pottery barn pillows and throw
Decorating

Tour A Classic Home With a Cottage Twist

Today, we’re excited to present a house tour from one of our favorite bloggers, Julie Blanner, who blogs at Coordinately Yours. Julie was kind enough to invite us into her home, which she shares with her husband Chris and her three daughters Adalyn, Aniston and Isla. Keep reading to hear what she has to say about her style, favorite home projects and advice for creative moms.

 

guest bedroom

 

Can you describe your home a bit? 

We live in Kansas in a 2,700 square foot colonial home that was built in the 1960s. We fell in love with it because of some of the traditional elements, like the beams in the living room and the larger Southern style front porch.

pottery barn mailbox

 Can you tell us a little more about yourself?

My career began in event planning and wedding coordination. I began blogging as an outlet to share my passions! I share ideas for effortless entertaining, DIY projects, thoughtful gifts and so much more. It’s been such a joy to reach a wider audience through my blog over the past few years. I am living my ultimate dream — wife, mom and lifestyle blogger!

 

office 3

 

How would you describe your style?

I consider myself to be pretty minimalist with a mix of traditional and cottage style. I like to combine formal elements with more relaxed items, like the linen pillow covers in the living room or distressed farmhouse chairs in Adalyn’s room, to give it a cozy feeling, despite the size, and make guests feel relaxed.

 

pottery barn kids table

 

What are some of your favorite rooms in your home?

I really love our living room because it is a place where we can entertain, but also spend a lot of our evening playing with the girls. It’s the room that combines Chris’s and my style the best. He is more modern, while I tend to be more traditional. The room easily transforms by updating items on our bookshelves, changing pillow covers and artwork.

I also love Adalyn’s room. It’s so sweet to watch her read in her window nook, have a tea party with Aniston or play dress up in there, but it’s still sophisticated.

 

pottery barn pillows and throw

 

How do you enjoy your home? Is it more of a retreat, or more of an entertaining hub?

While we entertain often, I consider our home a retreat. It’s a place we can relax and enjoy our family and friends.  I like to think that anyone who walks in, immediately feels welcome and at home.
IMG_1414

 

Are there any furniture pieces  or artwork that has an unusual or fun story?

I try to include something sentimental in each room, like the heirloom bibles on our living room bookshelves that recorded much of our family history, or the piece of driftwood in our master bathroom that Chris found on a monthlong trip away just after we married. The wardrobe in Aniston’s room has been in my family 6 generations. I love integrating old and new.

 

neutral nursery

 

I notice that you’re pretty minimalist in your use of art. What’s your decorating philosophy behind this decision?

There are a few reasons behind that! First, I can bore easily with decor, so it  provides an opportunity to change it frequently. I also tend to host a lot. Whether I’m hosting a shower or Thanksgiving, I’m bound to update the artwork to coordinate. I also find that it’s an easy way to transition your home with the seasons. For example, I had created deer sketches for the living room for fall and winter and updated them to coral for spring and summer. It gives the entire room a fresh aesthetic.

guest bedroom 4

What projects are you most proud of in your home?

I couldn’t be happier with the hardwood floors we had made. They are truly hand carved, at varying widths and with an oil finish rather than traditional varnish. They are really relaxed, yet stand out because they are so different. I’m also proud of the kitchen transformation with just paint, hardware and the pulley pendant lights from Pottery Barn. The mudroom has been our most functional transformation and just cost $300.

diy kitchen remodel

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently finishing my office/sunroom and Isla’s nursery. I joke that I work one nap at a time.

pottery barn pillow

What is your advice for other busy moms who want to keep a beautiful home?

Be realistic. Choose slipcovered furniture so that you and your family can enjoy your home without worry, use lots of baskets for storage and just remember that they’re only little once. Find a way to make a space work for both you and them (like Adalyn’s room).

Take a tour of Julie’s entire home below, and make sure to read her blog, Coordinately Yours.

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All photos courtesy Julie Blanner

 

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