Getting Settled In Our New Home

It's hard to believe, but not only was May our eight year wedding anniversary, but it was also our six month anniversary since moving from Arizona to here in North Carolina! I can't express in words how thrilled both the hubs and I are to be back east - except to start sharing some of what we've been up to transforming the house into our home, especially outside, and hopefully inspire you along the way. One of the joys we had missed the most when we moved from Miami to AZ was outdoor living. Slowly but surely, we've been able to bring that way of living back into our lifestyle -- after waiting for the snow and freezing temps from winter to pass. Although it had started to warm up a bit in April, it rained often, and I was attending High Point Market - but afterwards, we have been spending every Sunday outside - rain or shine (I even had gotten sick, but thankfully after a week, it passed). Jeff is happy he is able to grill on the deck, without having to walk down stairs and through the garage to get to the yard (like he had to do in AZ). Even Sephora isn't as frightened as she was in AZ to be outside - here on the deck only - and she especially loves watching all the birds in the trees, and occasional squirrel...


With Summer approaching, the deck space has been wonderful, especially to watch the fireflies light up the forest behind us!

There is so much we would like to do to the house, both inside and out, but we have to pace ourselves - to avoid burnout (and burning through our budget). We've gotten a great deal done inside though we've paused a bit on the inside, now that the weather has been so beautiful. Since outdoor living now has a shorter time frame (vs. FL or AZ), we've focused our energy & time outside. (I'll share inside shortly - stay tuned!!) Between watching local plant sales, cleaning up - pulling weeds, changing out mulch, fertilizer, watering, seeding, plus adding a few new plants, small changes are helping to make a big difference. And Monday, the shutters getting painted, should also help to make for a more crisp looking curb appeal out front. For the back yard, the (double) deck is scheduled to be getting repaired and stained (charcoal grey) later in June - but just cleaning it up last November and adding some plants now for Spring has made a big difference from the day we closed...

 Sneak Peek at lower deck (before it gets stained next month)... 

And what the deck was, the day we closed back in November...





It was actually MUCH worse the day before we closed - I don't know how they cleared it, but they did (more car parts, an old bike, and a Nautilus weight lifting machine (NOT a bench) got cleared... This is the loveliness left behind...



Thankfully, I was able to schedule a donation pick-up from Goodwill to come haul this "stuff" away...



One of the big clean-ups first happened before the movers arrived with our truck, back on November 22 - We had to clear-out the junk-yard left behind from the previous owners (which was actually worse the day before we closed - thankfully, they cleared out most of their belongings, but still left behind remnants of their auto repairs they used to do here (and from what we've heard, the neighbors just loved - insert sarcasm here). But that's in the past, and we're moving forward...



Outdoor Shed Organizing



Outdoor Shed Organizing


Winter came and so did snow (Jeff's first!!) So we really couldn't do much outside, except get the now Potting Shed organized with gardening tools, containers, and outdoor decor  I've collected from gardening in Florida -- plus baskets I collected in Arizona. It's a great storage space, giving  more space to the garage (for Jeff's truck), and I couldn't wait to start pulling out pots from the shed after the winter passed to start planting... 




First Day of Spring - Lowe's - 38 degrees and raining!!

In mid-March, my mom came to visit which prompted me to start sourcing the local Lowe's and Home Depot nurseries for some Spring greens + flowering plants. I started with two large Boston ferns for the deck and two potted flowering plants for the front door, to pair with two small arborvitae (conifer) I had picked up back in December. While my mom was visiting in March, I also lucked out and found triple tier topiaries at Home Depot, but since another cold front was coming, they needed to stay inside. 


Topiaries from Home Depot - High Point

Orchid Pavilion - Inspiration from the Greensboro Ideal Home Show



After mom's visit, Jeff and I attended a Home Show in Greensboro, where we were able to get information and promotion specials on deck refinishing, pest control, and lawn care (treatment). Thankfully, our neighbor was also able to give us the name of a reliable / affordable lawn cutting service to hire. The places we've lived before were maintained by the community - the lawn care (cutting) is new for us. And to invest in all the right tools to care for ourselves takes time to learn, so at least for this first year, someone else is cutting & edging the lawn. Jeff did find a good Spring deal on an edger / weed-whacker, so he has been able to help in between cuttings (especially on the grade change sloped in the back) - and it fits great in the shed along with bags of garden soil,  potting soil, fertilizer, a spade, rakes - and eventually: a lawn mower!








