband. I'm so excited to be off this weekend so I can make some progress. I just hope no one accidentally steps on them while they're drying!

Cool Wallpaper

I stumbled upon Urban Outfitters "apartment" section while looking for the source of a rug I saw on Pinterest. They have some very cool things! One of my favorites is their wallpaper, but this isn't your Grandma's wallpaper.

















Cute, right? The best part is it's easy to remove and reapply elsewhere. I love that!

They also have wall murals.



How cute would this look in a tween/teen girl's room?




Love this faux headboard!




Rustic and Modern

I didn't expect such a good find in an unlikely place. I have all sorts of ideas running around my head now of where I could use a bit of wallpaper-closet, kids rooms, accent walls, etc.

Also, I'm finally on Twitter and Instagram now. You can find me on Twitter @cstylehome and on Instagram as classicstylehome.

DIY Project: How to Recover a Tufted Headboard

I still can't believe that not only did I manage to recover my headboard, but that it looks good! It looks really, really good! If you remember, I'm in the process of completely redoing my master bedroom. I decided to go with a completely different look than the rest of my house. It's white with touches of black, a little contemporary, but still elegant. As much as I adored my tan silk tufted headboard, it just did not go in the new room. I decided to try and recover it instead of buying a new one in white. I figured if it didn't work I wouldn't be out much money. Here it is before.

Yes, I still have snowflakes on my dining table. I decided to decorate for winter this year. Doesn't everyone do that? Just kidding. I forgot about them and the Christmas decorations are already up in the attic. They might be there a while.

I went to a local fabric store and scored three yards of fabric for a total of $13.50! It's Christopher Lowell fabric in a white microsuede. I like it because it won't show the tan fabric or the batting through it. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to recover it when I bought the fabric.

My first step was to see what was under the black backing. I was hoping to see knots where the buttons were tied so I could take the fabric off and start new.

But, that would just be too easy. I would have to take the entire headboard apart to get to where the buttons are tied.

I considered forgetting the tufting and wrapping the fabric around the headboard, but it just looked loose because it couldn't get tight enough due to the tufting under it. So, I sat there and stared at it for a good twenty minutes. Eventually, I came up with a plan. I decided to cut little slits in the fabric and wrap them around each button. I tested it out on an end piece and it worked!

I began by laying out my fabric with an even amount hanging off the sides of the headboard. I should have allowed for more fabric on the end because I took a little fabric from the end as I tufted. Thankfully, I had enough fabric by the time I was finished tufting to wrap it around the side of the headboard. I secured the end that I initially started on with staples. Then, I pulled the fabric tight and made a little tiny notch in the fabric with an exacto knife over the button I was working on. I made the slit a little larger with scissors and increased the size as needed to slip around the button.

Done tufting! My fingers are still sore a day later. I barely had enough fabic to staple the end around the side, but thankfully I did.

Here's a closer look after I made pleats with the excess fabric between each tuft.

I was thinking I would also wrap the existing buttons with the fabric, but that did not work at all. I found button covers at the fabric store and used the kit to wrap the fabric around each button. Did I mention there are 29 buttons? It's easy, but tedious. I just popped them on top of the old ones when I was done covering them and they actually stay in place. I'm going to put a little glue on the edges to really secure them. That way the buttons will only be glued to the new fabric. It will be easier to take them off and the old buttons won't be damaged.

Here it is finished!

I'll have a room shot with the headboard soon. Right now, I've got paint samples on the wall and all sorts of tools spread around the room. It ain't pretty!

I still can't believe I did this. It really was easy and if my non-crafty self can do this, anyone can!

Arcadian Home Guest Post: Unexpected Decorative Elements

I'm so excited to have a wonderful guest post from Arcadian Home. Their home decor is jaw droppingly beautiful and so unique. Enjoy these beautiful images and great ideas for unexpected decorative elements.

Hello, everyone! I'm Mari and I write for Arcadian Home, a great place to find beautiful home decor inspirations. I love my job because I am often able to visit lovely blogs like Classic Home Style to share decorating and interior design ideas. Today we're talking about interesting and unexpected decorative elements. I hope these eight rooms will surprise you and inspire your own decorating projects. Please enjoy!

How unexpected and interesting is this antique buffet turned kitchen island? Its dark wood finish and marble top contrasts beautifully with the light and airy look of the rest of the space.

A rough woven chair is an unexpected addition to this chic living room design. Giving the illusion of having been crocheted or knitted, the look has a surprising rustic appeal.

Long banquette seating paired with a delicate antique French table works well with formal architecture in an eat-in kitchen.

This pair of high-back chairs brings excitement to a traditional space. Unexpected shape, upholstery pattern and wood finish—each brings its own unique personality to this fresh take on the traditional arm chair.

A formal dining room with slightly rustic elements shows off unexpected table decor. I love the light-hearted look of the long-necked wooden seabird.

A beach cottage bedroom gives new meaning to the phrase "unexpected decorative element" with a wooden rowboat on the ceiling. Ideas like this one are sure to make you smile each time you enter the room.

Do we see a trend developing here? I absolutely love these freestanding glass showers that seem to be popping up everywhere right now.

From floor to ceiling, this stylish nursery is filled with unexpected decorative elements. My favorite is the massive pelican wall art above the fireplace. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 What do you think about these decorative elements, and would you use them in your home? Leave us comments below and stop by Arcadian Home for more home decor, lighting, and interior inspiration!

An Inspiring Renovation

I was so excited to open my town's lifestyle and home magazine this month and see the featured home. Go ahead and roll your eyes at "lifestyle magazine" because I do ALL the time. I usually throw these magazines out without a second glance since I'm not in the market for cosmetic dentistry or plastic surgery, but I immediately knew from the cover that this home was built by the same home builder as mine. Most of the homes were built in the 90s and are really, really dated. I absolutely love that it's been renovated because most people just make minor improvements and move to a newer home out here in the suburbs. It's also so refreshing to see a relatively affordable home featured once in a while. This home is 2800 square feet, but doesn't it look larger from the front?




You can definitely tell this house is by the same builder as mine. I wish I had these garage doors.




Brick front porch...hmmm.




The white walls and height of the ceiling makes it a perfect gallery for the homeowner's art.




This kitchen is my favorite room in the house. The first thing I did after seeing this picture was look and see if I could fit three lights above my kitchen window. Unfortunately, I can't because of the moulding we added around the window.




This is my second favorite. The wainscoting, the floors, and the vanity are giving me serious bathroom envy.




Downstairs study




The kids' television room. Ours is very similar in size, but definitely not in style. It may be time to take the train pictures off the walls.




This is definitely what my house is missing! There may be a pool in our future now that the kids are getting older.


The current homeowner bought this house already renovated. Lucky her! When I was reading through the article I noticed the previous owner is an interior designer at the same firm as a friend of mine. No wonder! That company does fabulous work that's been featured in many magazines. I'm glad to see the new homeowner put her stamp on it in a way that fits this great renovation.

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