In April, the Home Improvement centers were all having their Black Friday sales, which Jeff and I both took full advantage of - from new black mulch, soil and rocks, to ground cover, small shrubs, and flowering plants. One of the best gardening tips I ever learned was from HGTV's Paul the Gardening Guy who shared how much of a savings it is to buy smaller plants of the larger species you're wanting -- Since this planting zone is new to me (as is gardening with these seasonal changes), I thought this was wise advice. I only bought smaller shrubs plus I also kept an eye out for the 4 for $10 specials (again, a huge help when you're trying to do a lot with a little). Eventually, I'd like to change the front walk-way, and line it with a low sculpted boxwood leading to the door, but right now, we need to get the grass growth, weeds, and even a pesky mole under control. Sadly, the previous owners didn't really care for the property, and the little bit of TLC we've been giving it has already been appreciated by the neighbors.



 Our deck in early March (left), the day we returned from Atlanta (Design Bloggers Conference) - and the deck now in May, before getting repaired + stained this coming June. (And a sneak peek at a former water garden we transformed into a rock garden).



These two wicker chairs I had scored at Goodwill back in AZ (they were white), and I refreshed them here with a new coat of matte black. The peek at the Greek Key rug (5x7) you see here is a NC score I made at a local consignment shop.


When I was first learning about where to shop thrift and consignment shops back in December, I had found 2 small Greek Key concrete planters. Later in Spring, we attended the Liberty Antiques Show and I found two more, medium sized planters, for the deck. Inside it is a plant called a Hot Head (another arborvitae).


 Our back yard view - When we moved in Fall, November 2014 and now for Spring May 2015

   
This Memorial Weekend, we were able too actually enjoy some of the fruits, or rather herbs, of our labor. Jeff started his first vegetable / herb garden in a raised bed, just off an underused side of our deck. No tomatoes (yet!) but with the parsley and basil Jeff picked yesterday, I was able to make us a delicious pesto sauce we've used as a spread, and I'd like to use to make my mom's tortellini salad...

Jeff's first garden - Raised bed from Home Depot.

Homemade pesto from homegrown basil & parsley.


As I mentioned, I'll share more of the projects we've done together and some refinishing projects I've done too, but while the weather is great outside, I'll be sharing some of our outdoor living projects, and also hopefully getting back my 'blog voice' that seems have gotten a little lost lately. 

Here is a sneak peek at the foyer, plus a list of projects we've done over the past 6 months, I'll be writing about...


During painting process (dining room already painted here) - November 2014

 Foyer - After painted, styled, and builder basic light fixture changed.

Although this isn't a new house (since it was built in 2005), some of the interior projects we've been able to complete since moving in six months ago have included:

Picking Paint Colors
Move-in & Closet Organizing
Installing Window Treatments
Refinishing & Updating Brass Hardware
Painting All Interior Doors Black
Painting Master Bedroom Doors Charcoal
Refinishing 2 Oak Bathroom Cabinets to Grey
Setting up a New Home Office
Refinishing a L-Shaped Consignment Desk
Creating A Stairway Gallery
Creating a Welcoming Small Foyer 
Updating Builder Light Fixtures
Setting a Guest Den
Decorating A Master Bedroom
Restyling the Dining Room
Refinishing Chairs & Tables
Secondhand Style Sourcing Furniture Finds 

Another sneak peek, here at the master bedroom...

Master Bedroom BEFORE

 Master Bedroom After

The only project we hired someone to complete, (besides painting the common areas & bathrooms when we moved in) was having someone install a pair of wood French Doors I refinished, to create a new accessory walk-in closet in the master bedroom, which I'm sure the next homeowner will greatly appreciate!

 This house was built in 2005, so it's already 10 years old - but it is a terrific layout + location for us. I love the symmetrical and classic look of the exterior front, we both love the relaxed outdoor deck space, overlooking a (now) rich green forest, plus the house is  comfortable for guests (according to mom!) and the neighborhood is quiet and friendly too. The deck will be great for entertaining with a few more tweaks - but again, we're pacing ourselves, doing a little at a time.

Happy 6 Month Anniversary of Harmon House and Happy 8 years (married, but 12 together!) of The Davids!

 Bye for now from Harmon House!



Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for easy home project updates!





INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS FROM THE JUNIOR LEAGUE of HIGH POINT DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE

This Spring, along with this years High Point Market Week, the Junior League of High Point coordinated a designer showhouse - its first in 35 years - featuring the donated time and talent of 22 interior designers, both local and from across the country. The house chosen by the Junior League was the historic Randall B. Terry Estate - also known as the Terry House - a 5,400 square-foot-home built in 1912 by the then prominent local businessman, Randall B. Terry. Terry House is one of the earliest homes built in the historic Roland Park area, which is now a part of Emerywood, both located in the heart of High Point, as well as being located just around the corner from the also historic Bienenstock Furniture Library (you can read about the library here). 


The Terry House served as a wonderful backdrop and example of the English Tudor Revival-style homes that became popular here in the North Carolina region, and was the perfect canvas to artfully display the talents of this savvy group of designers. Thankfully, I had attended the Press Preview Friday morning, before the showhouse became open for the public to tour, and I was able to really take in the creative details and vignettes in this beautifully restored home, and here are a few of my favorite spaces...


Traci Zeller's design aesthetic: "Crisp, classic, and chic - yet always highly functional."

(photo via Circa Lighting)
















Libby's design aesthetic: "Easy, elegant, everyday."









Parker Kennedy design aesthetic: "Preppy on the Edge, combined with Southern Regency"





 (photo via instagram)



Madcap Cottage gents design aesthetic: "traditional with a twist!"






 (photo via Lynn Byrne instagram)


While the showhouse was open, proceeds from the ticket sales went to fund the reinstatement of the Junior League of High Point’s Mini-Grant program, giving the continued support of health and wellness to the community. The JLHP’s mission also continues to promote volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community. This past week, the designers were back to 'tear-down' their beautifully designed spaces, however, some of their design details may be found among some of the local market sample sales, online sample sales, or the designer's home-town warehouse clearance sales...

And here is one you don't want to miss, happening in Atlanta, GA!!



Parker Kennedy Living (PKL) Warehouse Sale - Marietta, GA

Friday May 29th & Saturday May 30th
Both days - 10am-4pm
 (cash & credit cards - no checks)

It will be located at the PKL headquarters in Atlanta. 
2129 Northwest Parkway Suite 109 - Marietta, GA 30067 
(Spell out "northwest" or it will take you to a different location) 

North of ATLANTA off interstate 75 at the Windy Hill road exit 
(in the business park behind Cracker Barrel)
For more info, call 770-272-7800 - Warehouse land line.

For now... back to the showhouse...





You can read more about the Terry House, plus see additional beautiful renderings, the vision the designers had for their rooms before renovating them, along with a few before photos in my post I wrote called Beautiful Renderings From The Junior League of High Point Designer Showhouse, on the Hadley Court design blog.



Artist's Retreat by Leslie Moore of L. Moore Designs - High Point, NC

The showhouse was so enormous – with its main house, outdoor living spaces, and carriage house (24 spaces in all!), it felt as if I was touring three homes in one. I was so inspired by many of the designs - too many to share all here - so my blog has a few inspiration design highlights, but you can also see more of this beautiful showhouse by visiting the designers sites found at jlhpshowhouse.com/designers -- plus, also be sure to visit Circa Lighting for additional designer details of their spaces, and where you can also Shop The Look.


 #JLHPShowhouse Powder Room by Margaret Fisher - Charlotte, NC


 #JLHPShowhouse Upstairs Daughter's bedroom by Cathy Austin - Charlotte, NC


One other post I did write was also for Hadley Court, featuring the same design style Leslie honed in on while being a Style Spotter this Spring at market she called The New Feminine. You can view the post at The New Feminine: 6 Inspiring Rooms from the Junior League of High Point Showhouse

 After the press preview in the morning, I returned later that evening to experience the designer showhouse in a different light, thanks to an invite to the Gala opening for my husband I from Leslie Hendrix Wood.

Loved getting to meet another member of Team Hadley Court - Kim Shaver, who also lives here in North Carolina! 

Since I took all my pics in the morning, Jeff and I had a chance to really enjoy the party - together!

 Loved getting to see online friends in person once again, like my friend Andrew Joseph from NYC!

Congrats to all the fabulous designers who contributed their time and talent to a successful designer showhouse for the Junior League of High Point! (photo via instagram)

Thanks for stopping by!
Hope you too are inspired by their designs!



All photos by Lynda Quintero-Davids, unless otherwise noted.

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